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SUPPLEMENT.
GlBCULAB No. 120. 1
New Series. J
CROP REPORT
FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER, 1889.
Returned to the Department of Agriculture September 1,1889.
State of Georgia, Department of Agriculture, 1
Atlanta, Ga., Sept. 9, 1889. j
THE WEATHER.
Reports of excessive rains throughout August come from all sec
tions, the disastrous results of which cannot be safely estimated at
this time. This is especially true as regards cotton, as the vigorous
growth of the weed is apt to be misleading.
COTTON.
The condition of the cotton crop is reported the same as August 1st,
but in all sections too much i-ain, resulting in rust, is reported and
in many sections the caterpillar has made his appearance. As com
pared with an average, the condition is roported at 90 for the State,
which is live points better than the same date l&$t year. The rapid
increase of the caterpillar and the unfavorable condition of the
weather favor the opinion that the next few wbl, J^vill make a change
necessary in the estimates hitherto made of t^e^pjiesent crop.
CORN AND OTHER CROPS.
The reports of corn and other provision crons; are very gratifying.
The condition of the first named crop havingHfeeh moved up another
point, while other crops have held their own. The average, for the
State is: Corn, 102; rice, 93; sugar cane, 95; sweet potatoes, 93;
tobacco, 95.
STOCK HOGS.
The number of stock hogs as compared with last year is reported
at 94, and their condition as compared wit,h an average at 98. While
this shows a falling off of 2 points in numbers, as compared with
reports at same date last year, their condition is reported as 4 points
better, and with larger amount of feed stuffs produced it is hoped the
meat product will be largely increased, and the farmers of the State
will pitch the next crop with full cribs and well stocked smoke houses.
Consolidated Crop Report for September, 1S89.—By Sections.
North Georgia
Middle Georgia
Southwest Georgia/..
East Georgia
Southeast Georgia
Average for the State, September 1,1SS9.
Average for the State, August 1, 18S9
Average for the State, September 1,18S8.
Condition and prospect
compared with an average.
Stock
Hogs.
REMARKS OF CORRESPONDENTS.
Rock dale.—It is generally conceded that the prospect for both corn and
cotton has boon very flattering. But fears are now entertained, and are
freely < xpr< • - 4 by ihe farmers, that the present excessive wet weather
will be very ui-a.-iri.us to both com and cotton, as it is rotting in the field
to some extent. Tire caterpillar has also made its appearance in this local
ity three weeks earlier than I have ever known it. If they attack the
crop generally (as is the case sometimes) the disaster cannot be computed.
J. B. K.
Greene.—I have been giving some attention to the cotton crop. I have
noticed reports from exchanges and from the farmers, and must say the
farmers are the most hopeful people I ever saw, even when adversity is
laughing in their face. The farmers do not desire to do wrong, but there
is weakness, and a charity, and a pride, which often makes them commit
a great folly when reporting the status of crops. Hence, there is a great
diversity of opinion, differing in statements and in estimates of crops.
They do not estimate the effects of seasons and the time it takes to mature
a crop and the quantity of fruit. If it is full of forms and a few bolls they
think it is all right. I have been in a few counties, and there is generally
a fine v/eed with but little fruit. Late cotton will be minus instead of plus.
Admitting that we will have a late fall, mark my prediction : the crop will
scarcely exceed the last, if it is as good. The papers must disabuse the
public mind or there will be a great sacrifice of the crop. B. J. D.
Walton.—Caterpillars made their appearance in our county the 20th of
August in many places—scattered from one extreme of the county to the
other. The prospects are, if the season for their spread continues, the crop
will be cut off one-third, as most of the crop here is very late. J. E. N.
Pierce.—Will you kindly answer the following question : What com
mercial ingredients mixed together will make the best fertilizer for
the following crops on light sandy soil, clay 18 to 24 inches under
the surface, Southeast Georgia Wiregrass land ; Cotton, corn, sweet pota
toes, Irish potatoes, sugar-cane. Grasses: Crab, Crowfoot, Hungarian,
Johnson, orchard, oats, oat grass, crimson clover ? The farmers can manu
facture a better fertilizer at home for less money, if they could only find
out what to put together to give the best results. We need a higher grade
of fertilizer at about the same price we pay now for an inferior grade. We
need here, an abundance of potash, but seldom ever get more than two per
cent. If you will kindly give me the iniormation desired you will confer a
great favor. J. M. S.
