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ANSWERS TO INQUIRIES Questions on All Sorts of Sub¬ jects For the Farm. 60IENTIFI0, PRACTICAL ANSWERS Tile licit Time to Apply Fertilizers l or Cot I on—Garden Track That Can Ho rinnti.it Iu February—A Kemoity For tlic "Apple Tree Aphis”—Three Ualauced ltatioii:* For Milch Cows. Question. —Being a newcomer from Wisconsin, I would like to know what garden truck can be planted in Febru¬ ary. Are there any insect enemies to vegetables at that early season? If so, how can I prevent their ravages? Answer—I n South Georgia, where you live, you can plant in tho garden by Feb. 1 all the hardier vegetables, such as green peas, onion set3, or onion sead either, turnips, cabbage, spinach, beets, lettuce, radishes, carrots, pars¬ nips, salsify, etc. Should there come very cold weather when the plants are just coming up you might protect them with a coat of leaves or pine straw, to be taken off as soon as the weather numerated. Irish potatoes should be planted at this time, and also mustard aud coliards. About the middle of the mouth, plant some good variety of garden corn, aud for a succession, plant a patch every two weeks until June; also plant successive crops of garden peas every ten days or two weeks until the last of April. Many persons in your part of the state plant their gardens in January, but from a long residence in the same latitude, I am convinced that from Feb. 1 to 10 is the best time for this purpose. There is no piece of ground on any farm that pays half as well, or that affords one- tenth part the satisfaction, that is de¬ rived from a well prepared and well cultivated vegetable garden, and yet it is too much the custom for our farmers to turn over the garden to tho care of the women folks, grudgingly letting thorn have a load or two of stable manure, all of which, they think, should go to the raising of cotton. A half acre devoted to the garden will fur¬ nish palatable and nutritious food for a family for the greater part of the year, and \ et how few good gardens do we meet with in the country. 13c sure to highly enrich your ground, and break it from It) to 12 inches, or even deeper if practicable. Plant in l-ov.'s clear across the garden, so that cultivation can be douo with the plow 7 , then work well, and though accustomed as you are to the rich sell of Wisconsin, you will be astonished at the quantity, quality aud variety of vegetables that can be produced on a half acre of Geor¬ gia soil. There are few, if any, insect pests to contend witli so early iu the season. Should the cut worms commence their work, go over your garden very early every morning, and .wherever you find a plant cut off, scratch down in the ground and you will almost certainly find the worm within 1 inch of the sur¬ face: when found you can have the sat¬ isfaction of crushing the life cut of hirn, or better still, throw him to the chick¬ ens. There are other plans suggested for getting rid of the cut worm, but this is tho most effectual and therefore tho best. Should you find any insect at¬ tacking your young turnips, radishes or cabbage plants, dust over them some aslios or plaster, or best of all, some pyrethreum, or insect powder. The lat¬ ter being expensive, should be mixed with four times its weight of common flour and then kept tightly closed for 24 hours before using. You will find this very effective.—State Agricultural De¬ partment. “The Apple Tree Aphis.” Question. —1 send you in a small bot¬ tle an apple tree twig covered with small oggs, what are they? Also a bug which I wish yon would name? If there are injurious to tree or fruit give mo remedy for them. Answer.