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THE SOUTHERN WORLD, DECEMBER 15, 1882.
51
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Compml Foramina.
The following is extracted from Circular
Number 61—issued from the Georgia Depart*
ment of Agriculture, in January 1878. The
formulas given were slightly changed from
similar formulas first published by the same
authority in January 1870, the change con
sisting in the substitution of kainlt(sulphate
of potash) in the place of muriate of potash:
COMPOSTING SUPERPHOSPHATES WITH HOME
MANURES.
When we consider the fact that the farmers
of Georgia expended nearly three and a half
millions of dollars last season for fertilizers,
even on a cash basis, the question of the most
economical mode of permanently improving
our soils, and at the same time producing re
munerative crops, is one of vital importance
to our people.
The Philosophy of Composting.—Stable ma
nure is admitted on all sides to be a complete
manure, in the sense of containing all of the
necessary elements of plant food. There are
some of the more important elements (Phos
phoric Acid is the principal) which are
contained in such small per centage that
large quantities of the manure must be ap
plied in order to secure a sufficient quantity
of fchis essential element for the necessities
bf plait sustenance. To supply this de
ficiency, superphosphate is added to the com
post heap. A combination of stable manure
and cotton seed, in the proportions recom
mended, supplies enough ammonia for sum
mer crops, but hardly sufficient for winter
small grain, unless applied at the rate of 400
pounds per acre. The sulphate of lime con
tained in every superphosphate, besides be
ing otherwise valuable as a chemical agent,
serves to fix the ammonia generated in the
progress of decomposition in compost heap.
The fermentation reduces the coarse mate'
rial and prepares it for the use of the plant.
Composting Under Shelter.—This may usu
ally be done on rainy days, or when the
ground is too wet for the plow, so that little
time need be lost by the manipulation of the
heap, There are two methods practiced
with equally satisfactory results:
One is to apply the different ingredients
' "* In sliccessTvelay ers, and cut down vertically
after a thorough fermentation has taken
place, mixing well with shovel at the same
time.
The other is to mix thoroughly the ingre
dients at first, and allow the mass to stand
until used.
The effects of composts thus prepared far
exceed the indications of analysis, and, cost
considered, are truly remarkable.
Formula for Composting.—If the utable ma
nure and cotton seed have been preserved
under shelter, use the following:
FORMULA NO. 1.
Stable Manure 750 lbs,
Cotton Seed (green) 750 lbs,
' Acid Phosphate or Dissolved Bono... 500 lbs,
75 or 100 pounds, making in all 275 or 300
pounds per acre. If it is desired to apply a
larger quantity, open furrows the desired
distance, and over them sow, broadcast, 400
pounds per acre; bed the land, and then
apply 100 pounds per acre with the seed.
For Corn.—Apply in the hill, by the side
of the seed, one pint to the hill. An addi
tional application around the stalk, before
the first plowing, will largely increase the
yield of grain.
If the compost is to be used on worn or
sandy pine lands, use the following:
FORMULA NO. 2.
Stable manure 700 lbs.
Cotton seed (green) 700 lbs.
Super-phosphate 500 lbs.
Kaintt 100 lbs.
Prepare as directed for No. 1, moistening
the m&nure and cotton seed with a solution
of the kainit instead of water. Muriate of
potash is the 'cheapest form in which potash
can be used, but kainit supplies it in a bet
ter form and combination.
If lot manure, or that which has been so
exposed as to lose some of its fertilizing
properties, is composted, use—
FORMULA NO. 3.
Lot manure 600 lbs.
Cotton seed (green) 600 lbs,
Acid phosphate or dissolved bone... 600 lbs.
Sulphate of ammonia 60 lbs,
Kainit 140 lbs.
Making a ton of 2,000 lbs.
