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POINTERS FOR
SPRING TIME
Sound Doctrine Promulgated by
Commissioner Nesbitt.
TOUCHES FARM AT EVERY POINT
The Importance of thorough Preparation
For Planting Ably Advocated—Kail
Planted Uraltt, Vineyard**, Orchard* and
Carden*—Whitewash For ilie Home.
Man h a Buay Mouth.
DEPARTMISNT OF AGRICULTURE,
Atlanta, March 1, 1897
As wns predicted and expected the
rainfall in February has been very
heavy, which in view of the previous
deficiency is f 'rtuuate for the coming
year’s crops. But the recent continued
wot woathor has somewhat delayed the
final preparations for planting. Where
there has been thorough full and winter
plowing the farmer is relieved of
much of the vexation and worry of hur
ried preparation now. In such cases it
is a comparatively easy matter to com
plete ali preliminary work.
PLOWING LANDS WHICN'TOO WKT.
The great (lauger is that termers, who
did not take advantage of the fine days
of the fall and winter to keep the plows
going, may be tempted now to plow
their lands when too wet. In view of
the short time before the crops are to be
planted their anxiety to get their lands
iu condition to receive the seed, is par
donable, but no more grievous mistake
was ever made than that of plowing
when the soil is reeking with moisture.
Ou the light suudy lands w i may ven
ture sootier after heavy nuns than ou
our staffer day soils, but even there the
greatest discretion should be exercised.
We know the temptation, when time is
pressing and the sun shining, to do this
work at all hazards, but we have seen
fields so injured by such injudicious
plowing that the effects could not be
eradicated for months afterwards, and
the crops showed u corresponding falling
off. It were bettor to reduce the in
tended area and put the remainder in
thorough condition than to hasten over
a greater number of acres at such man
ifest injury to the land and losn to the
crops, not to mention the additional
annoyance and worry In the subsequent
cultivation of such injudiciously plowed
fields.
MARCH IS A RUST MONTI!
with the funner in many other respects
besides the preparation of the land.
There are terraces and ditches to be kept
in order. After each heavy rain they
should he examined, all breaks repaired
and all weak points strengthened. All
fences not iu repair should he righted,
the fence rows cleared out and the trash
burned. The growth from successive
years should not he allowed to accumu
late, nor should it he allowed to encroach
further and further each year ou the
cultivated land. The fences and fence
corners should be kept clean. By this
plan we not only preserve an appearance
of greater neatness, hut many destruc
tive insect and fungus agents, which
are becoming a menace to our agricul
ture, are checked.
FALL PLANTED GRAIN.
If the fall planted grain is not vigor
ous hut shows a silky, yellow appear
ance, it should receive a top dressing of
Borne nitrogenous fertilizer, nitrate of
soda or cotton seed meal, the former to
he applied jest before a rain, from 60 to
100 pounds to the acre; the latter at any
convenient time, about 200 pounds to
the acre.
VINEYARDS, ORCHARDS AND GARDENS
also need looking after. All prunings,
accumulated trash and refuse should ho
lat he red up iiud burned, for the same
reason that we destroy these harbors for
insect life and fungus diseases in our
fence corners. The fruit grower and
gardener should wage a perpetual war
fare on these enemies, which too often
are allowed to gain a firm foothold be
fore we are aware of their presence, and
then the troubles and expenses from
their depredations are inevitable. A
touch of
WHITEWASH
here and there, as opportunity occurs,
should he also regardod as one of the
duties of this early spring month. It is
astonishing the power which is in on
barrel of lime, to add to the cheerfulness
and the neatness of a farm home, and
its effeot goes through the entire year
It is a purifi' r as well as a beantifler.
Where stables, out houses and oven the
dwelling receive a thorough coat of
whitewash, inside and out, once a year,
sanitury conditions are much improved
and the risk from contagious and infec
tious diseases much lossouod. Through
out the state March is the
COHN PLANTING MONTH.