I have before suggested the following formula as adapted to the needs
of cotton: 1,250 pounds acid phosphate; 500 pounds cotton seed meal
and 250 pounds kainit. As you suggest that your lands are deficient
in potash, I would suggest the following changes : 1,100 pounds acid phos
phate, 500 pounds cotton seed meal, 300 pounds kainit and 100 pounds
muriate of potash. Apply from 300 to 500 pounds per acre. This formula
would cost about $20 per ton for ingredients and would analyze about S per
cent, available phosphoric acid, 2 per cent, of ammonia and 4.5 per cent, of
potash.
For corn and sugar-cane, I would suggest the following: 1,000 pounds
acid phosphate; 700 pounds cotton seed meal, and 300 pounds of muriate of
potash, which would analyze about 7.5 per cent, of available phosphoric
acid; 2.8 of ammonia and 7.5 of potash, costing about $24 per ton for ingre
dients.
For potatoes, both Irish and sweet, the following formula is suggested:
800 pounds acid phosphate; 700 pounds cotton seed meal and 500 pounds
muriate of potash, which would analyze about 6 per cent available phos
phoric acid, 2.8 per cent, ammonia aad 13 per cent, of potash, costing about
$26.70 per ton.
For grasses or meadbw, I would suggest the formula recommended by
M. Ville, the eminent French agricultural scientist: Acid phosphate 176
pounds; muriate of potash, 88 pounds ; sulphate of ammonia, 171 pounds ;
sulphate of lime or plaster, 92 pounds ; making in all 527 pounds, all of
which he suggests be applied to one acre.
I have calculated the cost of these formulae at about what a farmer near
Atlanta would have to pay, buying in comparatively small quantities. Of
course location near to or remote from the markets in which they are sold,
and the quantities in which material is bought would affect the cost.
No arbitrary formula can be given for any particular plant or soil, and
the quantities of the different elements should be increased or modified as
the practical observations of the farmer in the study of his soils suggest.
Chattahoochee.—What is a good average yield of grapes to the vine
in this State? What do you think of 300 pounds to the vine, which, whei.
sold, brought fifteen ($15.00) dollars? W. F. C.
There is no data from which to obtain the average yield of grapes per
vine in this State. The crop gathered by W. F. C. is remarkable and illus
trates the adaptability of Georgia’s soil and climate to the cultivation of
J^at luscious fruit.
NO GLANDERS IN GREENE COUNTY.
Atlanta, Ga., Aug. 31st, 1S89.
Hon. J. T. Henderson, Commissioner Agriculture:
Sir:—Obedient to your instructions, I proceeded to Greensboro, Ga., on
the 29th, to investigate reports of a contagious disease among the horses
and mules of Greene county. On the morning of the 30th I met most o!
the prominent men of Greensboro and soon learned that there was grea
excitement about the stock. Farmers were afraid to bring their stock int<
the town, and either left them at home or tied them in the woods near in
and walked into town. Farmers were afraid of each others stock, and ii
many ways there were tokens of great alarm. I proceeded at once to in
vestigate, first, such cases as were pronounced glanders. I examined :
good many in the town and a number outside, but failed to find one cas
of glanders. A great deal of the stock showed a mild form of influenza
which I consider due to their exposure to so much rain and neglect i.
caring for them at such time. This is a disease that readily yields to treat
ment. The characteristic symptoms of this disease is light fever, coug!
and discharge from the nose, with swelling of the sub-maxillary glands
As above stated, I proceeded to the ones that were considered the worst
failing to find anything of a serious nature there. I unhesitating]}' sa
there is no cause whatever for the alarm and excitement.
Your obedient servant,
J. N. Cook, V. S.
A. Certainly. Expenses per acre—
Rent .....$3 75
General costs 400
Labor and plowing 350
Seed 3 70
Total $14 95
Q. $14.95 to produce how much ?
A. Eighteen bushels of grain and 1,760 pounds of straw per acre.
Q. What is the cost of producing a bushel?
A. Eighty-one cents per bushel if there were no other costs, but there
are others.
Q. What are they ?
A. The cost of fertilizing and of harvesting, which we call variable ex
penses, because each one must fertilize as he best can. Threshing the
grain and freighting for market are less in proportion for a large crop than
for a small one.
Q. I understand, but continue the account.
A. To the $14.95 for fixed costs, we must add—
Fertilizer $600
Harvesting and threshing 2 72
Total 8 72
which makes—
Fixed costs $14 95
Variable costs 8 72
SOMETHING ABOUT GLANDERS.
BY DR. J. N. COOK, V. S.
lion. J. T. Henderson, Commissioner Agriculture:
Dear Sir:—In view of the wide-spread interest and excitement cause?
from the knowledge that Glanders and Farcey had been found in som
parts of the State, it may not be out of place to give a few thoughts an
suggestions that may be of some use to the citizens generally of ihe Stat
Equine Glanders and Farcey are probably the most widely diffused <
all the plagues that affect our domesticated animals. It can be found i
every State in the Union. It is not a disease common to a warm elimatt
It is unknown in India, and was unknown in Mexico until it was intro
duced there by the horses of the United States Army in 1847. Grea
Britain and Europe suffer great loss from its ravages.