Directions for Composting.—Spread under
shelter a layer of stable manure four Inches
thick; on this sprinkle a portion the phos
phate ; next spread a layer of the cotton
seed three Inches thick; wet these thorough
ly with water, and then apply more of the
phosphate. Next spread another layer of
stable manure three inches thick, and con
tinue to repeat these layers in the above
order, and in proportion to the quantity of
each used to the ton, until the material Is
consumed. Cover the whole mass with sta
, ble manure, or scrapings from the lot one or
two inches thick. Allow the heap to stand
in this condition until a thorough fermen
tation takes place, which will require from
three to six weeks, according to circum
stances, dependent upon proper degree of
moisture, and the strength of the materials
used. When the cotton seed are thoroughly
killed, with a sharp hoe, or mattock, cut
, down vertically through the layers; pulver-
' * ize, and shovel into aheap, where the fer
mentation will be renewed, and the compost
\be still further improved Let it lie two
^weeks after cutting down; it will then be
Toady for use.
* The following plan of mixing gives equal
ly satisfactory results: Mix the cotton seed
and stable manure in proper proportion,
moisten them with water, apply the proper
iroportion of phosphate, and mix thorough-
shoveling into a mass as prepared.
There is some advantage in this plan,
im the fact that, the ingredients are thor-
ghly commingled during fermentation.
Fob Cotton.—Apply in the opening fur-
iW 200 pounds, and with the planting seed
Making a ton of 2,000 lbs.
The sulphate of ammonia and kainit must
be dissolved in warm water, and a propor
tionate part of each sprinkled upon the other
ingredients as the heap is prepared. Apply
as directed under No. 1, to cotton and corn.
To wheat or oats, apply 400 to 500 pounds
per acre, broadcast, and harrow it in with
the grain.
In this connection we also give Mr. Fur
man’s formula, taken from his August ad
dress before the State Agricultural Conven
tion at Marietta Ga.
“Now, to give you the formula upon which
my compost is made: Take thirty bushels of
well rotted stable manure or well rotted or'
ganic matter, as leaves, muck, etc., and scat
ter it about three inches thick upon a piece
of ground so situated that water will not
stand on it, but shed off in every direction.
The thirty bushels will weigh about nine
hundred pounds. Take two hundred
pounds of good acid phosphate and one
hundred pounds kainit, and mix the acid
phosphate and kainit thoroughly then scatter
evenly on the manure. Take next thirty
bushels of green cotton seed and distribute
evenly over the pile, and wet them thor
oughly; they will weigh nine hundred
pounds; take again two hundred pounds
acid phosphate and one hundred pounds
kainit; mix, and spread over the seed; be
gin again on the manure, and keep on in
this way, building up your heap layer by
layer until you get it as high as convenient,
then cover with six inches of rich earth from
fence corners, and leave it at least six weeks.
When ready to haul to the field, cut with a
spade or pickaxe square down, and mix as
thoroughly as possible. Now we hftve thirty
bushels of manure, weighing nine hundred
pounds, and three hundred pounds chernt
cals in the first layer, and thirty bushels
cotton seed, weighing nine hundred pounds,
and three hundred pounds of chemicals in
the second layer, and these two layers com'
bined form the perfect compost. You per
ceive that that the weight is 2,400 pounds.
Apply the first year 500 pounds per acre in
the drill; the second year 1,000 pounds; and
the third year 2,000 pounds; after this use
from 4,000 to 20,000 pounds per acre, as you
may be able to prepare.”
Mr. Furman’s formula Is a very good one
but is not very clearly described above. Re
duced to a tabular form and giving quant!
ties of each ingredient sufficient for one ton
it is as follows:
Well rotted stable manure or well
rotted organic matter 750 lbs.
Cotton seed 750 lbs.
Acid phosphate 333 lbs.
Kainit 167 lbs.
consulted when it is intended to make very
heavy applications of composts. In all the
formula given above, the acid potash and
ammonia present in the compost are the
chief source of plant food. The muck
or leaves in the comparative small applica
tion of 2000 pounds per acre of.Furman’s
compost would amount to but little in sup
plying plant food, compared with the cot
ton seed and the concentrated chemicals.
B.
INQUIRY COLUMN.
