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THE LIBRARY OF
THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA
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PUBLICATIONS
GEORCxIA STATE
Department of Agriculture
For the Year 1895
Volume XXI
R T NESBITT
COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE
THE GENERAL LIBRARY
THE UNIVERSITY OF
STATE LIBRARY GIFT 1938
ATLANTA GA
Geo W Harrison State Prill
Franklin Prtg Pub Co
1800
rt
THE GENERAL LIBRARY
THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA
ATHENS GEORGIA
MAR 6 1945PREFACE
In accord with the established custom of the Department of
Agriculture we present this the Twentyfirst Annual Compilation
of the Publications of the Department We trust it merits the
consideration of our farmers and all interested in agricultural pur
suits We have endeavored through the features introduced last
year in the monthly issue and which have been continued through
the present year to embody such scientific and practical informa
tion as will be useful on the farm and to those engaged in Horti
culture Dairying etc As a book of reference upon such ques
tions as are almost daily suggested to the thinking farmer who is
seeking knowledge and improvement we trust it will prove of
value
The volume does not include all publications and therefore is
not illustrative of the work accomplished Bulletins which are
issued from time to time and which are included in a final issue
have been omitted thus avoiding repetition We hope through
its contents the volume will be found worthy of preservation
THE GENERAL LIBRARY
THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA
STATE LIBRARY GIFT 1938
THE GENERAL LIBRARY
THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA
ATHENS GEORGIAINDEX
About manures 8
Atlantas exposition 1 i
Ammonia actual and potential 29
April letter of Commissioner 53
April question box 59
Ammoniated copper carbonate 89
August letter of Commissioner 122
August questions answered 26
August crop conditions 35
A fruit bonbon 170
Anthrax 181
Answers to inquiries 713 3435 4517 5968 8692 106121 126135
143152 164172 178186 195197
B
Bermuda 25
Beats cheap cotton a talk with Atlanta commission merchants 30
Butter making 32
Bordeaux mixture 89
Burning off land 113
C
Corn fertilizer 23
Clover 24
Canning factories 27
Cotton 32
Cost of production of cotton 58
Crop statistics 60
Copper sulphate solution 90
Crop conditions
Curing corn fodder 101
Crop conditions 102
Cotton seed and hogs 106
Cost of canning outfit 107
Cheat or chess in wheat 116
Cutting corn fodder 119
Celery 129
Curing sorghum hay 134
Condition of crops in September 153
Cottonseed meal for swine Ill
Cabbage bug 17S
Condition of crops in November 186
Crimson clover 196
Cottonseed meal 208
Chemists report 212
Cottonseed hulls 234
Composts 210
D
Dairy farms 25
Dr Cook on glanders 74
KB
VI
INDEX
Duty of a farmer ifj
Decortication of ramie 177
December letter of Commissioner 190
Domestic fertilizers 23
E
Eczema H5
Ensilage 120
Extracts from Fertilizer Bulletin 201
Kllington bill 210
F
Farmers Institutes 10
February letter of Commissioner is
Feeding borses 47
Forage crops 54
Farm models for exposition 57
Fivedollar fertilizers 62
Frauds in fertilizers 6i
Fruit drying 83
Formula for groundpeas 109
Fertilizing without nitrogen 113
Fruit preserving solution 11
Fertilizer for wheat 1154
Fattening hogs 172
Fertilizer Bulletin extracts 202
Fertilizers from the farmers standpoint 218
G
Glanders
ieorgia crop table 84
Ground bonedissolved bone 127
General summary of August crops 135
General crop summary 139
Give the crops a chance 197
H
Home manures or commercial fertilizer 7
Horses and mules 2i
Hogs 41
Hog cholera 42
Hollow horn 46
Home fertilizers 4s
Hellebore 90
Harnessing mules 179
Herds grass 1
I
Irish potatoes 33
Irish potatoes and starch factories 40
Irish potato growing 50
Inspection cottonseed meal 59
Irrigation 147
Inquiries answered for April 19S
Injurious insects 248
January letter of Commissioner 1
January questions answered 7
June letter of Commissioner 70INDEX
VII
June queries answered Si
July letter of Commissioner 93
J uly crop conditions 99
July questions answered 106
K
Keep your money at home 27
Kerosene emulsion 91
Keystone corn husker 143
Kerosene emulsion for destroying plant lice 200
L
Law in regard to selling formulas 42
London purple 9q
Liverpool men and American cotton 97
Lucerne 28
Law governing inspection of fertilizers l02
M
Mutton and wool 25
March letter from the Commissioner 36
March questions answered 45
Mechanical effect of potash 64
May letter from Commissioner 70
Meat packing and cold storage 73
Muck analysis 117
Mulessick 118
N
New farm industries 24
No poorer paying crop than cotton 41
Natural plant food 59
O
Our money sent abroad 28
Onions 32
Oat sowing 47
Ox warble or bot fly 67
Oxen epidemic 60
Oats fertilizer for 134
October letter of Commissioner 156
October crop summary 159
October question box Ki4
P
Patent formula 11
Paris green 90
Potato beetle 114
Q
Question box forJanuary 7
Question box for March 45
Question box for April 59
Question box for June
Question box for July jog
Question box for August 12i
Question box for September 143
Question box for October 164
Question box for November 178
Question box for December 195Alll
INDEX
E
Report adopted by Cotton Convention 22
Raising for market 34
Hoots of corn 34
Red water jqj
Reducing the cotton acreage Y 10
Rotation of crops for Georgia lib
Rabbits gnawing young apple trees 114
Rye Fertilizer for 134
Remarks on Ellington bill 211
Report of chemist 9j
Report of the Commissioner to the Governor 977
Some resolutions 14
Supplemental crops 35
Starch factories 44
Swine plague
Sweet potatoes
Stable manure
Spraying operations 67
Spraying apparatus gg
Spraying 88
Saccaline jay
Soda and salt on clover 140
Something about ensilage and silos 167
182
Smut in wheat
Sprouting crab grass 94
Sea Island cottonseed meal 227
Selections from proceedings of Georgia Horticultural Society 251
The swine plague g
To destroy Bermuda ri
The bot fly r
Timothy ij
Terracing 7v
Turnips Fertilizer for 134
Turning under peavines jko
The duty of a farmer 176
The law governing fertilizer inspections 202
r
I pland rice
Undesirable fertilizer formula 221
Veterinary surgeon
Aaluations
60
214
W
Water in green crops 101
Wheat Fertilizer for 14
AVild carrot 178
Weevils in corn 184
Wholesale cash prices for fertilizer material 215JANUARY
REGULAR MONTHLY LETTER OF THE COMMIS
SIONER
THE EXPOSITION AND THE PEOPLETHE USE OF MANURES
AND FERTILIZERSTHE DEPTH OF PLOWING AND LENGTH
OF CORN ROOTSFARMERS INSTITUTES AND OTHER
POINTS OF INTEREST SUGGESTEDMATTERS OF GREAT
IMPORTANCE
Department of Agriculture
Atlanta January 1 1895
With the close of 1894 and the beginning of 1895 the farmer
finds himself confronted by conditions tfhich have been gradually
approaching for years but which he has until the present time
failed to fully perceive or appreciate and now that the hard real
ity with all its depressing influences has come we find bim almost
overwhelmed by the difficulties surrounding him An overstocked
cotton market starvation prices financial depression general stag
nation such are the main points of the situation But notwithstand
ing this discouraging outlook conditions are not hopeless It is not
yet too late to retrieve our past errors One most hopeful sign is
the fact that farmers as a rule are more fully alive to these past mis
takes and are more anxiously seeking for the proper remedies than
any time since the high prices of cotton allured us into false
methods
Another fact which tempers the present hard reality is that ex
cept in rare cases farmers have bread and meat for another year
and the price of those necessaries which they have to buy is also
correspondingly low Let us therefore take courage and work out
our agricultural emancipation Fortified with home supplies and2 Department of AgricultureGeorgia
with the light of experience to warn us away from past quicksands
and pitfalls there is no reason why we should again fall into them
or why we should not free ourselves once and for all time from an
agricultural policy which has brought us to the verge of ruin It is
not by any very sudden or radical reforms that we hope to do this
Over a very large area cotton must remain the chief money crop to
abandou its culture would be the height of folly But we must
adapt ourselves to changed conditions We must no longer allow
cotton to occupy the pivotal point around which all the other ope
rations of the farm revolve Let home supplies take that place
and cotton will naturally fall into line at the head of perhaps half
a dozen other sources from which one may reasonably expect to re
alize a good interest
Elsewhere in this report is published by request the set of resolu
tions introduced by the committee on agriculture and passed by a
unanimous vote of the present house of representatives of the Geor
gia legislature It is an appeal not only to the farmers but to bus
iness men of all classes and has met with almost universal indorse
ment These resolutions also furnish a practical guide for farm op
erations for the coming year and emphasize with peculiar force the
advice so often given through this department to plant largely of
all food crops in field and garden to keep our money at home by
trading among ourselves the merchants and townspeople encourag
ing the raising of home supplies by buying from us rather than
sending outside the State for such things as they need and which
we have for sale the manufacture not only of our cotton but of our
wagons buggies farm implements shoes and furniture for all of
which we have the raw material with water powers and climate un
rivaled In other words to practice diversity of industries in town
as well as on the farm As to the use of
COMMERCIAL FERTILIZERS
we repeat what we have said in the Southern Cultivator
I have recently been much interested in an investigation which
I have been carefully conducting in order to find out the average
yield per acre of the various staple crops raised in Georgia and also
to ascertain whether in the use of commercial fertilizers we haveAnnual Publication for 1895
been permanently building up our lauds or have only been sup
plying food for the immediate demands of the crops leaving the fu
ture to take care of itself This question is one of deep interest
involving as it does the very foundation of our agricultural pros
perity
In England and on the continent the system of agriculture
adopted not only prevents deterioration and exhaustion but keeps
steadily in view the improvement of the land and the increase in
the yield That this is reasonable agriculture is evidenced by more
than one fact and sustained by the united experience of her whole
farming population Foremost among the reasons in its favor is
the fact that a large yield eutails scarcely more labor than a small
yield In our section where lands are so cheap and where labor is
the principal item of expense this is a most importantconsideration
In the investigation just referred to I have had access to the
best compilation of statistics obtainable and I regret to say that
these statistics show no material improvement in the general aver
ages throughout the State This is not as it should be Georgia
lands are noted for their susceptibility to improvement and excep
tional cases of intensive farming but prove this to be true
We have used commercial fertilizers with lavish prodigality
but that their use has not been tempered by judgement these re
sults undoubtedly show
On which the Southern Planter commenting says
How strongly confirmatory is the foregoing of what Mr Bell
wood said in our last issue upon the same subject and of what we
have been saying for so long There can be no permanent improv
ident of land and no retained and enhanced fertility without live
stock and the liberal use of all the farmyard manure which can be
made Given this first then commercial fertilizers may be profita
bly used but never to the exclusion of farmyard manure
We have always maintained that the wonderful power of com
mercial fertilizers is but faintly comprehended by those whose mis
fortune it has been to misapply them A thoughtful man cannot
expect to improve his land with commercial fertilizers alone The
common practice of drilling in a hundred or two pounds to the
acre on land destitute of humus is a mistake and has proved a4 Department of AgricultureGeorgia
curse rather than a blessing But fill the land with humus by
turning under vegetable matter by careful rotation by making and
conserving all home manure possible and the profitable use of com
mercial fertilizers will be limited only by the amount we are able
to buy The intelligent use of these fertilizers enables one to plow
deep to plant renovating crops to raise and improve stock and
keep more of it to make a hundred per cent more of home ma
nures and to double the producing capacity of labor now our most
expensive item Injudicious and careless methods are worse than
useless Unless intelligent care marks its use it entirely fails to
feed either the crop or the land and nothing is more dangerous to
the crops and more depleting to the farmers pocket than heavy
amounts of commercial fertilizer purchased and indiscriminately ap
plied to the worn and exhausted soils
PLANNING FOR ANOTHER YEAR
Dont make your plans on the supposition of a short crop and
higher priceswhich are subject to a score of deciding influences
of which we have no knowledge Treat this subject from a purely
business standpoint and by care and foresight place your forming
operations on a firm basis Consider what have been your profits
or losses in the past what under favorable crop seasons would be a
fair yield and then take on yourself only such obligations as under
average conditions will give you a fair margin of profit
WORK FOR THE MONTH
The farmer should see clearly all that lies before him that is he
should lay his plans for the year with careful forethought not over
rating advantages or underestimating difficulties and having mapped
out hs work he is prepared to take advantage of every favorable
opportunity to push it forward
SOWING OATS
If the requisite amount was not put in during the fall sow anv
favorable spell between this and February according to locality
If the seasons hit very fine crops often result and if the oats are
killed the land is still left in fine condition for other succeedingAnnual Publication foe 1895
crops Let the plows turn over any stubble or weed or stiff land
remembering the precaution to turn each furrow only partly over
which plan allows for the frost to act more directly upon the vege
table matter and other elements and when the subsequent plowing
is done this vegetable mould becomes more thoroughly mixed with
the soil instead of remaining in a layer at the bottom of the furrow
The importance of good
PLOWING
cannot be overestimated By good plowing is meant that which
will best subserve the ends which we have in view among others
to lay up a store of moisture for future use to secure better drain
age to prevent washing to promote the action of the atmosphere
on the vegetable and mineral matters in the soil It will thus be
understood that different qualities of land require different treat
ment and also that situation and environment must exercise a de
ciding influence as to the time of plowing the kind of plow and the
depth to be broken
On ordinary land the plowing may go on as long as the weather per
mits and if a subsoiler follow each plow we are taking long odds
against injury from drouth next summer It is only by producing
larger crops from smaller better prepared and better cultivated
areas that we can hope for agricultural success
When we have learned this and also to work up these products
into higher formsmilk butter beef pork chickens eggs etc
thus carrying off as little fertility as possible we will begin to real
ize that farming pays
COMPOST HEAPS
Gather up all the manure and scrapings of stable and yard and
compost with the utmost care The greatest fault of the farmer is
procrastination These and other important matters are delayed
until they have to be hurriedly and carelessly accomplished and
the farmer loses the opportunity of successfully pushing his work
for when he finds it pushing him it is then too late to consider de
tails When the weather does not permit the plows to run the
teams cannot be better employed than in gathering up these fertil
izing materials Unfortunately on many farms their hidden powerDepartment of AgricultureGeorgia
of making money has not been fully appreciated Often the ma
nure is allowed to accumulate in the stables until it becomes a
menace to the health of the animals which are compelled to breathe
its poisonous fumes and then it is thrown in a heap at the door
to have its best elements washed away by the water from the roof
And yet farmers lament that they need more manure and spend
thousands in commercial fertilizers In another part of this report
is an article containing several good reasons why commercial fertil
izers and barn yard manure should be mixed the one supplement
ing the other as it were There are also formulas for mixing fer
tilizers at home which for several reasons is the wisest plan
Among the most important reasons in favor of home mixing as
stated by the United States Department of Agriculture are reduc
tion in expense a definite knowledge of the nature of the plant food
employed the preparation of mixtures suited to special needs of
soil or crop the indirect educational advantages because it will lead
farmers to study and apply the results of agricultural researchAnnual Publication foe 1895
QUESTIONS ANSWERED FOR JANUARY
RELATIVE VALUES OF HOME MANURES ANDFERTILIZERS
BOTH ARE STRONGLY SUPPORTEDTHE INSUFFICIENCY
OF THE HOME PRODUCT FORCES MANY TO USE THE
OTHERDAIRYING AND THE IMPORTANCE OF JUDICIOUS
FEEDINGTHE VERY BEST PLAN FOR SAVING AND PRO
TECTING THE MANURES
Department of Agriculture
Atlanta January 1 1895
QUESTION 1
Which pays best fertilizing with home manures or with commer
cial fertilizers
ANSWER 1
The advocates of both systems bring forward very strong reasons
to support their respective positions but the deciding of this ques
tion like so many others in farming depends in a large degree on
individual conditions and environment Undoubtedly where both
have to be bought commercial fertilizers yield a better return on
the same amount than the home manure but if a farmer is so sit
uated that he can feed his stock for milk butter cheese and beef
he can at the same time produce manures of the highest value and
thus utilize every product of the farm to the very best advantage
It is on the same principle that the small merchant by selling on a
strictly cash basis is enabled to turn his capital over and over and
realize a larger interest on a smaller investment than his more
wealthy neighbor who takes the risks of long time and doubtful col
lections We have always maintained that the use of farmyard
manure and fertilizers should go hand in hand In confirmation of
this position the following from Professor Brooks of Amhurst
Agricultural College is pertinent and complete The whole ques
tion is most interesting as well as important and farmers should
lose no opportunity of gaining information from every source which
may shed light upon it Professor Brooks says
We sometimes read or hear language which would lead one to
think that in the minds of some there exists a notion that thereDepartment of AgricultureGeorgia
is something of a conflict between manures
far from ray idea upon tins question It is clearly the part of wis
dom first to make the utmost of home resource The e may be
crops or there may be soils or fields for which under eerta n cir
umS ances it is preferable to use fertile rather than ZZ
and of course when one must purchase the elements of fertility i
an important question whether they can be more cheaply bned
f thXor trtilirrand T believe the deoisi i W
of thekte but these facts really indicate no necessary conflic
between the two classes of materials There is clearly room enough
ThyZo7tyofrfarmSthe f maDUreS is iDSufficie
LrthTT7 S Se Sme fertUizer Jt is orally wise
h oX T T f the fe t0 in connection wit
each other rather than separately The physical effect of the ma
errif deSibIe 3nd Can0t f
tertihzers It prevents in a manure the cohesion of the particles
heavy c ay and thus lessens the probability of baking and crack
mot tu re Th t0inCreaSe the f the U for
moisture The constituents of manure are also in many cases less
promptly available than in fertilizers It is desirable to e y tt
latter to give the crop a quick start And finally the manifrei
more complete in its composition than the fertilizer ThTm nure
Tfz ir int7the socamasiica
crops while most fertihzers do not We may it is true raise
crops for many years by supplying the three elements ni rogen
Phosphoric acid and potash incidentally lime is applied wiZhe
theame Td GUbert haVe ralSed Wh6at C0SeCUtive ars on
Po a 1 d It T amm0UaSaltS Perphosphate and sulphate of
potash and at the present time the yield is nearly as great on this
land as on that which has received fourteen tons yearlofImyarf
z srelength of time but the faS
To 11LtTs w a eudeacy t0 fal1 offand there be
doubt that the more complete composition of the manure is prov
ing an advantage Of course in such materials as common saltfsul
Phate of magnesm etc we may replace if considered desirable theAnnual Publication for 1895
9
soda magnesia etc carried off in the crops but even such re
placement would leave us without the physical effect of manure
an effect which we may it is true in part secure by turning in a
green crop Under many systems of cropping however green
manuring is inexpedient
QUESTION 2
In view of the present interest in dairying I would like to ask
how much manure can be expected from each cow From careful
reading on this subject I conclude that the main profit is in the
manure which if properly haudled goes to increase the fertility
of the farm
ANSWER 2
Recent experiments have shown that a mediumsized wellfed
cow will produce 14431 pounds of solid and 6454 pounds liquid
manure in a year or about twelve and a half tons This does not
include the weight of any absorbent which may be used to better
preseve the manure Wheu the farmer realizes that this twelve and
a half tons contains 80 per cent of the fertilizing value of the food
consumed the importance of judicious feeding and of saving this
manure so as to put back on this land as much as possible of this
SO per cent of plant food is clearly seen
QUESTION 3
What is the very best plan for saving and protecting manure
ANSWER 3
In general terms a rainproof shelter with a perfectly tight floor
is the best The utmost care shonld govern the selection of a site
for the manure pile The bottom should be so arranged that the
liquid can neither leach nor drain away and if the whole is cov
ered we have as perfect a receptacle as can be made and such an
investment pays for its cost several times over in the saving of ele
ments otherwise wasted In our own experience we have found
that a pit which we had dug just back of the stable the clay floor
made perfectly hard and sheltered by a close roof answers every
purpose Into this pit the manure is easily thrown through the
back stable door and if carefully and closely packed and on each10
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
layer a little kainit phosphate or poster be sprinkled a eornpara
elv mall amount certainly not mre than 5 to 10 per cent f
the fertihzmg properties will escape P
QUESTION1 4
What of our farmers institutes and do you think tW 1
done any good or will be of any benefit to te Wrs
ANSWER 1
The question of formers institutes doe not seem to hove 1
very firm hold he agricuitl mi h
conducted the ca be n0 f J j
o det St lhey LWoVn t
the procession Just so with the farmer a
Lullt7 Hi COmnTrCial f6atUreS f yUr 11
rne cultural Having determined what crops to raise olan fn
se them most economically yet by modern impro m h ds
as such are invariably cheaper in the end
In many States an elaborate system of institute work is laid out
a d h m descrbe ther alt
r cLTrr8 f the Agricuiurai cu
tific a X at tn P0Ut ThUS thG PraCtiCal ad the 8ciAnnual Publication for 1895
11
victual farmermay benefit by the experience of those more successful
than himself We hope readers will shake off feelings of indif
ference attend these meetings inquire concerning points of interest
not clearly understood and enthuse some of the dull minds into a
reality as to the pleasures beauties and profits of the noblest occu
pation of man
If institutes are not held in the county we earnestly recommend
each reader to write to the director of the State Agricultural Ex
periment Station of his State and secure free the annual reports
and bulletins of the station These are sent free when applied for
to eachresident of the State where the station is located With
fewer hours of labor during the winter season no better use can
be made of mind body and time than to make oneself better
informed as to the needs and requirements of his chosen occupation
PATENT FORMULA
In the last report an inquiry relative to a patent formula being
sold over the State was announced in which the farmers were ad
vised not to purchase such formulas but to apply to the depart
ments instituted for the purpose of furnishing such information on
agriculture and fertilization The following by the State Chemist
in reply to a similar query corroborates what we have previously
said on the subject and in this connection will be found especially
interesting
S 0 H Vistory Ga
Dear Sir Yours of December 14 at hand The formula you
send reads as follows
Formula for HomeMade Guano 1894
Ammonia pounds
Phosphoric acid 2
Nitrate potassium 5
Saltpetre 10
Sulphur 5
Potash 10
Lime 50
Ashes 10
Dirt 1800 Department op AgricultureGeorgia
DIRECTIONS FOR PREPARING
Mix all the ingredients thoroughly then mix with the dirt
Morten with water lightly and mix thoroughlv Put in I
Ltrt Threrefbefore ueeded piJr0 uhtLd
scatter m a guano distributor Good mnck is best for the body of
the guano but any earth that is free from gravel will answer
if you w7sh7 T 1igh fertiHzer L intity
1500 grad ThiS frmUa wiH cost i than
cnemiX tdS f T P De f
chemIStry and not famihar with the materials named in the for
tmmon I be ry
Ammonia s a gas and if put into a fertilizer without an acid to
fix it only a small portion of it will remain If sulnhn f
ftfpImmKl Mltpetre are the same tlie Sull
intended If in u mte f Ptash was Pbably
to secure 5 Land f fouk wish
secure 5 pounds ammonia you could use 20 pounds sulnhate nf
xrja r5ds phrric acidyou cJd Ip
pound n t ate o8 mtrate f Potas you could use 15
pound k ni LTTv 10 PUndS PtaSh Cld 80
ate of 1 im 100 T yU CUl1 10 Pnd cbon
ae otJime 100 pounds ashes you could use 100 pounds ashes
cbrt ks to make a ton you could use 1665 pounds dirt
The formula is cheap simply because it is so weak Pt
ggested so that you will not lose the virtuesopartof
formula will only give you goods with the
Ammonia 12 of 1 per cent
Phosphoric acid 18 of 1 percentAnnual Publication for 1895
13
Potash 2 per cent
Lime 2 12 per cent
It is incorrectly called a guano and high grade fertilizer by the
seller of the formula Is is simply a compost
The suggestion to use good muck in place of the dirt is a good
one If you will write what material you have accessible or wish
to use a formula can be readily constructed for their success
ful use
To purchase such formula as the one you send is waste of money
The Department of Agriculture is always glad to furnish formulas
free of cost for any intelligent line of fertilization There are a
number of ammoniates which can be used and their selection
depends both upon the ease of securing them and the crop for
which they are intended The following are the most frequently
used Cottonseed meal blood tankage sulphate of ammonia
nitrate of soda and fishscrap Phosphoric acid is usually furnished
by acid phosphate and potash by kainit or muriate of potash
The compost heap becomes more and more valuable and profi
table as accessible fertilizing material is best taken advantage of
This will vary upon each farm according to the conditions sur
rounding it and convenient local material which can be rendered
available as plant food
It is well to remember that a cheap fertilizer may prove to be a
very profitable experiment or a very unprofitable one depending
largely upon whether you have obtained a lot of actual plant food
cheaply or whether you have secured a material which seems low
priced when its weight is considered but is yet very high priced
when its small content of plant food is estimated
Respectfully
George F Payne
State ChemistDepartment of AgeicultueeGeorgia
SOME RESOLUTIONS
THE EXPENSE ACCOUNT GREATER THAN THE INCmrr
REMEDY SUGGESTErl INCOME A
Passed unanimously by the house of representatives
Recognizing and deploring the depressed cnnrlV
in this State and desirous olUeZtZZo
lowing remedy as the sense of this committee W
W e will waste no time in discussing the cause Th V
upon us being felt in every farmhouse in cZ W
the center of every town O USe n Georgla soon to reach
than our income ST aCCUnt
enue or meet banllSL TT
cotton as our source of revenue it is i u klg t0
income by increased produII Tp tsST f
than a small one Therefore w w A T T ng less
wheat and rye in abun InJe aTle 0 T f
CWn if possible if 2 SpT
well and sow on good land with n January I repare
of cutting hay affer J lg the same or
of your land for corn groundpe fi T threefllrths
and manure corn I wil noH TjT
Plant vegetables sugarc e potal e t VT
acres of cotton to the plow plaDt Ver 1
Do not use any commercial fertilizers clean out th t
fc8 A fixed tiff dCrStMd I with
guano but be Lr L 1 7 a th
000000 b be8e rr rrhrAnnual Publication foe 1895
15
table to buy guano and pay for it with o cent cotton even with a
good crop with a poor crop it would simply mean destruction
Buy no wagons no buggies no mules nor horses unless you are
out of debt and can pay cash economize in every way
The above plan will bring more hogs more beef more milk and
butter more chickens and eggs more colts would require less
labor less expense less anxiety less risk It will bring more
money pay back debts bring peace prosperity and independence
to the farmers of Georgia and the South
We would ask our fellowcitizens of every calling to aid us in
our honest efforts for relief We would ask merchants and bankers
to be as lenient as possible The cotton has come and gone the
bales were there but the price was lacking through no fault of
merchant or farmer we therefore would counsel forbearance
from creditor to debtor for the farmers of Georgia are an honest
debtpaying people and while many are now unable to pay it is
not due to a lack of disposition We would ask our townspeople
to buy all their supplies possible from their customers In many
sections we have bread meat beef lard corn hay and provisions
of all kindsenough for country and townand we would ask our
merchants to encourage farmers to produce these things by buying
from them instead of importing the same In other words let our
people live among themselves as much as posible We have made
the money but sent it away from home never to return until we
change our methods
On this line we would say that our cotton should be spun at
home our wagons made buggies shoes furniture etc so that
money produced in Georgia would stay in Georgia We would also
advocate any policy on the part of our State that would tend to the
upbuilding and support of factories of all kinds in our midst
Their employees would furnish consumers of our products and add
value to every acre of farm land in Georgia We believe that pack
ing houses established in our largest cities would pay Let them
be established and we will furnish the beef and pork
By following the above suggestions we believe that we can escape
from the slough of despond and the clutches of poverty and ere
long stand upon the high ground of contentment and prosperity16
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
Our country is peculiarly adapted to diversified agriculture un
vvariety of its prodicts r
growth We have water powers and raw materials Our climate
nvites all who would do field or factory work The opport i
are with us and it is with us as to whether we use th m o
We think we are on the right direction with our technological
schools our common schools and colleges Our towns will yet In
ZmyZtZZ uder the direfon of 0luown bo ad l7
We have an abiding faith in the possibilities and the future de
velopment of our country We would hasten the day when con
ntment would prevail in the hearts and prosperity would rtgZ
L tlrpeopleLet thereforerkiLo
believing in the resources at our command and an abiding faith in
the wisdom and justice of an allwise God
In order to carry these ideas into execution and have them dis
7etutrng VTwe ask ever
ei wou d I P re1UeSt that Sme Patri0tic ct
zen would call a mass meeting at every county seat regardless of
party or color and advocate the principles herein set forth
ATLANTAS EXPOSITION
THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE DISCUSSES THE BIG
FAIR
datfbifatf h Vegi8laUre maldng a WPtion for a Geor
gia exhibit at what promises to be perhaps the greatest exposition
ever witnessed at the South the Commissioner of AgHcZ
z er er ofhboard of directrs s
ists of the Governor and Statehouse officers the Governor beine
luurman In the original bill the Commission of AgriciZre waf
fie aPPiUteeVeQ Exposition Commissio ners
from each congressional district but by some oversight in the In
n confusion of the last days of the session this claifse was mRt rf
It is however directed that each fertiliser and oil inspector shallAnnual Publication for 1895
17
assist under the direction of the Agricultural Commissioner in pro
moting the successful collection of everything pertaining to Geor
gias resources in the field garden orchard workshop manufactory
every article from every source which will illustrate to the assem
bled world that Georgia is the empire State of the South For be
it remembered that this is to be an exhibit not only of the agri
cultural resources of the State but also of her industrial progress
in every other avenue of business and trade as well as her mag
nificent natural resources in minerals ores and metals As yet we
have formulated no settled plan of action but we would appeal to
every citizen of Georgia irrespective of position or occupation to
aid us in carrying this enterprise through to success With the
limited means at our disposal it is a gigantic undertaking and we
want not only the sympathy but the active help if possible of
every man and woman in the State As soon as a positive course
has been decided on the decision will be published and we will
from time to time through the medium of the Agricultural Depart
ment Reports notify the public of our progress and any important
suggestions which may present themselves In the meantime any
inquiries as to means and methods also as to quality and quantity of
exhibits will be cheerfully answered and any suggesibtis will be
gladly received R T Nesmtt
iw
f
2ag18
Department of AgricultureGeorg
I A
FEBRUARY
REGULAR MONTHLY LETTER OF THE COMMISSIONER
HE GIVES SOME TEACTICAL VIEWS
THE FARMERS OF THE STATE SHOULD STUDY AREFtTTV t
smmyszzz ir on
OTHER MATTERS OF INTEREST AND MPOBTANCE
Department op Agriculture
Atlanta February 1 1895
The painful lesson of the past year has taught us that then
ain immutable laws of our calling which le Lnot
without eventually paying the penalty For years we have pre
sumed on the almost unbounded resources of our section and h
apparently escaped some punishment but the timeTZ whei
we cannot longer evade the issue
And however difficult the task may be we must if i
1per be guided by the teachings osome 11 ZZ
and so regulate our business that no matter what the flnTT
or depression of the cotton market we are JVtTZ
ndependent home living for ourselves and families To able
to take this position it will become our duty not only to study
everything in our reach pertaining to scientific and success ul ari
as well t0 T T atteDti0D dS0 t0 y o Pdi fc
as well as agricultural economy Of these the Pineal
REDUCTION OF THE COTTON ACREAGE
is just now perhaps the most important and the most pressing
because each farmer must decide in the next few weeks i he h
not already done so his individual resposibility in this mitt r
Many have reahzed the error of our profitless onecrop and n at
acre system and are laying the foundations broad and deepfo7a
more intensive and reasonable plan of farm management1 Bu
others are still hesitating the force of habit is strong nd th
argue that if there is a general reduction of the area t f X
g0d aml 1S S mUch to work on the accustomed 1Annual Publication foe 1895
19
than to venture on new and heretofore untried plans It is to
these still unconvinced farmers that we will appeal for a careful
consideration of this question not only as it may affect them indi
vidually but as regards the general welfare of their State and section
We would not be understood as advising them to run after new
and untried crops far from it There are already many which the
Southern farmer understands and which if he will give them the
same care that he bestows on his cotton crop will pay him a fair
profit The past year the profit on our individual hog crop was
four or five times as large as that from our cotton and with far less
expense and worry Let us turn our attention to the profitable
cultivation not by the old careless indifferent methods of corn
oats forage crops peas potatoes etc The cheapness with which
we can produce all food crops for man and beast and our superior
climatic conditions should forever set at rest the question of home
supplies of beef mutton chickens eggs butter lard pork etc
When we accomplish this we have entered on a system of reason
able agriculture by which we not only produce our cotton at less
cost but are returning to our lands in the form of home manures
the larger part of the elements removed and are also laying the
basis for that steady adjustment of supply and demand without
which there can be no profitable agriculture of any duration We
liave been sending vast sums to the North and West for meat bread
butter cheese forage clothes furniture farm implements horses
mules wagons buggies and so on through a long list of articles
for which we have the material facilities here at home and which
we could have raised and manufactured at less cost But when the
annual cotton crop of Georgia was worth from 50000000 to 60
000000 it was possible to send off for these articles of every day
use and still keep part of that large amount for home circulation
Our mistaken policy of crowding the cotton market has reduced
our income from that source to hardly 30000000 and when we
would still import all these necessaries instead of raising them the
cotton money is consumed and there is nothing left to keep the
home wheels of commerce and trade moving the consequence is
general distress At the recent convention of cotton growers held
in Jackson Miss the following appeal was madeDepartment of AgricultureGeorgia
The gravity of the conditions confronting th nn
mended 50 per cent would be better TheT T T
age houses are lf
nuttee promises better times and higher priLTfor col f 0m
ommendations are observed P U lf ltS rec
0TobeSoSrUobJeCtS f AtMta authority says
o be prosperous the farmers of the South m i
than they are doing the crop is enti ey too W T T
ti ulc business is a decrcnp in i
186772 American av Foreign av
187378 3107000 2337000
187984 4771000 2022000
188590 6721000 2071000
189194 four years7659000 2269000
Weight of bales 400 pounds 9484000 2595000Annual Publication fok 1895
21
Showing that while the foreign increase has been about ten per
cent American increase has been 200 per cent and if we include
the crop now on the market 210 per cent
Surely no sensible man can longer halt between two opinions
In another column is published a synopsis of the resolutions
adopted by the Jackson covention Col W A Broughton of
Madison was appointed president of the Georgia association for
the reduction of the cotton acreage and doubtless the planters in
each county will hear from him before the time appointed for the
next meeting The obligations are not binding unless 75 per cent
of the cotton growers in 80 per cent of the cotton counties sign the
agreement
In regard to
OTHER REMUNERATIVE CROPS
we publish in another column extracts from exGovernor Northens
wellconsidered article and also some facts obtained from prominent
dealers and commission men of Atlanta who daily receive car loads
of farm products There are at least thirty firms who do an average
business of 500 a week each their sales being confined to fruits
and the more important articles of table consumptioneggs butter
chickens onions Irish potatoes cabbages celery turnips beans
canned corn tomatoes etc The extracts referred to are taken from
a recent issue of the Constitution
Let Georgia farmers with convenient means of transportation
demonstrate that they can be depended upon to produce these ar
ticles of good quality and there will be no difficulty in finding a
market But we would not advise a hasty or illconsidered plunge
into a new and untried business Study the business and satisfy
yourself that you can produce the crops But that is only half the
battle Study the markets and perfect your arrangements for dis
posing of your products ere they are ready to be marketed have
all your arrangements complete leave nothing to chance
WORK FOR THE MONTH
The cold rains and snows have delayed farm work But something
has been done by wide awake farmers in the way of repairs com
posting and clearing land ready for the plow February is the best22 Department op AgrtcwlttikeGeorgia
month for sowing spring oats but they will not do well on poor
thin land The soil should be good or else made so by manures
The farm should also be looked after the fences made good rub
bish cleared off manure broad cast and when the ground is dry
enough plowed in If a subsoiler is run in each furrow so much
the better for a good crop of vegetables and immunity from drouth
effects In the southern part of the State Irish potatoes green peas
lettuce radishes cabbages indeed all the hardier vegetables can
now be planted in the open air and the tenderer varieties in the hot
bed or under glass The latter part of the month is safer in the
upper part of the State Clover and grasses may also be sown and
whenever the ground is dry enough the regular field plowing should
go on Our inquiry columns this month cover many questions on
these subjects
R T Nesbitt Commissioner
REPORT ADOPTED
BY THE COTTON GROWERS CONVENTION WHICH MET AT
JACKSON MISS JANUARY 9
The committee onorganization and bylaws submitted a long re
port of which the following is a synopsis
No one shall be a member who is not a legitimate grower The
association is formed for one year and the executive committee is
given power to continue it longer if good results The agreement
to be sent to all counties in the cotton growing States for signatures
is not to be binding till signed by threefourths of the cotton acre
age in 80 per cent of the cotton growing counties said fact to be
determined by the national committee
Each member binds himself to pay two cents for each acre of
cotton planted in 1894 half to be retained in the counties the bal
ance to be paid into the treasury of the national committee for
general purposes
The county organizations are to be formed on the first Monday
of March 1895
The national executive committee shall be composed of the naAnnual Publication for 1895
23
tional president who isea offieio chairman and each State is entitled
to one member for every 100000 bales of cotton raised in 1890 as
shown by the United States census
All State organizations shall meet at the State capitals on the
third Monday of March 1895 and the national committee at New
Orleans the first Monday of April 1895 which shall ascertain
whether the agreement is signed by the requisite number to make
the same binding The presidents are charged with the duty of see
ing the agreements properly distributed for signatures
QUESTION 1
How much phosphoric acid potash and nitrogen does an average
acre of corn take up and what is the best fertilizer for corn
ANSWER 1
Phosphoric acid about seven pounds potash about seven
pounds and nitrogen about 7 pounds This would indicate a fer
tilizer with a large proportionate percentage of nitrogen But it
has been found that it does not pay on laud of average fertility to
buy a fertilizer with a large per cent of nitrogen for corn
Whether the plant assimilates the nitrogen directly from the atmos
phere or through the roots after the manner of clover we do not
know The fact still remains that although it requires a large
amount of nitrogen highly nitrogenous fertilizers do not pay The
following is a good formula by per cents Nitrogen 2 per cent
potash 7 per cent phosphoric acid 6 per cent24
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
NEW FARM INDUSTRIES
SCOPE OF GEORGIA IMMIGRATION AND INTESTMENT BU
BEAUALL CLASSES SHOULD COOPEBATECLOVER DOES
AS WELL IN GEORGIA AS OUB NATIVE GRASSESGEORGIA
HAS A BONANZA IN BEBMUDA GRASS WHICH IS EQUAL TO
THE BEST HAY IN THE MARKETSADVANTAGE OF GBASS
AND CLOVER OVER COTTON
We have had discussion and argument and appeal and entreaty
about the reduction of the cotton acreage without avail until we
have seen the South grow more cotton in twelve months than the
world can consume in eighteen while we furnish the crop to con
sumers below cost of production What we need now is not so
much theoretical discussions but the record of what has been done
on the hues or an object lesson Through these efforts we hope to
bring numbers of farmers into Georgia who will for instance grow
grass at a profit so Georgia farmers may actually see how it isdone
We need to grow upon the same farms wheat and oats and other
crops like them that demand no other work than to seed and save
Let us have less cotton and more income General Toombs once
said and said truly
It takes thirteen months in the year to grow cotton
It only takes a few days to sow grass and a few daysto save it
I he money invested is at a minimum If grasses have as ood
sale as cotton there is an immense amount saved in its production
VV hy not It grows so vigorously in Georgia that it requires all
the help in the neighborhood to kill it in June July and August
The demand upon our farms has been the immense outlay ot
money necessary to run them
CLOVER
Clover does fully as well in Georgia as our native grasses Colo
nel George Scott of this city grew 10000 pounds of well cured
clover hay upon one acre in one season in the adjoining county De
aib Our former Commissioner of Agriculture Dr Janes grew
quite as much on his farm in Greene Mr Baxter saved about
half this amount from an acre on his farm in HancockAnnual Publication foe 1895