In the more southern sections planting
is already under way. Necessarily the
most favorable time for this work in
any particular locality must vary some
what with the season, and with local
conditions as to drainage, exposure,
quality of the soil, etc. Well drained,
heavy lands with a southern exposure
tye known to warm up more rapidly,
and are therefore mere suited for early
planting than where opposite conditions
prevail, and of course the planting sea
son opens earlier in the southern than
in the northern sections of the state.
Methods of planting also vary with
thost conditions. We have fnuud.
however, that on the greater portion of
our ordinary corn land the double foot
plow does the most effective work Pre
supposing that the land has been thor
oughly prepared and laid off, (and un
less the land is rich or very highly ma
nured it is well to give plenty of dis
tauce). we would plant in the watei
furrow, taking care not to cover the
seed too deeply. Deep covering will do
for later planting, early corn should he
covered lightly. The double foot plow,
if properly adjusted, does very satisfac
tory work, leaving a slight ridge on the
seed and a small furrow’ ou each side
which will protect the seed from anv
excess of water settling ou them. By
this method the plants w’ill come up
slightly below the surrounding surface,
and at each plowing a little dirt cau be
thrown towards them until, when the
final "laying by” comes, the field is left
practically level. This was the method
bo strongly advocated by David Dickson,
and from which he realized such won
derful results. He maintained that as
the greatest danger to our corn crop was
our usual summer drouth, all our efforts
should be directed to protecting it
against such a contingency, and that
corn so planted and cultivated was much
less liable to injury from this cause than
when plauted on a high beu. Of course
on bottom or moist lands the opposite
plan should be followed.
GRASSES AND CLOVERS.
March is the favorite mouth for
seeding grasses ami clovers. As
mentioned in February’s Talk these
may, if preferred, be sown on the
growing grain fields, in which case a
light harrow he run over the
fields before the grass or clover seeds
are scattered. To o’ tarn the best re
sults, a roller should then be passed
over the land. This will settle the
seeds, and the harrowing and roiling, so
far from injuring the young grain, will
be found a positive benefit. They en
courage tillering, and fields, which
have been so treated, will in a short
while take on a fresh, vigorous growth.
All*things considered, it is best to sow
grass and clover on land specially and
thoroughly prepared and fertilized for
their reception, but snmo times this iR
not practicable, and we have known
very good results from the above plan.
PREPARATION FOR COTTON
is also one of the pressing duties of this
busy month. In the southern part of
the state cotton planting often begins
during the latter part of the mouth. In
making preparations for this crop we
should remember that while it responds
promptly to judicious and liberal fer.
tilizing, the profits from such fertiliz
ing are much increased by careful prep
aration of the soil, not only by actual
plowing, hut by mechanical treatment.
Where lands have had the benefit of
renovating crops as cow peas or clover,
or have been treated with applications
of barnyard manure, they are in much
bettor receptive condition for commer
cial fertilizers than when they lack or
ganic matter. The usual application of
200 pounds per acre in such land will
bo far more effective than double that
number of pounds on well worn
fiolds. The secret of using commer
cial fertilizers with profit is to
put tho land in such receptive condi
tion that it. will afr once respond to tho
use of the concentrated manure, he the
application small or large, and this pre
paratory work is host done by deep plow
ing and ronovatinir crops. In the in
quiry columns will he found s .oral
questions hearimr on this subject.
HOGS.
The pigs intended for pork should bo
pushed forward rapidly. It has been
said with truth, that tho most profitable
hogs are those which never see a Christ
mas. Spring pigs pushed to maturity
not only make tho host meat, but show
the most clear profit.. They should not
be allowed to lack for food or proper at
tention. Plenty of good wholesome
food, pure water and clean quarters will
almost insure success.
Iv. TANARUS, Nesbitt, Commissioner.
Warning In Ki-g}ir<l tu Ciiiupnnt IVdiHers.