—A fter a careful microscopic examination I find the twjg covered with the black, shining eggs of the “Apple tree Aphis. ” They are laid in the fall of the year, and at first are of a light green or yellow color, but gradu¬ ally become darker, aud finally black and glossy. As soon as the buds begin to expand in the spring these eggs hatch ■out. small lice, which insert their Dills iu t he buds and tender leaves aud suck the juices from them. These lice attain maturity in 10 or 12 days, and then com¬ mence giving birth to living young at tho rate of two or three daily. They -continue this for two or Shr«« weeks when they die. The young lice repeat this process of reproduction exactly liks their predecessors, and so it goes on un¬ til ihe fall. At that time a stook of eggs is deposited on the bark of the limbs aud twigs to continue the species another season. Remedies—Scrape the dead bark off the trees during the winter aud wash the limbs with a solution of soft soap and soda. This is done to destroy the eggs. To destroy the young lice syringe the trees at the time the buds are put¬ ting out with either strong seapsuds, weak lye, or tobacco water made by boiling 1'pound of the stems or leaves in a gallon of water. A cold spell after the lice have hatched out will kill mil¬ lions of them, though no degree of cold seems to hurt the eggs. Tho bug you sent for identification is called the “Iwo-spotted Lady-bird,” be- cause of itB having two bright orange- colored spots, one on each wing cover- iug. Tho Lady-bird is the friend of the fruit grower, as she and her lurvo cat great numbers of the lice. Itutteu l ine Straw a* it Fertiliser. Question.—O n a braach which runs through my farm is a largo deposit of swamp muck, composed of rotten pine straw, leaves and other vogetubie from mat¬ ter, mixed with soil washed in sur¬ rounding land. Is this valuable as a fertilizer? If so how shall I use it? Answer. —Such a deposit us you de¬ scribe is valuable if you can utilize it by a short haul. The value of muck lies in the nitrogen and organic matter, the amounts of potash and phosphoric acid being insignificant. Tho nitrogen be¬ comes more quickly available by com¬ posting the muck, which brings about fermentation. By this means, also, the organic matter is converted into humus, so important to the growth of ail plants. It will be best for you to throw the muck out on the bank and let it become dry before composting. Either of tho throe following formulas will give you a good compost: NO. 1. Muck............ 4,000 pounds Cow manure..... 2.0U0 Green cotton seed. 1,000 Acid phosphate............1,500 500 Kainit..................... no. 2. Muck............. 2,000 pounds Stable manure.... . 1,000 Green cotton seed 700 < « Ashes............. 450 Acid phosphate... 1,000 NO. 0. Muck............ 1,571 pounds Acid phosphate... 280 Dried blood....... .... 113 Muriate of potash. 87 In each case after mixing cover with earth and let fermentation or heating take place before using. Amount of Fertilizer In an Acre of Cotton. Question.—H ow much fertilizer may be profitably used in an acre of cotton ? I have been trying different amounts, but so far iny experiments are rather contradictory aud disappointing. Answer.—T he amount of comtner- cial fertilizer which may bo used on an acre of cotton varies so widely with tho quality and condition of the soil, the seasons, previous crops grown, and many other circumstances, that no set rule can be laid down. Generally speaking, if tho land has been brought to a very high state of cultivation very heavy applications may be made, but for ordinary Georgia soils iu good con¬ dition, that-is, which have been care¬ fully cropped and improved and not al¬ lowed to become hard or destitute of humus, an application of about 7U pounds per acre has been found most profitable. When this quantity is used it is advisable to apply half iu the drill and well mixed with the soil at plant¬ ing and the other half at the second plowing, in the siding furrow, A bulletin from the Georgia Experiment Statiou says: “It has been shown that $8.00 worth of well balanced fertilizer may bo expected to increase the yield of seed cotton on one acre 1,000 pounds. But such results can only be attained by concentrating the fertilizer on the best laud, not by scattering it at the rate of 100 or 200 pounds par acre over a large, worn out plantation. The mis¬ take should uot be made of applying large amounts of concentrated fertil¬ izers on thin, worn out land. The larger the application the more important it is that the land be in the best possible condition.”