25
During my four years residence in this city I have seen much
more hay carted upon the streets than cotton Grass seems to sell
readily and for the cash There can be no difficulty about the sale
The misfortune however is the money for the purchase goes to
some other State and does not remain in Georgia
BERMUDA
Georgia has a bonanza so to speak in Bermuda grass It is
equal to the best hay in the market It is perennial and requires
no care or labor except to save and cure It grows in marvelous
yield Upon one acre in Greene county there has been saved 13
955 pounds of well cured Bermuda hay Such abundant and prof
itable crops it will be well to encourage among our own farmers
and such others as we may induce to settle among us
But we will be met promptly with the inquiry
Suppose everybody abandons cotton and begins growing grass
This is not at all necessary It would be folly We do not
need to abandon cotton Indeed we must not abandon cotton but
keep it as our standard crop Yes as the grass grows by itself we
can at least afford to let it grow and save it if it will pay
It will be further objected by those who do not want to be con
vinced that there will under this farm policy soon be more grass
upon the market than the State needs If so we can sell to other
States or better turn the grass into other products that will pay
more money than the grass itself Herein lies the difference be
tween grass and cotton Grass can be readily converted into many
other marketable products Cotton must be always put upon the
market by farmers as cotton
Meeting this view it will be the further plan of this bureau to
encourage such industries as will utilize the possible surplus grass
that cannot find market in this State or elsewhere
DAIRY FARMS
Why not turn some of our grass to money through dairy farms
I have no means of knowing how much butter and cheese are
shipped into this State from the outside The figures giving the
amount in money estimate of sale I am quite sure would be simply
enormous26
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
The State of Wisconsin has over 2000 creameries This bureau
is now introducing creameries into Georgia I am in correspondence
with parties who are building such industries in this State at mod
erate cost We now have creameries in Alpharetta just started up
and just beginning at Elbertona few already running at other
places When we get them in operation all over the State Georgia
farmers will make standard butter and standard cheese while they
utilize many forces that are now wasted on the farm This will be
one profitable way to convert surplus grass into money
HORSES AND MULES
There is still more to come from the growth of grass Georgia
now pays an average of3000000 annually for horses and mules
It requires grass to make horses and mules Georgia grass ought
to rase all the horses and mules the State needs and raise them
also for other States that prefer to grow five cent cotton rather than
grass This is especially true since the grass grows without care
labor or concern
MUTTON AND WOOL
Again our surplus grass will make mutton and wool When
our farmers get their consent to grow grass abundantly we will be
come the meat market of the continent and furnish to other States
the beef mutton and bacon that we now ourselves buy from the
farmers who grow cattle sheep and hogs under disadvantages to
which our people are absolutely strangers
The admirable report submitted by Hon J P Brown chairman
of the committee on agriculture from the house has not received
the consideration at the hands of the press and the people that its
sound common sense suggestions deserve Our people need to an
swer for themselves why they have allowed the great packing houses
of this country to be located where cattle and sheep and hogs must
have thousands of pounds of food to generate sufficient animal
heat to keep them alive during the winter when in Georgia practi
cally every pound of food consumed makes it proper yield of flesh
We never can grow more grass in Georgia than we can use at a
profit Nobody need be alarmed at the prospect
If it were proper I might discuss many other industries of thisAnnual Publication for 1895
27
kind that the bureau will encourage and endeavor to aid One is
sufficient for the purpose
It is enough simply to call attention to our wonderful possibilities
in fruit growing and truck farming There is not a truck farm in
Georgia that cannot grow enough fruit without any special hin
drance to the cotton crop to furnish food and clothing to the entire
family In these crops we practically have no competition
These crops in the States at the North are so much behind ours
in maturity and in reaching the markets that we can control prices
and sell out before theirs come in The first marketings of such
crops always bring the better prices and we therefore hold the
profits in our own hands We have for the same reason the melon1
market of the continent All we need to understand in this crop
is the best way of handling it
CANNING FACTORIES
Suppose there should be competition in fruit and vegetables It
can be met by building canning factories and utilizing the surplus
by holding until the markets demand the supply
The farmer who doubts the profit of this policy has only to step
into any country store near him and learn the enormous amount of
canned goods sold in this Stateall of which came from the States
outside
This bureau representing the entire State and being in position
therefore to communicate with manufacturers will always stand
ready to furnish reliable information about these industries Fruit
growing in Georgia like grass culture cannot be overdone
KEEP YOUR MONEY AT HOME
Above all these plans and others that I might discuss if I could
ask space we need to do something to keep money in the State
Think of it for a moment If a citizen of Georgia wants a cheese
he must send to Wisconsin to buy it Georgia money goes to Wis
consin and there it stops and circulates in Wisconsin while the
cheese comes to Georgia and is consumed If a Georgia farmer
wants a mule he sends to Kentucky for the mule The mule comes
to Georgia but the money stays in Kentucky and circulates in
Kentucky The farmer puts the mule into the hands of a thriftless28 Department of AgricultureGeorgia
tenant who starves him in two years and then the Georgia farmer
sends more money to circulate in Kentucky for another mule If
a farmer wants a side of bacon his money goes to Cincinnati and
circulates in Ohio and the bacon comes to Georgia and is con
sumed
Where is the difference to the people of this State whether the
government issues 50 per capita or 10 if we send all the Geor
gia per capita to other States to sustain industries that we might
ourselves encourage and thereby keep our money circulating among
ourselves More than that the humblest negro in Georgia who
wants to buy a cotton shirt gathers his raw material bales it ships
it to Massachusetts has it converted into cloth and returned to him
at heavy costall this unnecessaay expense before a negro can get a
shirt
OUR PER CAPITA MONEY SENT ABROAD
Enumerate the countless things our people buy from abroad and
then remember the single crop they grow to meet their purchases
and it is a matter of wonder that we have heretofore met these hard
conditions If we had a factory in Georgia to manufacture trace
chains trace chain per capita would circulate in Georgia If we
had a factory in Georgia to manufacture plow stocks plow stock
per capita would circulate in Georgia If we had a factory in
Georgia to use our hard woods in the manufacture of wagons chairs
bedsteads carriages buggies and road carts a large amount of per
capita wouldstay and circulate in Georgia If we have many
great cotton factories to manufacture our raw material what vast
amounts of cotton per capita would remain in this State for the busi
ness interests of our people Money goes and money stays and
money circulates only where there are business interests to demand
and control it Though the government might flood the country
with its isues Georgia would be practically without currency until
we establish such business conditions as will control it Herein
lies very much of the wealth of the Northern and Eastern States
as well as the cause for the poverty of the people at the South and
West
The money of this country is congested in the East Xo actionAnnual Publication for 1895
29
of the government will ever bring it this way as long as the pres
ent industrial relations remain
The time has come when a change is positively demanded Cot
ton has been practically our only resource for money to make pur
chases Its production now consumes all the money it brings and
there is none left for our needs There is no resource now but
change It is not a matter of choice of personal direction it is a
burning necessity We must not only change our crops and fill up
our unoccupied lands but we must build all sorts and kinds of in
dustries to utilize our raw material give employment to the thous
ands of unemployed who will create wealth that will become per
manent to the State
AMMONIA ACTUAL AND POTENTIAL
QUESTION 2
I see in the law regulating the sale of fertilizers that each sack
must have branded upon it the amount of ammonia actual and
potential What I wish to know is what is actual and what is
potential H A T Nashville
ANSWER 2
Ammonia is composed of three parts of hydrogen and fourteen
parts of nitrogen When the composition is already effected it is
actual ammonia On the other hand if the nitrogen alone is pres
ent it is calculated to a basis of ammonia 14 pounds of nitrogen
being equivalent to 17 of ammonia For example dried blood
does not contain any actual ammonia but if it contained 14 pounds
of nitrogen it would be said to contain 7 pounds of potential am
monia from the fact that by fermentation it is capable of yielding
that amount30
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
BEATS CHEAP COTTON
ATLANTAS COMMISSION TRADE OFFERS SOME SUGGES
TIONSIT IS SUPPLIED BY OTHER STATESNEW YORK
VIRGINIA OHIO AND OTHER STATES FIND A MARKET
HEREGEORGIA MIGHT WELL SUPPLY ITSOME FIGURES
SHOWING THE ADVANTAGE IT WOULD BE TO THE FARM
ERS TO RAISE GARDEN PRODUCTS
My firm said Mr O L Stamps does an annual business
in produce of 35000 The bulk of it is shipped to us from out
of the State Louisiana Alabama Tennessee Virginia Ohio
Michigan Indiana and New York find a splendid market among
the commission men of the city
These States sell us with a profit the produce of their soil New
York ships to Atlanta thousands of barrels of Irish potatoes and
receives a good price for them Tennessee also ships us large
quantities of potatoes Cabbage comes to us at this season of the
year from New Orleans and around Mobile Ala
Early in the year we get cabbage from Virginia but the supply
there is always exhausted by this time Later in the spring Flor
ida will ship large quantities of cabbage to us Nearly all of our
butter comes from East Tennessee as do our chickens and eggs
North Georgia supplies the Atlanta market with a fair per cent of
the last two items Onions we get from New York in the main
Georgia pretty well supplies the market with sweet potatoes
Lint Lovelace said Mr Doolittle their bookkeeper have
a large trade in the various articles of country produce you have
mentioned The amount of course varies during the year accord
ing to the season I have been figuring for two days on the busi
ness of about a year and a half and have here the figures of an
average months business More than 75 per cent of the produce
comes from other States than Georgia Nearly all of the butter
and eggs we handle come from East Tennessee I calculate that in
a month we handle 480 worth of chickens and 600 worth of
eggs Irish potatoes are shipped to us from the North and East
and we send away monthly at least 900 for that one item AVe
handle but little butter but most of it comes from Tennessee IAnnual Publication for 1895
31
should say 80 a month would be a good average Onions are an
important item in our trade and they are shipped to us from New
York almost entirely We handle 1200 worth in a month The
money for them goes to the East The sweet potatoes we handle
wouldnt exceed 100 in a month
Mr T A Murray of the Southern Produce Company said
that out of an average weeks business of 350 nearly 90 per cent of
the articles sold came from outside of the State North Georgia
supplied some butter and eggs Virginia and New Orleans held
the cabbage market and East Tennessee had a corner on butter
except what was sold by the North Georgia farmers
Warsaw Tenn said Mr E B Stanley one of the citys best
known commission men furnishes many Atlanta merchants with
butter and eggs and chickens This is a thriving town to judge
from its daily shipments to the commission men of Atlanta
My firm said Mr Petty of Petty Brothers did a business
last vear of 35000 Nearly the whole of it was in articles of
country produce We get butter from East Tennessee from Chi
cago and from the mountain counties of Georgia Yes the Chi
cago butter is fairly good if we get it in time It is creamery but
ter We ship Irish potatoes from New York Cabbage comes
from Mobile Ala Louisiana and Virginia Onions are shipped
to us from Ohio Georgia supplies us with turnips and sweet po
tatoes
Practically the same story is told by all of the commission men
Of course the aggregate amount of their monthly sales differ in
amount but their sales represent the same percentage of demand
for the products mentioned They are articles found upon every
table The demand for them of course comes from the people
through the retail grocery men whom the wholesale commission
men supply These representative firms quoted give some idea of
the volume of business done by the commission trade of the city
As can be seen thousands of dollars pass through its channels
weekly The bulk of the money goes out of the State
If there is any practical suggestion in this commercial side light
it is this that here a fine opportunity is offered to the productive
class of Georgians32 Department of AgricultureGeorgia
Here is a ready anxious profitable market for articles of pro
duce that every Georgia farm can produce abundantly and success
fully It is a splendid field right at the doors of Georgia farm
ers and in this era of 5cent and 4cent cotton it is especially
enticing
COTTON
I asked Mr O L Stamps why Georgia could not furnish the
commission market of Atlanta with the articles spoken of
I know of no reason said he except that the farmers are
rooted and grounded in the cotton idea They have had it so long
that they cant get rid of it Its an old tradition Why theres
much more money in raising these articles that we have been talk
ing of for which a ready market can be found all the year round
than in raising cotton at even a better price than five cents a pound
ONIONS
To illustrate I know a farmer who lives less than twenty
miles from Atlanta who determined to plant an acre in onions in
stead of in cotton The result amazed him It is a fact that
many of the commission men here know to be true that he sold in
one year 500 worth of onions off that acre If anything the
labor of cultivation was less The cost of getting the sets was
probably a little greater than the cost of cotton seed but look at the
result It is a good acre of land that will produce a bale of cotton
It is the exception A bale of cotton isnt worth more than S30
This man with the very best results in cotton would have received
470 less profit on his one acre if he had put it in cotton The
onions can be planted close together in rows and the rows may be
put close together But thats just one item Cabbage could be
raised here too Theres no better country than Georgia for Irish
potatoes and the huge pile of money that goes out of the State
tor Irish potatoes could be saved if the farmers would plant pota
toes for the market
BUTTER MAKING
East Tennessee has every advantage over Georgia as a butter
producing country because of the attention and care they give toAnnual Publication for 1895
33
the preparation of butter If we get a consignment of Georgia
butter it is made up of a dozen colors of buttersome white some
pale yellow some deep yellow A Tennessee shipment of butter
is one color and for the reason that the Tennessee man has a pro
cess of melting it all together
What is the cost of shipping butter from Tennessee Well it
comes by express and I should say that the express toll and the
cost of canning would amount to about two cents a pound
Mr J F Petty believes in Georgia as a producing State and
says it could supply the market here if the farmers would only turn
their energy and attention to it
I have an uncle said he who lives just over the line of
Fulton in Cobb county Last year he planted a quarter of an
acre of ordinary farm land in onions I bought from him myself
48 worth of onions
This merely illustrates what the Georgia farmers can do in this
direction
There is hardly an article sold by the commission men of the
city said one of the best known commission men in Atlanta
that the Georgia farmers could not furnish us Farmers from
other States ship us the articles and make a great profit off of them
and if they can do it why certainly in these days of cheap cotton
the farmers of Georgia can do as well
IRISH POTATOES
As fine Irish potatoes as can be grown anywhere can be grown
in Georgia soil Magnificent cabbage can be grown here and you
would little think it but celery as good as we get from Michigan
can be produced in Georgia All it requires is plenty of water
Our Georgia truck farmers could produce it profitably
The butter chickens eggs onions and other articles for which
thousands of dollars go out of Atlanta to other States every week
should be produced right around Atlanta
Why if I had a farm situated conveniently to a shipping
point I would not think of putting my land in cotton I
would run the Northern and Eastern farmers out of the Atlanta
market and get some of the benefit of it myself There are not
3ag34
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
only some thirty or forty commission houses in Atlanta which are
doing a thriving business but there are in Atlanta four or five
brokers who represent big producers in the West North and East
and sell to the commission men These brokers get a good profit
on all their sales the commission man gets a good profit then add
to that the cost of shipping and the profit to the producer and the
article is somewhat necessarily expensive before it gets to the con
sumer Theres profit all along the line Georgia farmers who are
located convenient to a market should adopt this suggestion this
year and instead of pinning their faith to cotton try this A good
ready and profitable market can be found all the year round
RAISING FOR MARKET
The Georgia farmers who sell their products to the commission
men are very few The few who do sell their products do not
make a business of raising for the market but finding that they
have more than is needed for home consumption they dispose of the
surplus Within a short radius of the city there are a number of
thriving and prosperous truck farms but they never deal with the
commission men They have their own delivery wagons and sell
direct to the consumer In nearly every instance they have thrived
There is a progressive farmer near Moores mill eleven miles from
Atlanta who three years ago gave up the planting of cotton for
truck farming and made more in one year from the latter than he
did in three from cotton He now has a paying line of customers
in the city
ROOTS OF CORN
QUESTION 3
Please tell me to what depth the roots of corn penetrate and to
what depth should one plow to produce the best crops
ANSWER 3
This is a very farreaching question and covers an area which
we cannot go over in a paragraph As to the first corn roots have
been known to descend to the depth of nine feet This of course
was under most favorable conditions but the fact is authentic TheAnnual Publication for 1895
35
answer to the second clause of your question is that the depth of
plowing should vary according to the quality of the land and the
distance of the subsoil from the surface It is bad policy to turn
up large quantities of clay and therefore all characters of land
cannot be plowed alike but where the soil is opened and pulver
ized to the depth of ten or twelve inches the crop stands ten chances
to one against injury from drought We have in mind a piece of
very ordinary land in our own county the breaking of which was
done last spring with a onehorse plow followed by a subsoiler It
was manured heavily and the yield was 438 bushels on ten acres of
land Wherever we see the twisted yellow leaves of corn during
a drought the condition is due more tu shallow plowing than to
xiry weather The beneficial effects of deep preparation are never
more plainly marked than on a crop of corn during a drought I
saw daily during the past summer a field of corn which fully illus
trated the wisdom of deep plowing Side by side were the rows
one green and vigorous the others twisted and yellow the first
deeply plowed at the outset the second merely broken on the sur
face according to our usual shortsighted system
SUPPLEMENTAL CROPS
QUESTION 4
Farmers are advised to supplement their cotton crop with other
paying crops Will you mention some that Southern farmers can
engage in profitably I dont mean castor beans or hops or any
thing else with which we are unacquainted but something that we
know suits our soil and will sell well
ANSWER 4
We have had several questions on this line and for reply would
refer our correspondents to the Commissioners regular talk for
this month and also to the facts given in another place from ex
Governor Northen and several different commission merchants of
Atlanta
THE GENERAL LIBRARY
THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA
ATHENS GEORGIA
THE GENERAL LIBRARY
TflE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGI
STATE LIBRARY GIFT 193836
Department of AgeicultueeGeorgia
MARCH
REGULAR MONTHLY LETTER TO THE FARMERS OF
GEORGIA
THE CORN PLANTING SEASONNO POORER PAYING CROP
THAN COTTON FOR THE FARMERSCOST OF RAISrNG
WHEAT AND CORN OX ONE ACRE OF LANDPAY AS YOU
GOA FEW HINTS ON HOME MIXING OF FERTILIZERS ETC
Department of Agriculture
Atlanta March 1 1895
As I glance toward the outside world as far as the eye can reach
I see nothing but bare brown trees with here and there a green
pine and snow everywherestretching like a thick white mantle
over the fields piled up in high drifts against the buildings and
fences completely hiding the face of Mother Earth and inflicting
much suffering on man and beast As I turn from the contempla
tion of this most unusual Southern scene I realize that before this
heavy layer of snow can melt and the laud be ready for the plow
another week must pass which will leave only a few more days in
February in which to complete the preparations for the usual March
plantings As on many farms the first furrow has yet to be run
for the crops of 1895 these plantings must necessarily be much
delayed This is not altogether due to the unfavorable weather for
since Christmas there have been several days when plowing could
have been done with both dispatch and profit But the majority
of farmers have fallen into the habit of allowing the first part of
January to slip by before any decided start is made on the years
workone reason perhaps being that throughout the South farm
labor is more or less demoralized after the Christmas holidays
Since the rains set in about the middle of January we have had
an uninterrupted succession of snows rains sleets and freezes finallv
culminating in the almost unprecedented cold during the first of
February
Where the laud was properly plowed during the fall or early in
January the extreme cold preceding the heavy fall of snow willAnnual Publication foe 1895
37
put it in splendid condition disintegrating and breaking up the par
ticles of soil and thus increasing their power both of absorbing and
retaining moisture Old farmers predict a phenomenal crop year
Amid the general gloom this is cheering indeed there is some
comfort to be extracted even from the present hard conditions In
addition to the benefit to the land the freeze was the death blow to
many troublesome and destructive insects Fruit trees were not
sufficiently advanced to be injured and the check just now will pre
vent a too rapid rise of sap their budding will be retarded and we
stand a better chance for an abundant fruit crop The intense cold
in the upper portions of the cotton belt running below zero and
further south almost uuprecedentedly near that point has destroyed
myriads of insect eggs and also arrested the injury from blight
both so destructive to the interests of fruit growers While only
this latter class can lay claim to all these advantages the average
farmer can appropriate his share and though harrassed by low
priced eotton delayed work and general uncertainty and indecision
need not despair Let him gird himself for the coming contest
let him look ahead and with clear brain and unerring judgment
lay his plans for assured success
In a recent report of the State Committee on Analytical and Ap
plied Chemistry in Virginia occurs the following which coincides
so exactly with the views we have always promulgated and is so
forcibly expressed that we would like to quote at length but have
only room tor some of the leading features
When we consider the fact that the market value of our lands
and all the products of agriculture have materially declined during
the past few years that the average decline in the prices of our
staple crops to which fertilizers are applied amounts to fully 50
per cent and that it is questionable whether any crop can be grown
at a profit under existing conditions is it remarkable that our far
mers are at their wits end to know how to proceed and what to
plant if by chance they may make both ends meet
In support of this position permit me to quote from the statis
tician of the Agricultural Department Washington D C March
1893 At that date wheat was selling at 57 cents and corn at 36 cents
in Chicago To ascertain what the farmers were doing he sent out38
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
circulars broadcast Eeplies were received from 25000 practical
farmers in case of wheat and 28000 in case of corn These were
revised and corrected by 4000 replies from expertsi e graduates
at colleges etc engaged iu farming with the following
RESULT
Cost of raising an acre of wheat 1169
Cost of raising an acre of corn j 71
The statisticians report for December 1893 showing the aver
age value of wheat and corn per acre on the farm was For wheat
616 for corn 821 which shows a virtual loss of 205 on
every acre cultivated in wheat and 350 per acre of corn in 1893
leaving out the straw chaff and stalks
Shall we draw what consolation we can from this unprofitable
condition of agriculture in the country at large and throw up the
sponge Or shall we address ourselves gravely to the situation
and see what can be done to ameliorate this condition of things
To meet this discouraging situation the committee recom
mends that
1 In the opinion of your committee the expenditure of 4500
000 for artificial fertilizers by the farmers of this State is unwise
and improper under existing conditions We are forced to this
conclusion because we believe that fully onehalf of this outlay is a
total loss
2 The second question is Can this board do anything to dimin
ish this expenditure of 4500000 for fertilizers and at the same
time increase the profits of agriculture without injury to any other
interest We think it can But it involves a total change of
system We believe that fully onehalf of this large sum can be
saved to the farmers of this State that the fertility of their lauds
can be augmented at the same time and the balance changed from
the debit to the credit side of the ledger
If our reasoning up to this point has been sound then the first
thing to do is to stop this unwise and reckless expenditure curtail
the amount to be spent this year to 2000000 as follows
1 Pay cash for everything
2 Reduce acreage to be cultivated in money crops to onehalfAnnual Publication foe 1895
39
3 Cooperate buying and mixing of fertilizer ingredients
4 Collecting and grinding of bones
5 The increased use of lime
6 Manufacture your own nitrogen at home
7 More attention to homemade manures
The first item is the most difficult of accomplishment and while
John Randolph may have discovered the philosophers stone to be
Pay as you go only those can avail themselves of it who have
something with which to pay Take the matter of oats for ins
tance many farmers have met with a heavy loss in the destruction
of both the first and second plantings and are left without means
to again buy seed To such the lines have indeed fallen in hard
places and in cases like this we would advise that the land be
planted in early maturing corn and forage cropsmilllet sorghum
peas all of which will help to tide over the difficultyand if the
millet is manured highly and forced forward it will of course be
ready to cut much earlier
The secoud with our preconceived ideas of farming will be a
hard undertaking but a strict adherence to its recommendations
would do much to set us on our feet again
The third we have repeatedly urged as offering the best solu
tion of the fertilizer question
The fourth if carried out would reduce the cost of this valuable
fertilizer at least 50 per cent
The fifth but follows the lead of that eminent scientist George
Ville who classes lime along with nitrogen phosphoric acid and
potash in forming a complete fertilizer Where lime is deficient in
the soil it is very important that it be supplied
The sixth refers to the fact that in leguminous plants the far
mer has a certain aud comparatively cheap method of supplying
not only the most expensive element of nitrogen but potash and
phosphoric acid also for he can remove the top crop and still
leave in the roots aud stubble a large amount of fertilizing
material
The seventh sounds the keynote of all successful farming As is
briefly said home manure performs on the farm the same office40
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
that mouey does in commerce It develops utilizes and brings
into healthy action all the dormant resources of the soil
TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS IN LAST REPORT
There were two serious typographical errors in last months
report In the answer to the inquiry as to how much of nitrogen
phosphoric acid and potash that an average acre of corn withdraws
from the soil should read about 2177 instead of 777
as stated
The second error was in the reply as to Actual and Potential
Ammonia It should have read Fourteen pounds of nitrogen
would be said to contain seventeen pounds of potential ammonia
not seven pounds from the fact that by fermentation it is capable
of yielding that amount
IRISH POTATOES AND STARCH FACTORIES
There appears in this issue two articles that were crowded out of
our last report One a reply to an inquiry as to the preparation
planting and saving of Irish potatoes both the spring and fall
crops and the other on establishing starch factories in the South
The subjects are allied and pertinent to Southern industrial
development
The cotton factories for the manufacture of a finer grade of goods
are in a measure dependent on starch factories and these three in
dustries are more intimately connected than a careless glance
would reveal The cotton factories will need the starch the starch
factories will need the potatoes and if our farmers can learn to
produce at remunerative figures the proper kind of potato which
suitably depends more on quality than on size we have another
money crop to which our climate is peculiarly suited Elsewhere
I give Jeff Welborns plan for raising three crops two of Irish po
tatoes one of peas on the same land and also an article from Dr
Payne on starch
I have had several letters from parties anxious to establish these
starch factories They are bound to come when the cotton factories
do and before another twelvemonth there will be a demand for the
manufacturing material The question is will our farmers informAnnual Publication for 1895
41
themselves on this business and manage it in such a way as to clear
money on it The truth is that at present prices
NO POORER PAYING CROP THAN COTTON
can be found and the farmer who trusts to a large crop to meet
the pressing needs of his situation is risking bankruptcy The
present mouth must decide this momentous question Before an
other monthly report is issued from this offce the decision as to the
REDUCTION OF THE COTTON ACREAGE
throughout the State will have to be made and the crop of 1895
will be virtually launched on the sea of futurity I do not assume
to dictate as to how much each man shall plant I only reiterate
what I have so often repeated which is secure ample home sup
plies by planting a full provision crop making due allowance for
unfavorable seasons and perfect arrangements as far as possible
to raise
HOGS
Regard this with much careful thought and plan for it with as
much skill and judgment as is bestowed on other farm operations
Provide a succession of crops for them Do not trust their develop
ment to a few nubbins thrown hastily into their filthy feeding
quarters and then leave them to slake their thirst at the first stag
nant pool See that they are provided with clean comfortable
quarters that they have pure water to drink The hog is natur
ally a healthy animal and it is much easier to prevent the few ma
lignant diseases to which he is subject than to stamp out the germs
once they obtain lodgement
In the inquiry column will be found a remedy for cholera which
was sent us by a friend with the urgent request that we have it
published We also give the remedy publishsd by the United
States Department of Agriculture We as yet have had no means
of testing the efficacy of either one but would like to hear from
any and all who should have occasion to use them If their claims
are sustained and we can thus be secured against the fearful
ravages of this disease the meat question is settled in our favor
for all time to come42
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
SWEET POTATOES
Will soon require bedding For particulars as to selection
bedding cultivation preserving etc I refer to a most full and
explicit bulletin recently published by the Georgia Experiment
fetation Every farmer who expects to raise potatoes should
possess this bulletin Number 25 which can be had by sending
application with your address to Director Redding Experiment5
Spaldmg county Ga In planting all crops be careful to
SELECT GOOD SEED
In corn this should be done before the crop is gathered taking
from the finest stalks the best matured ears and ere planting
reflecting the best developed ears from the pile In another col
umn full formulas are given for fertilizers for different crops
LAW IN REGARD TO SELLING FORMULAS
I must call attention to the fact that no formula for making fer
tilizers can be sold in this State unless first submitted to the
Department for examination Violation of this law subjects the
party to punishment for misdemeanor under a section of the code
of Georgia We will esteem it a favor if such cases are reported to
this Department
R T Xesbitt
HOG CHOLERA
PRESCRIPTION AND DIRECTIONS FOR A SUCCESSFUL TREAT
MENT OF THE DISEASE
Dr T J Dodge of Hamilton Illinois writes as follows to the
Iowa Homestead on the subject of hog cholera
As the price of hogs is sufficiently high to pay the farmer to
use every means of protecting them from the ravages of the cholera
I deem it my duty to give to the public free my recipe for the
cure of what is termed hog cholera I have used this remedy for
thirtyfive years and raised hogs on my ranche in Nebraska and
never lost a hog
I have experimented by placing one well hog with a lot of sickAnnual Publication for 1895
43
ones and keeping it well by the use of this remedy You will
confer a great favor upon the farmers of our country by publishing
this recipe in full I am now engaged in other business and have
been for sixteen years and am willing to let others prosper by the
long years of experience of mine with a remedy I discovered
myself for the cure of this dreadful disease
The prescription and directions ar2 as follows
Arsenic onehalf pound cape aloes onehalf pound blue
vitriol onefourth of a pound black antimony one ounce
Grind and mix well the remedy before using
The following are the directions for using
1 Sick hogs in all cases to be separated from the well ones
and placed in dry pens with only five large hogs or eight in each
pen
2 Feed nothing but dry food but no water only the slop con
taining the remedy until cured
3 When hogs refuse to eat turn them on their backs and then
with a longhandled spoon put the dry medicine down their throats
4 Dose for large hogs One teaspoonful three times a day for
three days then miss one day and repeat amount until cured
Shoats or pigs onehalf the amount
As a preventative one teaspoonful once a week will keep your
hogs in a healthy condition to take on fat I can place one well
hog in a pen with one hundred sick ones and with this remedy
keep him well
6 Let no other stock but hogs have access to this remedy as it
is to them a deadly poison
Dr Dodge adds for many years he sold his recipe for 5 and
treated hogs at the rate of 1 per head paying the owner 10 cents
a pound for all that died after treatment began44
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
STAECH FACTORIES
CAN OUR FARMERS SUPPLY THE MATERIAL ASKS
DR PAVNE
Dr George F Payne our wellknown State Chemist is corre
sponding with some parties who are desirous of locating a starch
factory in the South Starch is largely used in cotton cloth manu
facture and Georgia is rich in starch producing materials Dr
Payne is desirous of getting information and requests the farmers
attention to the matter
1 Factories in the West and North secure Irish potatoes at
15 cents per bushel of sixtysix pounds and at 20 cents per bushel
for sweet potatoes sixtysix pounds to the bushel giving 1 cent a
bushel for each per cent of starch found in the material Can
Georgia farmers raise Irish potatoes and sweet potatoes at a profit
when taken immediately in large quantities at these prices
2 Would Georgia farmers like to take stock in such a factory
and pay for their stock in potatoes
3 Has cassava been raised successfully in Georgia to any
great extent or can it be done It grows well in Florida
4 What is the lowest price at which rice polish can be con
tracted for in large continuous supplies Louisiana is very
desirous of securing this factory and has offered it 5000 a year
for three years and freedom from State and city taxes for ten years
To offset this however Georgia has far more cotton mills and so
has the adjacent States which will furnish a better market for the
sstarchAnnual Publication foe 1895
45
MARCH
INFORMATION GIVEN ON A VARIETY OF SUBJECTSREME
DIES FOR HOLLOW HORNKAINIT IS THE PROPER FORM
OF POTASH FOR SANDY SOILS AND MURIATE AND SUL
PHATE OF POTASH FOR STIFF SOILSSOME OTHER VERY
INTERESTING NEWS WHICH WILL BE WORTH READING
Department of Agriculture
Atlanta March 1 1895
QUESTION 1
I notice that you advise farmers in mixing fertilizers at home
to avoid putting together ingredients that act injuriously on each
other Please give me a few hints as a guide in home mixing
ANSWER 1
The following are some of the main points
Potash salts can be mixed with all fertilizers but if large
amounts are mixed with some mineral manures as floats the
mixture may cake if allowed to stand too long This can be
avoided by adding a small quantity of woods earth muck or saw
dust when the mixture is made Acid phosphates should not be
mixed with lime marl ashes floats bone meal or anything that
contains carbonate of lime or caustic lime Ammonia salts or
organic nitrogen compounds as blood tankage or fish should not
be mixed with caustic substances such as building lime or wood
ashes Nor is it well unless we wish to hasten decomposition to
mix these nitrogen compounds with carbonate of lime floats or
marl If we wish to compost these substances together we should
cover the heap with woods earth which will prevent the escape of
the ammonia
Acid phosphates can be mixed with orgauic matter and are
especially fitted for preventing the loss of ammonia in compost
heaps unless the heaps contain a large quantity of lime when
they should not be used
Nitrate of soda can be mixed with all other materials but when
mixed with highly dissolved phosphates and nitrates and organic46
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
matter the mixture should be kept dry or loss of nitrogen will
occur
In composting it is of the greatest importance that the ammo
nia does not escape Acid phosphates as mentioned above help
to conserve the ammonia The compost heaps should be kept
covered with earth and under shelter Large amounts of potash
salts mixed with compost are desirable only where decomposition
is to be retarded
Nitrogen is the most costly element of plant food and to its
injudicious and extravagant use can be traced much of the loss
from the use of fertilizers By planting clover and peas which
have the power of absorbing nitrogen from the air the expense
may be much reduced
Phosphoric acid and potash must be added to our soils if a full
crop is expected It is true that they are present in all soils but
are insoluble and therefore unavailable Small quantities only
are dissolved by the soil water and plant acids
It is best to apply both phosphoric acid and potash some time
before the crop is planted As there is little danger from leach
ing they should be plowed under Sandy and limestone soils
nearly always need potash Clay soils sometimes but not always
contain a sufficient quantity This can only be determined by ex
periment
Kainit is the proper form of potash for sandy soils muriate and
sulphate of potash for stiff soils Potash is especially valuable
for fruits and vegstables of all kinds tobacco and potatoes
Nitrogen should be applied at the time most needed by the
plants during the growing season as a top dressing otherwise it
will leach out with the soil water
QUESTION 2
What is the proper treatment for hollow horn
ANSWER 2
This is a much misunderstood subject The old plan of boring
the horns and pouring in turpentine should not be thought of
Examine the animal for other derangements of the system The
horn is to a certain extent naturally hollow and this is no indicaAnnual Publication for 1895
47
tion of disease An experienced cattleman says that the tongue is
the seat of the disease and in nine cases out of ten when an ani
mal is supposed to be suffering from hollow horn if the tongue
is pulled out over the under lip it will be found to be filled with
little black heads and flesh worms which will rise above the sur
face Take a dull knife and scrape these off gently then put on
salt and black peper mixed this will bring up the saliva and in a
few hours the trouble will be over He says he has uever known
the remedy to fail Of course the animals head must be secured
to a tree or post before it can be treated A great many cattle
owners advocate dehorning not to prevent hollow horn but to
reduce the number of injuries from goring among the herds as
well as to the persons having charge of them
QUESTION 4
Would you advise the sowing of a third crop of oats at this
season the first two plantings having been killed by the cold
weather
QUESTION 3
We answer unequivocally yes even as late as the middle of
March But there are several points to be considered and met in
the late sowing which do not apply with equal force to the fall
and eariler spring crops In the first place a quickly maturing
seed should be selected the land should be good the preparations
and manuring thorough the seeding heavy The importance of
each of these points will be appreciated when we realize that the
plants have only a short time in which to develop or to hunt for
food and therefore every aid should be given to hasten and per
fect their maturity The land on which the former crops were
killed is if it was well prepared in splendid condition to receive
the third sowing which with the fertilizer should be put in at
QUESTION 4
In feeding horses will the results as a food pay for cutting it up
instead of feeding it uncut B F L Emmerson
ANSWER 4
We are often very direlict in our duty to our work animals and48 Department of AgricultureGeorgia
thus incur absolute loss This is true not only in regard to pro
viding proper shelter but largely to our methods of feeding In
the North and West almost the universal custom is to feed cut hay
and the small amount of labor required is more than compensated
for by the effect upon the animal As an illustration of this the
experiment station in Utah from the 10th of August to the 21st of
December fed ad libitum two lots of work horses cut and uncut hayT
reducing the lots in the middle of the period The result was that
in the first period the lot fed on cut hay gained 99 pounds and
that on the uncut 62 pounds in the second period the lot on cut
hay gained 75 pounds and that on uncut lost 5 pounds At no
time in our history has the study and adoption of proper methods
been more imperative Let us adopt every detail of farm economy
that husbands the strength of our farm animals or improves the
condition of our soil
HOME FERTILIZERS
THE FORMLA FOR MIXING AS GIVEN BY THE GEORGIA
STATE CHEMIST
It has always been the policy of the Department to encourage
the purchase of fertilizer material and mixing at home By this
policy not only does the farmer make a fertilizer adapted to his
soil if as he should he studies its needs but also develops the
economy of carfully saving the manure of the farm
Compelled to save at every quarter if we wish even comparative
success let all endeavor to adopt the least expensive method of
fertilizing and improving his land In this connection the fol
lowing reply by Dr George F Payne the State Chemist to an
inquiry for formula and as to the cost of material will be found of
interest
Farmers can save money by clubbing together and buying acid
phosphate in bulk for cash and making their own fertilizers It is
difficult to farm successfully in most sections of Georgia without
the use of fertilizers but it is all important to secure the best fer
tilizers at as close figures as possible
Acid phosphate can now be bought in bulk for cash at 850 aAnnual Publication for 1895
49
ton Cottonseed meal can now be bought in bulk for cash at 15
a ton Muriate of potash can now be bought in 12ton lots for
cash at 4200 a ton
At these figures the materials for an average fertilizer of the
market will be 1400 pounds acid phosphate containing 14 per
cent available phosphoric acid at 850 a ton 595 520 pounds
cottonseed meal containing nitrogen equivalent to 8J per cent
ammonia at 1500 a ton 390 80 pounds muriate of potash