Glanders and Farcey, though a malignant and fatal disease, need no
cause either excitement or alarm, if the owners of livestock will use ;
little precaution and common sense. Horses and mules are subject t<
many diseases that are accompanied with a discharge from the nostrils, sucl
as catarrh, nasal gleet, influenza strangles, or any affection of the nasa
sinuses and glanders. In all of these there is a discharge from one or hot!
nostrils and a swelling of the glands under the lower jaw (Sub-maxillary.
To the ordinary observer, the symptoms in all will present about the sam
appearance. Most of these diseases are contagious or infectious, but ver
harmless if properly cared for. Prevention is better than cure. When a.
animal shows the first symptoms of a discharge from the nose he shoub
be kept separate from all others and well cared for. With ordinary cart
catarrh, influenza and strangles, will run their course in from one to thre
weeks. Naval gleet is very rarely met with. If affected with glanders th
discharge will continne. If proper attention is paid to the ventilation, drainag
and general cleanliness of the stable, Glanders and Farcey would be un
known in this climate unless brought by contagion. The recent cases tha
have been found in the State evidently have been brought about by con
tagion. But in the counties of Southwestern Georgia, the disease may hi
effectually stamped out by the destruction of the few that are affected, am
the burning and disinfecting of the premises. In Pike county, there i
nothing to be feared ; the disease has evidently run out, and by thoroug)
disinfecting will not again appear. The recent scare in Greenesboro wa
wholly groundless. There may have been, at some time, some of the di>
ease there or in the surrounding country, but it has wholly disappeared
and as far as the writer has seen, there is not a healthier lot of horses am
mules in the State of Georgia, than are found in Greene county, so far a
glanders are concerned.
In conclusion, when your horse or mule is taken sick, just treat him lik
one of the family, and wait patiently a few days for developments. If ii
a few days the symptoms should'be suspicious, just wait a few days longe
and you will probably find your fears are groundless. If not, examin
him carefully, and be fully assured of the fact that it is glanders and thei
have him quietly destroyed.
J. N. Cook, V. S
$23 67
$23.67 instead of $14.95. But $4 representing the value of the straw must
be deducted, bringing the total to $19.67, and the cost per bushel to $1.08.
Q. I understand; but it yet seems to me curious that by paying more
for fertilizers the cost of production per bushel is less.
A. That is easy to explain if you understand us clearly. We have said
that the fertilizer makes the crop; is not that true? And a field on which
you spread twenty wafon loads of manure produces more than the
field you give ten wagon loads of manure. Now let us calculate. With
$6 worth of manure you grow eighteen bushels of wheat per acre—with $9
worth of fertilizer added to fixed cost, you have thirty-six bushels instead
of eighteen bushels. You did not pay any more tax in producing thirty-
six bushels, plow more or increase fixed expenses in any way. In other
words—increase of crop, eighteen bushels; increased cost of fertilizer $9—
this brings the cost of production per bushel from $1.08 to 96 cents.
Q. You have not given additional cost of harvesting and threshing with
increase of crop ?
A. Because the increase of straw covers this and adds to the profit, as
you will see by comparing the two accounts.
If you spend $6 in fertilizing per acre you have for fixed costs—
Rent $ 3 75
General costs 400
Work of cultivation 3 50
Seed 2 72
Fertilizer 6 00
Harvesting and threshing 2 72
Total $23 67
Less straw 4 00
$19 67
to produce eighteen bushels, making the cost per bushel $1.0S. But spend
$15.80 per acre in fertilizing and the cost of production is—
Fixed costs $14 95
Variable costs—manure $15 80
Harvesting 4 80—$20 60
Deduct value of straw
$35 55
7 60
SCHOOL OF CHEMICAL FERTILIZERS.
BY PROF. GEORGES VILLE.
Question.—From what source is the profit in agriculture derived ?
Answer.—From abundant fertilizing.
Q. Why?
A. Because the fertilizer is the foundation of the crop—-no fertilizer, u
crop—scant fertilizer, scant crop.
Q. I can understand that the fertilizer influences the crop, but I do no
see that the fertilizer can be the source of profit, for, if it increases th
amount of crop, it also increases the cost.
A. To make this point clear to you, we will calculate the cost of a cro;
of wheat of 18 bushels per acre, the average wheat production in France
The cost of cultivation is divided into two categories: fixed costs an<
variable costs.
Fixed costs comprehend: rent of land, cultivation, feed, etc., gener;
expenses, and seed.
