Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-05-24
ARM EDUCATION
BY DIR ANDREW M SOLfE

experience with corn, but wish
TO know if kaffir corn, pea vines
and sorghum can be used with
the corn
A great many crops may be used
for silage purposes in Georgia. We
have tested out a good many of them
in recent years, and we have about
concluded that the following pro
ce0ure represents the best practice
to follow in this state. We now
plant white kaftir corn and red.
head or sumac sorghum in alter.
nate rows. These rows are made
about four feet apart. 1t is our
thought to have the stalks stand
five TO eight inches apart in the
drill rows. On this account we use
a relatively small amount of seed.
There are single and two.horse
grain drills on the market now with
adjusted plates. Those ordinarily
used for seeding sorghum will an.
swer for kaffir corn as well. The
seed of these two crops are much
the same in size, and the speed at
which the plate is adjusted to turn
insures enough grain being planted
to provide a uniform stand in an
average year.
We no longer attempt to grow
pea vines, soy beans, and other
crops in association with those in
tended for silage. We have found
it better practice to SOW legumes
by themselves. The development of
the vine is much greater where this
practice is followed, and the yield
Of grain is also much larger. We
have centered on the use of kaffir
corn and sorghum for silage pur-
poses due to the fact that corn is
more frequently damaged by a
drouth period than the crops men
toned. We would be dissatisfied
with a silage crop from which we
did not harvest ten tons per acre.
These crops must not be cut for
silage until they are mature; thac
is, until the seed pods are yellow
Otherwise, the silage made contains
too much water and so develops an
undesirab BILE degree of acidity The
crops in question may be cut with
corn harvester and handled in
the form of sheaves. We allow con-
siderable whiting to take place be-
fore we put them into the silo. 1t
is important to see that the silage
is kept uniformly level throughout
the entire process of filling the silo.
Be certain to see that the silage is
thoroughly packed against the out
side walls so as to exclude the air.
Using Nitrate of Soda On Flowers
B. T., Ringgold, Ga, writes:
I would like advice in regard to
applying nitrate Of soda to flow
Ia n a
results. How much, how often
and how near the plant should
it be applied?
When seasonal conditions are IA
vorable and your dahlias are max,
ing rapid and uniform growth, the
use of nitrate Of soda as side ap-
plication is not necessary. When
ever the bright green color indi.
cative of q wellnourished plant be-
gins to fade, two conditions may
have arisen which should receive
your attention and consideration.
First of all, there may not be a
sufficient amount of moisture in
the ground to supply the needs of
the plant. Secondly, nitrogen in a
readily available form may be lack
ing. Whenever this occurs, I sug-
gest that you put a teaspoonful of
nitrate, of soda around the plant.
1t should be distributed in a circle,
say II inches from its base. You
do not need to cover it into the soil,
as the moisture rising up through
capillary action will cause it to dis
solve INN diately and it will be
taken up by the plant. II will be-
gin to change the color Of the folia ge
in about ten days, at the same time
a more active and rapid growth will
set in. The use of teaspoonful or
two of nitrate of soda every ten days
to two weeks throughout the grow
ing season may prove very helpful!
to one specializing in the cultivation
of dahlias. The amount to use
naturally depends on the fertility of
the soil, the available supply of
water, and seasonal conditions. The
overlooking of the plants is as like
ly to be as Objectionable as their UNI
derfeeding. One must use judgment
as to the frequency and the amount
of nitrate of soda to apply.