containing 51J per cent of potash at 4200 a ton 168
Making a total of 2000 pounds at a cost of 1125 containing
the following percentage of plant food per ton Available phos
phoric acid 980 per cent ammonia 221 per cent potash 206
per cent
If you desire a full strength goods the following formula will
prove satisfactory being made of the materials you wish to use
Acid phosphate 1200 poundscost about 780 840 per cent
available phosphoric acid Nitrate of soda 250 pounds cost about
500 equivalent to 237 per cent ammonia Kainit 300 pounds
cost about 180 180 per cent potash Mix marl or rotten leaves
250 pounds Total pounds 2000 Total cost 1460
If you wish a cheaper fertilizer add more of the last ingredient
If you desire a stronger one leave out the last ingredient Muriate
of potash is a more concentrated form of potash than kainit and
costs less for freight and for the actual potash in it Kainit con
tains about 12 per cent of potash and muriate about 50 per cent
To estimate the full cost the freight on the acid phosphate and
muriate of potash should be added to this the freight will vary
according to the length of the haul and also the labor required to
mix the fertilizer
The mixing is best done by spreading out the materials in layers
on top of each other and cutting through the layers with a hoe
and mixing as the compound is cut down
The use of a bricklayers sand screen enables one to make a
better mixture So many local dealers are reported as not in
tending to handle fertilizers this season that some such plan may
be necessary in some sections Very respectfully
George F Payne State Chemist50
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
IRISH POTATO GROWING
WHAT CAN BE REALIZED BY PLANTING THEM ON AN
ACRE OF LAND
Jeff Welborn has the following on Irish potatoes
I have found out that I can grow as much feed upon an acre of
early peas as I can of corn or oats and harvest the crop in time for
a fall crop of Irish potatoes and that the land will be in the finest
condition for the potato crop when the peas are taken off also two
crops of potatoes and one of peas on the same land I have also
solved the problem of growing in field culture a much superior
potato for the table or seed for spring garden to any that can be
brought from the North and this at nominal cost and more certain
if properly managed than a cotton crop My last crop which
was the eighth crop in four years without change of seed was finer
than any previous crop both in quality and quantity yielding at
the rate of 160 bushel per acre without manure or fertilizer of any
kind on common hill land that would not make over 1000 pounds
of seed cotton per acre
Now that we can grow them much cheaper than they can be
grown in the North and of much better quality and the demand
at our doors why not We do not need the immense frost
proof bins In fact in the South the fall crop is very little
trouble They do not sweat and rot like the yam They will keep
perfectly in a room where the thermometer does not run below 30
degrees above zero
Anything that grows in the fall is superior to the spring grown
The fall Irish potato is as far superior to spring grown potatoes as
fall turnips are superior to spring turnips
Our potatoes have increased in size quality and quantity per acre
each season since we commenced planting them here Seed from
the fall crop planted next spring will come on much earlier than
the earliest and most Northern grown While there will not beAnnual Publication for 1895
51
so many in numbers on the vine they will be twice as large and far
superior in every way
The seed once obtained need never be renewed for the fall grow
ing improves them continually
The peas mentioned are the early maturing variety planted after
the spring crop of Irish potatoes and taken off in time for the fall
crop
To those who wish to adopt the valuable suggestions of Mr
Welborn we give the following concise advice by Mr Massey of
the North Carolina station which has frequently appeared in more
elaborate form in these reports
1 Bed the seed in soil until planting time This gets rid of
those too immature to grow and which if planted would leave gaps
in the rows
2 Plant about second week in August if possible and use only
those potatoes that are sprouted
3 Plant in a deep furrow but cover very lightly and pack the
soil to the seed
4 Never cut the potatoes for the late crop
5 Gradually fill in the soil to the plants as they grow and culti
vate the crop perfectly flat
THE SWINE PLAGUE
DR SALMON TELLS OF THIS FATAL DISEASE AMONG THE
HOGS
Dr Salmon the Chief of the Bureau of Animal Industry has
just issued a bulletin on this subject which ought to be in the hands
of every hog keeper and can be obtained on application to the
Department of Agriculture Washington D C Dr Salmon sajs
whilst no absolutely certain cure can be found for any disease and
certainly not for hog cholera yet that as the result of a long series
of experiments the following has been found to be a most efficacious52 Department of AgricultureGeorgia
formula in most cases of this disease aud is valuable as a preven
tative
lbs
Wood charcoal1
Sulphur1
Sodium chloride 2
Sodium bicarbonate2
Sodium hyposulphite2
Sodium sulphate 1
Antimony sulphide
Pulverize and thoroughly mix and give a large tablespoonful for
each 200 pounds weight of hogs once a day Feed on soft food
made of bran and shipstuff or bran and corn meal mixed in hot
water and stir in the proper quantity of the medicine Animals
too sick to eat should be drenched with the medicine mixed in
water In drenching a hog never throw him on his back or rope
him and force him to take the medicine The chances are that if
you do you will choke him Pull out the side of his cheek from
his teeth and thus make a pouch in which pour the medicine and
it will run into his mouth and be swallowed or take an old shoe
and cut off a small part of the toe so as to make a hole through
and put this in his mouth He will generally commence to chew
the shoethen pour the medicine into the shoe and it will find its
way slowly into the mouth and be swallowed We have drenched
hogs in this way when we could succceed in no other way Keep
the sick hogs dry warm and clean or it is very little use giving
medicineAnnual Publication foe 1895
53
APRIL
REGULAR MONTHLY LETTER OF THE COMMIS
SIONER
ENCOURAGEMENT OFFERED ALLSUGGESTIONS CONCERN
ING THE CROPS OF THIS YEAR THAT SHOULD BE WELL
CONSIDERED AND CAREFULLY DIGGSTEDTHE FOUNDA
TION FOR SUCCESSFUL FARMINGINTERESTING TOPICS
DISCUSSED
Department of Agriculture
Atlanta April 1 1895
At this writing March 20 the prospect for the preparation and
planting of the crop of 1895 seems most discouraging The few
bright days during the first part of the month have been suc
ceeded by almost uninterrupted rain and farmers who were begin
ning to see light ahead are again overtaken by despondency and
gloom The cases are exceptional where any material progress has
been made in farm work But with a few bright days hope that
blessed boon to struggling humauity will spring into life again
and all through the State will be heard the cheerful hum of busy
preparation the laud will once more respond to the invigorating
touch of the plow and hoe and all nature will awake to life under
the influence of the warm spring sunshine Incredible as it may
eem there have been spring seasons just as disappointing as this
iperhaps more so At any rate bemoaning our sad condition will
aot mend matters The only remedy is contained in the aphor
ism which applies with force to farm as well as other matters
Turn to the right then go forward However much we may
differ as regards what is the right each individual has let us
bope decided conscientiously and it is useless now to speculate as
to the probable effect of this decision on our future We have
chosen our path and from this time until our crops are all gath
ered we must go forward Whether we have planted much
cotton or little the duty is the same We must steadily press on
to the completion of the years work54
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
It is now too late to sow oats which fact falls with heavy force
on the man who is short of corn and who has been prevented by
all these drawbacks from getting the oat crop under way But
there are other early maturing crops which can in a measure be
made to do duty in this important matter of stock feed
SORGHUM MILLET PEAS FORAGE CORN
and other forage crops if planted early the ground being thor
oughly manured in order to increase the yield and hasten maturity
will be found a wonderful help in the late spring and summer
when feed runs short
On this subject the Louisiana experiment station has the follow
ing
Pearl or cattail millet as it is sometimes called is used as a
soiling crop A few rows planted in rich soil will afford suffi
cient green feed in the spring for several head of horses It grows
rapidly after being cut and is one of the best early green feeds of
its kind
The nonsaccharine sorghums make excellent forage and may
be used as soil crops or cured as hay The bushels of graiu they
yield per acre make them valuable adjuncts to the grain producing
crops
Jerusalem corn has large compact drooping heads of white
grair The stalk is low stout and stocky and not so good as the
four following
Yellow and white milo maize grow large and tall makiug large
tonnage of forage large straight heads of yellow and white grain
yielding in favorable years many bushels per acre
Large African millet is very much like the white milo maize
except it grows much larger both in stalk and green heads It is
equally as valuable for forage and soiling possessing the advantage
over all of greater tonnage and more bushels of grain per acre It
will certainly produce more forage per acre than any forage crop
ever grown at the station
The Kaffir corn is low growing but produces many heads of
white grain as well as a fair tonnage of forage The seeds are
excellent poultry feedAnnual Publication for 1895
55
German millet is too well known to mention any of its charac
teristics It is a valuable forage and soiling crop and should be
more extensively planted
French millet bears a long drooping head of red grain and bids
fair to outrival the German variety in production
Soja bean is a leguminous plant and aside from its qualities as a
forage plant like others of the leguminous family it renovates
worn land It resembles the bean grows treelike eighteen inches to
two feet high and bears a heavy crop of short pods well filled
with small round white berries resembling very much the sweet
pea of the garden If cut just as the pods begin to ripen it cures
into a good hay
These crops or whatever are neeessary to supplement the short
age in feed stuffs being arranged for we must turn our attention
to the principal crops of the farm Perhaps we have never had
more forcibly illustrated the importance of fall plowing than is just
now being brought home to our understanding The almost un
precedented cold the longcontinued rains the late season all com
bine to crowd into one month the work of two or more and on the
fall plowed lands particularly if subsoiled even where it has been
packed by the winter rains the work is found lighter more rapid
and more satisfactory than in the fields which have remained un
plowed since the crops were gathered and which have been in
many casesbeaten hard by the tramping of cattle
The question of proper and welldirected plowing lies at the
very foundation of our success in farming yet how few farmers
study it beyond the mere breaking and bedding absolutely neees
sary in the ordinary preparation for planting a crop For some
crops it is important to plow much deeper than for others but on
how many farms do we see any variation in the depth of plowing
all crops being prepared for alike An ignorant or indifferent
plowman has no idea of the importance of his work Crooked or
uneven furrows varying as to the width and depth make the work
hard on the man and hard on the mule while a failure to ascer
tain on this point the requirements of the different crops to be
planted often entails much unnecessary work with painfully inad
equate returns Good plowing not only requires practice but ob56
Depaetment of AgeicultureGeorgia
servation as well the close scrutiny which will enable the farmer
to profit by error as well as by success
In their eagerness to push on the work farmers often under
present urgent conditions are tempted to plow the laud when too
wet No greater mistake was ever made for while something
may be gained in present speed the end is no amount of bother
and worry Land once plowed too wet does not recover during
that crop season and often its disastrous effects extend into the
following year A mistake of almost equal gravity is to allow the
unplowed fields to stand after a rain until a hard crust is formed
If possible run a heavy harrow over the surface before it becomes
too dry This will prevent the crust from forming prevents evap
oration and keeps the land in good condition until the regular
plow comes along
Another importaut point is to remember that at this season it is
of no benefit to turn any quantity of the subsoil to the surface
that should have been done in the fall It is too late now for it
to be acted upon by sun and air and rain that it may furnish ad
ditional plant food for this years crop For corn plow deep but
instead of bringing the subsoil to the surface use a subsoil plow
or follow the ordinary turning plow with a long scooter in the same
furrow thus leaving the subsoil broken but in the bottom of the
furrow This may seem slow work when one is pressed for time
but thorough work in preparation pays the biggest returns It has
been repeatedly demonstrated that half the area with proper and
careful attention to details yields a greater profit and with less
hard work than twice the number of acres poorly prepared insuf
ficiently manured and hastily and carelessly cultivated With the
low prices which now prevail for all varieties of farm produce we
should direct our energies more than ever to increasing the yield
of each acre for the cost of production can be decreased more
effectually in this way than in any other
Let us glance for a moment at some of the advantages of this
plan First less horse power and consequently a smaller plow and
blacksmith bill Second the improvement to the land which in
stead of becoming poorer and poorer each year is steadily building
up under the heavier application of manure and the more judiciousAnnual Publication foe 1895
57
management Again a smaller outlay in the matter of labor just
now a very heavy and risky item also the ability to select better
land and better labor having the privilege of choice In the sub
stitution of manure and improved machinery and implements for
labor much can also be done In other words the true policy on
the ordinary farm lands of Georgia is to select the best and con
centrate on them the effort and the manure which we have been in
the habit of spreading over twice the area
The time for planting all crops has been of course greatly de
layed but after our experience of last spring we should not be dis
couraged In many sections of the state the corn is not yet planted
in others this work is finished and the cotton land now claims at
tention
SWEET POTATOES
should not be set out too early though the slips may be ready the
latter part of this month It is better to put out the main crop
in May and June The labor of cultivation is less the yield is
equally as good and the tubers keep better We can hardly over
estimate the value of this crop and even with the risk from loss
in keeping we would advise a heavy crop Hogs will gather and
fatten on them and there is nothing that makes cheaper and sweeter
pork than sweet potatoes
Again I would call attention to bulletin No 25 on Sweet Po
tatoes from the Georgia Experiment Station which can be secured
on application to Director R J Redding Experiment Ga
HOGS
Dont forget the crops for the hogs A pasture of Bermuda
grass cannot be excelled then the sorghum roasting ears Spanish
ground peas field peas etc R T Nesbitt Com
FARM MODELS FOR THE COTTON STATES AND IN
TERNATIONAL EXPOSITION
The Department of Agriculture would call attention to the val
uable object lesson contained in the following which we hope
thousands of farmers will study58
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
One of the most interesting and instructive features of the gov
ernment display in the forestry building at the Cotton States and
International Exposition will be a set of three models the one to
represent a 160acre farm in the hill lands of the south which
by bad management and especially by improper cutting of the
forest has become gullied furrowed and silted over such as one
can see almost in every State
The next model will show how with bush dams with ditching
proper drainage with terracing with sodding and replanting the lost
ground may be recovered while the third model representing the
same 160 acres is to show how finally the farm should look
ideally with the fields and meadows and forest growth properly
disposed in good condition the roads ruuuing at proper levels in
stead of up and down the fences reduced to the smallest extent
practicable
It is hoped that this object lesson will be studied by every farmer
and stimulate him to improved methods
Cost of Peoduction of CottonIt is a fact not generally
realized that production and manufacture of cotton employs more
labor and capital and more intelligence and energy than any other
known cropAnnual Publication foe 1895
59
INQUIRIES ANSWERED FOR APRIL
SOME IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON VARIOUS SUBJECTS
INSPECTING COTTONSEED MEALUPLAND RICE CAN BE
MADE VERY PROFITABLE AS FORAGE FOODHOW TO DE
STROY BERMUDA GRASSPROTECTION FOR FARMERS IN
FRAUDULENT FERTILIZERSCROP STATISTICS AND OTHER
NEWS OF INTEREST
Department of Agriculture
Atlanta April 1 1895
NATURAL PLANT FOOD
QUESTION 1
There is a fertilizer being offered for sale iu the State under the
name of Natural Plant Food Please tell us something of it
its constituents and if it is what it claims to be
answer 1
The Natural Plant Food is masquerading under false colors
The name is most misleading and if the goods is still kept on the
market will render the parties selling liable to prosecution for
misdemeanor The goods is a Florida soft phosphate which claims
1 per cent of potash and 2160 per cent of insoluble phosphoric
acid But careful analysis reveals the fact that it has no potash
and about 237 per cent only of available phosphoric acid
The Department has already notified the manufacturers that they
cannot legally sell it under its present name If they put it on
the market in its true character with correct analysis and farmers
choose to buy it as such there can be no objection urged
INSPECTION OF COTTONSEED MEAL
QUESTION 2
Does not the law require that all cottonseed meal sold in this
State shall be inspected analyzed and tagged with a printed guar
antee of ammonia on each sack
answer 2
Yes Inspectors have been instructed to exercise great vigi
lance in order to detect violations of the law and have discovered60
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
that attempts are being made to ship meal into this State from
Texas and in order to avoid the 10 cents inspection fee efforts are
being made to sell this meal without inspection or guarantee It
is to the interests of farmers to report all such cases as the meal
varies in ammonia The law requires first grade 8 12 per cent of
ammonia second grade 7 12 percent but in some seasons the
meal runs below this standard and instances of adulterations are
also reported
VETERINARY SURGEON
QUESTION 3
Has the State a veterinary surgeon in its employ We wish to
know because our stock are suffering from some unknown disease
and we want information and direction as to treatment etc
answer 3
No provision is specifically made for a veterinary surgeon but
under the terms of the law the Commissioner is empowered to
investigate all such diseases and will when called upon use funds
from the Department to send a competent surgeon who will exam
ine and prescribe and report results to the Department
CROP STATISTICS
QUESTION 4
Can you give me the latest crop statistics for this State
answer 4
The crop statistics for 1893 tell in an eloquent way the story of
its agricultural possibilities and show the wide diversity of its pro
ductions and are as follows Wheat bushels 1733000 corn
33678000 oats 7847987 rye 131194 potatoes 483886
haytons 224117 peanuts bushels 624528 cotton bales 1191
846 It has 105984 horses 161024 mules 873926 neat cattle
411169 sheep and 1794567 hogs The wool clip was 831141
pounds the butter product 148483323 pounds honey 1056034
and 48935 pounds of beeswax The poultry stock numbered
7357934 and the egg product was 11522788 dozens of eggs
The rice product was 14556432 pounds and of tobacco 263752
poundsAnnual Publication foe 1895
61
These figures show better than any mere words that Georgia is
well adapted to all branches of husbandry and further comment as
to its agricultural possibilities is superfluous
UPLAND RICE
QUESTION 5
Can you tell me something of the culture of upland rice There
will no doubt be a good deal of rice planted in this section of Geor
gia as we have a good rice huller and mill
answer 5
The following is the successful plan pursued by a South Carolina
planter who says
I consider upland rice a fine and profitable grain to growthe
grain for the table and forage for the cattle I select the stiffest
land on my farm for rice culture It would grow equally as well
if not better on swamp land I break up my laud very thoroughly
then run off rows three feet wide bedding the land as if for cotton
and using about 200 pounds commercial or other fertilizer to the
acre I then open the bed with a small plow and drill the rice
seed in the drill using only about half a peck to the acre Then
putting a board on my plowstock I draw it over the furrow cov
ering the seed about 1 12 inches deep I plant from April 1 to
April 15 I cultivate with a sweep as with cottou I hull it for
table use in an oldfashion wooden beater or huller or I send it to
Charleston to be hulled T make from 25 to 30 bushels per acre
I have been planting rice for three years and have been successful
in making a good crop each year
A gentleman near Kidge Springs S C showed not long since
what seemed to be a very small plat of ground yet he grew on it
a two years supply of rice for his family
Another at Sparta Ga grows upland rice solely as a forage crop
He plants it quite thickly cuts it like oats heads and all afterward
feeding the sheaves He makes at least forty bushels per acre of
seed His cattle are more fond of it than oats He considers the
rice a better food and he can make more of it than of oats
In the March number of the Southern Cultivator is a most excel
lent article on the culture of upland rice in Southwest Georgia62
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
Before the war and several years after when we planted in that
section of the State the industrious negroes on the various planta
tions had their patches of rice from which they not only added to
itheir own family stores but had a surplus for sale and the old
fashioned mortar and pestle by which the hull was separated from
the grain was not at all an unusual sight
FIVE DOLLAR FERTILIZERS
QUESTION 6
The following is a reply to a letter received at the State Agricul
tural Department asking for information as to 500 combination
fertilizers
answer 6
Dear Sir Yours of the 30th at hand You can buy kainit
muriate of potash and other chemicals from Wilcox Gibbs Co
Savannah Ga
Kainit contains about twelve per cent of potash Muriate of
potash contains about fifty per cent of potash or about four times
as strong as kainit If you wish cheap hauling you should buy
the concentiated fertilizing chemicals
You can buy muriate of potash at about forty dollars a ton prob
ably a little higher in less lots than a ton
As a fivedollar combination of fertilizers I suggest the follow
ing
No 1Muriate of potash containing 50 per cent of
potash 37 lbs at 40 a ton 5 74
High grade acid phosphate containing 18 per cent of
phosphoric acid 280 lbs at45 a ton 2 10
Nitrate of soda sometimes called Chili saltpetre con
taining nitrogen equivalent to 19 per cent of
ammonia 95 lbs at 45 a ton 2 14
Muck or woods earth or marl1588 lbs 00
2000 lbs 4 98
If you wish an ammoniate not quite so quick as nitrate of soda
and less likely to fire on shallow soils you might use the fol
lowingAnnual Publication for 1895
63
No 2Muriate of potash 37 lbs 74
High grade acid phosphate 280 lbs 2 10
Dried blood 112 lbs 2 15
Muck woods earth or marl1571 lbs 00
2000 lbs 4 99
If you desire to use sulphate of ammonia as an ammoniate the
following formula will answer
No 3Muriate of potash 37 lbs
High grade acid phosphate 280 lbs
Sulphate of ammonia at 80 a ton 54 lbs
Muck woods earth or marl1629 ibs
74
2 10
2 16
00
5 00
2000 lbs
No 1 will give you from the chemicals alone
Potash 92J percent
Available phospho acid 252 per cent
Ammonia 90 per cent
No 2 will give you from the chemicals alone
Potash 92i percent
Available phospho acid 252 percent
Ammonia 89J per cent
No 3 will give you from the chemicals alone
Potash 92J percent
Available phospho acid 252 percent
Ammonia 87 j per cent
The filler which you use whether of muck woods earth or marl
will add something to this if well selected
The sulphate of ammonia is a more expensive ammonia than
cither blood or nitrate of soda You write that you will have to
pay eight cents a pound for it This is a very high price If you
find any of the chemicals higher priced than figures given above
use about seventyfive cents worth of your potash compound about
one dollar and ten cents worth of your acid phosphate and about
two dollars and fifteen cents worth of your ammoniate and then
use your muck woods earth or marl to make up the balance of the
ton and you will strike about the proper proportions for your five
dollar a ton fertilizer64
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
MECHANICAL EFFECT OF POTASH
QUESTION 7
I see in your reports that you lay stress on the mechanical con
dition of the soil Do any of the ordinary ingredients of a fertil
izer phosphoric acid ammonia and potash have a mechanical ef
fect
answer 7
Aside from the organic matter which is supplied with some forms
of ammonia potash by combining chemically with the sand of the
soil acts as a mechanical manure By the combination the surface
of the particles of sand is roughened in which condition the soil
is less liable to be compacted by rain This mechanical effect is
not however of very great importance for the reason that it is only
produced when the potash is applied in the caustic form The usual
commercial fertilizer is supplied with potash iu the form of kainit
or muriate which does not produce the mechanical effect All
potash salts are beneficial as conservators of moisture
STABLE MANURE
QUESTION 8
What do you consider the most economic method of saving stable
manure
ANSWER 8
There is no better way to avoid loss than by plowing manure
directly into the soil Where the manuring is very heavy especially
on clay soils a benefit arises from its fermentation in the soil a me
chanical effect being produced by the chemical action Composting
properly also requires more labor and more expensive accommoda
tions and if decomposition takes place without proper precaution
the most valuable part of the manure will be lost It must be re
membered however that it is only after the manure is decomposed
and the nitrogen converted into ammonia that it becomes available
for plants Where an immediate effect is desired therefore such
as in the case of intercultural fertilizing it is essential that the
manure be composted
Barnyard manure is the subject of investigation of a practicalAnnual Publication for 1895
65
character that will interest our readers Farmers Bulletin 21
Experiment Station Department of Agriculture Washington D C
will explain all Write for if it will be sent to you free of charge
Contents Manure as a farm resource amount value and compo
sition of manure produced by different animals comparative value
of solid and liquid parts influence of age and kind of animal
influence of quality aud kind of food influence of the nature and
proportion of litter management of manure use of manure com
bining barnyard manure with other fertilizing materials lasting or
cumulating effect of barnyard manure summary
GLANDERS
QUESTION 9
Is it true that a person can contract glanders from an infected
animal
ANSWER 9
The veterinarian of the Michigan State board of health in his last
annual report thus speaks of glanders It is a caution well worth
consideration
Glanders is one of the most loathsome infectious and fatal dis
eases which infect the equine race And yet no well animal kept
or worked with one having the disease is more liable to contract
it than the owner or person who feeds grooms aud drives him
unless he has knowledge of the disease and care necessary to be
used in handling the animal The person who unconsciously takes
care of and drives a horse affected with glanders takes his life in his
own hauds every time he feeds grooms or adjusts a bridle The
virus from the horses nose ejected by coughing or sneezing and
striking in the eye or falling upon a scratch or pimple in the skin
will perform the fatal inoculation Matter from eruptions from the
legs and other parts of the animals body caused by its kindred
disease farcy will produce the disease with equal certainty
Reports of more than a score of men and several women who have
lost their lives by this disease within the past few years in this
State have come to our commission the doctors attending almost
invariably calling the disease blood poisoning Is there not a
5ag66
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
field open here for useful study and investigation Is it not possi
ble that if practitioners better understood the nature and most ap
proved treatment of the disease some valuable lives might be saved
TO DESTROY BERMUDA GRASS
QUESTION 10
Can you give me an effectual method of destroying Bermuda
grass
answer 10
The following taken from bulletin 25 of the Arkansas Experi
ment Station is said to be entirely successful
Break close with scooter bull tongue crossplow with 14 inch
heelsweep and harrow thoroughly A few days later harrow in rye
or barley in the fall and oats in the spring Cut grain for hay and
remove from the ground Break again with scooter and heelsweep
as before and harrow in dry weather If grass is not all killed
plant peas whippoorwill or unknown cowpeas thick in two and a
half or three feet rows and cultivate frequently with heelsweep
until peas lap across rows If grass still remains which is very im
probable cut peavines and plow and harow again The plowing
in all cases should be thorough no unbroken places being left By
this treatment the Bermuda will be destroyed and the labor employed
for its destruction will have produced two crops in one year on the
same soil either of which will pay for the labor expended for the
production of both and the Bermuda killed incidentally and with
out cost
FRAUDS IN FERTILIZERS
QUESTION 11
We are afraid we have been imposed upon in the purchase of our
fertilizers How can we protect ourselves and obtain redress
answer 11
Keep one of the sacks unbroken and place it under shelter so
tbafthe analysis on the bag will not become blurred or effaced
then notify the Department and a sworn inspector will be sent who
will draw a sample and forward the same to the Department whereAnnual Publication for 1895
67
it will be thoroughly analyzed without cost to the farmer The
law is very strict and if there is evidence of fraud the penalty is
heavy and the farmer is not compelled to pay for the goods If
farmers would only acquaint themselves with the law and avail
themselves of its provisions it furnishes them ample protection
SPRAYING OPERATIONS
QUESTION 12
Can you give some general directions for spraying fruit trees
vines etc
ANSWER 12
From valuable Experiment Station bulletins we find that spraying
operations for this month will include the spraying of apple pear and
plum trees with Bordeaux mixture half strength with Paris green
one pound in 150 gallons just before the blossoms open and again
after the blossoms have fallen
Grapevines should be sprayed before the leaf buds open with a
strong solution of copper sulphate Just before the flowers open
with Bordeaux mixture and Paris green 1 pound to 100 gallons
Raspberry and blackberry bushes should be sprayed with Bor
deaux mixture half strength just before the blossoms open
Strawberry vines should be sprayed with Bordeaux mixture half
strength and Paris green 1 pound to 100 gallons as early as possi
ble the Bordeaux mixture without Paris green to be used just be
fore the flowers open Spray again after the fruit is picked if the
bed is to be kept over using both Paris green and Bordeaux mix
ture
The foliage of the peach is very susceptible to injury from cop
per solutions which should be applied at onethird to onefourth
the strength as used for apples or pears The peach buds may be
protected by bending the limbs toward the ground
THE OX WARBLE OR BOT FLY
QUESTION 13
Can you tell me anything about themaggots which are found
along the backs of our cattle the young ones more especially
What causes them and is there any prevention 68
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
answer 13
We have frequently been annoyed by the pests to which you re
fer and while they seem to occasion little pain to the animal they
certainly decrease the amount and quality of the flesh and lessen
the value of the hides at least one third
As to their causes habits and prevention we extract the follow
ing information from the North Carolina Experiment Station
The fly which causes this damage is about the size and very
much resembles a honey bee It deposits its eggs in the spring
during the period of shedding of hair on the legs tail and belly of
the cattle preferably yearlings By licking these parts the eggs
are taken into the animals gullet where the maggots hatch and
cling to the walls It soon bores into tissues and eventually
during the succeeding fall or winterfinds its way to the animals
back where it forms a tumor just beneath the skin Here it rests
for some time and completes its growth as a maggot Each tumor
if closely examined will show a small pore through which the
maggot obtains air When full grown the maggot enlarges this
pore and through it comes out and drops to the ground into which
it enters and remains dormant as a pupa for about six weeks It
then comes forth as a perfect fly to lay its eggs as before
REMEDIES
During the period of hair shedding horned cattle should
have the tail belly and legsespecially the parts just above the
hoofsrubbed two or three times a week with a mixture of kero
sene or fish oil and powdered sulphur
In January and February the backs of cattle should be carefully
examined for the tumors which are readily seen or felt just beneath
the skin and the enclosed maggot squeezed out and killed A lit
tle crude carbolic acid or mercurial ointment should be then rubbed
on the spot If the maggot cannot be squeezed out the oil or
ointment should be well rubbed in so as to close up the breathing
pore in the tumor thus smothering the maggot
The warble fly is not a great traveler and if all the maggots in
festing cattle on any farm are killed in January or February that
farm will be nearly or quite free from the parasite for some yearsAnnual Publication for 1895
69
unless introduced with new stock Killing the maggots in the tu
mors is the surest and easiest way of getting rid of this expensive
intruder
OXEN EPIDEMIC
REPORT OF THE VETERINARY SURGEON ON A DESTRUCTIVE
DISEASE IN DOOLY COUNTY
The following is the report of the veterinary surgeon seut by
the Department of Agriculture to investigate and prescribe for an
epidemic among the oxen 60 in number working at the lumber
wood of Messrs ONeal Gross in Dooley county
Atlanta March 25
Hon R T Nesbitt Commissioner of Agriculture
Dear SirAt your request I visited the lumberwood of Messrs
ONeal Gross at Penia Dooly county Ga on the nineteenth to
investigate a disease among their work oxen Five were dead and
buried when I arrived and four sick in the lot in Penia We went
out on a tram car four miles in the woods where the oxen worked
The overseer reported about 30 more sick From a hasty exami
nation I was satisfied that there was an epidemic that would go
through the entire herd and I advised them jto be sent into Penia
where they could be put under proper treatment The following
morning I went through the entire herd and found all affected I
took the temperature of each one and many going as high as 103
and 103f
The disease is a welldefined epidemic of red water hsenew al
bominveria characterized by emissions of red colored urine the
discharge from the bowels were tinged with blood and mucous
the pulse was quick and breathing horrible
The causes of this outbreak I think are due to impure water
from a well the oxen were watered from Owing to the low flat
situation the surface water from the lot was washed into it
I consider the epidemic a mild form that readily responded to
treatment which we gave first by purgatives followed by antiseptic
and alterative medicines Respectfully
J N Cook
Veterinary Surgeon70
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
MAY
COMMISSIONER NESBITTS REGULAR MONTHLY
LETTER
CORN IS THE ITEM TO CONSIDERNECESSARY TO PLANT
FOR A BIG CROP IN VIEW OF THE SHORT SUPPLY OF THAT
CEREAL NOW IN THE MARKETWHEAT COMES IN FOR NO
TICE AS WELL AS THE PROPER CARE OF LAND
From all parts of the State the agricultural indications are more
encouraging than at this date last monththough the heavy rains iu
the early part of the month somewhat retarded work and the cool
nights and unusually low general temperature have delayed vegeta
tion We have all things considered a backward spring which is
somewhat discouraging to general farm work yet hope is again in
the ascendency farmers are busy farm work is assuming definite
shape and the retarding of vegetation has proven such an advan
tage to our fruit crops that the prospect for abundant yields of all
kinds is most flattering
Corn is well up in some sections growing off vigorously and the
Ibulk of the cotton crop is planted The indications are that the
acreage has been reduced and that the grain crops are correspond
ingly increased While fall oats were a failure the spring crop is
promising and the vivid green of the wheat fields attests the
healthy and vigorous condition of the crop Farmers have all
over the State profited by the sunshiny working days which have
predominated in the month of April and the truck gardener as
well as the fruit grower and general farmer are throwing off the
depression of the last few weeks and looking forward hopefully to a
year of hard work and bountiful harvests
That there has been a reduction of the cotton area for the State
there can be no doubt exactly how much we are not just now pre
pared to state but the falling off of 100000 tons in the purchase of
fertilizers by the farmers of Georgia is almost an uneering indica
tion of reduced acreage It is true that much more attention has
been given to the making and saving of home manure but it isAnnual Publication foe 1895
71
equally true that much more commercial fertilizer than usual has
been used under the small grain and corn cropstwo propositions
which practically counterbalance each other and leave the reduction
of the cotton crop an unchallenged fact
In view of the present short supply of corn in the markets of the
world the increase in the area of our corn crops is important and
it is equally important that a full supply of food crops of all kinds
be assured The reports from different sections of the State indi
cate that a heavy crop of corn has been planted The farmers have
taken no chances for a short market and with the blessings of Prov
idence we may meet a decline in the price of cotton without experi
encing the deadly chill which that fact has so often carried to our
hearts I quote the following from the Manufacturers Record to
if possible bring home to the minds of our farmers the importance
of this subject and to emphasize the necessity of planting and saving
every pound possible of hay forage peas peavines ensilage and of
putting in green crops for summer feeding besides grouudpeas and
chufas to start the fattening hogs in the fall
The total production of corn in the United States in 1894 was
1212000000 bushels a decrease of over 400000000 bushels as
compared with 1893 and a decrease of 850000000 bushels as com
pared with 1891 Fortunately theSouth had a large crop this year
or otherwise it would have had to purchase its corn at a very high
figure because of this great shortage As the average crop of the
United States for some years has been about 1750000000 bushels
the production of the last two years is over 500000000 bushels
short of the average The country will therefore enter upon the
next crop year with a very small stock of corn on handso small
indeed that even should we have another 2000000000 bushel
crop as in 1891 it would require all of this enormous yield to make
up for the deficiency of the last two years Even should such a crop
as this be produced prices would probably still be high because of
the decrease in 1894 Another small crop following the one of last
year would necessarily mean exorbitant prices for corn
Because of these facts it becomes more imperative than ever be
fore that the South should increase its corn acreage The Souths
large crop last year was due more to a heavy yield per acre than to72
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
a large increase in acreage If this section is to maintain its inde
pendence of the West so far as corn is concerned every effort should
be made to urge upon farmers the importance of planting a larger
acreage than ever before With a big corn crop the South is bet
ter prepared to stand low priced cotton than it could in any other
way
It behooves every trade organization in the South and every
business man individually as well as the press to persistently exert
all possible influence to encourage an increase of acreage iu corn
and other food supples
If the vigorous work of the press is supplemented in this direc
tion by the personal cooperation of bankers business men and all
others who deal with farmers it will be possible to secure an in
crease of 25 or more per cent in the acreage devoted to corn and
foodstuffs compared with last year
The vital interest which the entire South has in the increase of
its grain production which also means an increase in the supply
of provisions prompts the Manufacturers Record to press this mat
ter upon the attention of every man in the South
To these rather startling figures may be added the following
equally important facts as to the present wheat supply
The value of the wheat crop 610000000 bushels is returned
for 1894 at 226000000 About eighteen or twenty years ago the
value of one wheat crop which mainly helped to extricate us from
a similar depression of business and which was principally sold
abroad was nearly 700000000 It will take such another piece
of good luck to set the farmers again on their feet and to give a
solid foundation to that confidence the loss of which is so often de
plored
No comment here can make these facts more forcible and I can
only express the wish that Georgia farmers may fully realize their
meaning
The reduction of 100000 tons in the use of fertilizers does not
indicate that less manure is being used Though there are individ
ual instances in which farmers have expressed a determination to
abandon everything to unassisted nature giving only the necessary
lowing and hoeing to keep the crops from being smothered byAnnual Publication for 1895
73
weeds and grass the great body of thinking farmers realize that if
they would keep their lands in productive condition they must put
into the soil more than the growing crop will take off and in
greater or less quantity according to their enlightened judgment
and financial ability It is encouraging to witness the general in
terest in this subject of judicious management of manure We are
on the threshold of a new and I trust more prosperous era of
Southern development at the foundation of which lies our more
comprehensive application of this whole subject
Another subject of great importance to the farmer is
MEAT PACKING AND COLD STORAGE
We can think of no enterprise that would bring more benefit to
the people of the South The fact that the meat could be fattened
and cured the year round would introduce a paying crop second
only to cotton besides furnishing a certain home market for all our
surplus corn The increase in freights would benefit the railroads
and thus one industry started as is so often the case would quicken
many others into life
The main crop of sweet potatoes is generally planted in May
and forage crops of various kinds can still be put in besides which
the farmer must give his most judicious work to the cultivation of
the main crops If he can push forward steadily having his work
thoroughly in hand by the first of June with no grassy fields and
his crops in regular and vigorous condition he can reasonably
with fair seasons count on a paying yield In bearing the heat
and burden of this busy month dont forget the hogs Give them
regularly salt with a little ashes mixed with it and about once a
week a tablespoolful of powdered coperas mixed with the food
Dont allow their growth to be checked for want of proper food and
plenty of it A pig stunted now rarely recovers the loss
R T Nesbitt
Commissioner of Agriculture74
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
DR COOK ON GLANDERS
REPORT OP THE VETERINARY SURGEON SENT TO INVESTI
GATE THIS DISEASE
Dublin Ga April 4
Hon R T Nesbitt Commissioner of Agriculture
Dear SirAt your request I visited the plantation of Mr Ross
Stinson two miles west of Dublin Laurens county to investigate a
disease among his mules supposed to be glanders A good deal of
interest was manifested in the ease by the citizens of Dublin from
the well known fatal nature of glanders I found one grey mule
suffering from glanders in the chronic form The common and
characteristic symptoms of this form of the disease were too well
defined to leave the slightest possibility of doubt The discharge
from both nostrils of a white gluey nature in earlier stages having
been streaked with blood The ulcerated patches ou the mucous
membrane in each nostril had eaten through the septum nasi the
characteristic swellings of the submasillary glands were about the
size of a hens egg These glands are situated in the space under
the lower jaw where the abscess of distemper strangles comes but
unlike strangles these never break and run and they are larger at
