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EXPERIMENTAL FARMING.
Valuable Tests of Manures and Soils.
Cost of Production of Cotton, Corn and
Oats. •
Early and Eate Planting of Cotton.
Thick and Thin Planting of Corn.
Replete With Valuable Suggestions.
Read before the State Agricultural So
ciety by Prof. Pendleton, of the
State University.
(synopsis.)
I. Introductory Remarks.
1. The objects of the experimental farm. 2.
Experiments in progress thereat. 3. Why most
of their experments are confined to cotton. 4.
Why it would be better if full crops of cotton
were made every year, and the price kept at a
low, uniform rate. 5. The worthlessness of
cheap fertilizers.
If. Experiments.
1. Comparative cost of the production of corn,
cotton and oats. 2. Thick and thin planting
of cotton. 3. The quantity and depth to apply
fertilizers. 4. To test the application of fer
tilizers four months and two months previous
to the time of planting, with that put in at the
time. 5. Comparative value of sulphated ashes,
wood ashes, and superphosphate of lime, in
several combinations. 6. Application of liquid
fertilizers and their residue. 7. Ground phos
phate combined and uncombined. 8. Cotton
seeds in different forms and combinations. 9.
Comparative value of sulphated ashes and su
perphosphate of lime. 10. Comparative value
of phosphate of iron and phosphate of lime. 11.
Experiment to test the comparative value of
several constituents of the cotton plant. 12. To
test the commercial and agricultural value of
nitrogen. 13. Early ami late planting of cotton.
14. Comparative value of organic green manures,
and ash of plants. 15. Wide and narrow rows
of cotton contrasted. 16. Suckering corn. 17.
Proper width for planting corn. 18. Fertilizers
on corn. 19. To test the effect, of pulling fodder
on the production of corn. 20. Thick and thin
planting of corn. 21. Effect of fertilizers the
second year.
Mr. President and Gentlemen: Preliminary to
my report, I wish to state a few things explan
atory of our mode of conducting experiments and
the general objects we have in view, as there
seems to be misapprehensions in the public mind
in reference to this subject.
What, then, are the objects of the experimental
farm? Not, as some supppose, to teach practical
agriculture, (this could be better learned at
home,) but to elucidate the science for the benefit
of our students, and to develop the agricultural
resources of the South—particularly to establish
the best and most economic methods of restoring
our worn soils. In order to do this, we have in
progress a series of experments that it will take
a number of years to determine, but when deter
mined, will be of incalculable advantage. Among
them are the following: 1. One-fourth of an acre
devoted to a rotation of cotton two years and
oats one without any rest; with the addition of
200 pounds of ammoniated superphosphate an
nually; the exact product estimated each year,
t-> see if this rotation is not of the best for cotton
planters. 2. One-fourth of an acre by its side to
be planted every year in cotton with the ap
plication of 200 pounds of fertilizer per acre;
all the organic matter left on it. 3. One-fourth
o! an acre, with the same amount of fertilizer,
planted continuously in cotton, and the cotton
>t ilka removed from it. 4. One-fourth of an acre
planted continuously in cotton, without any fer
tilizer. by its side; seed not returned. 5. One
planted with cotton, with no other fertilizer
than the seed, returned annually.
Other experiments, as to the effect of fertilizers
fora series of years without any re-application,
as well ns some involving other rotations. We
have also an acre of new ground divided into
four equal parts. We intend to begin from the
fir-; year and have an analysis of each part made
each year upon the most recent methods, sscer-,
mining as. nearly a spossible the soluble matters
and especially the amount of black matter, or
humus, in its widest sense, according to Mr.
Gnnleaa * method; then plant one in cotton,
without fertilizers, one with the seed simply re
turne I. one with 200 pounds of ammoniated
superphosphate, and one with rest every fourth
year.
But why, we are aga ; n asked, do you experi
ment so much in cotton ? We answer—
-1 Because cotton constitutes the wealth o
Georgia. If any man doubts this, let him con
trast the amount of taxable property in the cot
ton-producing counties with that of the non
cotton pro lucing counties.