—State Agricultural Depart¬ ment. live Froper Proportions of the Different- Elements In it Fertilizer For Cotton. Question. —Please give me your viows as to the best proportions iu which to combine phosphoric acid, potash and nitrogen to successfully fertilize a cot¬ ton crop. Answer.— Iu fertilizing a cotton crop phosphoric acid is relatively the most important element and controls the ac¬ tion of the other two. Its presence is very important to the development of perfect bolls, aud whilo it may be used alone with some beneficial results, it is much more effective when combined with the other two. Neither nitrogen nor potash, when applied alone, produce any appreciable increase in the yield, and these only do their best work when combined with each other and with phosphoric acid, which latter exercises the deciding influence as to tho quantity of each, which can be profitably used. That is, in making up a formula for cotton, the amount of phosphoric acid should determine the amounts of the other -two. Potash aud nitrogen are generally used in the same proportions, and the amount of phosphoric acid should be from 2% to 3 times as large. Thus: Potash, 1; nitrogen, 1; phos¬ phoric acid, from 2% to 3, would ba about the proportion for general use, and these proportions we would get from a fertilizer analyzing: Soluble (available) phosphoric acid, 9; potash, S; nitrogen, 3.—State Agricultural De¬ partment. Is It Rent For Cottou to Apply Fertilizer In the Drill or Broadcast? Question.— I have decided to make a heavy application of commercial ferti¬ lizer to my cotton crop. Would you ad¬ vise me to apply in the drill or broad¬ cast? The land is in moderately good condition. Some of it was in corn last year, some in grain aud some in peas. Answer. —Our experience has been that when large amounts of fertilizer aro used it is not advisable to apply in a siuglo drill. Either two separate appli¬ cations should be made, one in the seed drill at planting time aud well mixed With the soil and the othor in the first siding furrows, or if tho seed ore to bo planted very soon after the beds are made, a part of tho fertilizer may bo driliod into the center furrow and the remainder in the two listing furrows, The experiments at tho Georgia statiou show that “it is by no means necessary. nor is it desirable to broadcast tho ferti- lizer when less than 1,500 pounds are to be applied to an aero of ecru or cotton or other wide row crop. Broadcast ma- nuring should as a rule bo confined to crops that are planted broadcast, as small grains, grass, etc." Keep in mind that cotton following peas requires a fertilizer running lower in nitrogen than when put on laud which has been planted in corn or small grain.—State Agricultural Department. Proper Soil Per the Cultivation of i’eCtMift, Question.—W ill you kindly write mo something about the cultivation of pe¬ cans? The proper soil, the number of years before bearing, etc? I am told they must ho planted from the nut. for the reason that if in transplanting the tap root should be broken they would not bear. Is this true? Answer —The pecan treerequiros for its best development a rich alluvial soil, being a native of the rich bottom lauds of Texas and the states bordering on the lower Mississippi river. They may bo grown successfully on rich uplands of the cotton states, but will never amount to anything on thin, thirsty soils, whora many have been planted. Oil suitable laud the trees should be planted not less than 40 to 50 feet apart each way, and they should be well cultivated while young. It is not true that should the tap root he broken off in transplanting the tree would uot bear. At the same time care should be taken to mutilate the roots as little as possible. Some growers prefer planting tho nut where the tree is to stand, otheis prefer to transplant. Under favorable conditions the pecan will commeuco to bear iu 13 to 14 years. •X-.M The “Harlequin’* Iluy;. Question.