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THE SOUTHERN WORLD, DECEMBER 15, 1882. 51 ^griquUnrfiJ gj^artmtfL 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,