Whether the harvest is much or little, it ought always to cover thes
costs. It should always pay rent, taxes, cultivation and cost of seed.
Now, these costs being always invariable, the larger the number e
bushels grown per acre, the less the cost of production per bushel.
Q. I begin to understand, but before going further, tell me what ar
called general expenses ?
A. These are cost of overseeing, interest on capital invested in buildin;
and machinery, and on money advanced for cultivation, taxes, nd al
expenses not already enumerated, such as threshing, feed, etc.
Q. I understand. You say the larger the number of bushels grown pe
acre, the less the cost of growth per bushel. Will you put down the figure
of costs you have mentioned ?
Total $27 95
Producing thirty-six bushels per acre brings the price of production from
$1.08 to 96 cents.
Q. Is this the only way of making agriculture profitable ?
A. There is no other way than manuring according to quality of land
and character of crop grown on it.
Q. But suppose one has no manure ?
A. Then use chemical fertilizers, either alone or associated with barn
yard manure.
Q. What is the profit in using chemical fertilizers alone or associated
with barn yard manure ?
A. From $16 to $24 per acre.
Q. What do you consider the best method of preparing the soil before
fertilizing.
A. It is everywhere recognized that deep plowing is one of the essential
conditions of success in agriculture, and that too shallow plowing brings the
gravest trouble.
We cannot do better than by publishing the excellent remarks by Prof.
Schattenman upon this subject.
“ The plowing in the Lower Rhine and almost all the provinces, is gen
erally only two to three inches deep. The plow ought to go at least 6 to 8
inches deep, to give plants a loose bed of soil. Mineral substances are
found to be in the soil in proportion to the depth of soil worked, conse- ,
quently, their quantity will be doubled by deeper plowing, and rotation of
crops more profitable. Most advocates of shallow plowing are afraid of
bringing sterile soil to the surface. That is an error, for the use of a sub
soil plow stirs the sub-soil without bringing it to the surface, but allows
ready passage of roots through the surface soil. Experience has proved
that deep plowing is exempt from the draw-backs shallow cultivation is
subject to.
A loose arable soil of only two or three inches is not sufficient for the
development of the roots of a plant, or for protection against excess of
moisture or drouth.
The natural tendency of plant growth is to equal development in the soil
as above the surface; such equal development is not possible where the soil
is broken only two or three inches deep. Tobacco, rape, beans, lucerne,
beets, carrots, cotton, and all other tap rooted plants require a deep soil, as
well as the cereals, which are generally supposed to grow near the surface,
whereas the roots grow equally deep in the soil if they find rich loose earth.
Plants growing after shallow plowing cannot reach a natural development,
and suffer cruelly from the sudden changes of the season. If rains are
excessive the plants are drowned, and the water running over the surface
of the fields carries soluble fertilizing matter with it. When good weather
follows, the soil, saturated with water, becomes compact as it dries, confin
ing the roots, and in that way stopping their growth. If drouth is severe,
plants in a shallow soil are suffering from want of moisture, and remain
stunted or die.
Plants grown on a soil plowed six or eight inches deep and followed by
a sub-soil plow, push their roots deep into the ground, attain full growth,
and are protected from excessive drouth. Loose soil to this depth easily
absorbs water during continued rains, and filters it through the earth like
drainage, carrying neither soil nor fertilizer with it. When the rains cease
the surface dries without making a compact soil, and the moisture rises to
the surface at each stirring of the soil. During long continued drouth the
roots which have gone deep into the ground, find sufficient moisture there
for continued growth.
Q. After plowing the soil to required depth, what is the best way of
using chemical fertilizers ?
A. Harrow until a smooth surface is made; spread the fertilizer broad
cast and harrow until well mixed with the loose soil. One of the peculiar
advantages the chemical fertilizer has over the barnyard manure, is the
use of it broadcast in early spring over cereals that have gone through a
hard winter. Eighty-eight to 176 pounds of sulphate o/ ammonia, or 132
to 176 pounds of nitrate of soda mixed with 220 pounds of plaster, spread
broad-cast in March, will show a great change in wheat in two or three
days—used in this way chemical fertilizers act like magic.
But some precautions must be observed. Later than the middle of
March might be dangerous. Used in April or May makes extraordinary
growth of straw, but the grain is mal-formed and inferior in quality.
When the fall is wet and grain is sowed late from want of time, fertil
izer can be used broadcast after all the grain is well up.
Barnyard manure can not be used in this way. I prefer the use of 176
pounds of acid phosphate mixed with 176 pounds of plaster for broadcast
ing when the grain is up late in the fall, to the use of sulphate of ammonia
and plaster.