—I am a large grower of turnip and mustard seed. In the spring before they ripen much damage is douo the plants by a spotted bug. What is it? Can you give a remedy? Answer— The bug that injures your crops is without doubt the “Harlequin’’ bug, the worst insect enemy of all cru¬ ciferous plants. They live through the winter hidden under loaves or trash of any kind. They are ready to deposit their eggs from the middlo to last of March, and then in from four to six days these hatch out a brood of larval, which at once commence their destruc¬ tive work by piercing the leaves and sucking the sap. The leaf thus pierced soon wliis and dies. These insects are shy and timid, and upon the approach of a person try to hide behind anything that will conceal them. They are very difficult to contend with, as they cannot be .reached by any of the arsenical poi¬ sons. All rubbish under which the bugs may take refuge during tiie winter should be carefully burned, and infested fields or gardens should have clean cul¬ ture. Hand-picking into pans contain¬ ing water or kerosene is often resorted to as a remedy. Pyrethrumin decoction or powder, and kerosene emulsion may prove effectual when the bugs are young. Cabbage growers plant mustard be- tween the rows of cabbages, which be¬ ing preferred by the bugs attracts them iu large numbers, when they are effect¬ ually destroyed with pure .kerosene. Possibly you might adopt this plan suc¬ cessfully if your turnips and mustard are sowed iu drills. I hope you will try it and report result to this department. —State Agricultural Department. Rations For Mitch Cotv*. Question. —I have a variety of feed stuffs and want you to give me three balanced rations for milch cows weigh¬ ing 800 to 1,000 pounds. Answer —A balanced ration for a cow weighing 1,000 pounds should con¬ tain, according to the Georgia Experi¬ ment Station, 24 pounds of organic mat¬ ter, 2.50 pounds of protein, and 13.38 pounds of Carbo-hydrates. Therefore (quoting from the same excellent au¬ thority), the following would bo the proper rations for a milcli cow of the above mentioned weight: NO. 1. Clover hay....... 10 pounds Oat straw........ 12 Wheat bran...... .....6 (« Cottonseed meal.. 2 It NO. 2. Crab grass bay.. 20 pounds Shucks....’..... 10 < * Corn meal....... 3 *4 Cottonseed meal. “ NO. 8. Wheat straw cut & dampened. 18 pounds Cow pea hay..., 10 Cottonseed meal “ no. 4. Cottonseed hulls. 20 pounds Cottonseed meal. 5 Corn meal....... 0 In Ilegard to Sending; Out Seed. Question.— If you have any seed for distribu'ion please send me an assort¬ ment of garden seeds, and also some King’s Improved cottonseed Answer—I n the years 1893 aud 1894 this department sent out a great many seeds of different kinds, at a heavy cost, hut the practice has been discontinued since Jan. 1, 1895. I receive a great many letters still asking for seeds of various kinds, and I give this publio no¬ tice that no more seeds will be sent out by this department, in order that post¬ age and tho trouble of writing may be saved to all concerned. The intention of the department at first was to send out only new aud un¬ tried seeds that they might be tested by our most experienced farmers and gar- denera, but gradually the custom grew until every one that applied was urn- ishea with a few choice seed. his proved very unsatisfactory for many reasons, and so the practice was entirely abandoned more than two years since, The testing of new seeds and new vuri- eties is now very carefully uud thof. oughlv done by the experiment statiou near Griffin, ami tho results are pub- lishod iu their bulletins and in many of the papers of the state, thus doing away with the necessity of this department sending out any seeds for that purpose. The Agricultural Department at Washington distributes a great many seed to all sections of the country, aud parties desirous of getting them should be able to do so by writing to the cou- gressman from their district. —State Agricultural Department. Harrowluj; Oat* to Lno«en Up Soil. Question.