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2 THE SOUTHERN WORLD, FEBRUARY 1,1883, Conducted by R. J. Redding, of the Georgia De partment of Agriculture. COMMERCIAL, FERTILIZER!!. • The question is often discussed: “Do commercial fertilizers pay ?” and it seems that the number of those who argue in favor of the negative is increasing. In view of the immense sum of money annually'in- vestcd in fertilizers, the question is one of great importance. The farmers of Georgia, alone, used nearly, if not quite, six millions of dollars worth of fertilizers during the year 1881. This is nearly one-fifth of the total market value of the crop of the State. Of course no reasonable man will contend that this amount is a total loss to the farmer, or that they do not get a very largely in creased yield ns a result of the use of fertil izers. The claim is, that on the whole the farmers would have been better off if they had never used them. In proof of tiiis proposition, individual examples are cited of farmers who have steadily refrained from buying or using fertilizers and who have as steadily prospered and made money, while hundreds of others who huve used fertilizers year after year huve become embarrassed with debt and failure. It would be easy to show that this method of reasoning will leud into error. There are many circumstances surrounding a farmer, muny hubits of mind and practice, which enter us fuctors in the question of success or fuilure to reap divi dends from the farm. It will not be sound logic to attribute success or fuilure in any business to uny single circumstance or prac tice, unless the relation of cause and effect be shown to exist. The effect must be traced back to its ullegcd cause, and thore must be no reasonable doubt timt the refer ence is correct. To illustrute: It would be very erroneous to conclude that hones can not be profitably employed on a farm, be cause uu individual, or even a number of furmers who huve uniformly employed them, have us uniformly fuiled of success in farming, while others who plow mules or oxen huve almost us uniformly found farm ing u profitable business. Nor would it do to ussume that a particular variety of corn yulLuw corn, for-instance—is unproductive, becuuse several farmers who always plant yellow corn generally make pour crops of corn. In the first case supposed, it might be tiiat the furmers who plowed horses were addicted to hubits of extruvugance and neg lect of farm business, which arc often asso ciated with u certain kind of fondness for horses, and -which would ulmnduntly ac count for fuilure. Ill the second case, it might be made to appear thut the yellow corn farmers happened ulso to bo very indo lent, careless and slothful, and that they hud selected thut vuriety of corn for plant ing because of a belief thut it would beur neglect better—produce more with less cure und labor than other kinds. Coming back to the question of commer cial fertilizers: It is one thing to assert thut the use of commercial (or chemical) fertilizers lias not been generally profitable and wise, and quite nnother to insist that farmers should cease to . use them, or that luws should be enacted to prohibit their manufacture or sale, as was sagely proposed in the Legislature of Georgiu. Wo should examine and ascertain (1) whether the blame of failure belongs properly to fertil izers and the principles which underlie their use; or (2) Is it attributable to their im proper and injudicious use; or (3) that the farmer has-been led to put too much confi dence in their virtue to the neglect of other means of fertilization and of that careful economy and painstaking application of the true principles of farming, without which failure is almost certain. Of course we do not allude to spurious fertilizers in this connection, except to ex clude them from the discussion. The law in every State, as it does in Georgia, should effectually exclude them from the market. (1) Of the first alternative it may be said, that the principle which justifies the use of stable manure, ashes, cotton-seed and other familiar forms of fertilizers, is precisely the same as that on which the use of commer cial fertilizers is based, viz.: that the pro ductive quality of the soil is increased by ; adding to it the elements of fertility iq whatever form ‘they are found to be avail able. These elements are phosphoric acid, potash, ammonia, etc. As we cultivate the soil and remove from it yearly crops of grain, grass, cotton and tobacco, these ele ments, in their available form, are gradually removed from the land, and exhaustion fol lows. The phosphoric acid, potash and am monia have entered into the crops, and have gone to assist in building up the bodies of men and animals. A large proportion of these elements is found in the animal excre ments, and the ashes of plants, and in the form of manure is carried back to the soil, directly, as has been done from time imme morial. We now go to the islands of the ocean, and into the bowels of the earth, to bring to our aid the excrements of birds (guano), the fossil bones of extinct animals, agricultural salts, etc., each of which abounds in one or more of these valuable elements. The principle is the same—the application is wider; the elements are the same—the form more concentrated. It is this concentration of the elements of fer tility in the materials used which renders them available for long transportation; and they therefore become articles of trade and commerce—commercial fertilizers. (2) It is certainly true that much loss has resulted from the injudicious use of commer cial fertilizers. Too large a quantity hhs been used in many cases, witli very imper fect preparation and culture; or without reference to the s]>ccial demands of the soil or crop. (3) We think that the last alternative sug gests