2. Because the only reason whv «e cannot
THE W SO (WEWEK & WMWK
compete successfully with the cotton States west
of us, is that our lands are worn and theirs are
not. Then the great problem of our political
economy is to learn the most economical methods
to make that staple that constitutes our wealth
as cheap as they do. While they are wearing
out their lands, we must be improving ours.
3. When we improve land for cotton, we im
prove it for corn and all the cereals as well, so
that the same end is obtained by experiments
on cotton. It is a fact that one crop of cotton
removes from an acre of soil just about as much
nitrogen phosphoric acid and potash as four crops
of corn.
4. We can determine results much better by
cotton than any other crop, both in the appli
cation of fertilizers and the gathering and est
imating the amount produced.
Pardon me for venturing an opinion byway
of digression, in reference to the production of
cotton. I believe that it would be better for
the planting interest of the country if full crops
were made every year, and the price kept at a
low, uniform rate. ' My reasons for this are these:
First—lt would drive from the production of
cotton every man who does not make his own
supplies at home. Second—lt would drive from
competition all countries which are not properly
cotton countries. Third—lt would cause gamb
ling and speculation in cotton to cease, both in
its production and in its purchase. Fourth—lt
would save the planter an immense amount of
nitrogen in the increase of his seeds instead of
having to pay such prices for it from the Pacific
isles. A man who makes his supplies at home
and has the cash to pay his way, can afford, of a
seasonble year, to make cotton at ten cents per
pound, while the man who goes on a credit,
and buys his supplies from abroad, cannot afford
to make it at fifteen cents.
Any effort, then, to increase the price of cot
ton by lessening its production, is not only chim
erical, and must utterly fail, but if it succeeds,
can only be temporary; for as soon as cotton rises
under this impetus, everybody would bring it
down again by a big crop, and thus speculation
would again result.
It is proper to apprise you that we use nothing
on our plots but the best articles. For instance,
the superphosphate made in Baltimore had, when
prepared eighteen months ago, sixteen per cent,
of soluble phosphoric acid—analysis by Liebig. A
recent analysis by Prof. White gives 18.3 of
phosphoric acid, soluble in water. Another
superphosphate used extensively by planters,
gave only 2.7. The Peruvian or guanape we use
contains over ten per cent, analysis by Professor
Sheppard. There is some in market that con
tains not more than two per cent analyzed by
professor white.
Thus you perceive that what we state of our
compounds may not betrue of yours, and if you
fail to realize the same results, it will be because
you persist in buying an article because it is low
priced, full, it may be, of salt, or lime, or plaster,
iron or sand. Such combinations are not worth
the freight on them and it is in this way that com
mercial fertilizers are in disrepute,and good arti
cles run out of the market.
First Experiment—Comparative Cost of the Pro
duction of Corn, Cotton and Oats.
We put into cultivation three acres (one each)
to test this interesting question. The oats were
sown on the 18th of December, 1873, (a yellow
Georgia variety), without 500 pounds home-made
manure put in at the time of planting. One and
half a bushels of seed oats to the acre produced
29 j( bushels of grain. The expense of produc
tion, all told, was $14.25, value of the oats and
straw, (the latter being 1,275 pounds,) was
$33.69; net profit, $19.44. The corn was planted
27th March, 1874, andfetilized in a deep double
furrow, opened with a turning shovel, run both
ways, with 56 bushels of composted cotton seed
and stable manure. When covered, 190 pounds
of a high graded ammoniated superphosphate was
scattered on the ridge, which fell mostly in the
si lo rows, and was covered by the next furrows.
Expenses and 'Products.
To 8 days labor of negro man $4 20
To 6 days’ labor of horse 1 80
To cost of manure. 9 54
sls 54
Receipts.
By 25.85 bushels of corn, $1 00.. .$25 85
By 612 pounds of fodder, $1 50 9 18
Total expenses 15 54
Net profit sl9 49
Deducting the value of the fodder, the corn
cost to make it 24 cents and 4 mills per bushel,
and yet men who have the land, the labor, the
mule power, and tools, prefer to pay from $1 to
$1 50 per bushel, because of their mania to raise
cotton. The acre of cotton was fertilized with 300
pounds of the same ammoniated superphosphate
as that applied to the corn ; planted 3| feet in
the drill; plowed the first lime with a subsoil
plow, on each side, and «übsequently with the
cotton sweep.