—I have a field of volunteer oats, very thick, would it do nuy good to run through them with a cutaway harrow to loosen up the soil? If yes, when? I want to manure them with acid phosphate and cottonseed meal, what proportion of each shall I use? Should I mix any potash with the meal and acid? Answer—I would advise against us¬ ing a cutaway harrow on your oats, as I think it would cut them up too much. It Wati'd be :n ,civ inui.ve to the oats to cross mu roc:-,i t teat '.'.'it): a plain i,. , or , tr , U;;ii j. o*h harrow, .....lid loosen the s-i.i til s ::i:e »-x- in , ar, the oats, W.ll - -I !<:■ V II - dr rh'ou. Do A libel.ll fi-p dr" -H ' o' r a), say 300 ;i n-aiii to the a- to. i.pp ied ;n f I. e lV-rr -wl’iir. Wottin probably j U . i i,: y.e.u i>c ,,.ir lilt, h,v .j. ■ ior,expe :t to follow your. I,,, i r ii wrn pet-, I suggest that you .. ,d ;./J poirios .4 phosphoric acid and 50 pounds o. kainit to the cotton¬ seed meal. In that case yon might ex¬ pert a line pea crop after taking off the oats without any further fertilizing.— State Agricultural Department. Thu Kind of Phosphoric Acid l!o*i Suited to Cotton. Question. —Does it make any differ¬ ence what kind of phosphoric acid is used for cotton, or are all equally good? Answer. —Tho value of phosphoric acid for cotton is iu proportion to its solubility; hence acid phosphates which run high in soluble phosphoric acid should be preferred. Insoluble phos¬ phoric acid, such as is found iu marl, floats, slag, etc., are of little direct value to the crop, though they may ben¬ efit the land for future crops These, to bo profitable, should be applied to leguminous crops, aud when the stubble aud roots of these crops are turned un¬ der and the land is then planted iu cot¬ ton, the indirect value of the marl, floats or slag, as the case may be, be¬ comes at once apparent iu the increased yield of tho cotton.—State Agricultural Department. Time to Apply Fertilizer For Cotton. Question.—I f I should decide to fer¬ tilize my cotton very heavily will it be best to apply different all the fertilizer at one time or at periods, say a part at planting, a second application at tho first plowing, and another later on ? Answer.—T he answer to your ques¬ tion depends very much on the kind of fertilizer you will use. If tho elements are readily available and highly arnmo- niated wo have found that to divide a large amount into two aud even three parts and apply at different periods of crop development has a marked effect for good. But iu the slower acting for¬ mulas it is more profitable to mako one app.ication at time of planting, dividing it between the planting and the two ad¬ joining furrows.—State Agricultural Department. Kainit Fop Rust In Cotton. Question. —Is kainit a certain pre¬ ventive for rust in cotton ? On some of my laud tho cotton rusts badly, but I have not found that kainit prevents it. I thought perhaps there was some I have par¬ ticular way of applying it, as seen it very highly recommended. Answer —Kainit has been recom¬ mended as a specific for blight or rust in cotton, but further experiment is re- quired to settle this as an undisputed fact. It is best always to apply it in connection with the other two elements, nitrogen aud phosphoric acid, and seems to have tho best effect when used iu conjunction witli cottonseed or cotton¬ seed meal rather than other forms of nitrogenous manures. —State Agricul¬ tural Department Cottonseed and Cottonseed Monl For Ma¬ nuring; Cotton. Question. —Which is tho best manure for cotton, whole cottonseed, cottonseed meal or crushed cottonseed ? Answer —There is a slight difference in favor of cottonseed meal over the other two. The mauurial value of whole cottonseed and crushed seed is about the same. As cottonseed is a com¬ plete fertilizer with an excess of nitro¬ gen, it is better suited for grain crops than cotton, because the grain requires a larger amount of nitrogen, cotton a larger amount of phosphoric acid.