WHITE RUSSIAN OATS.
Editor Southern World.—We have tried
thfe Russian White Oats, and they are a per
fect swindle for our hot climate, ail go to
blast. 1 would warn good farmers against
them. J. B. Allen.
Anniston, Ala.
Editor Southern World.—I received two
packages of Russian While Oats from the
Department of Agriculture last winter and
sowed them on the 18th of February last, on
rich land. At least 80 per cent, blasted. Red
Oats sowed the same day on thin land doub
led them. I find them to be nothing but
the old Foxtail oat. J. L. Griffin.
Cusscta, Tex.
Editor Soutuern World.—In your issue
1st inst. I see that Henry Roswell wants in
formation as to results obtained from seed
ing the White Russian Oats. Myself with
all others- that bought them have failed.
They are sightly while growingbut are rath
er too late, and rust badly. And any variety
of oats that rust, are considered worthless
among farmers here. If Mr Roswell will
send postage, I will send him or any of your
readers a sample of a new variety of oats
that, as I claim, fully meet all the wants of
the southern farmer. Extra early, prolific,
and guaranteed not to rust, from fifteen to
twenty days earlier than any of the popular
and modern varieties except the Burt, nnd
comes in ahead of that.
“Farm Independence.”
Hogansville, Troup county, Qa.
Remark.—“Farm Independence” would
benefit himself and the readers of the World,
by advertising in its columns—giving his
name, price, &c. R.
Total - 2,000
It will be seen that the above formula va
ries but little from formula No. 2, of the
Department of Agrioulture; and, leaving out
the sulphate of ammonia in formula
Number 3, the correspondence is still
closer. As we have before observed,
the proportion in which each com
ponent enters into a compost may vary
between very wide limits and may well be
regulated by the relative quantities of each
that may be available to the fanner. Plant
epalysis is a reliable guide and should be
FERTILIZERS FOR SMALL GRAIN.
Editor Southern World.—Will you or
some of your correspondents answer
what kind of fertilizer should bo ap
plied to small grain crops, and when, to has
ten their maturity. Our soil is black and
waxy. Barn yard manure will ruin crops
for several years. For several years we
made fine wheat and a good yield which
made a fine quality of sweet flour. Now
the yield is not near so good, and the flour
very inferior. The Saccharine principle
seems to be wanting and the glutenous too
abundant. We want more sugar and less
gluten, the maturity hastened so one can es
cape the rust. R. M. White,
Ovilla, Tex.
Answer.—As a rule ammontated fertil
izers are considered' specially demanded by
small grain crops; but in the above case we
suggest that an acid phosphate of lime con'
taing two or three per Cent, of potash would
give better results. The description of the
soil is too meagre to give a clear conception
of its character to one not accustomed to
such lands. We will be glad to hear from
any of our correspondents who may be able
to give light on the subject In order to es
cape rust and yield a good milling grain,
wheat should be sown on well drained or
high and dry land. The phosphoric acid of
the phosphate of lime tends to hasten
maturity of the crop and produce well filled
heads and plump well ripened grains.
R.
FURMAN’S FORMULA.
Editor Southern World.—As I think of
trying the compost used by a Mr. Furman,
of Ga., please let me know through the col
umns of tbe 8. W., at what price two of the
ingredients, kainit and acid phosphate can
be bought; and what would be the best point
for me to buy at. “Long may the S. W.
wave. E. A. Salmond.
Bridgeville, Ala.
Answer.—Mark W. Johnson & Co. adver
tises in thiB issue of the World, acid phos
phate and . kainit. We learn their cash
prices are (30 for the fprmer and (20 for the
latter, per ton. Farmers will find it greatly
to their interest to club together and buy
such articles in carload lots from reliable
dealers who can and will make good their
guaranteed analyses. Kainit is valuable di
rectly in proportion to the potash (K.O.) con
tained in it The per cent, of potash varies from
eleven to thirteen per cent. Some dealer*
are in the habit of advertising the per cent
age of sulphate of potash their goods contain.