times than others and again get very small but never disappear
The animal seldom if ever coughs as in distemper but snorts or
sneezes a good deal and in that way throws out a good deal of the
accumulated virus
Mr Stinsons other stock some five or six have been exposed to
it though at present showing no signs of the disease The mule
was purchased by Mr Stinson about the fifteenth of January past
and had a discharge from the nose then which was supposed to be
a shipping cold This is a form of disease most to be feared be
cause there is no urgent symptoms The true nature of the disease
may be overlooked by the ordinary observer
There is only one safe thing to do that is to at once kill and
bury the animals affected deep burn up all the feedboxes and water
troughs and all other places where the animal could possibly leave
the germ of this disease disinfect thoroughly with one quart carbolicAnnual Publication foe 1895
75
acid crude form to each bucket of whitewash in all the stalls and
lots This I ordered done in Laurens county Respectfully
J N Cook Veterinary Surgeon
ANOTHER REPORT
DR COOK THE VETERINARY SURGEON INVESTIGATES SUP
POSED GLANDERS NEAR BUFORD
Bufoed Ga April 4
Hon R T Nesbitt Commisioner of Agriculture
Deae SieAt your request I visited the farm of John M
Johnson four miles west of Buford to investigate a disease affect
ing a young horse supposed to be glanders From a careful ex
amination I could find no symptoms of glanders but a severe case
of colt strangles commonly called distemper This case was made
worse by improper treatment This disease is characterized by
sore throat high pulse rapid loss of flesh heavy breathing profuse
discharge of thick mucous from both nostrils and swelling of sub
maxillary glands The case described above can be easily restored
to health by proper treatment which we prescribed A good deal
of uneasiness was aroused in the neighborhood of Mr Johnson from
the fear of the case being glanders I am glad to say it has all
quieted down Respectfully
J N Cook Veterinary Surgeon76
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
JUNE
REGULAR LETTER FROM THE COMMISSIONER
THE COWPEA AS A FERTILIZERRESULTS OF SOME RECENT
EXPERIMENTS MADE AT HOME AND ACCOUNTS OF TESTS
ABROAD WHICH ARE OF INTEREST TO EVERY TILLER OF
THE SOILHINTS ABOUT WHAT TO DO THIS MONTH
The cool weather during the second and third weeks in May and
more especially the high winds have somewhat retarded progress in
working out the young corn and cotton but the escape from a killing
frost enables us to bear the lesser evil with impunity the more so
when we realize the total destruction of every green and tender
plant farther north The fruit in higher latitudes is reported as
entirely lost and truck gardeners are again bemoaning the destruc
tion of their hopes
In Georgia the fruit and truck crops are still intact and while
there may be some loss from falling off of the fruit this owing to
the very heavy crop may not be considered as altogether a disad
vantage Throughout the State the crops as a rule are if somewhat
backward in good condition aud we are encouraged by the hope of
a bountiful harvest
Owing to unusual conditions June has come upou us almost
unawares It is in this month that the critical work on the corn
crop must be completed the small grain crops harvested the
earlier planting of various minor crops potatoes peas Spanish
ground peas and forage crops given proper cultivation the cotton
kept clean and the laterplanted crops of the several varieties
granted an encouraging beginning The work on the main area in
CORN
will be finished up this month After this it matters not what our
mistakes in cultivation may have been they cannot be remedied
The man who has given time and care to thorough preparation
has now a comparatively easy task in laying by his corn crop
The plants will be growing rapidly and whatever plowing is necesAnnual Publication for 1895
77
sary can be done with a shallow plow thereby leaving the roots
undisturbed and killing only the grass and weeds which may have
sprung up
At this season the corn is bunching and between this and the
tasselling period the last plowing should be given unless the hard
dry nature of the land makes a later plowing an absolute neces
sity This should however not be deferred later than the ap
pearance of the tassels as any disturbance after that time means
injury to the crop and diminution in the yield If the corn crop
is dismissed the last of June in a clean condition any subsequent
growth of weeds or grass will not materially injure the forming
ears but as this growth will inevitably occupy the intermediate
spaces why not keep it down by broadcasting peas They take
very little more of the food and moisture than the spontaneous
growth would and return full measure and more for everything
which they appropriate About a bushel to the acre broadcast at
the last plowing will distribute the peas evenly over the land and
thus the nitrogen and humus of which most of our land stands so
much in need and which the peas furnish in such abundant meas
ure are more uniformly distributed thau if a single row is planted
in the middles Some low growing variety which will not run up
on the stalks of corn is to be preferred If the corn was planted
in the water furrow and during the cultivation the dirt has grad
ually been thrown towards the stalks it can now be laid by per
fectly flat thus exposing less surface for evaporation the brace
roots will have taken a deeper hold and when the peas begin to
shade the ground the crop is left in the very best condition to
resist all the variations of wind and weather
PEAS
This crop as a renovator of worn soils and as furnishing stock
food of the very highest value may well be termed the agricultural
hope of the South It is not exacting in its demands neither very
nice preparation nor very rich laud is called for With the help of
a little phosphate and potash it will grow a remunerative crop on
land which will scarcely pay for the seed and cultivation of any
other crop and besides leave in the soil a residuum of nitrogen and78
Department of AgeicultueeGeoegia
humus by which other aud succeeding crops can be successfully
built up
There has been issued from the Georgia Experiment Station
through the horticulturist Mr H N Starnes a most valuable bul
letin on fertilizer and variety tests of cowpeas No 27 which should
be in the hands of every intelligent farmer Write to Captain
R J Redding Experiment Spalding county for a free copy
From Mr Starnes report we quote the following trusting that
it may reach and influence those farmers who have not received or
applied for the bulletin
The experiments by Professor Hellriegel at Bernberg Germany
have thrown a flood of light upon the subject The discovery has
there been made of a definite relation subsisting between certain
microorganisms and the acquisition of nitrogen by legumes By
a series of carefully planned and skillfully executed tests with ster
ilized sand Professor Hellriegel has established almost beyond ques
tion that the rootgalls or tubercles affecting the roots of the legume
family are the product of microbes or bacteria through whose
instrumentality and operation atmospheric nitrogen is acquired and
stored This function of the microorganisms forming the root
galls is beyond dispute whether these organisms are bacteria or not
Their mode of obtaining and transferring the nitrogen however
is as yet unrevealed
The fact has been definitely established also by the tests alluded
to that wherever these bacteria or microbes are presentand they
exist in nearly all cultivated soilthe legume is practically inde
pendent of a supply of nitrogen either in the soil or administered
as a manure In sterilized sand supplied of course with all the
other elements of plaut food except nitrogen the young plant will
germinate and grow vigorously until it has exhausted all of the
nitrogen in the seed when the growth is checked or suspended for
awhile until the rootgalls or tubercles have an opportunity to form
and the microorganisms begin to get in their work when the plant
at once commences to change color and again grows vigorously to
maturity even where the sand is sterilized by a heat of 318 degrees
F In this treatment no attempt is made to exclude the bacteriaAnnual Publication for 1895
79
Where the apparatus is so arranged as to prevent their access the
plant droops and dies
The fact being thus established that the legumes are capable of de
riving their supply of nitrogen from the air fourfifths of which con
sists of this element chemically uncombined it should materially en
courage the agriculturist With some 38000 tons of pure nitro
gen resting on every acre of his farm never diminishing or changing
and renewable as fast as used he has thus presented ready to hand
a supply so exhaustless that the Chilian nitre beds sink into utter
insignificance beside it He need no longer dread the ultimate ex
haustion of his pitiful subsoil reservoir but rest calmly in the faith
that as long as the heavens endure his chief and costliest element
of fertility is secure
Nor is this all Formerly it was supposed that by far the greater
portion of the manurial legumes especially of the cowpea was con
tained in the vines and only a relatively small proportion remained
in the roots and stubble It was hence deemed necessary to return
the vines directly to the land in order to secure a maximum bene
fit their value as feeding stuff being thereby lost
This misconception however has now been cpuite effectually cor
rected by observations and experiments conducted by both the Con
necticut Storrs Experiment Station and the Georgia Experiment
Station The former station has shown that a much larger pro
portion of nitrogen than was at first supposed is contained in the
roots and stubble and that the vines may be used for forage with
economy provided the stubble is plowed under

This being the case the mission of the cowpea broadens and its
value and importance increase proportionally That it stands to
day at the head of all soil renovatorsat least for the Southis
beyond question Its preeminence over clover and other legumes
is due mainly to the fact that it will grow and thrive on the poorest
soils which clover will not do When land at the South will grow
clover successfully it doesnt need renovation it is the wornout
thin galled land of course that most requires manuring Clover
would undoubtedly build up such land if it could be induced to
grow there but it will not grow there Cowpeas willSO Department op AgricultureGeorgia
1 The best disposition of a crop of cowpeas is to convert the
vines into hay or ensilage
2 The next best is to permit the peas to ripen and gather or
pasture them
3 Mowing the vines and permitting them to lie on the surface
and plowing under in November was decidedly better than turning
the vines under in August
4 Turning the vines under green gave the poorest economical
results

1 It is money thrown away to apply any form of nitrogenous
fertilizer to the cowpea It is possible however that a very light
top dressing of nitrate of soda may prove an exception if seasonably
applied at the period of suspended growth
2 The use of potash salts in large quantities is unprofitable and
even in small quantities will not pay in the oak and hickory region
of the South On other than oak and hickory lands small doses
may prove profitable in conjunction with acid phosphate and the
longer the land has been in cultivation the greater becomes this
probability even in the oak and hickory belt
3 Heavy applications of any form or combination of fertilizers
are unprofitable
4 Moderate use of uncombined phosphates appears still to return
the best results from an economical standpoint
5 As between superphosphate acid phosphate and Florida soft
phosphate uuacidulated ground rock results indicate decided pref
erence for the former so far as the growth of vines is concerned
6 There is less difference observable between the two in the
formation of peas though superphosphate still appears to be prel
erable
7 The finely pulverized condition of soft phosphate is a great
objection to its use rendering it extremely difficult to handle with
out loss
8 There is not a sufficient difference in price between the two
forms of phosphate to render soft phosphate at present an active
competitor to acid phosphate unless the ascertained results were
more emphatic in its favor Their comparative availability musAnnual Publication foe 1895
81
be for the present considered an open question to be definitely
settled only by further experimentation
9 The quantity of acid phosphate which may be safely depended
upon differs of course with the character of the land The better
the soil in its mechanical composition as well as in its chemical
contents the greater the amount that may be profitably used A
range of from 200 to 400 pounds per acre will probably cover all
contingencies

1 The earliest cowpea and hence the variety best adapted to
high latitudes is the New Era this matures in a little more than
sixty days from the time of planting Other very early varieties are
Congo White Giant Chocolate and Vacuum
2 The heaviest yielder of vines is Red Ripper followed closely
by Forage or Shinny Black and Unknown
3 Heaviest producers of peas are Unknown Calico Clay and
White Brown Hull
4 Yield of peas as a rule though not invariably parallels the
yield of vines
5 For hay the erect varieties are preferable to those of a re
cumbent habit since the mower cuts them all The best of the
erect varieties are the Unknown Clay and Whippoorwill
6 Where a dense mass of vines is wanted to remain all win
ter on the ground Calico Gourd Black and Constitution are pref
erable
7 The best table peas are Sugar Crowder White Crowder
Mush Large Lady Small Lady and Rice
8 The best stock pea for field grazing of either cattle or hogs is
the Black It will remain in ground all winter without injury
Everlasting Red and Red Ripper are also good
9 For an all purpose pea the Unknown leads the list Clay
however closely contests first place Unknown and Wonderful
are identical
Do not these facts and does not our own experience where we
have tested this crop teach us that the pea is of sufficient import
ance not only to be sown in the corn as a secondary crop but to
6ag82 Department of AgricultureGeorgia
demand a place of its own as a distinct and separately cultivated
source of profit
After the small grain is harvested the land can be utilized with
great advantage in a crop of peas sown either broadcast or in three
foot rows By the latter plan sometimes one and always two plow
ings with a sweep will do the necessary work If the peas are
broadcast and plowed in the crop of crab grass hay which comes
simultaneously with the pea crop detracts nothing from its value
for hay and renders its successful curing a matter of less difficulty
The same may be said of any field unoccupied by other crops
SPANISH GKOTJND PEAS CANE ETC
should be planted by June 1 but a good crop is often made when
planted as late as the middle of the month Amber cane planted
now will be ready for feeding in September and recent experiments
show its high food value not only for hogs but for dairy cows
Horses and mules are also very fond of it but it should not be
grown in too great abundance Mixed with some dry food it can
not injure Forage corn can still be planted and will be ready in
time for the silo Too little attention has heretofore been given to
ensilage but with the increasing interest in stockraising and dairy
ing it will not be long before almost every farm will have its quota
of wellcured and cut green food for winter feeding
ORCHARDS
too should be looked after and not allowed to grow up in rank
grass and tall weeds that take up a large part of the fertility in the
soil The orchards should be cultivated as well as the other fields
and the latter part of this month a crop of peas broadcast will not
only keep down all other foreign growth but prove a wonderful
renovator In the fall the hogs can be turned in to gather the
crop or the vines may be allowed to decay on the land and when
turned under later will furnish a store of humus and nitrogen which
will gladden our eyes and palates in the abundant fruit crop of the
succeeding year
COTTON
This crop should be growing apace Frequent and shallow plow
ings will now promote rapid growth Two trips to the row withAnnual Publication for 1895
83
a 20inch scrape or one with an expanding cultivator or 22inch
scrape will do the work very effectively When the fruit begins to
form the intervals between plowings can be lengthened because we
want the plant to throw all its strength into squares and bolls and
redundant foliage for rapid growth is not desired Even after the
fruit begins to form if the cotton is too much crowded dont hesitate
to thin it In the usual summer drouth the crowded cotton always
suffers most
Our inquiry columns this month cover a large variety of subjects
each of interest to the man who digs his living from the ground
R T Nesbitt Commissioner
FRUIT DRYING
THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE SUBMITS A PLAN FOR
A HOMEMADE DRYER
The fruit crop of the State being very large and many requests
reaching the department for a homemade fruit dryer I herewith
give a description of one by the use of which a large quantity of
fruit berries and vegetables can be dried regardless of weather
This arrangement is simply a hogshead with a small stove in it
and a box of drawers or sliding shelves above it Saw a door in
the side of the hogshead to admit the stove and fuel for feeding it
cut a hole in the rear top for the pipe carrying the pipe up above
the box Saw an 18iuch square hole to the front of the stove pipe
Now take a dry goods or any other kind of a box knock one end
out nail slats to the sides for the perforated drawers or shelves to
rest on convert the top of the box into a door with a button or
strap to fasten it put in your perforated shelves for holding the
fruit and you have your dryer complete Coal or wood may be
used and a very hot fire is not desirable The door in the hogs
head should be left open to provide air for the stove
The color and flavor of the fruit will be improved by keeping a
dish or pan of water on the back part of the stove to furnish moist
ure to the heated air The box need not be tight A few auger
holes should be bored in the top of the box to produce a current of
hot air up through the trays or shelves of fruit84
Department op AgricultureGeokgia
PREPARATION OF THE FRUIT
Apples must be pared cored quartered or sliced For drying by
artificial heat they are usually sliced Peaches must be peeled
halved and pitted Peeling is sometimes omitted though
the peeled peaches generally sell for two or three cents a pound
more than the unpeeled Plums and small pears are dried whole
Grapes and the berries are steamed and dried whole after careful
picking over If a farmer has no hogshead he can easily with a
few boards make a substitute for it
GEORGIA CROP TABLE
RESULTS OF INVESTIGATIONS DURING THE PAST MONTH BY
THE AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT
COTTON CLOVER GRASSES POTATOES PEANUTS MELONS TOBACCO
13 O S 13 0 E a
Y 6B 8 S ft a o j3 B
o 10 0 5
o Si a o S 13
f z te a c a T3
h f Q O J a S 2 g a a o u Is u a o a c c 3 a o y s
o c 213 is a S o 5 1 B 5 o 2 11 IP i c j g o H Q O u T o to a B O a
o CD S o a 4 1
85 82 8K 92 884 ill 94 99 9H 92 95 97 Kin 93 102 103 91 9tij 90 92 4 85 8834 97 90 Sli 40
b2VT

78 86 89 95 9oy2 96 90 89 95 95 98 97 108 98 101 94 102 95J 89 81V 84 90 89

46
COTTON
Stand and cultivation throughout the State only fair the exces
sive rains and cool weather during May having worked some in
jury to the plants The stand is materially injured on the gray
land where it was worked before the recent cool weather Let us
hope however that a few hot days will bring about a great im
provement in this crop Condition compared to an average 83
CORN
Corn is small for the season throughout the State but the standsAnnual Publication for 1895
85
and condition are good The cool weather during May has given
it a yellow color but it only needs some warm sunshine to give it
the proper color and start it to growing If the State should
be blessed with seasonable rains for the next two months Georgia
will raise the largest crop of corn in her history Condition com
pared to an average 94
POTATOES
Potatoes both Irish and sweet are promising fine yields The
former of these crops is already maturing and furnishing whole
some and palatable food for our people The prospective yield of
Irish potatoes is 95 per cent The acreage in sweet potatoes com
pared to an average is 95J
MELONS
The acreage is nearly the same as last year The condition is
not so good as they have been retarded in their growth by cool
weather and in some cases injured by bugs
PEANUTS
A large crop of these nuts has been planted the acreage being
above that of last year
TOBACCO
The acreage is not quite as large as last year The condition
compared to an average is 89 per cent 46 per cent transplanted
HOGS AND CATTLE
There are some reports of diseases among the stock throughout
the State especially cholera among the hogs but as yet it is not
general or very fatal
FRUIT
The prospect throughout the State is still very good for a fine
fruit crop with the exception of pears The blight has attacked
nearly all the pear orchards in the lower part of the State and to
some extent in Middle Georgia The effects have been very
serious and unless the disease can be checked the pear industry is
doomed to destruction Some blight on the apple trees also in
the same section but not so serious as with the pears Some
yellows on the peach trees in all sections of the State but not
many trees affected as yet86
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
QUERIES ANSWERED
WHAT GEORGIA FARMERS WANTED INFORMATION ABOUT
THE COMMISSIONER REPLIESSPRAYING IS PROVEN TO BE
A NECESSITYSOME OF THE BEST SOLUTIONSPEAMEAL
AS A PLANT FOODBURNING OFF LANDS IS A BAD PRAC
TICEPOINTS ABOUT FERTILIZERS AND OTHER MATTERS
LOSS OF NITROGEN WHEN PEA VINES ARE TURNED UNDER
QUESTION 1
Suppose I wish to turn peavines under for fertilizing how shall
I prevent the loss of the nitrogen which the peas have furnished
If left during the winter we know that this must inevitably happen
answer 1
As you will notice from the Commissioners letter for this month
to turn an entire pea crop under is not the most remunerative plan
of utilizing its benefits A far better paying method is to cut the
vines for hay and sow either rye or Crimson clover on the stubble
Or you might sow wheat or winter oats and by using some form of
potash 200 pounds per acre of kainit is good you could expect
with ordinary seasons a paying yield For these crops the land
should be thoroughly plowed and harrowed
SPRAYING APPARATUS
QUESTION 2
The development of fungus diseases and the increase of insect
pests are becoming such sources of worry and loss to the vegetable
and fruit grower that I can but agree with your views on the sub
ject of preventives spraying etc With this end in view I would
like to know something of the proper apparatus to be used and the
probable cost
answer 2
We have recently seen in operation a small sprayer which can
be attached to the side of any vessel barrel tub or bucket and for
a small garden or orchard will answer every purpose It can beAnnual Publication for 1895
87
easily handled throws the spray with sufficient force and costs 550
For larger orchards or market gardens the following from Sec
retary Morton United States Commissioner of Agriculture covers
the ground
Spraying to control various insect pests particularly those of the
orchard and garden has reached so satisfactory and inexpensive a
basis that it is recognized by every progressive farmer as a necessary
feature of the years operations and in the case of the apple
pear and plum crops the omission of such treatment means serious
loss The consequent demand for spraying apparatus has been met
by all the leading pump manufacturers of this country and ready
fitted apparatus consisting of pump spray tank or barrel and noz
zle with hose are on the market in numerous styles at prices rang
ing from 20 upward The cost of a spraying outfit for orchard
work may however be considerably reduced by purchasing merely
the pump and fixtures and mounting them at home on a strong
barrel An apparatus of this sort has proven very satisfactory in
practical experience It is merely a strong pump with an air
chamber to give a steady stream provided with two discharge hose
pipes One of these enters the barrel and keeps the water agitated
and the poison thoroughly intermixed and the other and longer
one is the spraying hose and terminates in the nozzle
The spraying hose should be about twenty feet long and may
be fastened to alight pole preferably of bamboo to assist in direct
ing the spray The nozzle should be capable of breaking the water
up into a fine mist spray so as to wet the plant completely with the
least possible expenditure of liquid The two more satisfactory noz
zles are those of the Nixon and Vermorel type A suitable pump
with nozzle and hose may be obtained of any pump manufacturer
or hardware dealer at a cost of from 13 to 15 If one with brass
fittings be secured it will serve for the application of fungicides
The outfit outlined above may be mounted on a cart or wagon the
additional elevation secured in this way facilitates the spraying of
trees or for more extended operations the pump may be mounted
on a large watertankDepartment of AgricultureGeorgia
SPRAYING
QUESTION 3
I notice remedies for spraying in your last report Is it neces
sary to spray Cannot a good crop of fruit be raised without this
trouble and expense If not give some specific directions
answer 3
This question of spraying is no longer a matter of choice but of
necessity The presence of fungous diseases and insect pests is the
main cause of disappointment in our fruit crops and also of the
early decay of orchards which should continue in bearing for an in
definite period The value of these spraying remedies has been so
clearly demonstrated by the experiment stations and by individual
tests of large fruit growers that we can no longer doubt their expe
diency or economy In fighting these pests the warfare must be ag
gressive as well as defensive and should have been inaugurated
earlier in the season but it is not yet too late to use some of the
remedies which I give below
Apple scab codling moth and bud mothWhen blossoms
have fallen bordeaux and arsenitesthe same eightto twelve days
later ten to fourteen days later bordeaux again ten to fourteen
days later bordeaux again
Cherry rot aphis slugWhen fruit has set bordeaux If
slugs appear dust leaves with airslaked lime Hellebore
Grape fungous diseases flea beetle When leaves are 1TL
inches in diameter bordeaux Paris green for larva of flea beetle
When flowers have fallen bordeaux and paris green as before 10
to 14 days later bordeaux 10 to 14 days later if any disease ap
pears bordeaux 10 to 14 days later ammoniacal copper carbonate
Apply again later if necessary
Peach rot mildewWhen fruit has set bordeaux when
fruit is nearly grown ammoniacal copper carbonate 5 to 10 days
later the same and 5 to 10 days later repeat if necessary
Pear leaf blight scab psylla codling mothAfter blossoms
have fallen bordeaux and arsenites kerosene emulsion if necessary
8 to 12 days later repeat these 10 to 14 days later bordeauxAnnual Publication for 1895
89
kerosene emulsion forcibly for psylla 10 to 14 days later repeat
if necessary
Raspberry Blackberry Dewberry anthracnose rustDuring
summer if rust appears on leaves bordeaux If orange or red
rust appears it is best to destroy the plants
Strawberry rustAs first fruits are setting bordeaux as
first fruits are ripening ammoniacal copper carbonate When last
fruit is gathered bordeaux to be repeated if rust appears Young
plants not in bearing may be treated throughout the fruiting
season
Tomato rot blightAt first appearance of blight or rot
bordeaux to be repeated as necessary during the season
The above extracts with the following formulas are from care
ful tests at the Cornell Experiment Station As to the manner of
application and other details we have not space to particularize
A sprayer of course is necessary and you might write to Cornell
for explicit directions
BORDEAUX MIXTURE
Copper sulphate 6 pounds
Quick lime 4 pounds
Water 40 to 50 gallons
Dissolve the copper sulphate by putting it in a bag of coarse
cloth aud hanging this in a vessel holding at least 4 gallons so that
it is just covered by the water Use an earthen or wooden vessel
Shake the lime in an equal amount of water Then mix the two
and add enough water to make 40 gallons It is then ready for
immediate use but will keep indefinitely If the mixture is to be
used on peach foliage it is advisable to add an extra pound of lime
to the above formula When applied to such plants as carnations
or cabbages it will adhere better if about a pound of hard soap be
dissolved in hot water and added to the mixture For rots moulds
mildews and all fungous diseases
AMMONIATED COPPER CARBONATE
Copper carbonate 1 ounce ammonia enough to dissolve the
copper water 9 gallons
The copper carbonate is best dissolved in large bottles where it90
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
will keep indefinitely and it should be diluted with water as re
quired For the same purpose as bordeaux mixture
COPPER SULPHATE SOLUTION
Copper sulphate 1 pound
Water 15 gallons
Dissolve tbe copper sulphate in the water when it is ready for
use This should never be applied to foliage but must be used be
fore the buds break For peaches and nectarines use 25 gallons of
water For fungous diseases
PARIS GREEN
Paris green 1 pound
Water 200 or 300 gallons
If this mixture is to be used on peach trees 1 pound of quick
lime should be added Repeated applications will iujure most
foliage unless lime is added Paris green and bordeaux mixture
can be applied together with perfect safety Use at the rate of 4
ounces of the arsenites to 50 gallons of the mixture The action
of neither is weakened and the paris green loses all caustic prop
erties For insects which chew
LONDON PURPLE
This is used in the same proportion as paris green but as it is
more caustic it should be applied with two or three times its weight
of lime or with the bordeaux mixture The composition of lon
don purple is exceedingly variable and unless good reasons exist
for supposing that it contains as much arsenic as paris green use
the latter poison Do not use london purple on peach or plum
trees unless considerable lime is added For insects which chew
HELLEBORE
Fresh white hellebore 1 ounce
Water 3 gallons
Apply when thoroughly mixed This poison is not so energetic
as the arsenites and may be used a short time before the sprayed
portions mature For insects which chewAnnual Publication for 1895
91
KEROSENE EMULSION
Hard soap pound
Boiling water 1 gallon
Kerosene 2 gallons
Dissolve the soap in the water add the kerosene and churn with
a pump for 510 minutes Dilute 10 to 25 times before applying
Use strong emulsion for all scale insects For insects which suck
as plant lice mealy bugs red spider thirps bark lice or scale
Cabbage worms currant worms and all insects which have soft
bodies can also be successfully treated
question 4
I have been using in my compost about 350 pounds of pea
meal Does it supply any ammonia Could it be supplied by
acid seed or common salt If mixed with green seed acid or
kainit would it prevent the seed from coming up
answer 4
Peameal supplies all three of the essential elements of plant
foodpotash phosphoric acid and nitrogen or ammonia but its
use as a fertilizer is too expensive You can supply these ele
ments in much cheaper form Acid phosphate does not supply
ammonia but phosphoric acid Common salt would only have a
mechanical effect and add nothing in plant food By the use of
kainit you supply a sufficient quantity of potash The cotton
seed is your source of ammonia and an additional quantity would
increase that element If from lack of vigor in the plants under
which you have used your compost it is apparent that a very
large amount of ammonia is demanded in order not to reduce the
other material too much you might add dried blood or cotton
seed meal as they supply ammonia in a more concentrated form
than the cotton seed A compost made of cotton seed stable ma
nure acid phosphate and kainit properly cut down and forked
over would prevent any danger of germination In composting
care should be taken that the ammonia by heating is not allowed
to escape A series of experiments conducted at the State station92
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
shows that mixing in the furrow gives as good results as compost
ing without the expense of handling and danger of loss
If I had peameal I would most certainly use it for manure
as it contains all the principal elements of plant food but I would
not use it in the crude form I would feed it to my horses cows
pigs etc let them work it up iuto the right condition to apply to
my landAnnual Publication for 1895
93
JULY
REGULAR MONTHLY LETTER OF THE COMMIS
SIONER
LAYING BY TIME NEAR AT HANDCORN SHOULD NOT BE
PLANTED AFTER JULY 1 FOR FORAGE EVENPEAS AND
AMBER OANE ARE MORE CERTAIN CROPS AT THIS LATE
DATETHE IRISH POTATO CROP ABOUT READYTHE FALL
CROPS
On most farms laying by time is near at hand but we can
not be bound by ironclad rules in this any more than in other de
tails of farm work So much depends on wind and weather
and the present condition of the growing crops For instance on
those lands which produce a luxuriant growth of weed with late
development of fruit the conditions indicate that early laying by
will tend to establish the proper equilibrium between growth and
fruit When we cease plowing we check this rapid growth which
is unfavorable for the taking on of fruit Experience has demon
strated this fact and also that as a rule when we stop the plow the
growth is checked and the fruit begins to form Such cotton
therefore as is developing foliage at the expense of fruit should
be laid by very early and with care to take out every particle of
grass The plow is so set as merely to shave off the surface any
rootpruning now is almost fatal A twentyfourinch scraper
with a very short scooter bolted on in front if the land is in good
condition will do the work with one trip to the row If however
the land is foul more heroic treatment is necessary and we will
have to bear the consequent shedding and loss from the necessary
disturbance of the roots
Where there are no indications of this exuberant foliage growth
that is where the development of fruit and foliage is wellbal
anced and the cotton is in good growing condition it may be ad
visable to continue the cultivation into August In this condition
of the plant the growth and fruiting go on together and our ob
ject is to encourage both by cultivation always very shallow at94
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
this season As a rule squares formed from the first to the last of
August stand a fair chance to develop bolls
CORN
It will be too late after the first part of July to plant corn for
forage even If any is planted during that period either for grain
or forage it should be on rich bottom laud At this late date peas
and amber cane are a far more certain crop for forage as they can
be planted up to the first of August and if the land is rich will
mature excellent forage If preferred however corn may still be
planted on the rich bottoms and if put in at once stands a rea
sonable chance of maturing the grain Put in after the tenth or
fifteenth we can expect only forage
The main crop of upland corn is practically laid by and from
all sections comes the cheering news that the farmers are appreciat
ing the necessity of sowing peas broadcast or in the center furrow
at the last plowing This practice will not only furnish food for
our rapidlyincreasing dairy stock but will insure the allim
portant
HUMUS
of which our worn lands stand so much in need I use the term
worn advisedly for these same soils subjected to analysis show
that they are very far from being exhausted It is only the top
soil which has been deprived of its foodproducing elements Just
underneath the first few inches lie vast deposits of subsoil nitro
gen phosphoric acid and potash which heretofore the farmer ex
cept in rare cases has utterly failed to appropriate because they
were practically unavailable But science and experiment have
demonstrated the truth and now we know both the importance of
supplying humus to the soil and of plowing deep to expose these
subsoil deposits to atmospheric influences As soon as we supply
necessary humus the chemical action begins and in the course of
decomposition those otherwise inert matters are set free and made
available for our growing crops It has been demonstrated again
and again that the most profitable form of supplying this humus
is not by plowing under the renovating crop because that is a prod
igal waste of most valuable animal food We throw away thatAnnual Publication for 1895
95
which would make meat milk and butter The most economical
plan is to cut and save these crops turn under the stubble and by
feeding the cured products to our live stock they thus become a
source of double profit We sell the products of our stock and
the manure solid and liquid properly preserved furnishes addi
tional humus of the most valuable quality This subject is worthy
of the most careful study Those men who have grasped this im
portant truth and are acting upon it are rapidly forging to the
front and are today our most successful farmers Practically none
of the plant food has been abstracted from our subsoils Vast de
posits lie there awaiting the processes which shall gradually release
them and furnish material for the crops of succeeding generations
As bearing directly on this interesting question and in confirma
tion of the above statement I copy the following from the Ohio
Experiment Station
The clay soil in which wheat had been grown continually for
six years past was analyzed with the result that the upper foot of
soil showed nearly 20000 pounds of potash per acre and about
5000 pounds each of nitrogen and phosphoric acid
Of course the quantity of these deposits varies with thesoil but
all soils even the most unpromising have more of these elements
than our crops will take up for many years to come The prob
lem for the farmer is how is best and cheapest to appropriate them
SWEET POTATOES
may still be set out and if a rapidly maturing variety like the St
Domingo is used the plantings may continue until August The
IRISH POTATO CROP
will be ready for gathering this month See that this is done early
in the morning or late in the afternoon and gather up the potatoes
before they are exposed to the direct rays of the sun In prepar
ing for the fall crop now becoming a very important one to the
South select the mediumsized smooth tubers for seed Spread
these in the shade under a house if convenient is an excellent
place until dry
After drying bed these as we do sweet potatoes for slips except
that no manure is used and the bed must be level Cover with96 Department of AgricultureGeorgia
about two inches of soil and leave for about two weeks If the
weather should be dry an occasional watering is an advantage
At the end of two or three weeks those potatoes which have sprouted
can be relied on to produce plants they should not be cut but
planted whole Those which have not sprouted should be rejected
but still can be used for the table
In preparing the land run the furrows about two and a half or
three feet apart broad and deep by going two or even three times
in the same furrow If the land is rich no fertilizer is necessary
If not use a commercial fertilizer in which potash and phosphoric
acid predominate and mix thoroughly with the soil Very thor
oughly decomposed stable manure will also answer but it should
not come in contact with the potato Plant the potatoes in the bottom
of the furrow and cover lightly gradually filling up the furrow
during cultivation which should be such as to keep down all weeds
and grass This for field culture the same for the garden plat
except that after the potatoes are planted and covered the whole
bed may be covered several inches deep in leaves chaff or pine
straw
FALL CROPS
It is well to decide on our fall crops and prepare for them as far
as possible If the land to be planted is now unoccupied nothing is
more effectual than peas broadcast or cultivated for destroying all
foreign growth and its valuable fertilizing properties make this
crop a most important adjunct to all grass clover or grain crops
After taking off the hay turn under the stubble harrow and roll to
bring to as fine tilth as possible
DESTROYING WEED SEEDS
Another important office which this late planting of peas effects
is the destruction of many troublesome and noxious fall weeds In
allowing these weeds to perfect seed we lay the foundation for
trouble not only the following year but for years to come for all
weed seeds do not germinate the year after they fall Some are
buried too deep and some too shallow and year after year they come
to the right conditions for germination they spring up thus caus
ing the farmer additional trouble and work The safest plan is to
destroy them before they scatter their seeds for future weed cropsAnnual Publication for 1895
97
FALL OATS
Dont put oft the sowing of oats until spring Make ready and
resolve to sow in time We have found the Appier Rust Proof early
and productive Begin now and have everything in readiness to
put in a heavy fall crop September is none too early to begin
FARMERS PRIZE CLUBS AND AGRICULTURAL FAIRS
July is the farmers breathing spell coming as it does between
the steady strain of preparation planting and cultivation and th
gathering of all the crops and now we have opportunity to meet
together and while enjoying the pleasant social gatherings discuss
plans aud results and compare notes We note with pleasure the
revival in many parts of the State of the oldtime county clubs and
fairs None except those who have participated in them can form
any conception of the pleasure and the profits to be derived They
not only encourage the social element by bringing the members to
gether but furnish subjects of common and general interest the
practical results of which are better crops better and cheaper home
raised meats and a general dissemination of the best aud most
economical plans Let these clubs be formed in all sections of the
State to meet once a month compare notes discuss developments
as they rise and decide on plans for meeting them Let the discus
sions include field garden orchard and vineyard crops with the
products of the dairy poultry yard apiary aud any other industry
which can be made profitable and thus add to our resources Prizes
should be offered in every department The competition thus en
gendered often results in valuable discoveries For instance in a
recent experiment among club members in raising big hogs and in
deciding on the cheapest food for hogs the cost varied from three to
six cents A wide margin and a difference which could but result
in valuable information to the higherpriced hog raiser
DISCREDITABLE AND DISGRACEFUL IS WHAT LIVERPOOL MEN
SAY OF AMERICAN COTTON PACKING
Liverpool June 19The Cotton Association of this city pro
tested to the Mersey Dock Board against excluding cotton from the
reduction in charges recently made on the pretext of risks and
7ag98
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
excessive expenses The board replied that Surat cotton did uot
involve trouble or risk but American cotton besides its liability
to fire was badly packed And the bales were needlessly bulky
occupying a large space compared with other produce
This was discreditable and disgraceful Nevertheless the finance
committee of the board would consider whether reductions in the
charges on cotton were possible
I insert the above just as it was sent from Liverpool to show
our farmers exactly what is thought of the condition of our cotton
by the men on whom we are dependent for the fixing of the price
It is to be hoped that the efforts now being made for smaller and
more uniform size of bales and for more careful methods of pack
ing and shipping will meet with ultimate success Ouce these
reforms are accomplished we will no longer bear the reproach of
shipping the most unsightly and ragged bales received in the markets
of the world with the consequent loss in actual dollars and cents
I must not close this article without referring to the
BOUNTIFUL FRUIT CROP
with which God has blessed our State It is stated that Fort Valley
alone will ship over 2500 carloads of peaches not to mention
the equally large number from other sections and the Plant
System estimates that it will require from 10000 to 12000 cars to
move the melon crop grown in Georgia along its lines These
Georgia peaches and Georgia melons have a worldwide reputation
and there is nothing in history that exceeds the rapid and wonder
ful development of this fruit industry of our State While many
of our own citizens have taken hold and pushed this work to suc
cess a large number of industrious thrifty and practical Northern
IMMIGRANTS
have sought our more favorable climate and conditions and are
helping us to build up the prosperity of our State The coming of
such people not only brings additional wealth but infuses new
energy and activity adds to the value of our lands opens new lines
of enterprise gives us better opportunities for good schools lays the
foundation for a lasting and substantial social structure and will
eventually eliminate the race problem It is a duty which we asAnnual Publication for 1895
99
farmers more especially owe to our children to develop our coun
try to such a point as to give them greater advantages than they
can ever have in our at present sparsely settled regions In en
couraging the immigration or these thrifty settlers we are advancing
the best interests of our families our friends and our State In the
parish of Calcasieu La the assessed value of property increased in
ten years from 1500000 to 7500000 and at a meeting of its
citizens some time in 1894 it was stated that this increase was due
entirely to immigration from the West owing to the capital which
they had brought with them and the impetus they had given to va
rious enterprises R T Nesbitt
CROP CONDITIONS
SUMMARY OF REPORTS RECEIVED BY COMMISSIONER NESBITT
DURING THE MONTH
COTTON
This the most important of all oiir crops has been much im
proved by the sunshine and rains of the past month but is still
short of an average crop in size of plant and date of blooming The
condition throughout the State is good most of the fields being free
from grass and well worked There has been some damage to the
stand from cool weather and lice but on the whole the stand is fair