Product of seed cotton 1,328 pounds.
Product of lint cotton 442 pounds.
Net proceeds at 13| cents per pound $59 67
To 16 days of man servant,
53 cents $8 48
To 8 days of horse; 30 cents 2 40
To cost of fertilizers 9 19
Net profit $39 60
To sum up:
sl4 25 on oats made. sl9 44
sls 58 on corn made 19 49
S2O 07 on cotton made 39 60
In other words, for every dollar laid out in la
bor and fertilizers for the production of oats, we
made $1.36; for the production of cotton, $ 1.92.
This does not embrace rent of land, cost of im
plements, etc., and the man and horse were rated
simply at what they cost on the experimental
farm by yearly hire.
Second—Thick and Thin Planting of Cotton.
A friend in passing the acre of cotton, just
estimated, after it had been chopped out, said it
would make more if it was half as thick. I had two
central rows immediately thinned by chopping
out every other hill. These two rows made 91
pounds and 9 ounces. The one above and the
one below them, left with the usual stand, made
92 pounds and 2 ounces, or 10 pounds more to
the acre.
We also experimented with one,two, and three
stalks in the hill, with the following results, and
in the following manner: On half acre of thin land,
I planted every first row with one stalk in the hill,
and every second row two stalks,and every third
row three stalks to the hill; thus alternating
so as to secure to each the same character
of soil. It was fertilzed at the rate of 200 pounds
per acre of ammoniated superphosphate, the hills
were left the Usual distance in chopping cotton,
ten to fifteen inches. The outside rows, four mid
dlerows in the center, and a row next to them on
each side, were not counted.
The eight rows, each seventy yards long, with
one stalk in the hill, produced 111 pounds ; two
stalks in the hill, 115 lbs.; three stalks in the hill,
114 pounds. The production of each per acre was,
foronestalk, 416 pounds; two stalks, 431 pounds;
for three stalks, 427 pounds.
Third—The Quantity and Depth to Apply Ferti
lizers. .
On the poorest plat of grouts he farm, three
rows without manure, made a .ie rate of 216
pounds per acre. .The followi able shows the
result as to the quantity and u of ammoniateu
superphosphate applied ’ the same plat:
Ain’t, 8. cot- P. C. on ; I\(' on
in Plow used. ton in produc- invest-
Ibs. 1 lbs. tion. ment.
100 Turning shovel. 442 109 304
100 Straight shovel. 454 HO 317
100 Scooter. 472 114 341
200 Turning shovel. 489 126 157
200 Straight shovel. 506 134 169
200 Scooter. . 534 147 183
300 Turning shovel. 537 148 142
300 Straight shovel. 624 I 188 181
300 Scooter. 600 I 177 170
The average production with the turning shovel
which was run both ways, was 489 pounds; of
the common or straight shovel, 528 pounds; of
the scooter,s3s pounds. The rows were first laid
off with a scooter,and then the turning run twice
in, the rows appropriated to it; the straight shov
el once and the scooter once. Notwithstanding the
turning shovel had the advantage of one more
furrow than the others, and was subsoiled
deeper, it fell considerably behind the others in
production. The straight shovel beat the scooter
when 300 pounds was applied, but the scooter
beat in 100 and 200 pounds. The strong in
ference from this experiment is, that it is best
to apply fertilizers shallow, particularly when
used in moderate quantities.
As to per cent, on investment, while 100
pounds pays better to the amount of money in
vested, a larger amount pays better for the labor.
And when we take into account the increased
production the second year, we may safely state
that a larger amount pays best.
[To be Continued.)
A Mississippi Grange has offered $25 for th e
best corn and the largest number of bushels
from one acre of land: $15.00 for the largest
number of gallons of sorghum from one acre of
cane, and SIO.OO for the largest and best hog
raised in the county.