— State Agricultural Department. Depth to Apply Fertilizer For Cotton. Question.— At what depth should commercial fertilizers bo appliod for cotton? and Is it best, when a large amount is used, to broadcast or put in the drill? Answer.—T he fertilizer should be ap¬ plied at a depth of about 3 inches and well mixed with the soil. The next re¬ ply answers the latter part of your ques¬ tion.—State Icultoral Department, D. C. M c COLLU* Is Still Closing Out His Stock of Mens’ and Boys’ Cloths AT GREAT BARGAINS. A * ‘k; Large stock of Pants, Overalls, Working Shirts, Lauudred and eale and White Shirts. Still'Hats Mens’Socks, latest seamless, at 5c a pair, a all kinds of Soft and in the styles. You Cat? Save lyIo±?e BY TRADiMG AT 2MS!oCS<oi>lI”0.3no. I ’Sej, on lP5.3ra.c5 J3L the Mew Gkoceby On Pine Av., between Sheridan and Thomas Sts., A new and Fresh stock of Goods, as good ns tho bestean afford—nono better to be hud in the market and more coming all the time. Please call and see me and you will receive prompt attention. Look for name ot the proprietor on the Yours front of the building, Truly, J. E, BENTZ. L. F. THOMPSO .aa^kDEALER IN Sash, Blinds, Doors, Window G Shingles, Flooring, Ceiling, Mouldings and Finishing ber. BUILDING AND BOOLING PAPEJ Mails, Locks, Hinges, Sash Pulleys and Sash Co Erick, Lime, Cement, Lath am! Plastering MACHINE, LUBRICATING and CYLINDER O tinder XUOJYIIPSOINPS HALt. Opposite G-. A. H. Bt Central Avenue, - FITZGERALD, Gi Si*© No.of rh'iekuess bottom Price Sash.................... Size No. Thickness bottom Price of per of of per Sash. Kach Glass of and Pair each Glass ol’ and Pair in Sash...... top in Sash..., top Glass Pair.... Sash... includes Glass Pair..... Sash... includes in in SxlO 12 1J S 94 then sizes. the pense These 12x80 4 CC|i3 ^ 8x12 12 1 i 1 14 you 42x32 4 9x12 12 1 i 1 22 will Buy may Sizes 12x80 4 ci 10x14 12 1J- 1 50 be 20x24 O ooks 10x15 12 1 i 1 64 have your saved kept 20x26 2 10x16 12 H 1 V4 your Sash 20x23 2 CC|M 10x12 8 n 90 by on 20x80 2 10x14 12x14 8 8 11 11 1 1 08 28 Frames before making hand. 22x26 22x24 2 2 OCgM echo 12x16 10x24 S 4 H 1 1 1 08 42 correct the you make your Much 22x30 22x28 2 2 r—i cr-44i 10x26 10x28 4 4 If If 1 1 20 12 size. your Frames trouble 24x30 24x28 2 2 ociw or.k* HU, 12x24 4 it 1 20 to and 24x32 2 ocfcj 12x28 12x26 4 4 1# If A 1 30 34 frame, suit ex¬ 24x34 24x36 2 2 C-;» <X|iJ to 1C Frames made to fit any size window or door, lal Transoms for Doors. Width qNib Thick Prie.J Width. -llSlIT Thieh • . 2 ft 0 in 6 ft 0 ill n SI 05 2 ft 6 in 6 ft (» in H 2 ft 4 in 6 ft 4 in H 1 20 2 ft 8 in 6 ft 8 in H 2 ft 6 in 6 ft 6 in H 1 25 2 ft 10 in 6 ft 10 in if 2 ft 8 in 6 ft 8 in U 1 40 3 ft 0 in 7 ft 0 in if 2 ft 10 in 6 ft 10 ill U 1 50 3 ft 0 iu 7 ft 0 in H 1 65 DOORS I sT7” U in k1 8 ft 8 in ‘' h WEIGHTS—Sash Weights l£c per pound. LUBRICATING OILS--Amt For Standard Oil Cos (ioklen Machine Oil, rotall, 25c per guilon. barrel or half Barrel Barrel lots, 17c Atlantic lted Engine Oil, Oil. retail, 30o gallon. pergallon. barrel or half Barrel lota. 2S< Shield Cylinder retail, 60c per barrel or half lots, 3ii< Capitol Cylinder Blinds Oil, retail, 60 c per gallon. of WHITE Barrel or half Barrel lots, 41c My Sash, and doors are made not hold PINE. Notico, if you please made of Cypress or Yollow Pine will the putty. Look at your neighboi are made of Cyprass or Yellow PIbe and you will And that the putty is loose and Again, White Pino Sash are lighter which in weight and require Lighter Sash Weights, oi the cost will bo less for weights are sold by the pound. Owing to the unsteady markot on Glass those prices are subjoct to change wit P, XyxXijXX A UU -U TJTT’V'TJ'IIAtJ ID X XbXHX llgive f forget you to buy in above from prices the valuo that for gives your m< one you a your cash. Fitzgerald, Georgia, January 1, 1897. GET Our prices on all cli of Job work.