the correct solution of the question. The facility with which fertilizers can be bought on a credit, the smull amount of labor required to apply them, and the extra ordinary fertilizing effect of a comparatively small amount (in weight, not in cost,) hus encouraged most farmers to rely too much upon commercial fertilizers, and not enough on home manures, close application to busi ness, economy in farm management, and the general principles of good farming. They have sought to make large yields of cotton by the use of large quantities of stimulating fertilizers; nnd have neglected every other means of improvement, nnd source of profit. Fertilizers always pay a better per cent, on cost, when used ns sup plemental to the home nmnurial resources and in connection witli good preparation and cultivation, rotation, und a diversified system. Those farmers whose success in farming, without the aid of fertilizers, is udduccd as at least a negative proof of the unprofitable ness of fertilizers, can more justly attribute that success to their reliance upon, and their skill in the use of, other means and appli ances thut have enabled them to make money at farming. In other words, they have succeeded in spite of their non-using of fertilizers; they would probably have suc ceeded still better if they hud availed them selves of these helps. Fancy Farming. Sometimes wo see—not so often now as formerly—a farmer, of whom it is said “he farms for pleasure,’’ meaning that he docs not look to money results, but seeks to gratify his taste for fancy furming, fine blooded cuttle, hogs, poultry, etc. He has ample investments in other business which docs not require his personal attention, and tt]>on which hu draws at pleasure for sucli moneys ns may be necessary to supply his wants and those of his family. Such farm ers urc not without their use in an agricul tural community, though they may not “ make a living’’ by their farm operations. An intelligent man, of an investigating mind, and with ample means at his com mand. has opportunities for doing great service to the cause of practical agriculture, though lie may not put money in his own pocket. There arc illustrious instances, in our own and foreign countries, of men who huve devoted time, money and intellect to experimental agriculture, and who have added largely to onr stock of informrtion on the several branches of agriculture. It is much to be desired that more of our wealthy men should give up the pursuit of mere wealth as an object, at least so far to enable them to devote a portion of their time and money to the laudable purpose of developing and Illustrating a higher und more scientific agriculture. The practical farmer of limited capital is too often embarrassed in the prosecution of experiments in cultivation, fertilization, and improved stock-breeding—by the ques tion of subsistence. He can not well afford to make costly investigations and experi ments, in view of the risk of loss of money which is involved in a failure. Notwith standing this risk, there are many farmers V ho have devoted much of their time and Weans to experiment, even to the extent of Berious financial embarrassment, and some times bankruptcy. They have looked be yond the question of mere present support in the fond hope of proving the truth of theories, the adoption of which would make farming more pleasant and profitable. In many cuses, while they have failed to make money and grow rich, they have succeeded in improving the system of farming in many respects, and contributed largely to the gen eral improvement of their respective neigh borhoods. “Their works to follow them." INQUIRY COLUMN. Bibb County, Ga. Mb. Editor:—Would it not be better to broadcast the commercial fertilizers and composts that we buy, than to put them in the drill, or hill, under the cotton or corn ? I have often read that every fertilizer or manure should be broadcasted. Young One. REPLY. It was the fashion, until within the last ten years, for some agricultural writers and speakers to insist on broadcasting fertilizers on all crops. They seem to have imbibed the idea from the practice of market gnrden- ersnear large cities, wholiave practiced a high culture of vegetables for muny years. It is well known tiiat vegetables depend, for their quality, upon a rapidity und succulence of growth and large size, such as can mly be induced by very rich or highly manured soil. The richer the soil the better will be the quality, us well as larger the yield, and the market price will be correspondingly higher. In ordinary farming in this country, it is certainly more economical and profitable to use our costly fertilizers in the drill or hill only. Heavier crops per acre may be pro duced with broadcast manuring, but a larger per cent, profit upon the investment in fertilizers will undoubtedly be secured by applying them in moderate quantity in the drill. Broadcast manuring is in the direction of soil fertilization, which is correct in theory, but we can not afford to make a soil rich by buying fertilizers for the purpose. Another circumstance thut has misled writers, is the fact that in the North and East the principal crops—small grain and grass—occupy the entire surface, and must needs be fertilized broadcast, if at all. But our principal crops are com and cotton, which actually occupy u very small portion of the surface. When we fertilize wheat, or oats, or grass, we broadcast, as a matter of course. LUCERNE. Cummino, Ga. Please tell me something about lucerne— whether this section is suited to its growth, how and when to plant it, etc. REPLY. Lucerne has generally been referred to Chili as its place of origin, whence it was brought to California under the name Al falfa, or Chilian clover; but it is likely that it came originally from Asia, whence it was brought to Europe