There has been little complaint through the month of too much or
too little rain and the inference is that every county in the State
has so far been blessed with good cropmaking weather With every
thing favorable during the rest of the season Georgia should make
threefourths of last years crop
CORN
This valuable crop promises well all over the State and with a
few more weeks of seasonable weather we will have enough to sup
ply all our wants without buying from our sister States In the
lower half of the State the crop as a rule is laid by and the last
plowing will soon be given in Middle and Upper Georgia On the
bottom lands the corn is still small but is growing off nicely and
with a fine color100
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
WHEAT
While but little was planted wheat has done very well20 to 25
bushels per acre being made by many farmers Little or no rust
and the grain well filled out and heavy Many dollars would be
saved by the farmers of Middle and North Georgia if they would
plant at least enough wheat to supply their home wants The crop
has been harvested in good condition
OATS
Two sowings of fall and winter oats having been killed there was
but a small crop planted in the spring by the discouraged farmers
Those planted however have generally done well and a good
crop now rewards those farmers who ventured on planting a sec
ond and some even a third time The crop is being harvested
POTATOES
A larger area than usual has been planted in this valuable food
crop and the prospect at present is good for a large yield It would
be well if the Jarmers would take more care than heretofore in sav
ing this crop through the cold weather The two essential points
being to keep them dry and to keep them from freezing it seems
that if they can be kept at an equable temperature they would never
be lost except through neglect or carelessness
PEAS SUGAR CANE SORGHUM GROUND PEAS
The reports of these minor crops are almost universally favorable
arguing well for a bountiful supply of these products
FRUJT
Every section of the State has shared in one of the most bounti
ful fruit crops in the history of the State Berries of all kinds as
well as other fruits have been abundant and of fine quality and
cheap enough in price to be within the reach of all The only draw
back in connection with the fruit crop has been the serious blight
ing of the pear trees in South Georgia and the consequent serious
injury to that fruit We hope that the pear growers will eventually
discover the remedy and having learned to control and destroy the
blight this industry will soon regain its recent magnitudeAnnual Publication for 1895
STOCK

Most of the reports indicate a considerable increase in the num
ber of hogs in the State with very little disease amongst them The
Condition of stock of all kinds is very good with only here and
there a reported case of cholera among hogs or red water among
cattle
CUTTING AND CURING FODDER CORN
QUESTION 15
Please tell me how to cut and cure fodder corn
answer 15
From the Farmer and Fruit Grower we take the following excel
lent method
Cut when it begins to silk and tassel Do this early in the
morning if favorable and let it wilt in the sun till noon If it
threatens to rain shock up and bind tightly around the top with
corn stalks If favorable weather turn the fodder and let it lie till
late in the afternoon and then shock and be sure to bind the top
cr better if you have good shelter where you can stand it up and
let it cure do so As little of the refuse stuff at the sawmills will
cost it will pay anybody to and anybody can make one With a
properly prepared rack an immense amount can be hauled at one
load In cutting do not cut more than you can easily take care of
each day102
Department ob AgricultureGeorgia
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Annual Publication for 1895
103
COTTON
This important crop is not yet in a condition upon which tc
predicate any estimate as to yield The planting however is from
ten to twenty days late There is a reduction in round numbers
of 100000 tous of guano in this State alone compared to last year
The falling off in acreage compared to last year is fully 20 per
cent These facts holding good in a greater or less degree in all
the cotton States east of the Mississippi river warrant the conclu
sion that we may expect at least only a moderate crop of cotton
this year and consequently the farmers may hope for better prices
than they received for the last crop
CORN
Corn although planted late is generally up and looking well all
over the State The acreage as reported by a large number of
correspondents is 11J per cent greater than last year with land
well prepared and stands good I cannot too often urge upon
farmers the importance and the absolute necessity of giving this
crop especial attention through all stages of its growth Corn will
not like cotton stand neglect and still reward the farmer with a
good crop It must be well cultivated from the start or a good
crop need not be expected
OATS
Little that is favorable can be said of this important grain
which is of so much value as a food crop for stock The severe
cold of the past winter totally destroyed two plantings of the crop
and the lateness of the season with the difficulty of obtaining
seed deterred a great many from planting the third time Those
that did plant have a good stand and the crop is looking well
though a heavy yield can scarcely be expected from such late
planting The reported average decrease in the acreage is 29 per
cent
WHEAT
Wheat is planted only in the upper portion of the State and the
acreage is reported at 4 per cent less than last year While the
crop was injured by the severe cold of the past winter it was not
destroyed as was the oat crop and the prospect is fair for an av
erage yield
SUGAR CANE
There is a slight decrease in the acreage of this crop compared
with last year caused no doubt by much of the seed cane being
killed by the cold The crop is up with fair stands and growing
well104
Department of Agriculture Georgia
RICE
There is a falling off of 4 per cent in the acreage of lowland
rice There are no reports on upland rice though from the large
number of inquiries received by this department as to the best
method of planting and cultivating it I have no doubt the acre
age has been largely increased
SORGHUM
The increase in acreage for the State of this valuable plant
amounts to 8 per cent with good stands and growing off well
CLOVER AND OTHER GRASSES
The acreage is reported as slightly greater than last year which
is gratifying The increase however is not great enough There
should be much more land put down to grass in this State than
there is at present No farm should be without a good pasture and
then the raising of more and better stock would naturally follow
FRUIT
All descriptions of fruit give promise of an abundant yield this
year and if good prices are realized those engaged in raising fruit
for the market will reap a bountiful harvest Not only will the
large grower be benefited but on every farm throughout the State
the blessing of a good fruit crop will be felt
STOCK
The reports on stock as a rule are favorable In some sections
the cattle have been affected with red water and in others with
murrain and at the request of the department the government at
Washington has sent an expert to investigate the causes of these
diseases with a view of prevention if possible iu the future There
is a gratifying increase in the number of hogs which encourages
the hope that our farmers are determined to raise their own meat
in the future
SUPPLIES
It is very gratifying to note the large percentage of farmers who
have a full supply of corn and hay now on hand Let us hope that
this is an indication of the beginning of a new era in our good old
State and that the day is near at hand when Georgia will cease to
import food for man or beast from any other State in the UnionAnnual Publication for 1895
RED WATER
105
REPORT ON CASES AMONG CATTLE WITH REMEDIES FOR
PREVENTION AND CURE
Hon li T Nesbitt Commissioner of Agriculture
Red water hoema albomonoric a disease affecting the bovine
tribe common to all sections of Georgia and especially in the spring
and summer monthsa disease very fatal in its ravages The re
ports from different sections of Georgia during the last year would
indicate that it has destroyed many entire herds of cattle with no
signs of abatement
In my recent visit to Cherokee county I found three cases suf
fering with it A cow belonging to Mr Cole one of Mr Pitmans
and one of Mr Davis Mr Roberts lost fourteen Mr Freeman
lost four Mr Barnes lost seven Mr Field lost twelve and many
others lost varying in number by the size of the herds The
characteristic symptoms of the disease are loss of appetite standing
sometimes with their back arched the coat looks roughand strong
bowels may be constipated or the opposite very loose the dis
charges sometimes covered with mucous and again streaked with
blood the emissions of urine at times will be redcolored or coffee
colored the pulse is quick and wiry with high temperature a good
deal of nervous twitching in some cases
The treatment should beChange the animals at once to another
lot give a complete change in feed open the bowels with a quart
cf lard mixed with one or two ounces of spirits turpentine give all
the stock a tablespoonful hypophosphite of soda in feed morning
and evening as an antiseptic measure one ounce chlorate of potash
in a quart of water every four hours drench in quart of water give
alternately with the potash every four hours a tablespoonful of sul
phate of iron and powdered gentian Support the animals strength
with flaxseed meal and half a dozen raw eggs every day pure water
and anything the animal will eat
This disease has been very fatal to successful raising of cattle in
Georgia for many years particularly the last two years That it is
due to a bacilli there is little if any doubt It certainly demands
in the interest of all that a careful investigation should be made
and the true cause located Respectfully
J N Cook
Veterinary Surgeon106
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
QUESTIONS ANSWERED
IMPORTANT SUBJECTS HANDLED BY COMMISSIONER NES
BITTSACCALINE A NEW FORAGE PLANTIT IS NOT WELL
ENOUGH KNOWN TO RISK TOO MUCH TAMPERING WITH
THE REDUCTION OF COTTON ACREAGE AND THE TRUE RE
SULTS OBTAINEDCOST OF A CANNING OUTFIT AND OTHER
INTERESTING ITEMS
SACCALINE
QUESTION 1
I notice some very glowing descriptions of saccaline the new
forage plant which is beginning to attract attention Do you in
dorse all that is said of it
answer 1
We as yet know absolutely nothing of the new plant which is
said to be such a vigorous grower and which its advocates claim is
perfectly hardy in any climate is not affected by drouth and wheu
once planted will always grow without replanting We would
therefore advise caution in experimenting with it until its qualities
are thoroughly tested The fact of its rank growth and its entire
possession of the land would iudicate that it might give trouble if
not kept within bounds
FEEDING COTTON SEED TO HOGS
QUESTION 2
Can cotton seed or cottonseed meal be fed to hogs with impu
nity I have heard that it is dangerous
answer 2
Cottonseed meal is to the Southern farmers and stock breeders
what corn is to the West It is rich in nutriment and fattening
qualities and while it is a rich and valuable feed for cows the ex
periment stations and breeders have found it dangerous to feed to
hogs although they eat it heartily
A North Carolina breeder writes the Breeders Gazette that after
two years experimenting with cotton seed and cottonseed meal to
hogs he finds that by soaking the seed in water until fermented andAnnual Publication foe 1895
107
the fermentation was over that the hogs had no further trouble
from eating it and he fattened fifty hogs at first cautiously with
corn and finally fed alone without losing a hog and his neighbors
have been equally successful
We have not tested this plan but if fermenting the seed removes
the danger this discovery will be of incalculable value to the South
The same principle is illustrated in the plan of an experienced hog
raiser who says that in feeding his hogs on cotton seed he has found
that by allowing them to stand in water for awhile the seed were
equally relished by the hogs and were harmless His plan was to
throw them into a mudhole and after a time allow the hogs ac
cess to them
FOR HOGS SUFFERING FROM THE EFFECTS OF COTTONSEEI
FEED
Wood charcoal 1 pound sublimed sulphur 1 pound common
salt 2 pounds baking soda 2 pounds hyposulphite of soda 2
pounds Glauber salts 1 pound black antimony 1 pound Pul
verize and mix thoroughly Dose One large tablespoonful for
each 300 pounds weight of hogs given twice a day
COST OF CANNING OUTFIT
QUESTION 3
Can you give me some idea as to the amount of money necessary
to start a small canning factory with scale of prices usually paid
for labor and for fresh fruits and vegetables and the best varieties
to can
answer 3
The following is the average as near as can be determined
Canning machinery capacity 2000 3pound or 2750 2pound
cans per day is quoted for 100 cash f o b Baltimore prices
for larger outputs proportionately higher Two thousand and five
hundred brick would be required to set the kettles of the above
machinery including chimney A building 20x30 feet would be
suitable or a smaller building with shed We have not the quo
tations on cans cases and labels
The prices below as to remuneration of labor are taken from the
statements of canners all over the country Of course these vary108
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
somewhat in different sections but are considered a standard for
skillful and prompt work Slow and unreliable labor should be dis
pensed with as quickly as possible To operate the above machin
ery at full capacity would require
12 Peelers averaging 37J cents per day 4 50
2 Packers 50
1 Wiper 25
1 Capper 2 00
1 Tipper 1 00
1 Processor 2 00
1 Labeller 50
1 Scalder 50
25
2 00
1 00
2 00
50
50
Total cost of labor on 2000 3pound cans1 75
Girls and women can do the work of peeling packing wiping
and labelling
The most popular canned goods are tomatoes corn peaches and
peas Following these are beans sweet potatoes pumpkins
squash apples pineapples pears plums and berries The first
four are in general demand This is not always the case with the
others and judgment must be used as to the selection
The following as near as can be obtained are the usual prices
paid for fruit and vegetables
Peas 30 cents to 100 per bushel
Tomatoes 18 to 30 cents per bushel
Peaches 25 to 75 cents per bushel
Apples 25 to 50 cents per bushel
Pears 50 to 75 cents per bushel
Lima beans 75 cents to 100 per bushel
String beans 20 to 30 cents per bushel
Blackberries 50 to 75 cents per bushel
Okra 40 cents per bushel
Plums 75 cents to 125 per bushel
Strawberries 125 per bushel
Sugar corn 700 to 800 per ton
Squash 800 per tonAnnual Publication foe 1895 109
REDUCING THE COTTON ACREAGE
QUESTION 4
What is your opinion as to the outcome of the cotton situation
Do you think that if the cotton acreage is materially reduced the
crop will command high prices next fall
answer 4
We think that it is extremely doubtful whether the price of cot
ton will be at once affected by the reduced acreage and therefore
the man who regulates his farm operations on the hypothesis of high
prices is risking serious loss if not utter ruin This is a mistaken
view of the entire subject The main idea in reducing the cotton
acreage is to devote more time to those crops which will make the
farmer independent By producing those home supplies we dont
expect to make more money but to have less need for spending it
It is the farmer in debt on whom the hard times press so heavily
because the prices of his commodities have gone on declining while
the interest taxes etc remain at the same figure as when his corn
oats cotton and wrheat were worth and would pay debts of three
times their present value
FORMULA FOR GROUND PEAS
QUESTION 5
Please give mea good fertilizer for ground peas I wish to make
the best crop of which the land is capable What proportion of oil
do the ground peas contain and are there any accessible mills
answer 5
Acid phosphate 1000 pounds
Muriate potash 300 pounds
Nitrate soda 200 pounds
Sulphate of lime 500 pounds
There is thirtyeight per cent of oil in ground peas As far as
we can ascertain there are only two mills in this country one in
St Louis and the other in Xew York Owing to the fact that other
oils are now cheaper this industry has been almost abandoned
During the war when we were cut off from other supplies there
were a good many of these mills in the South Its uses are the same110
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
as cottonseed oil and the cake is also used for stock feed The
Spanish ground peas can be planted after the small grain crops are
taken off and will mature fully before frost
ROTATION OF CROPS SUITED TO GEORGIA
QUESTION 6
Can you give me a good system of rotation for an ordinary
Georgia farm I havent much experience but believe it the best
method of reclaiming our worn lands
answer 6
The following from the Georgia Experiment Station covers this
question fully
ROTATION
This is based on what would be called a three years course
but has been occasionally modified according to the exigencies
which arise in the course of extensive field experimentation The
main features of the system are chiefly applicable to the four lead
ing crops on the average Georgia farmsmall grain cowpeas
cotton and corn but the principle is also applicable to the smaller
crops or those occupying relatively smaller areas The three years
course in these main crops implies a division of the larger part of
a farm into three approximately equal parts I will suppose that
the system is to be applied to an ordinary private farm and a begin
ning to be made say September 1
First YearOnethird of the land should be sown in small
grain mainly oats devoting corn land to this The small grain
should be liberally fertilized with a highly ammoniated fertilizer
On the station no better variety of oats has been found than the
Appier oat a strain of the Texas RustProof but the latter is nearly
as good The only objection to the Appier as well as the Texas
is the fact that it is not distinctively a winter oat it is liable to
be killed by very severe freezes The Winter Turf is more hardy
in this respect but not so proof against rust
The oats should be followed immediately by cowpeas sown
either in three to four feet drills or broadcast Our experiments
indicate that planted in the drill and plowed once or twice cowAnnual Publication foe 1895
Ill
peas will yield more peas as well as more hay But many prefer
sowing broadcast because 1 it involves less labor but more seed
and 2 the crab and other native grasses that spring up and mature
with the peas make it easier to cure the hay If broadcast four
to five pecks are sufficient to seed an acre The crop should re
ceive a dose of about two hundred pounds of acid phosphate and
one hundred pounds of kainit per acre Our experiments indicate
that it is decidedly best to convert the peavines into hay mowing
them when in full bloom and when there are a few grown pods
The stubble may remain and a light second growth will be se
cured before frost Just before or soon after a killing frost the
pea stubble is turned under with a twohorse plow If conven
ient to pasture cattle and hogs may be turned on successive por
tions of the pea fields instead of converting the vines into hay or
a portion of the peas may be picked
Second YearThe same division should be liberally fertilized
and planted in cotton using the very best seed obtainable In the
fall of the year say in September it is suggested to sow the cotton
fields in rye say onehalf bushel or less per acre or in Crimson
clover This is especially recommended on land that is liable to
wash and leach during the winter but the principal aim is to sup
ply a growing crop that will appropriate and hold the soluble plant
food left in the soil or that will become soluble during the winter
Third YearThe land previously in cotton is the place for
the corn crop During the latter part of January and by Febru
ary 20 the ground should be thoroughly broken flush with a two
horse plow On this station it has not been found expedient or
profitable to fertilize the corn crop very lightly but it should
rather follow a highly fertilized cotton crop Cowpeas should be
planted in the middles between the cornrowsif wider than five
feet or sown corn should be followed by small grain and cowpeas
commencing again
The above is a general outline of the system which is recom
mended for general adoption throughout the cotton belt Of course
it may be modified according to circumstances For instance in
some sections tobacco may take the placein part or in whole112
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
of cotton in the mountain region the oats may be found to suc
ceed better if sown in the spring etc
I have followed up only one of the three supposed divisions of
the farm in the above outline of course the other two will rotate
in the same order so that each year onethird shall be in small
grain and peas onethird in cotton and onethird in corn These
three principal divisions cover the main portion of the farm in cul
tivation There may be another division equal in extent devoted
to permanent pastures The minor crops of the farm including
sweet potatoes truck patches forage for soil feeding orchards etc
may have a rotation among themselves and together may cover
an area nearly equal to one of the main crops so that in practical
operation a farm of one hundred acres of open land may be
divided somewhat as follows Small grain and peas 20 acres
cotton 20 acres corn and peas 20 acres permanent pasture 20
acres orchards vineyards truck and garden forage crops pea
nuts chufas potatoes melons etc 20 acresAnnual Publication fob 189
113
QUERIES ANSWERED
COMMISSIONER NESBITTS QUESTION BOX FOR THE MONTH
SOME SUGGESTIONS TO FARMERSTO STOP RABBITS FROM
GNAWING FRUIT TREES USE MEAT SKINSA GOOD FRUIT
PRESERVING SOLUTION IS GIVENREMEDY FOR ECZEMA
AMONG MULESHOW TO EXTERMINATE CHEAT IX WHEAT
BURNING OFF LAND
QUESTION 1
Does burning off the land injure it
ANSWEB 1
The following applies with such force to some sections of our
own State that we give it space hoping it may serve as a warning
where the practice of burning off the land is still in vogue
The practice of burning the old and dry grass in unoccupied
lands in order that a younger and more tender growth may give
pasture to cattle is still common in some of our States and its re
sults though of beuefit to few are disastrous to the general welfare
Nor is it the grass alone that burns but fire communicates to the
trees thousands of which yearly succumb Worse than all the
humus in the sandy soil is burned out and the future wealth and re
sources of the State are destroyed At this day and everywhere
may be encountered tracts of utterly barren and worthless land in
the midst of comparatively fertile whose fertility has thus been
destroyed
FERTILIZING WITHOUT NITROGEN
QUESTION 2
Last year I fertilized a field well with acid phosphate aud kainit
yet secured a very poor yield Will you please tell me the cause
of the trouble
answer 2
In fertilizing with acid phosphate and kainit without supplying
nitrogen you failed to comply with a principle of plant growth It
is a law of nature that in the absence of any important element of
plant food though the others be present in abundance yet the
Sag114
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
plant cannot utilize them It is necessary for all to be present in a
suitable condition to be taken up The following apt illustration
has been used to exhibit how essential it is that everything that is
required by the plant should be present in the soil If a farmer
wishes to make a cart he prepares his wood and iron gets them all
in proper condition and then can very readily put them together
But if he has all the wood necessary and no iron he cannot make
his cart because bolts nails and screws are required and their
place cannot bs supplied with boards Nitrogen also is the great
est element to produce growth
BABBITS GNAWING YOUNG APPLE TEEES
QUESTION 3
How can I prevent rabbits from gnawing my young apple trees
answer 3
Bacon skin rubbed on the trees flesh side next the bark all the
way up from the ground to about two feet on the body of each
tree will keep the rabbits off This should be done every spring
POTATO BEETLE
QUESTION 4
How shall I fight the bugs of which I send specimen and which
are said to be a serious enemy to the potato crop
answer 4
The inclosed bug is the Colorado potato beetle which in many
sections of the country has been very destructive in the potato
fields It has only in recent years made its appearance in North
Alabama and North Georgia and East and Middle Tennessee Paris
green or London purple both being arsenites are regarded as the
best remedies
In the dry form use mixed in the proportion of one pound of
poison to five of flour and two of dry dust fine ashes or airslacked
lime apply with a sifter or perforated pan If sprayed or sprink
led over the vine in liquid form use a small teaspoonful to two or
even three gallons of water Be very careful in handling Paris
green or London purple as they are deadly poisonAnnual Publication for 1895
115
FRUIT PRESERVING SOLUTION
QUESTION 5
4
Please give me a formula for preparing a fruit and vegetable
preserving solution In view of the approaching Exposition and
the fact that many of our finest specimens cannot be kept until the
Exposition opens except by some process of this kind many grow
ers are interested in this question
answer 5
In the preparation of fruit and vegetablesthe bestpreserving fluid
is 40 per cent alcohol 10 per cent glycerine and the balance fil
tered rain water Of course this fluid renders the fruit unfit for
use Each section of the State should appoint a committee either
by the county commissioners or by a meeting of the citizens whose
duty it shall be to awaken an interest as to the importance of this
exhibition of our products at the Cotton States and International
Exposition and the benefits that will probably result to their re
spective sections
ECZEMA
QUESTION 6
I have a mare mule ten years old that is queerly affected Will
you please inform me what is the trouble and how to cure it From
the least touch or rub the hair comes off and first comes a white
tetterlooking scale then in about twelve hours festers and runs
She has now a sore from the ears to her tail on backbone and also
where trace rubs and under shoulder and belly eats well will
work well fifteen or twenty minutes and then seems to stagger like
a person intoxictaed after starting her off in a furrow will go very
well until end of row then you will have to lead her round to
start again Any information will be kindly received
answer 6
Powdered aloes 10 drachms
Powdered gentian 1 drachm
Give at one drench to start with Then give teaspoonful of the
following every morning and evening in feed
Sulphate of iron 4 ounces116
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
Powdered nux vomica 2 ounces
Nitrate of potash 2 ounces
Mixed
Externally wash the mule with warm water and carbolic soap
over all affected parts first then use once a day rubbed into sores
the following
Creosote 2 ounces
Raw linseed oil 12 ounces
Liquid potash 4 ounces
CHEAT OR CHESS IN WHEAT
QUESTION 7
Do wheat or oats ever turn to cheat How can I get rid of
cheat
answer 7
This has long been a mooted question among farmers and there
are some who still believe in this transmutation of one plant into
another The following extracts from an article by one of the
best authorities in the Union should settle this question
This weed has been supposed by some to be produced from de
generated wheat but the fact that it belongs to quite a distinct genus
from wheat renders this impossible
The seed of the cheat or chess are much smaller than of wheat
and may be numerously scattered through seed wheat and repro
duce the weed among the stubble unperceived to ordinary observa
tion The seed being very hardy may remain at some depth in the
soil unperceived and dormant until brought near the surface and
subjected to the action of light air and moisture hen the
young chess plants growing from this seed are shaded by a dense
crop of wheat they grow only a few inches high sometimes not
over two inches perfect their seed and are wholly unobserved but
when the wheat is winter killed or otherwise destroyed they
spread and grow upwards unchecked three feet high and often
produce from 2000 to 3000 seed to a single root cover the whole
surface and lead to the superficial conclusion that the wheat being
killed was converted to chessAnnual Publication for 1895
117
The above quotations explain the matter The cheat seed are
in the ground where you sow wheat or oats Should the wheat or
oats grow though the cheat comes up and makes seed it is so small
as to pass unnoticed being smothered as it were by the growing
grain Should the wheat or oats however be winter killed or
grazed by cattle too late in the spring then the cheat which is up
and ready to grow off takes possession of the ground smothers out
what little grain may be left grows two or three feet high and the
careless observer comes to the conclusion that his wheat or oats has
been changed to cheat a plant of an entirely different genus
The process for getting rid of this grass or weed is simple
namely Sow none but perfectly clean seed and also rotate the
rops and it will gradually disappear from the land
QUESTION 8
I send sample of muck which I would like to have analyzed
Please let me know the constituents
ANSWER 8
Your muck runs as follows
Reaction neutral
Moisture at 212 degrees F 2152 percent
Organic matter 4257 per cent
Nitrogen 84 per cent equivalent to 102 per cent ammonia
Phosphoric acid 15 per cent
Potash trace only
Sand and undetermined 8194 per cent
The amounts of phosphoric acid and potash present in the muck
are too small to consider in judging the sample Its value lies in
the nitrogen and organic matter These two added together give
the total organic matter present as the nitrogen constitutes a part of
the organic substances
The nitrogen will become more quickly available if the muck is
composted or fermented before using The organic matter when
thus treated is converted into humus and becomes a powerful con
servator of moisture which is so important to plant growth
QUESTION 9
I have got a sick mule and want you to scud me word what to118
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
give him The mules kidneys are out of order and he makes
water all the time and that is about all I can see the matter
Please give me a remedy
answer 9
By Carues Carries veterinary surgeons diabetes
Tincture of iodine 2 ounces tincture of iron 1 ounce water 5
ounces Mix and give 4 teaspoonfuls five times a day Feed well
to keep up strength Dont work
question 10
Some ten days ago I had a mare seven years old brought to the
lot sick and upon investigation I found the mare affected with a
strange trouble and in two oi three days she began to discharge at
the nostrils a yellow greenish dischaige which was very offensive
so much so that it was sickening I doctored her for distemper
and lung fever but to no avail and after ten days she died When
she coughed the discharge would come from her mouth and nostrils
in quantities that would almost choke her Not knowing the cause
of her death not ever having one affected like her I tried to think
it distemper but at this time I find one of my oldest mules run
ning at the nose in the same manner and character of discharge as
the mare and I am forced to believe it is glanders and as I have
six or seven other head on the place I would like to have the mat
ter investigated and write you if you from my description wish
to send a veterinary surgeon to examine my stock and prescribe for
them if glanders
Now I dont want to put the State to any unnecessary expense
but as I have over 1000 worth of stock on the place and not
knowing what to do myself would like to be assisted in getting at
the trouble and save the loss of all if possible If the symptoms
in the mule grow worse can I get aid in the above direction from
you Please write me the law and plan to be pursued in such
cases and oblige
answer 10
Pronounced by the veterinary surgeons Carues Carnes to be
strangles or distemper which is contagious but not necessarily
fatal Recommended holding head over steam covering with bagAnnual Publication for 1895
119
to cause free discharge Also to rest from work protect from the
weather pasture and give easily digested food
question 11
I have a mule with stifle lameness He was lame to some ex
tent all of last winter but got past work this spring His stifle
joint is swollen and has the appearance of enlargement of the
bone at present but walks better and we plow him some now
Please refer it to Dr Cook and let him answer it as I am anxious
to cure him No one here seems to understand the case I will
say his hip is perishing away He is about eight or nine years old
and a good mule If you can do anything for him I will appre
ciate it very much I had to give up part of my crop
answer 11
Blister and report results Shrinking of the hip from atrophy
from want of use of muscles Cure the lameness and the atrophy
will be at an end
question 12
Can individual exhibits for the Georgia State Building at the
Cotton States and International Exposition be entered as late as
September 10
answer 12
Yes And I would urge upon every community in the State
the importance of getting up these individual and collective dis
plays The importance of fully representing every section of our
State cannot be overestimated
CUTTING CORN FODDER
QUESTION 13
Is it best to feed corn fodder cut or uncut
ANSWER 13
Professor Henry of the experiment station at Washington
tested the value of cutting corn fodder by feeding one lot of cows
upon whole fodder bright and sweet Another lot of equal milk
ing qualities had fodder from the same mow cut into pieces a half120
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
inch long He found that he obtained as much milk from 721
pounds of cut fodder as from 1133 pounds of uncut fodder Two
tons of cut would be worth more than three tons of uncut
ENSILAGE
QUESTION 14
Please tell me something about ensilage 1 am interested in
stock raising but have little experience in the management of en
silage which is said by those who have tried it to be firstclass
dairy stock food
ANSWER 14
Ensilage has already passed its experimental stage and has been
accepted and adopted by many dairymen and farmers Savs an ex
change It provides succulent fooda great necessity especially
for dairy stockduring the long winter cheaper than can be pro
vided in any other way It is also of great importance in the fall
as one of the laws of successful feeding is not to make sudden
changes from green succulent feed to dry feed when cattle are
taken from pastures
Ensilage bears the same relation to dry fodder that canned
fruit does to the dried Is it any wonder that cows prefer the
succulent article or that the latter is the better substitute for juicy
food and will produce more milk than an equal amount of dried
cornstalks Any one who has tried it knows the difficulty of
keeping up the flow of milk on dry feed Good care with early
cut wellcured hay and corn fodder and a liberal grain ration will
do a good deal but as the winter advances the cows will surely
though slowly shrink in their flow while they lay on flesh in
stead The use of roots will prevent this shrinkage of the milk
flow but the cost of raising such food for stock is too great We
must either go on in the old way drying off our cows in the most
important season or else we must make ensilage
The only bar to the universal use of succulent food is preju
dice The odor from ensilage has caused many to declare that it
tainted the milk thereby affecting the flavor of the butter So
widespread is this belief that many of the large milk dealers stillAnnual Publication foe 1895
121
stipulate in their contracts with farmers that no ensilage shall be
fed This idea doubtless arose from the fact that when ensilage
was first introduced fifteen years ago ignorance of the proper
method of building and filling the silos caused the production of
damaged rotten ensilage The prejudice still lingers though the
spread of knowledge has removed the cause
That ensilage is a good healthful food is shown by the fact
that cows will eat it eagerly and thrive upon it It is not in itself
a complete ration Tt should be fed sprinkled with meal and
bran This makes an excellent meal At other times hay should
be fed or oats barley peas etc While ensilage should be the
base it is desirable to feed a variety giving the cow the change
she so much enjoys Ensilage is the cheapest and healthiest
food for stock and it has come to stay122
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
AUGUST
COMMISSIONER NESBITTS REGULAR LETTER ABOUT
CROPS WHICH IS VERY ENCOURAGING
A MONTHLY RESUME OF THE WORK THAT HAS GONE ON IN
THE STATE AND THE RESULTS OF LABOR AS REPORTED TO
HIM BY HIS CORPS OF WIDEAWAKE CORRESPONDENTS IN
GEORGIA
COTTON
Cotton being somewhat backward plowing may perhaps be con
tinned longer than usual this year but even allowing for that the
first weeks of August will find the farmer more at leisure than for
six months past Such cultivation as the cotton may require can
be accomplished by one wide furrow to each middle adjusting the
plow so that it will not cut deeper than one inch Ou examination
we will discover that the bed more or less elevated as our cultiva
tion has been shallow or deep is filled with countless little fibrous
roots each one performing its appointed office in sustaining the
rapidly maturing plants If the crop is in a proper state of de
velopment it should be taking on fruit without interruption and if
the plow is plunged into the delicate network of roots below the
ground the consequent tearing and mutilation there is followed by
a corresponding injury to the young squares and bolls above At
this critical period of blooming and fruiting we must exercise the
utmost care All things considered it is better not to plow the
cotton again even if it needs it than to run the risk of losiug most
of the young fruit and squares already formed which is the inevi
table consequence of one deep plowing now A very shallow fur
row in the middle is what is needed and if this is impracticable
let the cotton take the chances with what fruit is already developed
rather than trust to its forming a later crop after this drops off As
a rule most of the squares which are formed after the last of August
do not mature into perfect bolls before a killing frost Realizing
this fact we see how important it is to avoid any disturbance which
would tend to injure the fruit already formed and formingAnnual Publication foe 1895
12J
CORN
The question of fodder pulling still confronts us as an unsolved
problem Many experiments have been made and the results are
still conflicting The present conclusion of the matter seems to be
thateach farmer must use his own judgment Ifhe has made ample
provision for forage from other sources he can afford to weigh the
advantages and disadvantages of fodder pulling calmly and coolly
and decide whether it is best to go into the laborious business of
stripping the blades from the stalks If he has not made such
provision and has to rely on this fodder to fill out his supply his
decision can scarcely be considered an unbiased one as he has no
alternative but to strip off the fodder even at the risk of injury to
the grain Considered from an economical standpoint there is
scarcely a more expensive operation on the farm than this fodder
pulling While for roughness bright well cured fodder cannot
be excelled it comes very high when we consider the cost of pull
ing and curing each separate blade and the probable injury to the
corn ears if they are not sufficiently matured before the fodder is
taken off
To those farmers who have tried it the plan of saving a suffi
ciency of hay from other sources even using the uncultivated
grasses for this purpose is far more remunerative as well as satis
factory and with the increased and increasing care which is being
given to saving
ENSILAGE
we need have little trouble in securing an abundant supply of the
best winter foods This process of canning the green stuffs so to
speak instead of drying them is with careful attention to one or
two details practically certain It is also simple and commends
itself from the fact that so many crops difficult of management
when dry hay is the object are peculiarly suited to this process of
green curingcorn sorghum peavines potato vines all so easy
of productiongive us an almost unlimited supply for the silo
and if the precautions of putting in not too large quantities at a
time thoroughly packing and allowing this to stand before more
is put in then topping and weighting the whole mass down are124
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
carefully attended to there are few farmers that will not appreciate
the value of the process
On another page this whole question is covered in an answer
to an inquiry as to crops for the silo methods of gathering curing
etc Now is the time to look forward to the coining year and
make such arrangements as are practicable for pasture and also for
forage
GRASS SEEDS
of most varieties should be sown next month In the outset we
must understand that we cannot make either grass or clover on poor
land Of the clovers Red is best suited to red stiff lauds which
should be either naturally rich or made so artificially The Crimson
and Burr clovers are suited to sandy lands and if carefully pre
pared for and fully manured furnish green winter food during the
entire season and if the cutting or grazing is stopped in May suf
ficient seed will mature for another crop When these fail the land
can be planted in late corn or peas and when that crop is taken off
in September the clover will again take possession Of the
grasses orchard grass under ordinary circumstances gives the best
results It will grow in sun or shade and is suited to most soils
though the same requirements as for clover namely thorough pre
paration and rich land are necessary for its successful cultivation
Fall oat grasses for light and Herds grass for wet or low lands
Barley and rye should also be sown in September and October the
first date better than the second
THE FALL OAT CROP
is a very important one and unless sown early stands several
chances of failure Oats or other small grain sown in a cotton
field early in the fall are not onlv in a favorable situation to de
velop a paying crop but protect the laud against the consequences
of the heavy winter rains an important office when we consider
that a large part of the fertility of our lands has been washed into
the streams by our policy of clean culture and subsequent expo
sure of the bare fields to the vicissitudes of wind and weather
The grain can be sown either broadcast and plowed in with the
cultivator or harrow or put in with a seed drill The latter planAnnual Publication foe 1895
125
is more economical of seed and also of labor The sowing and
plowing should be done immediately in the wake of the pickers
and will thus avoid waste of the open cotton In reply to an in
quiry in another column will be found formulas of fertilizers for
oats wheat and other grains
If a full crop of sweet potatoes has been planted it is highly
advisable to begin feeding them to the hogs They are highly nu
tritious and fattening and if aided by Spanish ground peas and
sorghum will produce a fine quality of cheap pork very little corn
being required to complete the work In view of the usual diffi
culty of keeping the potatoes in good condition through the winter
it will be found most profitable to convert them into firstclass
bacon and lard
COTTON PICKING AND BALING
Towards the latter part of the month in the southern part of the
State cotton picking will begin Necessary precautions should be
taken in gathering and baling the crop that the loud complaints
against American cotton in the European markets be forever
silenced
THE COTTON STATES AND INTERNATIONAL EXPOSITION
Now that the heavy pressure of the busy season is somewhat
lightened the farmer has more leisure to look around him and
find out what is going on in the busy world In the last month
there is an awakened and increasing interest in the Exposition to
be opened at Atlanta and continued from the middle of September
to the last of December In this Exposition Georgia has an
opportunity for advertisement which she has never had before and
which may not come again for many years In last months talk
we touched on some of the advantages to be derived from immi
gration but until we show to the people of the world our unri
valed attractions of climate of fields of forests of orchards of
gardens our unsurpassed waterpowers our vast deposits of coal
iron granite marble in other words the numberless opportunities
for obtaining comfort and independence we cannot expect the
better class of settlers to pitch their tents within our borders
In the Georgia State Building will be gathered something from
all the different industries of the State and it is particularly de126
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
sired that the agricultural exhibit shall be especially full aud com
plete If therefore in any section of the State a farmer has any
crop which is particularly fine we would be glad to have speci
mens for exhibition They will be properly marked with the
names of donors and the section from which they came and given
conspicuous places in the general exhibit Fruits grains grasses
vegetables all field garden aud orchard crops are included as well
as manufactured products of the dairy vineyard and apiary We
hope the farmers throughout the State will help us to illustrate
Georgia in the grandest collection of her products ever yet shown
to the world
All packages addressed to R T Nesbitt Executive Officer State
Exhibit Atlanta will come free of charge These should be
plainly marked with the senders name and the name of the speci
men The executive officer R T Nesbitt Atlanta should be
notified by letter or postal card when the articles are shipped
R T Nesbitt Commissioner
QUERIES ANSWERED
COMMISSIONER NESBITTS QUESTION BOX FOR THE MONTH
SOME SUGGESTIONS TO FARMERSTHESE INCLUDE VALUABLE
POINTS UPON SEVERAL SUBJECTS AND ARE TIMELY IN THEIR
APPEARANCEFORMULAS FOR COMPOSING FERTILIZERS FOR
THE VARIOUS CROPS ARE ALSO GIVEN IN THIS ISSUE
TIMOTHY
QUESTION 1
I see in Northern agricultural journals frequent references to tim
othy as the standard grass Does this apply to the South and if so
please tell me how to manage to secure a good crop on ordinary
land
ANSWER 1