In the "Monthly Talks and Answers
to Questions” for January I took occa
sion to denounce one J. D. Butler,
“President of the Champion Chemical
Pnx'ess Cos.” of Dunn, Fayetteville aud
Thomasviile, N. 0., and published him
as a fraud and a swindler, in that he
was soiling a worthless formula for
making a fertilizer, thus robbing our
farmers wherever he could. lam now
in receipt of a Bulletin from the North
Carolina Experiment Station exposing
this same rascal for selling his fraudu
lent formula in North Carolina. In
that, state be claims to be from Georgia,
in this he gives North Carolina as his
residence. I have advertised this par
ticular rascal so thoroughly, simply to
put the farmers on their guard against
all vendors of fertilizer formulas. Asa
rule they are rascals, and unless they
can show tho indoisement of their for
mulas by this department, they should
be promptly arrested and punished.
Should the aforementioned Butler again
make his appearance in Georgia. I trust
that he will be promptly arrested. If
an example could be made of one of tlie
swindlers that sell worthless formulas
for fertilizers, the business would be
broken up, much to the bonefit of the
farmers I again repeat that this de
partment is at. all times ready to furnish
good formulas for making composts,
and they can be had by simply writing
to this office. Another point to which
I wish to call the attention of the farm
ers is this: Sometimes guano or cotton
seed meal is offered for sale, eithor un
tagged or with tags of the previous year
on the sacks. This is a violation of the
law and subjects the manufacturer,
upon conviction, to the penalty of fine
or imprisonment, or both. The manu
facturers should know the law on the
subject, and it they violate it they ought
to suffer Occasionally a tag will acci
dentally be removed from a sack, and,
of course, the law would not apply in
such a case.—State Agricultural De
partment,
Barnyard Manuro For Cotton.
Question. —Is barnyard manure a
good fertilizer for cotton ? I used it
last year, but the results did uot come
up to my expectations.
Answer.— We have found that barn
yard manure acts more effectually for
cotton, when used as a soil improver
rather than a direct fertilizer. If barn
yard manure is to be used, it is more
profitable to compost it some time pr.
vious to its application to the land, com
bining with it acid phosphate and pot
ash tu some form. These not only have
a specific value, but by certain chemi
cal combinations with the elements in
the manure render it more valuable
than when in its natural condition.
This compostiug may be done directly
in the drill aud a list thrown on it to
prevent the escape of ammonia, but
there should always be time allowed
for decomposition. We would not ad
vise the application of barnyard manure
to cotton just at the time of planting.
—State Agricultural Department.
THE TIMES: BRUNSWICK, GA., MARCH 5, 1897.
ANSWERS TO
INQUIRIES
Questions on All Sorts of Sub
jects For the Farm.
80IFNTIFI0, PRACTICAL ANSWERS
The next Time to Apply Fertilizers For
Cotton—Garden Truck That Can Be
Planted In February—A Remedy For
the M Appl Tree Aphis**—Three Balanced
Rations For Milch Cows.
Question. —Being a newcomer from
Wisconsin, I would like to know what
garden truck can be plauted in Febru
ary. Are there any insect enemies to
vegetables at that early season? If so,
how can I prevent their ravages?
Answer. —In South Georgia, whore
you live, you can plant iu the garden
by Feb. 1 all the hardier vegetables,
such as green peas, onion sets, or onion
seed eithor, turnips, cabbage, spinach,
beets, lettuce, radishes, carrots, pars
nips, salsify, etc. Should there come
very cold weather when tho 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
moderated. Irish potatoes should be
planted at this time, and also mustard
and collards.
About the middle of tho month, plant
some good variety of garden corn, and
for a succession, plant a patch every two
weoks until Julio; 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 tho same latitude, I
am convinced that from Feb. 1 to 10 is
the host time for this purpose. There
1r no piece of ground on any farm that
pays half aR 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 the care of
the women folks, grudgingly letting
them have a load or two of stable
manure, all of which, they think,
should go toithe raising of cotton. A
half acre devoted" to the garden will fur
nish palatahlo'und nutritious food for a
family for the. greater part of the year,
and yet how "few good gardens do we
meet with in the country.