and thence to Chili and other Spanish South American States. The Lucerne we have in the South came di rect from France, and is somewhat different in appearance from the California variety— a difference probaly due to.the different cir cumstances of its growth along the widely divergent routes by which the two were brought to this country. The best soil for lucerne is a deep, dry loam, but it will grow on any soil if made very rich—rich enough to grow good cab bages—in order to get the best results. It is perennial after it is once started, thriving on the same soil for ten or twenty years, if an nually manured and kept clean of weeds. The best time to sow it (in the South) is in August or September. The ground selected should be clear of seeds of grass and weeds, plowed very deeply, harrowed well, the seed sown in shallow drills eighteen inches npart and lightly covered, very much as turnips are sown. Ten pounds of seed will sow an acre. The first year the plants should be kept clear of any weeds that may spring up, as the young lucerne is very delicate until well established. It is usual to cut it once or twice the first season of growth or as often as it begins to turn yellow or to bloom. It may be fed green to stock of all kinds, or cured into the very best of hay. After the first year it may be cut three to six times, affording an immense amount of the most nutritious forage. On no account must lucerne be postured, as the trampling of stock and their biting into the crowns of the stools will destroy them. (We learned thiR to our cost—in making our first trial—what we might have known before.) If sown too late in the fall, or the winter should be very severe, the young lucerne is liable to be killed while the plants are still young and tender. To avoid this risk, the seed may be sown in February, though the crop will be light the first year. FACTS FROM FARM AND FIELD. Mb. Lambert Chambliss, near Montgom ery, Ala., made 400 gallons of syrup on less than one acre. _ The Newberne (N. C.) nwiffet is well sup plied with rice grown in that section. The yield and prices are satisfactory. A Jefferson county (Florida) farmer recently sold 600 bales of cotton, and now lias 3,000 bushels of corn for sale. D. H. Henkes and R. W. McIntosh, of Brooksville, Fla., gathered last year 100 bushels of sweet potatoes from one-fourth of an acre. All tobacco grown upon low lands, from white burley seed, has a dark color, but the character in other respects is much the same.—[Yeoman. D. W. Shaw, living near Honea Path, S. C., made last year with one mule and two bands besides himself 10 bales of cotton and 100 bushels of corn, despite the drought. Tiik Wilmington (N. C.) Star says Point Caswell, Pender county, claims to be the best naval stores market in tlieStateoutaide of Wilmington. The new railroad will help it umazingly. Charles Alexander, of Lowndes county, Ala., made last year, with one horse, 12 bales of cotton, 250 bushels of corn, 12,000 stalks of cane, 150 bushels of potatoes, and 5 stacks of fodder. Mr. Jos. Glawson, of Jones county, Ga., on a one horse farm, gathered 100 bushels of wheat, 400 bushels of oats and 14 bushels of barley, 800 bushels of corn, 1,400 pounds of fodder, 2 bales of cotton, and peas enough to fatten 33 hogs. John B. Gorman, of the Talbotton (Go.) Register, is a thrifty farmer as well us a good editor. He bad 201 articles of his own and mother’s raising or manufacture at the Atlanta Exposition. He is a bright example of what intelligence and energy and thrift can accomplish in the South. The growth of the sorghum industry in Kansas is really extraordinary. In the past two years the acreage planted in this cane has doubled, and it now amounts to 57,628 acres. The crop last year was partially a failure, yet the product was worth $1,754,- 748, an averuge of nearly thirty dollars an acre—much better than most of the other crops did. The Telegraph says: Macon (Georgia) merchants have sold over 100,000 bushels of seed oats shipped from Texas and other States. The planting is all right, but pur chase of seed is all wrong, when the Agri cultural Bureau reports show that Thomas county has yielded the largest average pfer acre of any county in the United States. Planters of Georgia, sow oats, and raise your own seed. Before the war the exports of pecan nuts from Indiunolu, Texas, were reported at $100,000; now it is estimated that the amount annually gathered exceeds $2,000,- 000 in value. No care, however, has.been taken of the trees; in fact, in many locali ties, trees from fifty to one hundred years old have been cut down to secure the nuts. With proper care of these trefes, and syste matic gathering of tho crop, it is believed that $10,000,000 could be annually realized. ProOtable Farming In Jeirerson County. Mr. T. J. Braswell jtlie present year planted 125 acres in cotton, and employed in the cultivation of the same four mules. In other,words, he ran a four mule farm, and it yielded him seventy-six bales of cot ton, 400 bushels of corn, 300 bushels of po tatoes, 6,000 pounds of fodder, and sugar cane sufficient to make five or six barrels of syrup. We admit that this is almost in credible, yet Mr. Braswell says he is pre pared to clearly demonstrate the truth of his report. Estimating the cotton at 450 pounds per bales, we have in the 76 bales 34,200 pounds, and the products of Mr. B’s. farm yielded a revenue as folows: Cotton, 76 balcs’at 9c. $2,078,00 Potatoes, 300 bu. at 40c. 120.'oo Corn, 400 bushels at 1. 400.00 Fodder, 6,000 pouuds, 60,00 Syrup, 150 gals, at 40c. eo|oo $3,718,000 —[Monticello (Fla.) Constitution. I had no idea how easy it was for men and women of our free thoughts and our free .ways to drift from the service of the sanc tuary, become their own temple, their own priests, and end by caring for neither— CM- Iyer,