This will not mislead the farmer if be is
aware of the fact that sulphate of potash con
tains about one half of its weight of potash.
Always insist on a guarantee of so much
potash (K. O.) See article elsewhere on
composting. R,
Editor Southern Wobld.—Your answer*
to correspondents have been so readily and
fully given that I am led to ask your indul
gence with the following questions, which
as others may be Interested In them, you
will please answer through the Southern
World.
1. What are the relative values of cotton
seed, and of cotton seed meal as fertilizers,
and which Is the cheapest with seed at 14
to 15 cents, (what we have to pay.)
2. Please give me the analysis of water
melons and of Irish potatoes.
3. Which is the best fertilizer for these
crops 7
4. What commercial fertiliser, if any,
would you recommend to use with cotton
seed, or with meal? and what is the best
mode of applying to melon and potato crops?
5. Does it make any difference about plant
ing the same land in melons several years
in succession?
6. I have seen several interesting oxtracts
from Commissioner Henderson’s Biennial
Report, and would like to get a copy, how
can I do so ?
6. Have you an index to first volumo of
Southern World ? I file my copies and
would like an index. Truck.
Monticello, Fla.
Answer.—1. Cotton seed meal contains all
the elements of value for fertilising purpo
ses that were contained in the whole
kernel of the seed. The oil and the hull
only have been removed. The oil is of
no value as a fertilizer; the hulls are of little
value compared to that of the kernel and
their loss is probably compensated by the
superior mechanical condition of the meal.
So we may safely say that, practically, the
meal is equal in value, as a fertilizer to the
whole seed. But weight for weight the meal
is worth much more, for one bushel of whole
cotton seed.whfm deprived of their hulls and
oil will yield about ten pounds of meal.
Ten pounds of cotton seed meal is, therefore,
equivalent to thirty pounds of whole cotton
seed, as a fertilizer; and if the cotton Beed
are worth fifteen cents per bushel,or one-half
cent per pound, you can afford to pay one
and one-half cents per pound for the meal.
A farmer cannot afford to exchange his cot
ton seed to the oil mill for less than about
700 hundred pounds of meal for each ton (or
GGX bushels) of seed—both delivered free of
expense to the farmer.
2. We cannot lay our hand on an analysis
of the watermelon. The following is WolfTs
analysis of the Irish potato:
Water, .75, nitrogen, .34, Ash, .94, Potftsh,
.57, soda, .20, lime, .20, magnesia, .04, phos
phoric acid .16, sulphuric acid, .06, and silica
and sand, .02.
3. We would uso an ammoniated super
phosphate or compost of cotton seed (or
meal) with acid phosphate and potash for
melons, and the same with a much higher
percentage of potash for Irish potatoes. Pot
ash is the specific for the latter vegetable.
Ashes always pay when applied to them be
cause of the potash contained in them. The
analysis given shows that more than one
half of the ash of the potato is potash.
4. Make a compost of 600 pounds of acid
phosphate, 600 pounds of cotton seed or 200
pounds of the meal, 200 to 400 pounds of the
kainit and 600 to 1500 pounds of vegetable
matter or lot manure, according to available
quantity. Apply in shallow broad holes,
mix thoroughly with top-soil and make low,
hills, 10x10 feet. Put two or three pint* of
the compost in each hill. If for Irish pota
toes use the larger proportion of kainit and
apply in drills at the rate of 800 to 1000 lbs.
per acre.
5. We have never observed any difference,
except that land usually becomes stocked
with grass seeds unless followed closely by
a fall crop.
6. Write to Hon. J. T. Henderson, Com
missioner of Agriculture, Atlanta. Ga., for a
copy of his Biennial Report, enclosing a two
cent stamp.
7. We have no index for the first volume,
not having prepared for it in time. R.
Tbe establishment near Atlanta of a large
manufactory of broom* is a move in the
right direction. In consequence of there be
ing no large factory here, the demand for
broom com has been so small that there was
no inducement offered to onltlvitte it,