Be sure to highly enrich your ground,
and break it from 10 to 12 inches, or
even deeper if practicable. Plant in
rows clearacross the garden, so that
cultivation, can be done with the plow,
then work well, and though accustomed
as you aretto the rich soil of Wisconsin,
you will be astonished at the quantity,
quality and variety of vegetables that
can beiproduced-on a half acre of Geor
gia soil.
There are few, if any, insect pests to
contend with so early in 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; whou found you can have the sat
isfaction of crushing the life out of him,
or better still, throw him to the chick
ens. Thero are othor plans suggested
for getting rid of the cut worm, but this
is the most effectual and therefore the
best. Should you find any insect at
tacking your young turnips, radishes or
cabbage plants, dust over them some
ashes 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.
“Thn Apple Tree Aphis.••
Question. —I send you in a small bot
tle an apple tree twig covered with
small eggs, what are they? Also a bug
which 1 wish you would name? If these
are injurious to tree or fruit give me
remedy for them.
Answer. —After a careful microscopic
examination I find the twig 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, and finally black
and glossy. As soon as the buds begin
to expand in the spring these eggs hatch
out small lice, which insert tl eir bills
in the buds and tender leaves and suck
the juices from them. These lice attain
maturity in 10 or 12 days, and then com
mence giving birth to living young at
the rate of two or three daily. They
continue this for two or three weeks
when they die. The young lice repeat
this process of reproduction exactly like
their predecessors, and so it goes on un
til the fall. At that time a stock of
eggs is deposited on the bark of the
limbs and twigs to continue the species
another season.
Remedies—Scrape the dead bark off
the trees during the winter and 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 soapsuds
weak lye, or tobacco water made bj
boiling 1 pound of the stems or leaves in
a gallon of water. A cold spell aftei
the lice have hatched out will kill mil
lions of them, though no degree of cold
seems to hurt the eggs.
The bug you sent for identification is
called the "Two-spotted Lady-bird,” be-
cause of its having two bright orange
colored spots, one on each wing cover
ing. The Lady-bird is the friend of the
fruit grower, as she and her larve eat
great numbers of the lice.
Rotten Pine Straw as a Fertilizer.
Question. —On a branch which runs
through my farm is a large deposit of
Ewamp muck, composed of rotten pine
straw, leaves and other vegetable mat
ter, mixed with soil washed in from sur
rounding land. Is this valuable as a
fertilizer? If so how shall I use it?
Answer. —Such a deposit as 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. The 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 tho growth of all plants.
It will be best for you to throw the
muck out on the bank and let it become
dry before composting. Either of the
three following formulas will give you
a good compost:
no. 1.
Muck 4,000 pounds
Cow manuro 2,000 “
Green cotton seed 1,000 “
Acid phosphate 1,600 “
Kaiuit 500 “
no. 2.
Muck 2,000 pounds
Stable manure 1,000 “
Green cotton seed 700 “
Ashes 450 “
Acid phosphate 1,000 “
No. 3.
Muck 1,571 pounds
Acid phosphate 280 “
Dried blood 112 “
Muriate of potash 37 “
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. —How much fertilizer may
be profitably used in an acre of cotton ?
I have been trying different amounts,
hut so far my experiments are rather
contradictory aud disappointing.
Answer.—The amount of commer
cial fertilizer which may be used on an
acre of cotton varies so widely with the
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 the land has been brought
to a very high state of cultivation very
heavy appl cations may be made, but
for ordinary Georgia soils in 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 700
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
Station says: “It has been shown that
SB.OO worth of well balanced fertilizer
may be expected to increase the yield
of seed cotton on one acre 1,000 pounds.
But such results can only be attained
by concentrating tho fertilizer on the
best land, not by scattering it at the
rate of 100 or 200 pounds par acre over
a large, worn out plantation. The mis
take should not be made of applying
large amounts of concentrated fertil
izers on thiu, worn out land. The larger
the applicat on the more important it
is that the land be iu the best possible
condition.”—State Agricultural Depart
ment.