Timothy is not so well adapted to the South as other grasses It
does not stand the dry weather as well nor is it as well suited for
grazing It does however yield very heavy crops under favorable
conditions As for all grasses the preparation of the land should
be very thorough and the surface well harrowed The manuringAnnual Publication for 1895
127
should be very heavy unless the land is naturally rich Stable
manure composted with cottonseed meal and kainit or acid alone
is good or if the land is in condition to respond to the application
a highly ammoniated potash fertilizer will produce good crops Sow
the seed in September or October February or March about fifteen
pounds to the acre
GROUND BONE DISSOLVED BONE
QUESTION 2
What is the difference between ground bone and dissolved bone
How should each be applied and to what crops
answer 2
Finely ground bone when pure contains about 22 per cent of
phosphoric acid and 4J per cent of ammonia It is worth per ton
more than the dissolved bone because the sulphuric acid and water
used to dissolve the bone also dilute it Either is a fine fertilizer
for all fall sown grain and slow growing crops because the phos
phoric acid at first not available becomes gradually soluble and is
then taken up by the developing plants For the same reason it is
excellent for grass grapevines or any perennial plants which all
continue for an indefinite period to draw nourishment from the soil
If applied to other crops some form of potash should be supplied
particularly on sandy lands
From the United States Experiment Station Record No 7 1895
we find that
The results indicated that in soils not entirely devoid of phos
phoric acid not of extremely abnormal qualities both steamed and
unsteamed bone of proper fineness produced very favorable results
even when applied in the spring provided the soil was not deficient
in moisture In soils deficient in water very different results were
obtained with all kinds of bone meal but it appeared that the re
sults were more unsatisfactory the coarser the bone
It can be further said of ground bone that it benefits all crops
can be applied at all seasons of the year will not injure any tree or
plant is lasting in its effects and is the cheapest form of fertilizer
in proportion to the benefits it imparts that can be used128
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
LUCEKN E
QUESTION 3
How shall I prepare the land and when shall I sow lucerne
What fertilizer is best
ANSWER 3
The laud should be made very rich by well rotted stable manure
or fertilizers and put in as fine tilth as for turnips if necessary
plowing and harrowing repeatedly Sow in narrow drills in Sep
tember or October and cultivate It is important to keep the crop
free from weeds or grass Ten or twelve pounds of seed will plant
one acre
TERRACING
QUESTION 4
I notice that you speak of terracing as all important in building
up our worn lands Can you give me a few points as to how the
work should be done Do not hillside ditches answer the same
purpose
answer 4
Hillside ditches have been very aptly termed highway robbers
in that they have swept away much of the fertility of our lands
which might otherwise have been preserved The main difference
between terraces and ditches is that the first gather the washings
from higher points and hold them with their accumulation of rich
deposits while the latter gather and carry off During the first year
or two after land is terraced the water will occasionally break over
during heavy rains but if the foundation has been laid with a good
onehorse or twohorse turning plow so as to measure about three
feet across at the base and firmed up with hoes where necessary we
can calculate ou eventually securing a compact firm terrace The
breaks can be strengthened as they develop and once the terraces
are well set all water that goes over the bank will flow in a thin
broad sheet leaving its valuable burden of plant food on or above
the terrace A good terracing level is absolutely essentialwithout it
we cannot do accurate workand will cost from 500 to 1000
Full instructions for managing it can be obtained from the maker
or sellerAnnual Publication for 1895
129
Begin at the highest part of the field and let the lines be level
following of course the guidance of the instrument At each po
sition of the tan gen set a peg avoiding as much as possible sharp
curves Ruu a plow along the line of pegs to mark it and then
drop down to the next terrace which should be eight feet losver in
a perpendicular line than the first Where the land is hilly the
terraces will of course be nearer together than on more level slopes
Run the line and lay off as before Do not expect the terraces to
be parallel as this rarely happeus Continue until the whole field
is gone over When ready to make the terraces throw two furrows
with a good twohorse plow on the lines already laid off going over
the work with hoes to right up any breaks or places where the plow
has not given a satisfactory bank As mentioned above this bank
should measure three feet across at the bottom If the banks are
enriched and sowed in grassorchard is the best varietyin two
or three years they will become so compact that they cannot be
broken For this permanent benefit we can afford to submit to the
temporary inconvenience and annoyance of having to repair the
breaks as they occur after each rain which inevitably happens dur
ing the first years that a system of terracing is undertaken
CELERY
QUESTION 5
Please tell me something about the second crop of celeryhow
to raise it for home or market
answer 5
The market gardens around New York plant celery as a second
crop following cabbages onions beets or potatoes And we may
do the same in Georgia either in the market garden or private
kitchen garden Manure the ground very heavily in the spring for
onions cabbage or beets and as soon as they are removed plow or
spade the ground and make it fine and mellow to receive your cel
ery plants Dont forget that it is a waste of time and labor to
attempt to grow celery on poor or badly prepared soil
The seed should be sown from the middle to the last of March in
rich ground and in drills twelve inches apart Radish seed are130
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
sometimes sown sparingly in the drills with the celery seed The
radish will sprout in a few days showing the line of the rows and
the hoe can then be used between the rows before the weeds and
grass get a start
When the plants are three or four inches high cut off the tops
and repeat this a second time as the plants continue to grow this
will cause a stocky growth and make them more uniform in size
When you have dug your potatoes or housed or sold off your cab
bage or onions prepare the land from which you took them for
celery by deep plowing or spading first applying a liberal dose of
wellrotted stable manure or commercial fertilizer Lay off rows
from three to four feet apart and place a plant every six inches in
the row In taking the plants from the seedbed try to get them
of uniform size so that the growth afterward may be about the
same Both roots and leaves should be trimmed before setting out
leaving the roots about two and onehalf inches long and the leaves
cut off even with the top of the heart It is best to set out plants
during a wet cloudy spell and should the weather turn very hot
and dry just after planting they should be protected from the sun
for a few days During the early stages of growth the ground
should be frequently workedby the plow in field culture and
by the hoe or rake in garden culture When the leaves get
twelve to fifteen inches long the earth on either side of therow should
be loosened to the depth of two or three inches Then the work
man gathering the leaves of each plant in one hand holds them in
position while he presses the loosened earth around the stalk with
the other When this is finished the earth is thrown from each
side towards the celery with a plow In the family garden a hoe
should be used for this purpose As fast as the celery grows the
arth is drawn to the plants with hoes until the time of bleaching
arrives From the first to the middle of October celery should be
banked in order to bleach it To do this commence about a foot
from the plants and throw up with a spade a bank of earth cover
ing all the celery except a few inches of the ends of the longest
leaves A few weeks in this condition will bleach it and it will
then be ready for use
This system is greatly preferred to the oldfashioned and troubleAnnual Publication for 1895
131
some plan of digging deep trenches and manuring these The
larger and coarser varieties are almost entirely discarded at the
South being grown mostly in the Northwest where they are crisp
and solid For those who still prefer the large kinds the Mam
moth Solid is perhaps best Of the smaller and more popular vari
eties there are the Boston Market Golden Dwarf White Plume
and others which can be procured at any firstclass seed store
WATER IN GREEN CROPS
QUESTION 6
Please tell me the amount of water in the following green crops
Grass green corn rye and clover
answer 6
Professor Stewart gives the following
Grass just before blooming 75
Green corn 84
Green rye 76
Ked clover in blossom 60
question 7
Please give me the analysis of pea meal
answer 7
We cannot give an analysis which will apply to all pea meal
because its quality is according to the variety and the kind of soil
on which it was grown About three to three and onehalf per
cent nitrogen threefourths to one and onefourth phosphoric acid
and one to one and threefourths potash will give a fair average of
the plant food of ordinary pea meal
QUESTION 8
What is the difference between fresh and wellrotted manure
I mean how much more available is the latter
answer 8
Thoroughly decomposed stable manure is about 20 per cent more
soluble than fresh manurethe ammonia and phosphoric acid of132
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
the former being especially available Another advantage is that
in the process of decomposition and fermentation many weed seeds
which otherwise would prove harmful are destroyed
QUESTION 9
What do you think of cottonseed meal as a food for cows
ANSWER 9
We have used cottonseed meal combined with hulls and other
feed stuffs with the greatest advantage
From a bulletin of the Tennessee Experiment Station we find
that cottonseed meal is the most valuable of all the socalled waste
products used as feed stuffs It can be safely fed for long periods
as much as five pounds per day per 1000 pounds live weight in the
ration for cows giving milk As the cow approaches the time of
calving the proportion of cottonseed meal should not exceed three
pounds daily
We do not think it advisable to feed more than five pounds of
cottonseed meal daily to milch cows For buttermaking it is not
advisable to exceed three pounds daily Many years of close ob
servation elsewhere as well as the results of recent experiments
induce the writer to believe that it is not safe to feed cottonseed
meal as the sole addition to the daily allowance of coarse fodders
particularly during the three months preceding and the month after
calving
Cottonseed meal and cottonseed hulls should be far more ex
tensively used as cattle food These products of the cotton fields
of the South will enable the farmers to maintain or to restore the
fertility of their lands at the least cost for manures By their
proper use it is easy to obtain the highest economic value of the
coarse fodders which are too ofteu suffered to go entirely to waste
or if used at all scarcely pay for the labor of hauling them
The following are safe rations for a dairy cow of 1000 pounds
live weight and are made up in great part of cottonseed products
1 Fifteen pounds cottonseed hulls five pounds cottonseed
meal and six pounds corn meal
2 Fifteen pounds cottonseed hulls four pounds of cottonseed
meal five pounds wheat bran two pounds of corn mealAnnual Publication for 1895
133
3 Fifteen pounds cotton seed eight pounds clover hay five
pounds cottonseed meal two pounds corn meal
4 Fifteen pounds cottonseed hulls eight pounds corn fodder
three pounds cottonseed meal three pounds wheat bran
5 Fifteen pounds cottonseed hulls eight pounds corn tops five
pounds cottonseed meal
6 Fifteen pounds cottonseed hulls six pounds clover hay ten
pounds of corn and oats equal weights of each mixed and ground
together
question 10
I have a young mule five years old that was until three weeks
ago in a thrifty condition At that time her appetite began to
fail and she seemed to be stiff all over She would raise her head
like she was choking At present she is not so stiff but unable to
swallow and is swollen under the throat and what she eats comes
back through her nostrils it also runs a little mucous yellowish
and inclined to be watery The mule has been with a horse that
had something like distemper and the horse died from the disease
and not knowing the symptoms of glanders decided to write you so
please give me symptoms of glanders and if this is not glanders
any information as to what it is
ANSWER 10
From the description of said mule I think it is a case of dis
temper caused from being in contact with other stock affected like
wise being due to a germ and contagious The swelling under the
throat will terminate into an abscess
The treatment is poultice the swelling and when soft use the knife
open up thoroughly and in a few days the mule will be all right
The stiffness is only a symptom of the disease
It might possibly be lockjaw but I think not
Respectfully
Carnes Carnes V Sj
Per H G Carnes V S134
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
FERTILIZERS FOR RYE TURNIPS AND OATS
RYE
Cottonseed meal 500 pounds acid phosphate 400 pounds
muriate of potash 100 pounds
Apply broadcast 200 to 400 pounds per acre
TURNIPS
1 Acid phosphate 500 pounds nitrate of soda 200 pounds
muriate of potash 165 pounds sulphate of lime 135 pounds
2 Cottonseed meal500 pounds acid phosphate 1000 pounds
kainit 300 pounds sulphate of lime 100 pounds
Broadcast stable manure with 500 pounds of either of the above
turn under harrow until all lumps are broken Then apply in the
drill either of the above at the rate of 500 pounds per acre
OATS
1 Cottonseed meal 400 pounds acid phosphate 400 pounds
muriate of potash 150 pounds land plaster 50 pounds
2 Acid phosphate 600 pounds cottonseed meal 300 pounds
kainit 100 pounds
Apply broadcast 200 to 500 pounds per acre
FERTILIZER FOR WHEAT
QUESTION 11
What fertilizers would you advise for wheat
answer 11
The following are all good fertilizers for wheat
1 Cottonseed meal 500 pounds acid phosphate 350 pounds
muriate of potash 150 pounds
2 Acid phosphate 350 pounds kainit 350 pounds nitrate of
soda 300 pounds
3 Blood 330 pounds muriate of potash 165 pounds acid
phosphate 335 pounds sulphate of lime 170 pounds
Apply broadcast from 200 to 500 pounds per acre
CURING SORGHUM HAY
QUESTION 12
How shall I cure my sorghum for hay Annual Publication for 1895
135
ANSWER 12
The following taken from the Southern Stock Farm covers the
entire process
After mowing allow the sorghum to lie on the ground suffi
ciently long to dry out at the end of the blades
If the crop is thick it should be turned over on the ground
to expose the bottom portion of the cutting to the sun for a short
time
Usually one days sun is required to dry it sufficiently to allow
it to be put up iuto the cock The haycock may be five feet high
and four feet in diameter or of the shape of an oldfashioned bee
hive
All the hay that is cocked in this manner should be well set
tled as it is laid on the pile
After having constructed it to its proper height rake the loose
sorghum away from the sides leaving a neat pile of hay that will
turn water in case it should rain Allow it to remain in this con
dition for two or three days for fermentation to take place which
is evidenced by the heating and the deposits of moisture upon the
interior parts of the cock When thoroughly warm and before
the hay loses its natural color open the cocks and expose the hay
to four or six hours sun according to the weight of the crop to
the acre and the size of the stalks
Then the fodder is ready to haul to the barn or be placed im
stacks where it may safely be expected to remain without molding
or heating further
GENERAL SUMMARY
CONDITION OP THE DIFFERENT CROPS THROUGHOUT THE
STATE
CORN
With one or two weeks more of seasonable weather in the north
ern part of the State Georgia will harvest the largest corn crop
ever made within her borders
In almost every county in the State the crop is as good as the
land can make The only disasters have been some local hail
136
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
storms and the overflowing and destruction of some of the river
and creek bottoms in different sections during the latter part of
June and the first of July In South and Southeast Georgia many
farmers have put the land from which the oat crop was taken into
Mexican June corn which at this time promises a good yield
This is a very white corn most excellent for bread and hominy
and much liked by the people of that part of the State This large
corn crop flanked and supported as it is by large crops of hay
syrup meat fruits etc convinces me that Georgia farmers are at
last beginning to travel the road that leads to prosperity independ
ence and comfort
Let us continue and increase our efforts in this direction striv
ing harder and harder each year to cut loose from our thraldom to
cotton until we raise everything that we consume within our own
borders and thus achieve absolute independence
Corn and meat for sale raised by Georgia farmers have ceased
to be objects of curiosity on the streets of our towns and I hope
by another year the importation of these articles will have entirely
ceased
COTTON
There has been some gain in the condition of this crop since the
last report though there is still much room for improvement
The grass took such full possession and such strong hold during the
late wet weather that it was with difficulty overcome and killed
and in many cases the stand of cotton was injured while getting
rid of the crass Until the last few davs there has been too much
L
rain for cotton especially on sandy lands and some cases of rust
have been reported from South Georgia On the whole from the
present outlook I see no reason to change my opinion on the prob
able output of this crop viz threequarters of last years yield
OATS
Oats have been harvested in fair order all over the State and
have turned out astonishingly well considering how late in the
spring they were planted This most valuable food for all stock
should be planted much more largely The acreage should be at
least doubled and more pains should be taken in preparing the soil
and plowing them inAnnual Publication for 1895
137
WHEAT
The yield of wheat this year has not been as satisfactory as was
hoped for a month ago The thinning out of the crop by the ex
cessive cold of last winter made itself apparent when the grain was
threshed out and measured In most cases the yield has been dis
appointing and in addition there has been some loss since cutting
by heavy and continuous rains
RICE
The reports from the rice crops are very flattering and there will
be an unusual amount of upland rice raised throughout the State
Many farmers besides supplying their own wants will have a sur
plus for sale If small rice mills for cleaning the grain were put
up in every county of Lower and Middle Goorgia it would lead to
a large increase in the rice crop many persons being deterred from
planting on account of having no mill for cleaning rice within
reach A number of such mills are in operation and it is said that
they pay well
HAY MILLET SORGHUM CANE POTATOES
These important though minor crops are all doing well through
out the State with promise of excellent yields
FIELD PEAS AND GROUND PEAS
These crops upon which so much of our meat supply depends
have been planted more largely than usual and at present the out
look is good for an abundant yield of both
FRUIT
From Tybee to Tennessee the fruit trees and vines in this State
are bending down with their loads of luscious fruit and the
growers and railroads are working night and day to get some of the
crop to less favored sections Long trainloads of watermelons
grapes and peaches are daily going North on fast schedules to sup
ply the people of the Northern cities The fruit industry is a grow
ing one and would increase more rapidly if the railroads could
give lower rates of freight which they probably will do before
another crop is moved
There are more canning and drying public plants than ever bep

138
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
fore while every good wife in the State is busy preserving canning
drying and turning into wine or vinegar all the fruit she can man
age In spite of this much of the fruit crop will beed to hogs or
go to waste
There should be a canning or evaporating plant in every neigh
borhood and fruits of every kind should all be saved The world
wants our canned or dried fruits and is willing to pay a fair price
for them but we seem very indifferent about the matter
The prices for watermelons peaches grapes etc are much lower
than in former years and the profits of the growers therefore will
be much less than usual
STOCK
With the exception of a few reports of hog cholera the condi
tion of stock is good all over the State and with no drawback this
State will import but little meat next year There is no reason
why we should import any Georgia should be a seller of meat
and not a buyer and I believe the day is near at hand wheu such
will be the case When raising her own meat and bread and
manufacturing her own cotton crop in her own mills she will in
deed and in truth merit her name of Empire State of the SouthAnnual Publication for 1895
139
SEPTEMBER
COMMISSIONER NESBITTS REGULAR LETTER
THE FARMERS CAMPAIGNPREPARATIONS FOR THE GRASSES
AND GRAIN CROPS AGAIN URGEDTHE COTTON PICKING TIME
AGAIN AT HAND AND THE COMMISSIONER PUTS IN A WORD
FOR NEAT PACKINGFALL PLOWING IS IMPORTANT
Department of Agriculture
Atlanta Ga Sept 2 1895
The farmers fall campaign opens with the month of Septem
ber After the comparative leisure of August he should
start in with renewed energy and with brain and muscles nerved
for the task he settles down to the steady work of gathering in
the crops and getting the fall grain and grasses properly
seeded
GRAIN AND GRASSES
The late August rains have greatly interfered with the work
of preparation which is unforunate as this work has more in
fluence on the yield of these crops than perhaps all other con
ditions combined fertilization not excepted for without
thorough and deep preparation no fertilizer can perform its full
mission and much valuable and costly plant food is thus wasted
Last month we dwelt somewhat at length on the preparation
fertilization and sowing of these crops and we will only reiter
ate here that on the earliness and thoroughness with which
these details are attended to depends success or failure It is
not yet too late to push this work of preparation and the recent
rains have left the land in fine condition to do the work
very effectively This is the best month for getting in the
winter oats Grass and clover also should be sown Wheat
can wait a little later In the cise of the grasses and clover
the majority of Southern farmers have little experience but it
has been proven that where judgment is exercised in the selec
tion of situation and soil and careful methods of preparation140
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
and fertilization obtain most gratifying results have followed
These crops may be sown with the small grains but farmers
who have tried both plans strongly recommend that they be
sown alone Often not a sufficient quantity of seed is used In
view of the fact that many of the seed do not germinate even
in the best samples it is important to allow an ample margin
in estimating the amount of seed for each acre
German or Crimson clover for winter grazing and for feeding
in the early spring is attracting widespread attention In
Georgia it has scarcely yet attained popularity but in some
other Southern States it is considered as heading the list of all
crops intended for these purposes It gives good returns from
land on which the common Red clover would not succeed and
is of equal value for improving the land and for feed It can be
seeded from the middle of August to the first of October from
12 to 15 pounds to the acre lightly brushed or harrowed in
and after winter grazing and cutting if the stock are taken oft
in March sufficient seed will mature to fully reseed the land
which can then be prepared for late corn When the corn is
gathered the clover comes on again Thus two crops can be
obtained and the land instead of being exhausted is gradually
being built up
COTTON
As the cotton opens the pickers should keep up with it
Early picked and clean cotton commands a better price than
where the sample is injured by beating rains or stained from
the weather Attention has already been repeatedly called to
the condition in which our American cotton reaches European
ports The Eastern cotton growers set us an example in this
respect which if we would imitate would mean thousands of dol
lars to us The Indian and Egyptian grower sends his cotton
to market in neat compact bales well covered ours is ragged
and unsightly and often enough of the contents of each bale is
wasted in transit to pay for any additional care and expense
which might be necessary to put it up in better marketable
shapeAnnual Publication for 1895
141
The actual percentage deducted because of our careless meth
ods when the price of our staple is fixed in Liverpool would
be an astonishing revelation to the majority of farmers
WHEAT
need no be sown until October and the time should be reeru
ated as far as we can judge to about ten days before the first
frost usually comes Wherever wheat is to be sown the use
of lime cannot be too highly estimated Its office is to bring
into available condition much of the mineral plant food locked
up in the soil and otherwise unavailable It also sets free
nitrogen by promoting the earlier decay of vegetable matter
The growth of wheat is thus pushed forward more rapidly
an important considerationbecause we wish it to be well
started before the winter sets in
The land for wheat should be plowed deeply and then allowed
to settle before the surface is finely harrowed and the seed put
in This should be done at a depth of three or four inches the
soil being made as fine as possible
FALL PLOWING
We would again urge the importance of deep fail plowing on
the stiff clay lands of the Stateof thoroughly breaking the
subsoil and though not advisable to bring too much to the
surface a little will not hurt
In some experiments conducted in 1892 to 1898 to illustrate
the benefits of subsoil plowing the seed soil and planting be
ing the same for the subsoiled and unsubsoiled plats in each
instance the following crops resulted
The potato crop unsubsoiled was practically a failure on ac
count of drouth subsoiled the yield was 125 bushels per acre
Oats on land subsoiled in the fall of 1893 showed a yield of 30
to 35 bushels on adjoining land with ordinary plowing 10
bushels Rye subsoiled 30 bushels unsubsoiled 10 bushels
Corn showed more than double yield for the subsoiled plat
We have seen this year in Cobb count7 on land which a few
years ago would scarcely sprout peas as fine a yield of corn as142
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
is usually produced on our alluvial river lands the result of
leguminous crops rotation and subsoiling
We feel that we cannot serve the farmers better than by call
ing attention to these possibilities of our longsuffering and
hard run old fields
Another important subject for study and experiment is the
SAVING OF OUR CORN CROP
Perhaps few farmers are aware that by our present wasteful
plan of pulling the corn and fodder and leaving the stalks in
the field 2370 or nearly onefourth the value of the entire
product is wasted
This has not only been proven by analysis but by experi
ments in feeding The stalks are troublesome to handle and
cannot be profitably used in their present shape for feed In
the manure pile they decompose so slowly as to be very unde
sirable for bedding therefore under ordinary conditions it is
not surprising that the farmer leaves them standing in the
field and if they prove very unmanageable when the crop prep
aration begins they are often piled and burned
It is not necessary to state that a waste of nearly onefourth
the returns in any other business would swamp it in the first
few years One and the principal reason that the stalks have
not heretfore been more thoroughly utilized is that we have had
no machine for overcoming the difficulties of handling the entire
corn product to advantage But as is usually the case when the
necessity arises the machinery is evolved from the ever active
brain of the inventor and a machine is now on the market
which cuts or shreds the stalk fodder and shuck in such a
manner as to give the very best fodder and the waste forms a
most desirable bedding which is easily converted into manure
Those who have tested it pronounce it practical It therefore
rests with the farmer to save his corn crop in such shape that
the entire product stalk leaves shuck and grain can be util
ized This is of course as yet a new departure in Southern
farming If a farmer does not wish to subject his whole corn
crop to an untried process let him give it a trial on at leastAnnual Publication for 1895
143
part of it Some farmers through the State are making a test
with the present years crop Let each one resolve that another
year he will make the experiment The corn should be cut oft
at the root the stalks placed in wellbuilt shocks and tied
around the top with binders twine After they are cured they
are taken to the barn where if the shredding machine is used
no part is wasted The problem for us to solve just now is as
to the very best method of saving the corn by this process the
machine will do the rest
The outlook seems to be favorable to a better price for cot
ton and if the crop can be marketed to meet the demands of
the trade rather than the individual obligations of farmers no
doubt the price can be sustained but if a farmers notes fall
due he has no alternative and thus much cotton is often forced
on the market at a time when it is not needed by the spinners
and the consequence is lower prices
There are so many qualifying conditions surrounding this
whole question that it is difficult to advise intelligently at least
each individual must carefully weigh every attendant circum
stanca and decide for himself
E T ISTesbitt Commissioner
QUERIES ANSWERED
COMMISSIONER NESBLTTS QUESTION BOX FOR THE MONTH
MUCH ABOUT IRRIGATING LANDTHE COMMISSIONER REPRO
DUCES SOME LETTERS FURNISHED THE CULTIVATOR FOR A
MORE GENERAL CIRCULATIONTHE KEYSTONE CORN HUSKER
USED ONLY FOR CORN THAT IS CURED ON THE STALK
QUESTION 1
Can you tell me something of the practical working of the
Keystone Corn Husker and Fodder Cutter which I have seen
advertised as cutting and shredding the stalks as well as husking
the corn
answer 1
We have had no personal experience with the machine men144
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
tioned but give the comments of competent persons who have
tried it Of course you understand that the machine is used only
for corn which has been cured entire that is stalk leaf shuck and
ear in the shock as is done in the West The Breeders Gazette
says
By its use leaves stalks and ears if wanted are reduced to a
homogeneous mass of soft fiber easily handled and eagerly eaten
The fodder shredder is well named It simply tears info shreds
all parts of the plant and reduces it to a pulpy form in which none
will be rejected by the stock It is a general invention and the
one which will best aid us in effecting a saving of the 37 per cent
of value of the corn crop now largely lost
It is altogether probable that the invention of this machine
will open up a new market for corn fodder The shredded fodder
baled can be handled like baled hay and is only a little less valu
able as a food stuff for city horses than the best of hay It is
only a question of time when baled shredded fodder will be quoted
in city feed markets and its nutrients its palatility and its freedom
from dust are bound to bring it into popularity as a horse feed The
leftover portions in case of overfeed can be taken from the man
ners and used as bedding and indeed it is not impossible that the
poorer grade of shredded fodder such as lias been largely weather
beaten of its nutriment maybe sold regularly for bedding Noth
ing can be better for this purpose In ease of handling in soft
ness and in absorptive qualities it meets the requirements of an
ideal bedding Fodder thus treated can be used for bedding
on the farm to advantage
In the Commissioners talk for the month he calls attention to
our wasteful policy of gathering the corn and fodder and leaving
the stalk which contains nearly onefourth the value of the entire
plant standing in the field
One of these machines has been tested at the Agricultural Ex
periment Station and Professor Xourse says of it
Labor required maybe summed upas follows One feeder
one engineer a man to place corn on table one to help load in the
field another to unload husked corn and one or two men to put
fodder in barn together with driver for each teamAnnual Publication foe 1895
145
Labor accomplished by machine and force above mentioned
The corn is not only shucked but is brought from the field the
ears are housed and fodder put in barn If buildings are well
arranged one mau will store the fodder while the corn may be
dropped directly into the crib By actual timing our machine
medium size husked from 20 to 24 bushels of 70 pounds per
hour The yield was not more than 25 bushels per acre
Quality of work done Occasionally an ear will pass through
the machine and the husks remain but if properly adjusted these
will be few The appearance of the corn is better than when
husked by hand A small amount of grain will be shelled by the
screws although probably but little more than a husking pin And
in any event the shelled kernels will drop into the fodder and be
carried up with it to be afterward fed to the cattle
As we have intimated before we value the machine particularly
for the improved condition in which it leaves the fodder Cattle
will eat a much larger amount than when it is prepared by the
usual methods With us at least it doubles the value of this
portion of the plant
We know that some people have trouble in keeping the fodder
passed through the machine but ours has come out in perfect con
dition as fresh as when first put in
This machine has been on the market but a short time and con
sequently as is the case with most new machines some parts re
quire adjusting Changes made during the past year have already
greatly improved iti
The farmers of ATirginia will in our opinion do well to watch
these implements and by this or some other measure give corn
fodder the care it deserves Our interests are with the farmers
and we feel that we cannot serve them better than by calling
attention at times to laborsaving machinery for upon lessening of
cost of production and caring for their crops depends much of the
success of the farmer
Others who have tried curing the corn in this manner and then
packing away in the barn after the husker and shredder has done
its work say that it will keep well and come out fine feed in
10 ag146
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
winter provided the crop is thoroughly cured iu the field and cut
up when free from unusual moisture Of course there is always
some moisture in the stalk even when well cured but those who
have tried it say that if it is packed tightly in the barn and allowed
to remain in the barn although it will heat considerably it will
not be injured
SODA AND SALT ON CLOVER
QUESTION 2
A party staying with me over night informs me that
he knows a good farmer in Ohio who thinks second crop
clover better than the first cutting for horses when cut in the
afternoon halfcured and put in the barn free from dew or rain
He salts it when packing with a mixture of salt and bicarbon
ate of soda but dont know the quantity of soda to a bushel of
salt He also says this man salts his stock with salt and soda
mixed and thinks it much better than salt alone He says the
salt and soda destroy the salivating properties in the clover and
do not slobber the stock Being anxious to try it as I am now
cutting my second crop will you kindly submit this to your
chemist and have him say how much soda he would advise used
to a bushel of salt and what is the chemical effect of the mix
tureand give his opinion in the matterand I will try it at once
If there is anything in this it would be worth much to farmers
in making use of the second crop which is often better than
the first and heretofore has only been used for cattle You
will greatly oblige me by an early reply
ANSWER 2
The bicarbonate of soda is used to neutralize the acidity
produced by fermentation and prevents it forming Have
had no experience with these to prevent slobbering and
dont know whether it would do it or not Would like to know
the result of your experiment
Use one gallon of soda to one bushel of salt No harm in the
soda but too much would give an unpleasant tasteAnnual Publication foe 1895
147
QUESTION 3
I had a cow constipated for two days kidneys acting
freely balance of her sickness bowels loose and discharge
from kidneys scant No appetite thirsty restless Died in
seven days What was the matter Give treatment Was
it contagious
2 Another cow with symptoms very much like the first ex
cept in last stages she became mad running at anything that
came about her On cutting open found in stomach a hard ball
of several pounds weight composed of rough feed ends of
twigs etc What ailed her and treatment
ANSWER 3
Your cow died of peritonitis which is caused by local
injuries constipation diarrhea or irritation of any char
acter It is not contagious
TreatmentHot cloths to abdomen laudanum one drachm
every hour for six hours
2 Your cow died from impaction or gastritis which by the
accumulation of the poisonous gases generated by the undi
gested food affects the nervous system and brain causing the
animal to act like one mad This disease is generally caused by
the food Treatment should be purgative with a change of
diet Ceasing to chew the cud is only a symptom of arrested
rumination
The following answers were prepared by Commissioner Nesbitt
in reply to some questions sent to the Southern Cultivator In
view of the awakening interest in irrigation and the meeting of the
National Irrigation Congress soon to convene in Atlanta he has
considered it advisable to insert them here Through the courtesy
of the Cultivator he is allowed to use them
IRRIGATION
QUESTION
97 I have a plat of ground which I desire to irrigate Can
you not give a first lesson in irrigation for the benefit of the
readers of the Cultivator 148
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
Inclosed you will find plat of ground which I wish to irrigate
If you can get any sense out of the drawing please mark on it with
ink or colored pencil the place for the ditch and its dimensions also
witli pencil the rows State what all the ditch and rows should
have if any I can have four feet head How many inches per
acre will be required a year I live one and a half miles from the
depot With the said land properly irrigated what crop and fer
tilizers would be best to plant taking into consideration the mar
kets
The line a b is on a level with bottom of pond the lines d run
on a level ditch y 2x4 feet deep the fall from a b to x top of
ditch 5 feet the tail from a b to c d is 7 feet the line 1 is on a
level with a b to make a 2 b on a level with a b would require a
ditch 3 feet deep at 2 the highest point on the line a 2 b the
distance from t to c is about 600 feet and from b to x about 275
feet about four acres the lengths of d on east side of ditch will
average about 50 feet
Soil coarse gray sandy there are a few quartz and iron ore
stones at 3 at the southeast corner granite crops out with an area
of 200 square feet Thoroughly drained Cane extends 30 feet
on each side of ditch y Subsoil yellow and blue clay south end
crawfishy second growth pine and sweetgum principally One
acre on the south end in cotton capacity about 1000 or 1200
pounds per acre A C M Zebulon GaAnnual Publication for 1895
149
ANSWER
Direction as to your plat of ground which you wish to
irrigate is at this distance too uncertain We would advise
that you seek the assistance of some competent and experienced
person who can visit the gound and take in all the surroundings
There are many conditions besides the merely topographical which
should be considered in this very broad and important subject of ir
rigation Heretofore owing to our annual rainfall of about 49
inches very little attention has been given in the Southern States to
the fact that a large part of what would be an abundance of water if
properly husbauded is allowed to waste consequently at the crit
ical period of plant development we often look in vain for the one
good rain which would put the crops beyond the danger line
In the last few years wideawake agriculturists are beginning to
realize that by proper precautions the consequences of our annual
drouth may be avoided The coming Irrigation Congress to meet
in Atlanta this fall evinces the interest that is just now being
awakened in this question A few of the most important points to be
considered in any plan of irrigation are First soil second cli
mate third subsoil fourth supply of water and manner of utiliz
ing it whether by dams tanks or cisterns pumps worked by wind
mills engines or horsepower fifth preparation of the surface
whether for sprinkling by pipes and hose or by surface pipes etc
sixth drainage
It will thus be seen that in the limits of an article like this even
with the points given in your diagram the proper information
cannot be satisfactorily furnished
QUESTION
I have some land near a small creek which I desire to irrigate
I will have to force water 800 to 1000 feet distance to a height of
from 60 to 75 feet Which is the best to use a hydraulic ram a
windmill or a steam engine How can I place my tanks to sprinkle
from eight to ten acres F N Demorest Ga
ANSWER
This question apparently so simple involves the consid
eration of so many conditions that we would not undertake150
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
to answer it unless we had had more experience than is just now
usual at the South This question of irrigation requires not only to
be studied carefully but to be practically developed before one cau
discuss it intelligently In the first place the amount of water re
quired by our ordinary crops that is the amount which must be
taken up by their roots the only way in which the plants can appro
priate it to properly nourish them from the time the seeds sprout
until the crops are matured is equal to a depth of one foot over the
entire soil covered by each crop This is the average requirement
on a medium soil well cultivated If the crop is very highly
manured a still greater amount is needed By reference to No 97
in the present number you will observe that there are many im
portant points to be considered besides the mere collecting of the
necessary amount of water We are just in the A B Cs of the
science of irrigation which belongs to the highest development of
agriculture and can only be successfully operated on the most val
uable lands and under the direction of the most skillful management
One thing is certain however that if we would keep up with the
progress of the age we must learn to utilize our annual rainfall
more than ample for the needs of our crops but most abundant at
the season that they need it least By collecting even a part of
this amount and keeping it ready for use in case of emergency we
become practically independent of the seasons and are secured
against the unfortunate effects of drouth But to do this econom
ically and successfully requires technical kuowledge and skill and
must depend on a more certain foundation than a few directions
from an agricultural journal
QUESTION
Will you give me some information concerning irrigation Will
silos do in this latitude A C M Zebulon Ga
1 We are glad to note the awakening interest in this ques
tion which in view of the fact that our heaviest rains come at
seasons when our crops could do best without them points to the
importance of preventing the escape of this water into our rivers
and streams and to collecting it and placing it where it can be
called for and supplied on demandAnnual Publication for 1895
151
Another reason why we should consider and study plans of ir
rigation is that in the earlier days of our agriculture when our
lands were fresh and filled with moistureasborbing humus the rains
were retained for a longer time in the soil Now much of the
water washes over the lands and passes off in the spring and fall
floods The forest too once prevented the drying winds which
now carry off so much of the needed moisture So much for some
of the benefits to be derived from irrigation The question of its
practicability has been most successfully demonstrated on the arid
lands of the far West Where however its cost is greater than the
profit derived from its application it would be folly to attempt it
For instance if the land is so high that to raise the water and re
tain it in reservoirs would consume too much of the proceeds of the
crop or if the land is so low as to require a costly system of sub
soil drainage or if the fertility of the land does not justify the out
lay of capital and labor both considerable in any successful effort
at irrigation Even a small mistake may bring disaster in a system
which has to be calculated very accurately The amount of water
needed must be estimated and decided on beyond the possibility of
a doubt An inadequate supply would entail great loss of crops
and expenditure of money while an excessive amount necessarily
implies additional and needless expense In the calculation of the
amount of water required three important points should be consid
ered First soil second subsoil third climate Gravely soils
will not retain water sand will absorb only a small amount and re
tain it but a short time heavy clay and garden soils absorb and
retain a large amount while humus absorbs and gives back least
that is loses least by evaporation
The following table by Shulber shows the capacities of different
soils for absorbing water and their power of retaining it The soils
were first weighed then thoroughly saturated with water and the
increase in weight noted They were then spread over equal sur
faces 152
Department of Agriculture Georgia
Percentage Per cent of
of water water evapo
absorbed ated in 4hrs