The cotton product of 1874, as estimated by
the cotton growers in their returns to the De
partment of Agriculture, somewhat excee<ls
three and a half millions of bales. The yield per
acre is reported less than in 1873 in most of the
States. The weather for ripening and gathering
the top crop was very favorable. The reports
are nearly unanimous in stating that the pro
portion of lint to seed is large.
w gAMEX-
For the Rural Southerner.
SUMMER CARE OF FRUIT TREES AND
GRAPE VINES.
The success of an orchard or vineyard de
pends greatly upon the care of the trees and
vines while young. Newly-planted fruit trees,
and those under six to eight years old, should
be looked over occasionally during the Spring;
and Summer months, and all unnecessary buds;
and shoots should be pinched or rubbed off..
Every useless limb allowed to grow is an actual
loss to the owner.
If trees are properly looked after from the
time they are planted, the thumb and finger,
with the occasional use of a small pocket-knife,
are the only implements that need be used to
prune.
It is important to the healthy growth of all
young trees that the soil be stirred four or five
times during the Summer. The soil should
never be allowed to bake, or grass and weeds
allowed to grow among young trees.
Mulching newly-planted trees with straw,
leaves, or litter of most any kind, is always
beneficial, and is a good substitute for frequent
cultivation.
Grape vines should have all shoots and buds
rubbed off before they are four inches long, ex
cept such as are wanted to grow, and leave the
vine in good shape for another year.
From one to three of the most vigorous shoots
should be left for uew fruiting canes for the fol
lowing year, the number depending on the vigor
of the vine.
Pear, apple, and indeed all fruit trees and
vines, are easily kept in shape by a little judi
cious pinching and rubbing of unnecessary buds
and shoots during the Spring and Summer.
If a shoot commences growth when a limb is
not wanted, rub it off; when a shoot or branch
is making too vigorous a growth, pinch off the
terminal bud.
Pruning grape vines and fruit trees is sim
plicity itself, notwithstanding all the complica
ted and contradictory essays that befog the
subject.
Large limbs should never be taken off during
the period of active growth; indeed, if these
instructions are followed, there will never be
any large limbs to take off.
Wm. ® Jennings,
Corresponding Secretary Atlanta I’o. So.
THE HICKS EVERBEARING MUL
BERRY.
In 1852, or 1853, this great acquisition to
Pomology was brought to my knowledge by
Mr. Simai Rose, of Macon, Ga., so long and
so favorably known for his love and successful
cultivation of fruits and flowers. If I recollect
aright, he obtained it from Mr. Thomas Elkins,
of Effingham county, who planted it in ave
nues, on his lanes, in, his fence corners, and
many other favorite places on his plantation,
for his hogs, and it is said that he always has
pork or bacon to sell.
This mulberry will not grow from cuttings,
but can be successfully grafted upon the Mul
ticaulis, by using slips five or six inches long—
the slips having been previously deprived of all
their buds, to prevent suckering. I have prop
agated a great many of them in this way, and
have grown many trees to bearing size and age,
and have never yet seen one sucker from the
root. They commence to bear the second or
third year from grafts, and begin to ripen in
this latitude in April, and continue full of green
and ripe fruit until the first or tenth of August,
and sometimes, in wet seasons, will bear until
late in September. I heard Governor Watts, of
Alabama, say that he had ripe fruit on Christ
mas day.
The amount of fruit which one large tree,
eight or ten years old, will produce is immense
say half bushel, or one peck per day, for five
months—the calculation is easily made. lam
certain that there would be enouogh to keep one
porker in good condition for four or five months.
When this tree is grown, grapes, and other
small fruits escape the birds, as they prefer mul
berries to any other food. I know of nothing
cheaper or better to feed poultry, hogs, and
birds. The trees grow rapidly, and are beauti
ful for shade or lawn The leaves, when touched
by frost fall rapidly, and are eaten with great
relish by hogs, cattle, and horses. They bear
every year, as spring frosts do not affect
them.— W/H. //. Thurmond, Gp., in
Rural Carolinian.