The Proper Proportions of the Different
Elements In a Fertilizer For Potton.
Question. —Please give me your views
as to the best proportions iti which to
combine phosphoric acid, potash and
nitrogen to successfully fertilize a cot
ton crop.
Answer.—ln 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, and while 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 the 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 and nitrogen are
generally used iu the same proportions,
and the amount of phosphoric acid
should be from 2 3 4 to 3 times as large.
Thus: Potash, 1; nitrogen, 1; phos
phoric acid, from to 3, would be
about the proportion for general use,
aud these proportions we would get
from a fertilizer analyzing: Soluble
(available) phosphoric acid, 9; potash,
3; nitrogen, 3.—State Agricultural De
partment.
Is It Rest For Cotton to Apply Fertiliser
in the Drill nr Broadcast?
Question. —-I have decided to make a
heavy application"' of comtrierciai ferti
lizer to my cotton crop. Would you ad
vise mo to apply in the drill or broad
cast? The land is iu moderately good
condition. Some of it was in corn last
year, some iu grain aud some in peas.
Answer.—Our experience has been
that when large amounts of fertilizer
are used it is not advisable to apply in a
single drill. Either two separate appli
cations should be made, one in the seed
drill at planting time aud well mixed
with the soil aud the other in the first
siding furrows, or if the seed are to be
planted very soon after the beds are
made, a part of the fertilizer may be
drilled into the center furrow and the
remainder in the two listing furrows.
The experiments at tho Georgia station
show that “it is by no means (necessary,
nor is it desirable to broadcast the ferti
lizer when less than 1,500 pounds are to
be applied to an acre of corn or cotton
or other wide row crop. Broadcast ma
nuring should as a rule be confined to
crops that are planted broadcast, as
small grains, grass, etc.”
Keep in mind that cotton following
pdas requires a fertilizer running lower
in nitrogen than when put on land
which has been planted in corn or small
grain.—State Agricultural Department.
Proper Soil For the Cultivation of Pecans.
Question. —Will you kindly write me
something about the cultivation of pe
cans? The proper soil, the number of
years before bearing, etc? I atn told
they must be plant and 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 tree requires for
its best development a rich alluvial soil,
being a native of the rich bottom lands
of Texas aud the states bordering on the
lower Mississippi river. They may be
grown successfully on rich uplands of
the cotton states, but will never amount
to anything on thin, thirsty soils, where
many have been planted. On suitable
land the trees should be plauted 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 be broken off in transplanting
the tree would not bear. At the same
time care should be taken to mutilate
the roots as little as possible. Some
growers prefer planting the tint where
the tree is to stand, others prefer to
transplant. Under favorable conditions
the pecan will commence to bear in 12
to 14 years.
The “Harlequin" Bug:*
Question. — I am a large grower of
turnip and mustard seed. In the spring
before they ripen much damage is done
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 leaves or trash of
any kind. They are ready to deposit
their eggs from the middle to last of
March, and then in from four to six
days these hatch out a brood of larvae,
which at once commence their destruc
tive work by piercing the leaves and
sucking the sap. The leaf thus pierced
soon wilts 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 the 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
in large numbers, when they are effect
ually destroyed with pure
Possibly you might adopt this plan suc
cessfully if your turnips and mustard
are sowed in drills. I hope you will try
it and report result to this department.
—State Agricultural Department.
Rations For Milch Cows.
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, 2.60 pounds of protein, and 13.38
pounds of Carbo-hydrates. Therefore
(quoting from the same excellent au
thority), the following would be the
proper rations for a milch cow of the
above mentioned weight:
no. 1.
Clover hay 10 pounds
Oat straw 12 “
Wheat bran . 0 “
Cottonseed meal 2 “
NO. 2.
Crab grass hay 20 pounds
Shucks 10 “
Corn meal 3 “
Cottonseed meal
no. 3.