Quartz sand 25 29 40 51 52 lil 85 89 181 884
Limestone sand 75 11
Clay soil 40 per cent sand 52 0
Loam 45 7
320 346
Fine carbonate of lime 280
Humus peat or decayed vegetable matter 243 255
From this table it will be seen that the difference in soils has to
be carefully noted and upon the right determination of their capac
ity for absorbing and retaining moisture depends in great measure
success or failure in irrigating
The character of the subsoil is important because an allowance
has to be made in the supply of water according to the power of the
subsoil for retaining or losing it We all know that a heavy clay
subsoil will hold the water while a coarse gravelly subsoil will
allow it to pass through
As much of the water on the surface is dissipated by evapora
tion climate must largely influence our decision in determining on
any plan of irrigation In the moist climate of England and the
more humid atmosphere of Ireland less water is required than in
the dry hot climate of the south of France where irrigation has
been closely studied and successfully practiced These instances
show that in a country so widely diversified as ours with variations
of soils and climate such as are found in no other country in the
world plans of irrigation should be modified and cannot be suc
cessful unless adjusted to immediate climate and soil conditions
Much depends upon the agricultural condition of the surface soil
soils thoroughly cultivated and kept in a mellow condition of course
being more retentive of moisture than neglected fields As to these
three conditions the intelligent farmer can determine much for
himself but when the construction of dams reservoirs tanks and
cisterns is to be decided as well as the laying of water and drainage
pipes the best engineering skill must be consulted
2 Yes and they afford a means of utilizing many otherwise
wasted crops besides giving the very best character of winter feedAnnual Publication for 1895
153
CONDITION OF CROPS
WHAT HAS BEEN DEVELOPED DURING THE PAST MONTH
NOT FAVORABLE TO THE COTTONAN ABUNDANT CORN
CROP AFFORDS CAUSE TO BE THANKFULNOW FEED
STOCK MORE LIBERALLY IS THE INJUNCTIONTHIS WILL
BE FULLY RETURNED IN THE BETTERED CONDITION OF
THE ANIMALS AT HOME
COTTON
During the past month the conditions have not been favorable
for cotton There has been an excess of rain in nearly every por
tion of the State causing a good deal of rust on the gray lands and
on the red lands inducing an excessive growth of weed without a
corresponding increase of bolls Picking has commenced in Lower
and Middle Georgia and will soon be general all over the State
There is some little complaint of boll worms and caterpillars but
nothing serious on that line as yet
Bearing in mind that the crop is at least two weeks later than
an average that there is a decrease of 30 per cent in the use of
fertilizers and of 15 to 20 per cent in acreage that in some coun
ties a considerable acreage has been abandoned on account of grass
in view of all these conditions the prospect for the cotton crop is
the poorest we have had for years The conditions from this on
must be unusually favorable for the crop of this State to reach
threefourths of last years production
CORN
The farmers of Georgia have good reason to be thankful for the
abundant corn crop with which they have been blessed this year
Never in the history of the State has such a corn crop been made
Thousands of farmers will make sufficient to last them for two years
and just here lies our danger Auy corn offered for sale must
bring a low price for the crop is enormous all over the country
Finding little sale for corn many farmers may be induced to plant
less next year and largely increase their cotton crops thus bring
ing on the condition of things from which we have just emerged
viz lowpriced cotton and scarce and dear corn Allow me to
raise a warning voice against this temptation We have gained
our emancipation from the Western corn fields and smokehouses154
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
now let us maintain that independence by redoubling our exertions
to make our farms selfsustaining Feed the corn to hogs and
cattle and poultry feed more to your horses and mules keeping
them in such good condition that they will forget that they were
ever halfstarved on Western corn We can thus find use for all
our corn at home and improve and greatly increase our stock of
all kinds
Fodderpulling is over in the lower half of the State and well
under way in North Georgia While much fodder was injured and
some ruined by the August rains a good deal has been saved in
excellent condition thus insuring plenty of long forage for our
needs
FRUIT
The fruit crop of the State except apples and late peaches has
been gathered and disposed of and the pantriesaud storerooms of
our wives bear witness to the abundance aud variety of the crop
This has been a phenomenal year for all kinds of fruit Our
peaches stand at the head in all the Northern markets and have
made a reputation in so many cities this year that this should in
sure for them a ready sale at better prices in the future In
peaches at least California has almost ceased to be a competitor
against us for though her peaches are as a rule larger aud more
showy they cannot compare in flavor richness and juiciness with
those we send to market and consumers are fast finding this out
With lower rates of freight which I believe we will have another
year the fruitgrower has every cause to be hopeful of future
success
FIELD PEAS
Farmers have planted more peas than usual in all parts of the
State showing that they are learniug the value of the pea as a
renovator of the soil There will be a large crop gathered and on
many fields hogs and other stock will be turned to fatten
GROUND PEAS SUGAR CANE SORGHUM
As a rule these minor though very important crops are excel
lent throughout the State Here and there are small dry spots
but on the whole these crops promise well for a bountiful yieldAnnual Publication foe 1895
155
thus insuring an abundance of fine syrup and in very many cases
sugar to the growers
SWEET POTATOES
The same welldistributed rains that have made such a bountiful
corn crop have also made a fine crop of potatoes As a rule we
are too careless in housing this crop and in consequence thousands
of bushels are annually lost They should be dug before frost and
then put up in such way as to keep dry during winter Potatoes
can be fed with advantage to all farm stock besides being a very
palatable and healthy food for man and more care should be exer
cised in putting them up for winter use
MILLET CLOVER ETC
The August rains have somewhat interfered with the saving of
these crops but on the whole the amount saved in good order
has been more than an average
RICE
The harvesting of this crop is now in progress and with no dis
aster from storms the crop will be a good one I reiterate what I
wrote last month that the erection of small mills throughout the
middle and southern sections of the State would very much en
courage the planting of this grain The difficulty of getting it
properly cleaned deters many farmers from planting it
STOCK
The condition of stock throughout the State is fair some few
cases of hog cholera reported and one or two cases of supposed
glanders among horses With our bountiful provision crops there
should be no poor animals within our borders Our horses and
mules render their full assistance in making our crops and they
certainly deserve to be comfortably housed and well fed156
Department op AgricultureGeorgia
OCTOBER
THE COMMISSIONERS MONTHLY LETTER
FALL WORK IS NEXT IS ORDERWHEN EVERYTHING IS
DONE THE TOOLS SHOULD BE LAID AWAY CAREFULLY
UNTIL THE OPPORTUNITY OFFERS TO PUT THEM IN ORDER
FOR THE NEXT SEASONA PAPER FULL OF GOOD ADVICE
TO ALL
In years gone by and under the old regime the fall months were
given chiefly to the gathering of the cotton crop and when this
work was not pressing farmers as a rule considered that if they
gathered and housed the corn and other crops and packed their
pork into the pork houses by Christmas they were accomplishing
their full duty to their families themselves and their calling Un
der a more progressive system however the farmer who allows his
fields to be bare exposed to the destructive work of the winters
storm his cattle to shiver in its chilling blasts is regarded as indif
ferent to his own interests and lacking in the most important es
sentials of an enlightened agriculturist Let us again repeat that
the fall work on a Georgia farm is as important if not more so
than that in the spring when everything is in a rush and all call
ing for attention at the same time Much of this spring rush and
vexation of spirit may be materially lightened by thoughtful plan
ning and work now In the comparative leisure of the fall season
we can lay the foundations for next years crop
FA LI PLOWING
more especially on our heavy lands with a red clay subsoil not
only loosens and aerates the land but permits a more extended ac
tion of the rains and frost which are sure to come Lands which
have been deeply plowed in the fall receive and what is of more
importance retain much of the water which would otherwise be
washed away with every beating rain taking with it a large amount
of the topsoil whose foodproducing elements have to be replaced
before we can expect a satisfactory yield of crops Another advanAnnual Publication foe 1895
157
tage to be gained by fall and early winter plowing is that on many
of our old cultivated lands there are valuable mineral elements ly
ing dormant too dee to be reached by our ordinary shallow plow
ing These to be made valuable must be brought to the surface
mixed with any vegetable matter or humus which may be found
there and left to the action of the frosts the rains and the atmos
phere three powerful agents and assistants to the farmer By these
forcible agenciesthe mineral elements which playso important a part
in the development of all crops and for which we pay such a high
price in the form of commercial fertilizers can be had for the seek
ing and their presence in this form and by the methods which we
have to use to get them will put our lands in better condition than
if we were to cover their whole surface with the highest priced com
mercial goods Therefore even if the work has by reason of beat
ing rains to be repeated in the spring we would advise by all
means deep plowing To get the full benefit of this work it should
be done as soon as possible and if a crop of rye or German clover
lie planted we have set in motion forces which will go far towards
supplying all three needed elements phosphoric acid potash and
nitrogen on the spot and from the free laboratory of nature
added to which our lands will be in better condition and our crops
more certain than if we depended on buying all the necessary food
elements instead of making a large part at home
WHEAT
As indicated last month the sowing of this crop should be regu
lated as far as possible to about ten days before our usual killing
frost is expected A solution of blue stone applied to the seed by
soaking will destroy the smut spores and rust can be in a measure
controlled by selection of seed judicious fertilizing and sowing as
soon as possible on well drained high land with a northern expo
sure Wheat prefers such a situation and it being observed that
rust is most destructive in hot damp seasons an early maturing
variety should be selected and though wheat is a nitrogenabsorb
ing plant we must exercise judgment as to the quantity of this
element supplied An excessive amount although producing
luxuriant growth is a promoter of rust The safest source from158
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
which to obtain nitrogen is a clover stubble turned underlacking
this cottonseed meal comes next or if preferred the whole cotton
seed
EYE
can be sown until the last of November and it cannot be too strongly
urged that we seed down all plowed land It not only tends to
preserve the land but is steadily manufacturing food for our summer
crops On the
HARVESTING OF THE CORN CROP
we dwelt somewhat at length last month In the Georgia State
Building on the grounds of the Cotton States and International Ex
position at Atlanta can be seen specimens of the plant saved en
tire stalk fodder shuck and ears so that no part is wasted
When this plan is adopted by every farmer it means a saving of
about onefourth the value of the corn crop which is now allowed
to waste in the fields besides which the standing stalks interfere
very seriously with the harvesting of the pea crop and render it al
most impossible to put in a wheat crop which should be done In
these days of low prices of agricultural products it is important that
we watch these heretofore neglected details The English the German
and the French farmer sets us an example of thrift and carefulness
in nearly all minor details
SAVING OF LATE CROPS
All crops of millet clover grass peavines should be put under
shelter as soon as possible Spanish groundpeas furnish not only
nuts but the tops if properly cured make good forage The Irish
and sweet potato crops should be gathered before the tops are en
tirely killed and it is important to do this before the rains begin
for they should be stored when they are entirely dry Assort them
as they are dug taking out all bruised or cut tubers and spread
out to dry out thoroughly and do not make the banks of potatoes
where they are stored too large
REPAIRS
on all buildings and stables should be attended to before the winter
sets in and if possible whitewash the latter inside and out after
giving them a thorough cleaning Good pastures and good feedAnnual Publication for 1895
159
are essential to the proper keeping of live stock but this food will
not make a profitable return if the animals are exposed in cold
and wet seasons House them comfortably and thus get a full re
turn in beef or milk for the capital invested in these animal ma
chines
GATHER UP ALL TOOLS
Gather up all tools and implements clean and after oiling the
working parts put under shelter until some opportune rainy season
when they can be thoroughly repaired and put in condition for
the coming years work
TURNING UNDER PEA VINES
To get the full value of a pea crop the best plan is to cut and
cure for hay or store in the silo for ensilage then turn under the
stubble But as we have had inquiries as to the best time for turn
ing under the entire crop we would advise that this be done after
the vines are fully matured In this condition they decompose
more slowly and are less leached away by the winter rains The
younger vines are very succulent decay more rapidly and there is
more acidity from their decomposition Where the entire crop is
turned under a top dressing of lime applied after this is done will
be found very useful in correcting acidity it will also cause to be
formed certain chemical compounds in the soil which will be of
valuable assistance in furnishing plant food for another crop
R T Nesbitt
Commissioner of Agriculture
GENERAL CROP SUMMARY
A DRY MONTH HAS WITH HOT WEATHER OPENED THE
COTTONOTHER CROPS
COTTON
Our last report was for the month of August which was entirely
too wet for cotton resulting in much rust and shedding throughout
the state During the month of September but little rain has fallen
in the State except in the southeast section In addition to the dry
condition of the atmosphere it has been excessively warm for the160
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
season of the year These two conditions combined have caused
cotton to open very rapidly the halfgrown bolls opening prema
turely and the crop is fast being gathered ginned and sold Pains
should be taken to gather and handle the crop as nicely as possible
as trasli and dirt of any description inevitably cause a reduction in
the price Again never in packing mix dirty and clean cotton in
the same bale hoping to sell it all for the price of the clean cotton
for invariably the entire bale sells as dirty cotton
The Liverpool cotton buyers are complaining at the way
American cotton is packed and demand an improvement in that
line I think there is room for improvement and I trust that our
farmers will take pains to cover their cotton bales as nearly as pos
sible hidiug the sides and ends entirely with bagging so that less
dirt may accumulate on the cotton and less cotton be washed on
account of dirt after reaching the factories As to the threat of
Liverpool buyers to impose a heavy penalty on our farmers for
poor packing of cotton that is all bosh and nonsense They must
buy our cotton however packed but it is much to our interest to
pack it neatly and carefully
I must warn our people against another thing Never sell all of
the seed from the first and second pickings of the crop and depend
upon the seed from the third and last pickings for planting This
is a very serious mistake as very many of the seed from the last
picking are immature and light and if they germinate after plant
ing can only develop into weak and sickly plants Always re
serve vour planting seed from the bottom or middle crop of cotton
for they are apt to be plump heavy and fully matured and when
planted will develop into healthy vigorous plants The crop will
be gathered early this year and will not in my opinion exceed if it
reaches 7000000 bales If my estimate of the crop is right cot
ton will be selling at higher prices in the spring than it is bringing
at present
When I believe prices will be higher later on I do not advise
holding cotton Each farmer must be his own judge of that matter
as the conditions surrounding each are different
I do however unhesitatingly advise against selling cotton seed
at the prices now offered Every farmer in the State knows howAnnual Publication for 1895
161
valuable they are as a fertilizer for corn wheat oats and other
crops and as a simple matter of economy they should not be sold
at present prices Keep your seed to build up your compost heaps
with which to enrich your land and you will be much better repaid
thau by selling them at present prices
CORN
The promise of the spring and summer has been fulfilled and the
huge corn crop of the State is safe from all contingencies Every
section has a bountiful crop with the exception of small areas here
and there where the rainfall was deficient Now that it is made
be sure to save it all carefully wasting none at the same time feed
ing liberally to stock of all kinds that they may enter upon the
winter in good condition Commence early to feed the hogs you
want to fatten and kill remembering that a bushel of corn or other
feed will make much more fat and flesh during the mild days of
October than after the weather becomes colder
SORGHUM AND SUGAR CANE
The grinding of sorghum has been in full blast for two weeks
past in Middle and Upper Georgia and a larger quantity of syrup
will be made than is usual A good many are not getting the yield
they expected but the acreage is larger and in the aggregate the
yield will be large Sugar cane grinding has not yet commenced
but the crop is good and there will be plenty of syrup and sugar
from that source in the lower half of the State
POTATOES
This crop is good all over the State and if only put up with
proper care is very easily kept I dont think we fully appreciate
this valuable food crop which can be raised so easily and in such
quantities Many farmers still plant the poorer varieties very defi
cient in saccharine matter and therefore neither so palatable nor
so fattening as the better varieties
Let us strive to have the best in everything not in potatoes
only I admit it is easier to raise a Cuba Hayti or St Domingo
than a Georgia yam but after raising the Cuba yam you have a
Hag162
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
potato that when I lived in Southwest Georgia the hogs wouldnt
eat while if you raise a Georgia yam you have a potato fit for a
kings table Potatoes are good food for all kinds of stock three
bushels being equal to one of corn in feeding value
FIELD PEAS
There has been a larger area than usual planted throughout the
State and the crop of peas is a large one There is complaint from
some sections that the vines have not borne well but as a rule the
crop is a good one
GROUND PEAS
are reported good and in Lower Georgia the fattening hogs are in
many cases already turned on them This crop is planted in this
State chiefly to fatten hogs for which it is admirably adapted Not
many are planted for market though in our sister States of Ten
nessee and North Carolina they are largely cultivated for that pur
pose In this era of diversified farming some of our farmers
might find this a profitable crop
RICE
The crop is generally good all over the State with more planted
than usual I hope next year to see this valuable grain more gen
erally planted than ever before It is not hard to raise yields
fairly well and is healthy and nutritious for man and beast The
chief trouble is to clean the hull from the grain before it can be
cooked The people on the coast who live largely on rice do this
by pounding the grain a long time using a wooden mortar and
pestle For commercial purposes the cleaning is done in large
steam mills There are now on the market small rice mills which
might be run like the cotton gins throughout the country the
farmer paying so much toll to have his rice cleaned Were these
small mills established I am satisfied that the production of rice
would be greatly increased
FRUITS
The fruit crop has all been gathered and disposed of except some
varieties of apples pears and grapes
A few days since I saw a carload of watermelons in AtlantaAnnual Publication foe 1895
163
shipped from some point in Indiana and they seemed to be selling
very rapidly Cannot some of our watermelon raisers have melons
on the market until frost The last in the market I think would
do as well as the first and command just as good prices for the
people seem to want them more when they are not to be had Try
it next year shipping South instead of North I think it would
pay if moderately engaged in
Much of the fruit was injured this year by the very wet August
particularly peaches grapes and melons none of which were in
quality as good as usual iu North Georgia lacking the sweetness
which sunshine alone can give
STOCK
Stock is in fair condition Reports of some sickness and a few
deaths among cattle in different parts of the State but nothing
very serious or that will not readily yield to treatment Hogs
generally reported healthy and in decidedly greater numbers than
usual though some localities particularly in Southwest Georgia
have reported large losses from cholera I am happy to report
that the farmers of Georgia will not need much meat from the
West next year
COTTONSEED MEAL FOR SWINE
The latest experiments reported on testing the effect of cottonseed
meal as a food for hogs comes from the Texas station Professor
Soule reports that from a series of experiments conducted at that
station the conclusion is reached that cottonseed meal or hulls
either raw boiled or roasted cannot be fed to hogs Pure meal
was fatal in every case but one boiled meal less so than raw
Various combinations of this food with others were tried but failed
to give results of value164
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
COMMISSIONER NESBITTS QUESTION BOX FOR THE
MONTH
INFORMATION OF IMPORTANCETHE BEST TIME TO SOW HUN
GARIAN GRASS AND SOME OF ITS PECULIARITIESTREATISE ON
SILOS AND ENSILAGEMORE PROFITABLE TO BUY HIGH GRADE
FERTILIZERS THAN TO INVEST IS CHEAPER QUALITIES
QUESTION 1
What is the best time for turning under peavines I have a field
in luxuriant growth Shall I turn them under now or shall I wait
until they are fully matured
answer 1
This question has already been discussed at some length in these
columns but we again call attention to the disadvantages of turning
under a succulent green crop at this season In the first place the
partiallymatured vines decay much more rapidly than the fully
developed plants and this decay sets up a chemical action which
releases nitrogenous products to be washed away by the winter
rains In the maturer plants this process is slower and we are
enabled to hold these products in the soil for a longer time to await
the demands of the spring crops Again the decomposition of a
turnedunder green crop produces an amount of acidity more or
less which is often found injurious to succeeding crops and while
this may be corrected by an application of lime broadcast on the
plowed surface we would strongly advise against the practice of
planting a crop simply to return it to the land Indeed we do not
advocate the turning under of any crop without first getting some
other benefit than the mere improvement of the soil In the case
of peas the crop can be taken off either in the form of gathered hay
or peas or the stock hogs cows and work animals can be turned
in to harvest it with great benefit to themselves and little injury to
the land unless in a very wet season In the residuum of stems
and roots we have material almost as valuable while the increase
in butter pork and coldresisting fat more than couuterbalances
the value of the crop taken off The following experience is per
tinent Annual Publication for 1895
165
A neighbor who is a very observing gardener gives the result
of his observations and experience on this subject On a small
piece of flatwoods which he wished to prepare for strawberry plants
one summer he plowed down a rank crop of cowpeas when they
were full of succulence and for two years afterwards the soil was so
sad heavy and lifeless that he could get nothing to grow well
on it So much fermenting vegetation in the soil soured and injured
its texture very much On the other hand he had a crop of cow
peas iu a young pear orchard which through the press of other
work he neglected to plow under until they became so heavy that
they lodged and he then abandoned the intention and left them
to rot on the ground Next spring on plowing this orchard he
found the ground in an admirable condition as mellow and as light
as an ash heap
QUESTION 2
What is the best time to sow Hungarian Brome grass on what
kind of land and when should it be cut Is it a good winter grass
answer 2
Tt may be sown either in the fall or early spring and should be
cut just as it begins to bloom Like all other crops the better the
condition of the soil the better the yield On poor soils it grows
about a foot to a foot and a half high in more favorable locations
and when properly managed it frequently attains a height of from
three to four feet Its underground roots grow most rapidly in
light sandy loams but they also penetrate the stiffest clay and form
a good sod At the South it is esteemed more for grazing than cut
ting It stands even protracted drouth remarkably well and does
not seem to be affected by sudden or extreme changes of tempera
ture If the land is prepared the same as for other grasses and other
conditions are favorable it has been found to succeed where the finer
grasses have failed In our section it remains green through the
winter and seems to be gaining favor for winter pasturage The
seed should be sown unmixed with other varieties as its habit is
such as to choke Out other vegetation On this account care should
be exercised in selecting a location for its growth On fields where166
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
rotation of crops is practiced its introduction is not desirable as the
sod is tough and dense and might prove very troublesome
question 3
Would you advise the buying of a high grade fertilizer at a high
price or one of low grade at less cost
answer 3
All things considered the highgrade fertilizer is cheaper for the
farmer The percentage of plant food in a high grade of fertilizer
being larger than in the low grade the proportionable freight is
therefore less Also the nitrogen in the high grade goods is usually
derived from better material than that in the low grade goods If on
account of the small quantity of high grade allotted to an acre there
is difficulty in distributing it mix with it woods earth or any con
venient soil to facilitate its proper application It is better to fur
nish this filler and mix at home than to pay the additional freight
and also an extra charge for the mixing at the factory
QUESTION 4
Please give me some information on silos and ensilage and the
value of the latter for feeding to milch cows and other stock
answer 4
There being a growing interest in Georgia on the subject of the
cow and her products viz milk butter and cheese resulting in
the establishing of a number of creameries in the State it becomes
a matter of great importance as to what we shall mainly rely upon
for our winter food for cattle In answer to this question I say
without hesitation ensilage I know the value of winter pastures
of rye oats barley and other grains and grasses and I know the
value of cottonseed meal and hulls which have recently become
such important factors in winter feeding but without meaning to
detract from their merits I would urge upon farmers and others
who keep milch cows the importance of erecting and using silos
Many are deterred from doing this by ignorance both of the cost
of building and of the expense of filling a silo and for the benefit
of these and others I herewith append a few items of informationAnnual Publication foe 1895
167
on the subject which I trust will result in the building of numer
ous silos in the State This information is taken carefully from a
report to the Department of Agriculture at Washington
LOCATION OF SILO
Should be built in reference to convenience of feeding the
stock consequently it should be very near or in or connected with
the stables
FORM OF SILO
Immaterial as regards the keeping of the contents but it is
cheaper and easier to build in shape of a parallelogram with the
sides longer than the ends
WALLS OF SILO
If above ground two thicknesses of inch boards with sheeting
paper between which some think unnecessary will be sufficient if
supported against lateral pressure by the ensilage
CAPACITY OF SILO
If entirely filled with compressed ensilage the silo will contain
50 pounds to the cubic foot
COVER
A layer of straw or hay on the top of the ensilage and then
planks on top of that weighted down by any heavy material such
as stones earth etc A little space should be allowed between the
walls and cover that the cover may not catch on or against the
wall as the ensilage settles
COST
The cost of silos varies from 4 to 5 for walls of heavy masonry
to 50 cents or less for simple wooden silos per ton of capacity
CROPS FOR ENSILAGE
Corn takes the lead of ensilage crops and when mixed with field
peas makes a very fine feed Corn planted for ensilage will pro
duce from 15 to 20 tons to the acre 58 tons have been made and
is at its best for ensilage when it has attained its full growth and
before ripening begins168
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
PREPARING CORN PEAS ETC FOR THE SILO
This should be done by a cutter driven by horsepower or steam
with carriers to take the ensilage from the cutter to the top of the
silo The corn peavines etc should be cut fine in pieces
not over an inch in length it packs closer and for this reason is
apt to keep better than coarse ensilage
FILLING THE SILO
During the process of filling the ensilage should be kept level
and welltrodden Some attach much importance to rapid filling
while others make it more a matter of convenience With the
packing equally thorough rapid filling is probably best
COST OF FILLING THE SILO
This should not exceed 1 per ton for labor including the entire
cost of the crop
WHEN SILO SHOULD BE OPENED
The ensilage should remain under pressure at least until cool
and not be uncovered after that uDtil wanted The loss by decay
will be very slight and confined to the top and sides where there
was more or less exposure to the air
VALUE OF ENSILAGE FOR MILCH COWS
As a rule ensilage is fed only to milch cows and it is in connec
tion with them that its greatest value will be found Many feed
ers consider it equal in value to onehalf of its weight of good hay
EFFECTS ON DAIRY PRODUCTS
There is a marked increase iu quantity and improvement in the
quality of milk and butter after changing from dry feed to en
silage corresponding with the effects of a similar change to fresh
pasture
VALUE TO OTHER STOCK
Ensilage has been fed with good results to swine sheep and
poultry
DAILY RATION OF ENSILAGE
Cows giving milk are commonly fed from 40 to 50 pounds of
ensilage a day with a little dry hay or fodder and grain EnsilageAnnual Publication fok 1895
169
does not take the place of grain but is a substitute for hay or fod
der Stock fed on ensilage uniformly gain in health and weight
and there is no doubt as to its profitableness
question 5
Is sorghum a good food for hogs or will it make them sick
answer 5
A little care should be used at first in feeding sorghum to hogs
as in all cases where the food is changed but with this precaution
there is no finer food for hogs and cattle and horses as well This
crop has heretofore been mostly raised for syrup but it can be made
much more remunerative if onlya moderate quantity is made up into
syrup and the rest used for feeding purposes It is so easy of cul
tivation and grows so rapidly giving several cuttings during a sea
son that it will in time doubtless become one of our main and
most valuable feeding crops
question 6
What is the area of the present years corn crop and what is its
probable value
ANSWER 6
The number of acres covered by this years corn crop has been
estimated at 82000000 acres At average yield and price it is
worth somewhere in the neighborhood of one billion dollars
QUESTION 7
I have a valuable horse which has stuck a nail in his foot and
though there seems no present danger I am afraid of lockjaw
What shall I do for him
ANSWER 7
If the puncture is in the soft part of the foot cut away the sur
rounding hard parts and form an opening to the wound that the
matter may escape Syringe out the wound with warm water to
remove all dirt or hard particles Then fill the opening with
cotton which has been saturated with arnica turpentine or carbolic
acid the latter mixed with water one part carbolic acid to four170
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
parts water Keep the wound open by bathing with these appli
cations and do not allow any dirt to get into it After all sore
ness is relieved fill the opening with cotton dipped in tar cover
with leather and put on a shoe but watch the foot carefully and if
the soreness returns remove the shoe
question 8
A correspondent has sent us the following notice with cut de
scribing a very handsome cherry and asking information about it
As we were not familiar with the cherry we sent the inquiry to
Mr Berckmans president of the Georgia Horticultural Society
His reply is also appended Here is the description of the cherry
A FRUIT BONBON
A very luscious cherry has been creating quite a sensation on
the fruit stands this season This is so firm large and plump that
it has often been mistaken for a plum It has been well named
the Bonbon cherry
A popular grower recently said of it Undoubtedly this is
the most valuable cherry in cultivation owing to its enormous size
rich dark red color luscious quality and freedom from the cherry
worm It is a sure cropper every year and is always of extraor
dinary flavor
Its cooking qualities do not seem to have been thoroughly
tested as the variety is somewhat new as yet to the average house
wife It does not seem to be largely grown here as it is not found
in quantities in the market this year but usually as a special dainty
on the fruit stands demanding a rather high price It will prob
ably be more plentiful in a few years in our Eastern markets for
it is becoming more generally known that the trees will thrive and
bear abundantly in this part of the country and mauy interested
growers have planted the trees for experiment this year
And here is Mr Berckmans reply
Hon E T Nesbitt Atlanta Ga
My Dear SirDuring the session of the Georgia State Horti
cultural Society at Cuthbert I stated that the indiscriminate pub
lication by the average newspaper man of catchy horticultural artiAnnual Publication foe 1895
171
cles was frequently detrimental to horticultural progress The
clipping which you inclose is only another evidence of what I
stated which was in substance that the public would be better
served if that class of articles of which the inclosed is a sampler
were left alone
Expert pomologists will indorse my position because a descrip
tion of such a wonderful cherry has a tendency to add to the con
fusion of existing fruit nomenclature The name Bonbon is
no doubt a new local fad for a wellknown variety Some smart
tree peddler will take advantage of this and palm off large quan
tities of trees of any variety he can purchase under this new
name at a stiff price and mislead and disappoint purchasers
If the correct name of this cherry was given we would be able
to know what its value is but all posted fruit growers will let the
Bonbon alone Horticultural subjects should be handled by
competent authorities of which the horticultural press is the
proper representative but which are usually changed by the aver
age pennyaliner so to make it interesting reading for the public
The cut of the cherry shows it to belong to the Duke or Morello
type It may be the May Duke which is a popular early sort
cultivated quite successfully in the Eastern and Western States
and in the upper sections of Georgia South Carolina and Alabama
I have seen good crops of this variety in Atlanta and grown there
by the late Richard Peters Yours very truly
P J Berckmans
question 9
You will please answer the following in your monthly reports
Why is it that the soil clods more in the latter part of March and
the first to the middle of April than any other season of the year
and bakes less and less as the summer advances
ANSWER 9
There are more clods because we are preparing the ground at
that time for planting and we plow as deep as possible bringing
up some clay to the surface This clay then is very apt to bake
and form clods until broken up by the action of the atmosphere
and future plowings or harrowings Another reason is that in our172
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
haste to get ready for planting we are apt to plow the gorund in
the spring when it is a little too wet and this causes clods on the
surface
I do not agree with you that the ground bakes less and less as
the summer advances I think if we plowed as deep in the sum
mer and when the ground was wet and turned up the clay as we
do in the spring we would have just as many clods and just as
much baking of the soil In other words our shallow plowing in
cultivating crops cannot result in cloddy lumps such as is brought
about frequently by deep spring plowing
FATTENING HOGS
When the weather is just on the turn in the fall hogs can be fat
tened more rapidly than they can later Cornmeal and middlings
mixed with unsalable vegetables and refuse fruit make an excellent
variety for their food in addition to cornAnnual Publication for 1895
173
NOVEMBER
REGULAR MONTHLY LETTER TO THE FARMERS
OF GEORGIA
A SUDDEN DECLINE IN COTTONTHE GEEAT DISPLAY OF
THE STATE AT THE COTTON STATES AND INTERNATIONAL
EXPOSITION AT ATLANTAGEORGIANS WAKING UP TO
THE RICHNESS OF THEIR STATEOTHER INTERESTING
TOPICS DISCUSSED
Department of Agriculture
Atlanta Ga Nov 1 1895
One has only to visit the Georgia State Building at the Atlanta
Exposition to form some faint idea of the resources and possibili
ties of our grand old commonwealth As a Northern visitor truth
fully remarked even Georgians are just beginning to realize the
treasures that lie buried in the hills and valleys of their native
State When we look upon the wealth of products gathered to
gether in the State Building we are impressed not only with the
abundance and the fine quality of the food crops both for man and
beast but with the diversity from field farm garden orchard vine
yard and mines there displayed The different industries in cotton
in wool in leather in woodwork the almost innumerable speci
mens from mine and furnace and workshop the grand collection
of marbles granites and ores all impress us with the magnitude of
our natural resources and the progress which has been made since
1865 thirty years ago when our State was devastated and our people
prostrate The moreone studies this col lection especially of the prod
ucts of agricultural and horticultural industries of the State the
more one is convinced that a country so varied in climate so
diversified in soil and products has a bright future if only her
people are thoroughly alive to the demands of the times and keep
abreast with the improvements and progress necessary to the de
velopment of her various industries Our agriculture must not be
suffered to lag behind the other industries and one of the most174
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
favorable indications to be noted in studying this exhibit of the
States progress in agricultural work is the evident care and atten
tion given to developing heretofore neglected factors
In the past our agriculture was developed too much in one direc
tion at the expense of others equally important and the consequence
was that instead of a symmetrical wellbalanced system we were
weighted down with too much cotton on one side and not enough
of homemade meat bread and clothing on the other to preserve
the proper equilibrium But one cannot fail to see that the farmers
have realized their mistake and that the broad foundation of inde
pendence is being laid in the well filled barns and smokehouses
which will bless our State another year
THE SUDDEN DECLINE
in cotton has made many paupers but while those men who sold
before the decline are most fortunate the above conditions have
made our farmers even those who did not sell virtually independent
of the cotton market and they can afford from their protected
situation to view the flurry in the business world with the calm
confidence of men who are safe in any eventbecause their money
crop is absolutely demanded by the needs of the world and must
sooner or later bring a remunerative price There can be no doubt
now that
THE CROP IS SHORT
There was a decrease in the acreage planted the young plants
were very much retarded and injured by the late spring it was
almost the middle of summer before the belated crop began to take
on its usual vigorous appearance and about that time the rainy season
came on and was so protracted that when the sun finally came out
most of the squares and young bolls formed during the wet weather
dropped off Added to this in some sections of the State the crop
suffered from rust boll worms and caterpillars and the early frost
four weeks in advance of the usual time effectually cut off the top
crop By the first part of this month if not earlier the principal
part of the crop will have been gathered With this powerfully
illustrated lesson brought home to their very doors can farmers be
so foolish as to risk another overwhelming cotton crop the comingAnnual Publication foe 1895
175
year We have just gotten well started on our policy of home
independence let us not turn back or be swerved from our course by
the fictitious promise of a large cotton crop however alluring the
prospect Let us settle this question right now He who hesi
tates is lost Let us keep this fact steadily in view that the
policy of cutting home supplies short in order to get in a big acre
age in cotton is bad in theory and worse in practice Let us re
solve to take care first of home needs and then put in all the cotton
we are able to manage and work to advantage If this policy is
rigidly adhered to another year will witness a still more prosperous
agriculture and a happy and contented people
SOWING GRAIN
The longcontinued drouth has much delayed the sowing of the
oats clover grass and wheat because of the impossiblity of plowing
the land and unless there is a rain before very long the danger is
that the area of these crops will be materially reduced When the
rains do come the temptation to sow the seed on land badly and
hastily prepared will be very great But we strongly urge that
this mistaken plan be avoided as far as possible The later the
land is prepared the better it should be done on account of the
danger to the crop from cold The thoroughlyprepared wellseeded
bed particularly if the land is rolled stands a much better chance
than where the seed is just scratched in on the surface Added to
which if the crop on the thoroughly prepared field gets a good
start which it undoubtedly will with ordinary seasons the plants
are vigorous and strong and better able to resist even severe cold
It is not yet too late to sow German clover of which we hear
such glowing accounts from those who have tried this crop If we
can secure a good fine seed bed this crop may yet be sown There
will doubtless be more rye sown this fall than is usual from the
delay in sowing other grain crops It resists cold more successfully
than other grain crops and while not so valuable as clover as an
improver of the land it is a very fair substitute and besides fur
nishing green winter food serves to cover the land and keep it
from washing About a bushel and a half or two bushels to the
acre is about the right quantity to seed Another winter crop176
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
which Southern farmers would do well to experiment with is the
winter vetch Major Warren of Augusta who has planted it for
several years says it has no superior It is hardier than clover is
also a legume making good hay and like clover can be turned
under in the spring to improve the land It can also be grazed
Again we would urge that all the fall plowing possible be thor
oughly and deeply done Even on the lighter lands except the
very sandy this is beneficial and on the heavier lands the advan
tages are incalculable If the land is left in loose condition the
effect of the winter will be to hasten the disintegration and decom
position of the vegetable matter which it may contain There are
also many elements of insect life which are destroyed and in very
cold seasons the weed seeds thus exposed are effectually eliminated
POTATOES
which have not already been gathered and stored should receive
attention before the rains set in It is very important to dig them
in dry weather as they are easier handled and there are fewer
chances of losing them after they are stored This once carefully
done the main care should be to keep the temperature as nearly
uniform as possible about 40 or 45 degrees This can be managed
by leaving the ventilators open in pleasant weather and closing
them in cold and also throwing on additional earth or covering
during cold spells
R T Nesbitt Commissioner
THE DUTY OF A FARMER TO KEEP HIS SOIL GOOD
A fanner is a trustee or a steward His great Employer has
committed a charge to him and said Occupy till I remove you
