Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

2 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.