Wheat straw cut & dampened. 18 pounds
Cow pea hay 10 "
Cottonseed meal 4t£ "
no. 4.
Cottonseed hulls 20 pounds
Cottonseed meal 5 “
Corn meal 6 •*
In Regard 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.— ln the years 1893 and 1894
this department sent out a great many
seeds of different kinds, at a heavy cost,
but thfTpractice~has OeeTr'di'scoHtinued''
since Jan. 1, 1896. I receive a g-eat
many letters still asking for seeds of
various kinds, and I give this public no
tice that no more seeds will be sent out
by this department, in order that post
age and the trouble of writing may be
saved to all concerned.
The intention of the department at
first was to send out only new and un
tried seeds that they might be tested by
our must experienced farmers and gar
deners, but gradually the custom grew
until every one that applied was furn
ished with a few choice seed. This
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 vari
eties is now very carefully and thor
oughly done by the experiment station
near Griffin, and the results are pub
lished in 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 mauy
seed to all sections of the country, and
parties desirous of getting them should
be able to do so by writing to the con
gressman from their district.—State
Agricultural Department.
Harrowing Oats to Loosen Up Soil.
Question. — I have a field of volunteer
oats, very thick, would it do any 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. —l would advise against us
ing a cutaway harrow ou your oats, as I
think it would cut them up too much.
It would be an advantage to the oats to
cross and recross them with a plain
smoothing or straight tooth harrow,
which would loosen the soil to some ex
tent aud slightly thin out the oats,
which would probably benefit them. Do
this as soon as the ground is sufficiently
dry.
A liberal top dressing of cottonseed
meal, say 300 pounds to the acre, applied
just before harrowing, would probably
insure you a good yield of oats. As,
however, you doubtless expect to follow
your oat crop with peas, I suggest that
you add 150 pounds of phosphoric acid
and 50 pounds of kainit to the cotton
seed meal. In that case you might ex
pect a fine pea crop after taking off the
oats without any further fertilizing
State Agricultural Department.
The Kind of Phosphoric Acid Rest 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. —The value of phosphoric
acid for cotton is in 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 in marl,
floats, slag, etc., are of little direct
value to the crop, though they may ben
efit the land for future crops. These,
to be profitable, should be applied to
leguminous crops, and when the stubble
and roots of these crops are turned un
der and the land is then planted in cot
ton, the indirect value of the marl,
floats or slag, as the case may be, be
comes at once apparent in the increased
yield of the cotton. —State Agricultural
Department.
Tiipp to Apply Fertilizers For Cotton.
Question.— lf I should decide to fer
tilize my cotton very heavily will it be
best to apply all the fertilizer at one
time or at different periods, say a part
at planting, a second application at the
first plowing, and another later on?
Answer. —The answer to your ques
tion depends very much on the kind of
fertilizer you will use. If the elements
are readily available and highly ammo
niated we have found that to divide a
large amount into two and even three
parts and apply at different periods of
crop development has a marked effect
for good. But in the slower acting for
mulas it is more profitable to make one
application at time of planting, dividing
it between the planting and the two ad
joining furrows.—State Agricultural
Department.
Kainit For Ku*t In Cotton.
Question. —Is kainit a certain pre
ventive for rust in cotton ? On some of
my land the cotton rusts badly, but I
have not found that kainit prevents it.
I thought perhaps there was some par
ticular way of applying it, as I have
seen it very highly recommended.
Answer.— Kainit has been recom
meuded 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 and phosphoric acid, and seems
to have the best effect when used in
conjunction with cottonseed or cotton
seed meal rather than other forms of
nitrogenous manures. —State Agricul
tural Department.
Cottonseed and Cottonseed Meal For Ma
nuring Cotton.
Question. —Which is the 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 manurial 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
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State Agricultural Department.
Depth to Apply Fertilizer For Cotton*
Question. —At what depth shou’i
commercial fertilizers be applied for
cotton? and is it best, when a large
amount is used, to broadcast or put in
the drill?
Answer. —The 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 Agricultural Department
4