Raise whatever crops you choose but keep the soil in as good a
state of fertility as it was when you received it The soil is to sup
port those who come after you It is the worst kind of robbery to
take crop after crop off a farm and do nothing towards repairing
the waste He who recklessly adopts a bad system of husbandry
not only wrongs himself but is guilty of great injustice to his suc
cessors The Creator works by means and he will not restore imAnnual Publication foe 1895
it
poverished soils by a miracle If a man by bad farming injures the
fertility of his soil he and those who come after him must suffer
the damage resulting from the abuse of the resources of the farm
It is therefore the bounden duty of every man to try and keep his
soil in a good state of fertility by means of the manurial resources
which it affords If he does as well as every farmer may do the
day will soon dawn when our crops may be increased at least two
fold Every farmer can do this in a few years by simply com
mencing a renovating system by subsoiling manuring and grow
ing proper crops in rotatiou
Let young farmers resolve to leave their soil in a better state of
fertility than they received it and thus while bettering their own
condition they will have the satisfaction of knowing that they have
been faithful to their trust and have not robbed their successors
Exchange
DECORTICATON OF RAMIE
If one may believe all one reads in the press of the country
ramie culture is again to the front with an increased acreage this
season The difficulty in the past in handling ramie has been the
decortication of the plant to procure the fibre It is claimed now
as it has been claimed many times before that the question has been
solved Ramie is an extremely valuable fibre and its general utility
may be realized when it is understood that rope may be made from
it as well as a cloth that resembles silk Much of the socalled
Chinese silk largely consumed in the United States is made with a
large percentage of ramie fibre178
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
COMMISSIONER NESBITTS INQUIRY BOX FOR THE
MONTH
VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATIONBUGS DESTROYING CAB
BAGEHARNESSING AND HEARING A MULE IN THE
PLOWHOW TO PREVENT SMUT IN WHEATKEEPING
WEEVILS OUT OP CORNWHEN TO PLANT OATS ETC
OTHER MATTERS OF INTEREST
QUESTION 1
I inclose a plant which is getting common in the pastures and
fields of this section Please name and tell how to get rid of it
B M
ANSWER 1
The inclosed specimen is the wild carrot Daucus Carola It
is found in nearly all the States east of the Mississippi river
and is rapidly spreading over the entire country seeming to
thrive on all soils and in all climates
It flowers from June to September The seed are distributed
by becoming attached to animals and thus being carried about
or remaining on the plant until wiuter are blown considerable
distances by the wind The seeds retain their hard covering
In permanent pasture mowing the plants as often as the flowers
appear will eventually destroy them Or the root may be cut off
several inches below the surface of the grouud which will usuallv
kill them at once Or the plants may be pulled by hand when the
ground is wet this is probably the surest way of getting rid of
this weed The wild carrot is not often troublesome in cultivated
fields
question 2
I send you some bugs which have been eating my cabbages and
turnips Please name them and tell me how to get rid of them
L H Taylor County Ga
answer 2
The bugs are Harlequin cabbage bugs Murgantia Histriouica
so called from the gay harlequinlike manner in which the blackAnnual Publication for 1895 J79
and yellow colors are arranged upon their bodies It feeds upon
cabbage turnips radish and mustard plants and its ravages as a
rule are confined to the States south of Pennsylvania The first
eggs are hatched out in April or May and this brood at once
begins its work of destruction by sucking the sap from the leaves
They are timid and quickly hide behind the most convenient stem
or leaf of the plant they are feeding on In this section there are
several broods each season
The most efficient remedy is to destroy the brood that lives over
winter when they congregate upon the mustard or radish plants
Then they can be destroyed very easily by the application of kero
sene by means of a common watering pot
If these bugs are thus destroyed early in the season it wilt
almost entirely prevent injury later These insects fly but little
and are thus not apt to come from neighboring fields
All bugs and eggs which may be seen on cabbage plants should
be picked off and destroyed Clean cultivation and burning of all
rubbish in and about the garden are important preventive meas
ures
In the spring and fall many of these bugs may be trapped by
aying cabbage or turnip leaves between the rows the insects will
harbor under these and may be collected and destroyed each morn
ing
QUESTION 3
Give me some advice about harnessing and gearing a mule in
llJr piOW
D
ANSWER 3
The following article contains much good advice on the subject
of harness It may appear trifling to make allusion to the har
ness of a plantaton mule as it is ordinarily so scant but be that as
it may there is quite sufficient when not properly adjusted to be
resPonsble for a large mortality among plantation mules
In considering this topic we will have to include almost the
whole gears especially that used in the plow and we will com
mence with the bits or rather with the fitting of the bits which is180 Department of AgricultureGeorgia
important The points to observe are that they fit the month and
are neither too wide nor too narrow The mouthpiece requires
fitting with care it should be about the breadth of two fingers
above the corner teeth They are often placed so high in the
mouth as to cut the angles of the lips the angles should not even
be wrinkled
COLLARS
Fitting a collar for draught purposes is a point of hygienic im
portance The main things to attend to are that it has an even
bearing on the shoulders that it is deep enough below so as to
avoid anv pressure on the windpipe and the blood vessels of the
neck that it does not pinch from side to side and that the traces
should not be attached to it too near the point of the shoulder
The evils of a badly fitting collar are great such as collargalls or
sore shoulders congestion of the brain from pressure on the jugulars
preventing the return of blood from that organ and partial suffoca
tion from pressure on the windpipe
Collars of all varieties have each their votaries but we consider
none better than those lined with leather next the skin when kept
clean and free from skin secretions which if allowed to remain on
the collar becomes hard and rough and then produces irritation
To keep the shoulders in good condition and prevent gallingpre
suming that the collar fitsit is a good rule to have the drivers
bathe the shoulders with a little cold water each time the collars are
taken off This could easily be done at the drinking trough when
the mules are being watered
BACKBANDS AND TRACES
No part of the plow gear produces so much permanent injury or
loss as the backhand The importance of the proper adjustment
of the backhand may be somewhat appreciated when we state
that on one plantation within our knowledge eleven or twelve fine
mules were lost from paralysis of the hind extremities due to se
vere and continued pressure on the spine over the loins
It is not an unusual sight to see mules hitched to the plow with
the backhands over the loins behind the last rib where there is
the least support to the back not only pulling but lifting the plowAnnual Publication for 1895
181
with this the weakest part As a matter of fact the only proper
function of a backhand is to preveut the traces falling amongst
the animals feet when the tension is taken off them
Placing the backhand beyond the last rib is the most dangerous
procedure and is the cause of the death of many a valuable mule
The trace should have a straight pull from its attachment to the
hame to the single trace there should be no angles in it at all
If there are it is an indication of undue pressure on the back If
there is a necessity for any portion of the back having to bear
weight the band with blocks on either side of the spine or that
which curves over the spine is preferable to the plain backhand
as the one has no direct bearing on the spinal column the other
has More attention paid to the proper gearing of our animals
would often prevent serious loss
question 4
I have lost several head of young cattle lately They swell on
the neck or loins look dull and drooping refuse to eat are consti
pated urine high colored and have died iu from twelve to twenty
four hours What is the disease and what can I do lor it K
answer 4
From your description your cattle have died of anthrax a dis
ease known in different localities as bloody murrain black
leg black tongue charbon etc It is a common disease
attacking not only cattle but other animals as well I remem
ber in 1856 when the black tongue as it was called swept
over Florida and South Georgia killing a number of cattle and
almost exterminating the deer which at that time were very nu
merous A gentleman from Florida told me that during a day
spent in the woods looking after his cattle he counted over thirty
dead deer and saw others walking about aimlessly rendered tame
by the disease with which they were suffering
The causes ot this disease are usually traceable to stagnant
ditches swamps etc the water in which has been lowered by a
long period of drouth also to food or water that has been tainted
with decaying animal or vegetable matter and contagion The dis182
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
ease is most common in flat districts where during dry seasons
ponds and pools of stagnant water are found and the decomposing
vegetable matters are exposed This is essentially a disease of the
blood and is practically confined to young cattle rarely attacking an
animal over two years of age
In this disease prevention is better than cure as there is little
hope of saving an animal after the disease is contracted a few hours
usually bringing a fatal termination Threedrachm doses of chlor
ate of potassium dissolved in water and given every three hours
is good treatment and if the animal is weak give in addition
whisky and quinine
Change the pasture at once when this disease appears to one on
higher ground if possible and with purer water Separate the sick
animals from the rest Bury deeply all cattle that die or better
still burn the carcasses
The sheds or stables where animals have been confined should
be thoroughly cleaned and sprinkled with quick lime and the
woodwork walls etc washed with a solution of chloride of lime
four ounces to a gallon of water This disease can be contracted
ty man therefore great care should be taken in handling a sick
animal or a dead carcass as a scratch or sore on the hands might be
the means of causing inoculation After any exposure the hands
should be washed in a weak solution of carbolic acid
QUESTION 5
What can I do to prevent smut in wheat
answer 5
M White County
This question is one of much importance as there is considerable
loss every year in the State from this cause In the first place
always select your seed from wheat that has fully ripened before
harvesting This point is frequently neglected and the seed se
lected from grain but only half ripe thus inviting diseases of vari
ous kinds
Previous to sowing make a strong brine of salt and soft water
and in this the grain should be washed for five minutes taking careAnnual Publication for 1895
183
to skim off the light wheat and foreign seeds which will float
Repeat this washing in another clean brine and when taken out
mix thoroughly the wheat with onetwelfth its bulk of fresh pul
verized cpiick lime This kills smut cleans out weeds from the
grain and promotes early rapid growth You can of course use
the same brine over and over atrain
o
Now dont say this is too much trouble and go ahead sowing
weed seed smutty wheat etc There is nothing to be had in
this world without trouble and labor and in this case the resulting
benefit more than compensates for the labor giveu
Auother way to prevent smut in wheat and oats is to immerse
the seed for five minutes in water at a temperature of 135 to 140
degrees Dry before sowing This treatment seems to kill all the
smut germs without injuring the vitality of the wheat
question 6
Shall I plant oats now or would it be better to wait until after
Christmas j p
ANSWER 6
There is a difference of opinion among farmers on this point
many claiming that on account of the danger of cold killing the
crop it is better to wait until February before planting Carrying
out this theory to its ultimate conclusion there would be no oats
planted until all danger of severe cold was past Oats planted af
ter Christmas undoubtedly yield well some years notably so this
year when even March sowing in most cases made a good crop
But as one swallow does not make a summer neither does the
result of one years crop establish a precedent by which we should
be guided Our farmers have been in such financial straits for
some years on account of the low price of cotton that as a rule
they could not afford to run the risk of having their oats killed and
the consequence has been a general resort to spring planting
In my opinion this is a mistake Oats should if possible be
planted the last of September or the first part of October and if
put in at that time with a turn plow on fair land they will not be
killed more than one year in five and the total of the four crops184
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
that escape the cold will be much greater than the total of five
springplanted crops If the crop cannot be put in at the right
time then put it in as soon as you can whether it be in November
or December for as most of our cold comes in January or February
the oats sowed in November or December will be older and better
rooted and therefore harder to kill than oats sown in January
Another point in favor of fall sowing is this Should the first
crop be killed a second sowing on the same land by reason of the
land being plowed and then being thoroughly pulverized by the
cold would probably result in a crop sufficiently good to pay for the
cost of both sowings
Another plan followed by some good farmers is to put in during
the fall half the land they intend to sow reserving the other half
for spring planting There are some advantages in this plan but
on the whole I believe it is best to sow oats in this State about the
first of October or as soou thereafter as is practicable
QUESTION 7
Is there any way to keep weevils out of corn
answer 7
During many years of planting in southwest Georgia the weevils
annually destroyed a large percentage of the corn crop after it was
put in the crib All the various remedies such as salt water walnut
leaves leaves of the China tree lime etc were tried without suc
cess The damage was greater some years than others but must
have averaged quite 15 per cent Now that the State particularly
South Georgia has housed a splendid corn crop it is important to
the farmers to know how to save it from the ravages of the weevil
The bisulphide of carbon properly applied will destroy all the
weevils in the crib after the corn is housed and it will then keep
sound and good until used up
The preventive is simply and easily applied and is better done
after the corn is all put in the crib than making different applica
tions after every few loads If the crib is a tight one one pound
of the bisulphide to every fifty bushels of corn will be sufficient If
the crib is openas most of our cribs area little more of the bi
sulphide will be necessaryAnnual Publication for 1895
185
The method of using the remedy is very simple and merely con
sists of pouring the substance over the top of the pile of corn
when the vapor from it being heavier than air sinks through
the grain permeating the entire bulk of corn and killing all or
nearly all the weevils in the crib This substance is exceedingly
inflammable and no fire of any description including a lighted
pipe or cigar should be brought near it until all the odor of tlie
bisulphide has passed away This will take place in a very few
days The only danger in the use of this simple remedy against
the weevil is the danger from fire which can be readily guarded
against by ordiuary care I trust that this preventive will be
largely used in Georgia this season and that it may prove entirely
successful It is so highly recommended and so strongly indorsed
that though I have had no practical experience with it I am con
vinced that if properly applied it will protect corn from the wee
vils and every farmer in the State and particularly in South Geor
gia knows what a boon that will be The bisulphide can be ob
tained at the drug stores which should be able to sell it at 20 to
25 cents a pound The department would be glad to hear of the
result from farmers that try this plan Dont forget that the closer
and tighter the crib the better the result
QUESTION 8
I have my cotton crop all on hand viz thirtyseven bales would
you advise me to sell at present prices or hold for a higher price
C A H
ANSWER 8
I would not take the responsibility of advising in a case of this
kind Every farmer must act on his own judgment with the facts
before him No mans judgment is infallible and we are all liable
to be mistaken The cotton crop will undoubtedly be a short one
somewhere between six and seven million bales the mills are all
running the demand for cotton is good and business of all kinds
is improving This on the bull side Now say the bears while
we know the present crop will be short there was a big surplus
from last years crop which will more than make up for the defi
ciency of this crop the price is now high if it goes any higher the186
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
mills will shut down the price of cotton goods is going up and that
will check the demand These are the arguments used by the dif
iierent sides and you can weigh them and decide for yourself
Through a farming experience of 35 years I am satisfied that in
the long run that farmer comes out best who gins and sells his
cotton as fast as it is picked
question 9
I send you some grass I found growing on the bank of a ditch
What is it called and is it of any value P L
answer 9
This grass is Herds grass or Redtop Agrostis Alba In your
valley lands this grass would make a fine permanent pasture or ex
cellent hay It does not stand a drouth well neither does it do
well on lands that are unusually dry or thirsty as we farmers say
On some of your rich hillsides I have no doubt it would also
succeed especially when the land is newly cleared
This grass is perennial
CONDITION OF CROPS
GENERAL SUMMARY OF CONDITIONS THROUGHOUT THE ST VTK
THE CONTINUED DRY WEATHERIT OFFER THE FARMERS A
GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO GATHER THEIR COTTONTHE LARG
EST CROP OF CORN EVER MADE IN GEORGIAPEAS AND FOD
DER SLIGHTLY INJUREDA VERY LARGE YIELD OF POTATOES
The dry weather of September has continued through this
month offering to the farmers of the State as fine an opportunity
to gather their cotton in good condition as I have eer known
They have availed themselves of this opportunity and with the
incentive of good prices every energy has been given to the
gathering of the cotton crop it even being reported in the newspapers
that in some counties picking has been carried on by moonlight
In South and Southwest Georgia the crop is practically gathered
while in Middle and Upper Georgia picking is still being pushed
vigorously and the crop will very soon be all housed In someAnnual Publication for 1895
187
counties the crop is turning out better than was expected in others
worse and on the whole I see no reason to change ray August es
timate of the cropviz threefourths of last years yield as a
maximum
I repeat the advice I gave last month about cotton seedviz
do not sell it at ten or even twelve cents a bushel but use them in
making your compost heaps and thus adding to the fertility of
your farms It is not only poor economy but reckless extrava
gance to sell cotton seed at ten cents per bushel and pay 18 to
20 for cottonseed meal hauling each product from three to ten
miles Herein is one danger and disadvantage of the teuant sys
tem by which so much of our land is worked The average ten
ant caring nothing for the keeping up or improvement of the land
he works sells all his cotton seed regardless of what the price may
be thus year by year impoverishing the land to his own detri
ment and the injury of the landowner
There having been so little rain in the State for the past six to
eight weeks the crop so far picked has graded very high a very
small percentage being below middling
CORN
There is nothing new to say of this crop which is now being
housed Taking the entire State it is undoubtedly the largest
crop ever made within her borders it being a common thing to
hear farmers from different sections say that they have raised
enough for a two yearssupply On account of the weevil it has
heretofore been impossible to keep corn in good condition from
one year to another iu a large portion of the State If however
all that is claimed for bisulphide of carbon is true then this weevil
pest can be fought and conquered How to use this remedy is ex
plained in answer to a question in this months Talk and I trust
it will be generally tried by the farmers of the State If one ap
plication does not fully destroy the weevil try a second in four or
five weeks Dont forget to avoid taking fire about the crib for
several days after using the bisulphide as it is very inflammable
This remedy is said to do no harm to the grain in the way of in
juring its germinating power but I have recently been told by an188
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
intelligent gentleman of Morgan county that though he kept the
weevil out of his wheat by the use of bisulphide not a grain of
the wheat so treated ever sprouted when planted
It is possible that he applied the preventive too richly and so
killed the germ in the wheat grains or there may have been some
other cause for the nonsprouting of the wheat
PEAS FODDER ETC
The wet August injured these crops in South Georgia but in the
middle and upper portions of the State a large amount of bright
clean fodder and large quantities of peas have been saved A
great quantity of fine hay has been saved in South Georgia which
will compensate for the lost fodder I hope the day has come or
is close upon us when every cornfield will be sowed in peas at the
last plowing and that every field in small grain will be sowed
down in field peas after harvest In this way we can largely
keep up the fertility of our lands and increase their value at a
very small cost
RICE
The weather this season has been unusually favorable tor the
harvesting of this crop which has for some time been concluded
The yield and quality have both been satisfactory to the planters
SORGHUM AND SUGAR CANE
are generally good in their respective sections of the State The
acreage in sugar cane was somewhat curtailed by the loss of much
seed cane by last winters cold but the crop is a good one and
there will be no want of good syrup in any part of Georgia during
the present winter Sorghum should be planted more extensively
as it is easily raised and a valuable crop
POTATOES TURNIPS ETC
There will be plenty of potatoes though the crop is not so large
as it promised to be earlier in the season The dry weather of
the past two months has cut it off considerably and those who
planted late will make very few potatoes
Turnips are also short on account of the dry fall for though the
tops look well in many cases the roots are very smallAnnual Publication for 1895
189
STOCK
While there has been considerable loss among hogs in some
counties the number for killing is larger than for many years past
and with the abundant corn crop they will be heavier than usual
Many cattle have died in different parts of the State Anthrax or
black tongue has been reported from South Georgia on one dairy
farm in Cobb county twenty or more cows have died from red
water while others have been reported as dying from various dis
eases in other parts of the State
I have no doubt that many of these deaths might be traced to
stagnant water which on account of the very dry fall is apt to be
found in most pastures As soon as sickness appears among his cattle
the owner should change them to another pasture where he is sure
that they can get none but pure water either from a running
stream or a well In many cases this will stop the spread of the
disease190
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
DECEMBER
COMMISSIONERS LETTER TO GEORGIA FARMERS
IMPORTANT MATTERS DISCUSSEDTHE PRESENT CONDITION OF
THE COTTON MARKET IS A STRONG ILLUSTRATION OF THE
WISDOM OF MAKING ON EACH FARM HOME iSUPPLIESTHIS
IS THE MONTH OF ROUNDING UP THE FARM WORK
Agricultural Department
Atlanta Ga December 1 1895
Perhaps the wisdom of making on each farm abundant home
supplies for family laborers and stock could have no stronger
illustration than the present condition of the cotton market The
crop is exceptionally short and all products and all expectation
would point to stiff prices notwithstanding which the market is
wavering and at times panicky The farmer who has provision
and other bills awaiting payment and wishes to settle his debts and
begin the new year with all old scores wiped out is compelled to
let his hardearned cotton go no matter what the condition of the
market Judgment and calculation can have no part in his plans
for disposing of his crop When the credjtor presses the payment
must come and thus he is at the mercy of speculators and combin
ations when it is his privilege and should be his aim to be practi
cally independent of both Comparatively speaking the percentage
of farmers who find themselves in this hampered condition is small
Until the past few years the selfsustaining farms were the excep
tions but today the majority of Georgia farmers have wellfilled
bams and storehouses and cattle and porkers fattening for the
slaughter During the past few weeks I have conversed with
farmers from various sections of the State and the almost universal
testimony is that a blessing has descended on basket and store
But strange to relate although their present satisfaction is due to
their conservative policy on this home supply question I note
symptoms of a contemplated lapse into the old and oftproven mis
take of an immense area in cotton and a necessary curtailment ofAnnual Publication for 1895
191
the acreage devoted to home supplies From the post of observa
tion which my official position affords me I can see more plainly
perhaps than the man whose vision is bounded by the limits of his
own farm the utter folly and suicidal effect of such a policy We
would have no words strong enough to condemn the man who
after being nursed back to health and strength should deliberately
plunge a knife into his heart and let out the life blood And yet
that is just the agricultural suicide which some Georgia farmers
are today contemplating Our cotton crop is the big artery of our
system of trade and commercekept in healthy condition its in
fluence is sent throbbing through every avenue of businessit
gives life to every smaller industry all draw sustenance from its
strong pulsations But to perform these important functions it
requires to be supported by the subsidiary system of home indus
tries and home supplies Withdraw these and our whole agricul
tural system will collapse Would that I could find words strong
enough to bring this fact fully to the comprehension of every
farmer in the State At the risk of being considered tiresome I
would again urge that each man in planning for another year con
sider first this question of home supplies Lay off ample space for
every food crop and then crowd in all the cotton which can be
thoroughly prepared for and cultivated It is conceded that re
duced cost of production is the lever on which the profitable mak
ing of cotton depends while the farmer can exercise very little
direct influence on the market the control of the cost of production
is immediately in his power If he can by well considered plans
of preparation fertilization and cultivation the use of laborsaving
machinery and careful economy in all smaller details produce
more cotton on a smaller area at less cost he has mastered the
secret of successand he comes out victor Otherwise that is if
the cost of production comes near the selling price the farmer has
simply spent his time and labor and money to furnish employment
to the horde of cotton buyers brokers warehouse and commission
men railroads and manufacturers who fatten on the pickings
which they get from his hardearned bales while he settles his fer
tilizer and other bills and carries his empty wagon home a sadder
if not a wiser man192
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
I would also suggest to those farmers who are considering the
advisability of planting largely in cotton another year that the
unsettled condition of foreign powers may precipitate a European
war at any time which would deal a very severe blow to our cotton
industry In the event of a foreign war food stuffs would rise
rapidly and to the man who had injudiciously curtailed his
provision crops in order to raise cotton the disaster would fall with
double force his cotton would be almost worthless and the pro
visions which he would be compelled to buy would cost him per
haps double and treble their original value
DECEMBER
is the month for rounding up the farm work of the year It is
practically not a full working month on accouut of the Christmas
holidays which intervene But while every honest workingman
is eutitled to enjoy as far as possible the good cheer which that
season usually brings we cannot afford to devote the whole month
to festivity and thus entirely relax the steady discipline which
should characterize the management of every farm
PROTECTION FOR STOCK
If provision has not already been made for the protection and
comfort of stock this should not be longer neglected that the
severe cold snaps which we usually have in January and Feb
ruary may not find them at the mercy of the weather
REPAIRS ON TOOLS AND IMPLEMENTS
Farm tools and implements should be brought in and put under
shelter awaiting the rainy days in which outdoor work cannot be
done when they can be put in order To delay these necessary
repairs until the rush of spring work comes on when the tools are
needed for immediate use is to put ourselves to a decided disad
vantage
TERRACES
should be looked after all breaks repaired and weak places
strengthened before the heavy rains set in As opportunity occurs
new lines may be run and as the proper locating of these lines
requires a certain amount of engineering skill more than the aver
age farmer usually possesses it is well to engage the services of aAnnual Publication foe 1895
193
competent man to do the work otherwise the farmer may find
that the result of his untaught efforts may cost him more than the
price he has to pay to get the lines correctly laid off The system
of terracing is based on wellstudied and correct agricultural science
and should be adopted in all the hill country of the South
wherever practicable In the Forestry Building at the Cotton
States and International Exposition there is an illustration of the
principles of this system and effects on our worn and gullied hill
sides which it would be well for every farmer to studv It is
there shown how by careful systematic and persistent effort even
the old red hills of Georgia may be again covered with verdure
and many waste places heretofore given over to the destructive
action of winds and floods reclaimed and eventually made to con
tribute their share to the general agricultural prosperity of the
State
THE COMPOST HEAP
is another important item of farm economy which can be made
almost insensibly to contribute to our agricultural prosperity By
a systematic saving of much of the material which is often wasted
by even intelligent farmers we can at nominal expense return to
the soil much of that which is taken from it in the different
gathered crops All vegetable and animal accumulations around
barns and stables the fowl houses fence corners the woodpile
even the ashes and slops from the houses and the leaves which
so often accumulate in such unsightly heaps around our dwellings
may be considered so much ready material from which we form
compounds of equal value with any commercial fertilizer that we
buy at such heavy expense In the present condition of our agri
culture we cannot discard commercial fertilizers We must still
rely on these and judiciously used they contribute largely to our
success
Our mistake has been that we depended too entirely on these
and consigned to useless inactivity the rich stores of plant food
that accumulate on every farm These should constitute the
principal factor in any plan of fertilization with the commercial
goods as an adjunct rather than the reverse In making a com
13 ag194
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
post heap a good plan where leaves are abundant and close at hand
is to put a layer of leaves about twelve inches deep then a layer of
manure about six inches deep then a layer of scrapings or rich
earth six inches deep If ashes or lime can be had they will aid
materially in the decomposition of the heap Put on the different
layers packing down firmly until the heap is six or eight feet high
keeping the sides well squared up and the middle a little lower
If there should not be sufficient rain dampen the heap by pouring
on water In the spring just before time to haul out to the fields
tear down the heap and mix thoroughly The real cost of such a
heap say about twentyfive feet square would be equal to about a
ton of guano but intrinsically it would be worth at least twice as
much
HOGS
should be slaughtered and the pork packed away before Christmas
There are two main advantages to be gained by attending to this
branch of our farm operations as early as possible We save the
feed which after a proper stage is reached is only so much waste
and as a rule meat which can be killed in December cures much
better than that put up later on
PLOWING
Fields which are covered with a mass of vegetable growth should
be turned under as soon as possible in order to give the mass more
time to decompose Do not turn under too deeply the decay will
take place more rapidly near the surface There are on an average
many more bright working days in December than in January or
February which is another reason why the work should not be
delayed If the plowing is to be done in a cornfield when the
fodder and com have been pulled and the bare stalks left standing
there is often much difficulty in completely covering the stalks
They remain partly on the surface and becoming only imperfectly
decayed the benefit of any plant food they may contain is lost
to the succeeding crop Their presence is also a hindrance to
thorough and neat work As long as we continue the present
plan of gathering our corn and stripping the fodder from the
stalks this difficulty will be encountered and until we settle on someAnnual Publication foe 1895
195
more economical plan of saving the stalk entire we must consider the
best methods of getting those stalks in condition not only to benefit
but to interfere as little as possible with the cultivation of the
crop which follows A good plan which has been successfully
tried is to select a frosty morning and run a heavy twohorse
roller over the field The stalks being brittle will break off more
easily and the roller in passing over them not only forces them
into the ground but the heavy pressure flattens and breaks them
apart in such a way as to give freer entrance to moisture and frost
two powerful agents in breaking down their structure
K T Nesbitt Commissioner
COMMISSIONER NESBITTS QUESTION BOX FOR THE
MONTH
MUCH INFORMATION FURNISHEDSOME VALUABLE FORMULAE
FOR MIXING FERTILIZERS AT HOME THEREBY GETTING THEM
CHEAPER THAN THEY CAN BE BOUGHT AT THE FACTORIES
A GRASS SUITABLE FOR FOOD FOR STOCKOTHER QUESTIONS
ANSWERED
QUESTION 2
I send you a specimen of grass growing on my farm Stock are
quite fond of it and I would like to know what it is
Pick ens County
answer 2
The grass is what is commonly called Sprouting crabgrass
Panicum poliferum It is a smooth branching grass an annual
with rather coarse stems from two to five feet high but seldom grow
ing erect It is most commonly found on damp rich soils especially
along the banks of water courses This grass is frequently found
in cultivated fields growing up with the common crabgrass and
sometimes forming a considerable part of the hay from damp
bottom lands
While of some use in this way it cannot be considered a good
grass for maturing hay196
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
question 3
1 On account of the dry fall I have been unable to sow Crimson
clover sooner should I sow now or wait until spring
2 Shall I put in clover seed with a turn plow or how
3 Will it be best to sow small grain of any kind with the
clover
4 Would it pay me to put up leaves in pens in the woods put
ting lime with them
W H H Gordon county
answer 3
1 It will certainly be best to plant your Crimson clover at once
as it makes its growth in the cool weather and is but little liable
to be killed by any cold we may have in this State Planted now
on fair land well prepared you can pasture in February and tak
ing your stock off of it in March it will then run up and make a
fine crop of hay good for either horses or cattle In addition
your land will be enriched in nitrogen by the clover roots This
is not a good grass to plant in the spring as it does not stand hot
weather The proper time for sowing is about the first of Oc
tober
2 Clover and seeds in like fineness should not be put in with a
turn plow as it buries them too deep Prepare your land well by
deep plowing then sow your clover seed and harrow them in A
very light covering of earth is all they need
3 Do not sow any small grain with the clover as it would thus
be shaded and kept back and when the grain should be cut in the
late spring or early summer the tender clover would probably be
killed out by the hot sun Sowed the first of October this clover
will furnish fine pasturage through the winter and then give a
good crop of hay in the spring There should be more of it
planted in this State
4 If you have plenty of inexpensive labor you can employ it
profitably in putting up pens of leaves in the woods Pack in the
pen by treading a layer of leaves about six inches thick and then
scatter over it from a bushel to a bushel and a half of lime and a
peck of salt Continue these alternate layers of leaves and limeAnnual Publication foe 1895
197
until your pen is full and then top it off with a layer of woods
earth or muck from a foot and a half to two feet thick By
spring the pile of leaves should be decomposed and can then be
used with excellent effect either in making compost or better still
by putting in drill with some acid phosphate and kainit and bed
ding at once upon it
We should all endeavor to make as much manure as possible on
our farms and thus diminish our purchases of commercial fertil
izers
GIVE THE CEOPS A CHANCE
The following article from the Southern Planter will apply to
Georgia as well as to Virginia
There has been and is too much slipshod farming and reliance
solely upon the unaided efforts of a kind Providence God helps
those who help themselves Too many of our farmers will not
lo what our correspondent pleads for give the crops a chance
by doing their part Instead of giving thorough tillage they
just skim the surface of the land with a little onehorse plow
year after year and leave untouched the stores of fertility in the
subsoil If they give any help whatever in the shape of fertil
izer of any kind it is usually in the form of 100 or 200 pounds
to the acre of some commercial fertilizer whose adaptability to the
needs of their particular soil is absolutely unascertained and prob
lematical and pass by the Crimson clover cow peas and Soja
beans which would give them the cropproducing nitrogen and
humus which their lands stand in need of and which can be had
with these crops at nearly the cost of the seeds and the labor of
sowing them The great majority of Southern farmers never read
or study the agricultural journals or the books written by scientific
successful practical farmers but from year to year go on in the
old ruts of ignorance and failure and then curse their luck and
want of success No other trade or business could or would suc
ceed under such management and farming cannot do so We
wish that we could induce our farmers to take an example from the
little country of Denmark in the north of Europe198
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
This country is only about onethird the size of Virginia and
has a cold uncongenial climate compared with that of this Stater
and yet the Danes are so energetic and wideawake to the necessi
ties of the times that within the past few years they have built up
a butter and bacon trade with England that rivals that of this
country In 1894 Denmark alone sent to England 123479217
pounds of butter whilst all the rest of the world only sent to Eng
land 165030840 pounds In addition to this she now supplies
onefifth of the bacon imported by England not to mention more
than 100000 hogs per year also sent there and next to the United
States is the highest exporter of bacon in the world Her export
of cattle is over 100000 head per year and she sends to England
alone over 160000000 eggs per year And all this great business
is done by a population only about onethird larger than that of
Virginia The secret of all this prosperity is to be found in the
fact that the Danes are an industrious welleducated reading
people
They have the largest proportional circulation of newspapers
and journals of any country in the world and are quick to seize
upon and put into practice every new means of making their lands
more profitable and productive The result is that there are prac
tically no poor people in Denmark What a lesson is here con
veyed us Can we not profit by it Is it too much that we should
ask the farmers of the South to heed this lesson and from this time
to determine that they will read and learn to farm scientifically
and not by rule of thumb Now is the time to begin In
preparing for the crops of another year let your fall plowing be
plowing not skimming Stir up some of that fertility which is
certainly stored in the subsoil Expose it to the air and frost
This will fit it to become food for your crops Cultivate thor
oughly Tillage is fertilizer in another form Sow some Crimson
clover Give the crops a chance
INJURIOUS INSECTS
The following article compiled by Dr George F Payne State
chemist and published in the last fertilizer bulletin should have a
wide circulation and be carefully read by all the farmers in the
StateAnnual Publication foe 1895
199
They may be divided into two divisions or classes according to
their manner of feeding
1 Biting or chewing insects include all those perfect or imper
fect forms which bite and consume substances upon which they
feed
2 Sucking or piercing insects include all of those perfect or im
perfect forms which pierce their foodsubstances with a beak and
suck out the sap or juice from beneath the surface
Insects that belong to the first division and like the potato bug
eat the leaves may be easily destroyed by Paris green or London
purple applied to the foodsubstance either in a powder or a liquid
If on the other hand like squash bugs plant lice and other insects
belonging to the second division they suck the sap from the plant
causing it to wither and die poison will have little effect on them
because we cannot apply it to the inside of the plant where they get
their food Most of this class of insects may however be easily
destroyed with remedies like insect powder or hellebore These
powders kill by contact when applied to the insects themselves
Such insects have breathing holes distributed over their bodies
It is usually claimed that powdered substances should be applied
in the morning when the plants are wet with dew while this may
have its advantages it is not always necessary as it may in most
cases be applied at any time in the day but never when the wind is
blowing hard
In using Paris green or London purple or hellebore the follow
ing rules should be observed
The poison should be kept in a safe place and plainly labelled
poison
Do not distribute the poison with the hands
Always keep to the windward side of the plants or trees when
applying the powder or liquid
Do not use them upon leaves or fruits that are soon to be eaten
Give the rains a chance to wash it off
Never apply it to fruit trees when in bloom as the poison will
kill the bees so necessary to the formation of the perfect fruit
Paris green and London purple may be diluted with a cheap
quality of wheat flour which is probably the best substance for the200 Department of AgricultureGeorgia
purpose on account of its adhering to the plants and being more
readily eaten than other substances Land plaster is also recom
mended or a mixture of half and half 50 pounds each of flour and
plaster to 1 pound of poison is about the proportion when used in
a dry form on potato plants fruit trees etc To use in a small way
mix about onehalf ounce poison with one quart of flour or plaster
It can be applied to great advantage by the use of a powder gun
When used with water the following proportions are recom
mended
For potatoes one pound of poison Paris green or London pur
ple to 100 gallons of water
For apple trees one pound of poison to 150 gallons of water
For pear plum and cherry one pound poison to 200 gallons of
water
For peach one pound poison to 300 gallons of water
The Paris green or London purple should be mixed into a
smooth paste before adding the water The mixture must be applied
in a fine spray so as not to deluge the foliage and should be well
stirred while being used
While hellebore is a vegetable substance which will kill certain
insects both by poisoning and contact and is used successfully
against currant worms rose and cherry slugs its principal value
however is that of destroying currant worms
To use whale oil soap dissolve onehalf a pound of soap in about
one quart of water then add from four to five gallons of cold wa
ter and apply every other day with garden syringe or an ordinary
watering pot
For the trunks and branches of trees use thicker and apply with
a brush
KEROSENE EMULSION FOR DESTROYING PLANT LICE APHIDES
Kerosene oil 2 gallons
Waterl
Soap whale oil preferredI pound
Dissolve the soap in the water by boiling Take from the fire
add the kerosene and churn rapidly with a force pump or stir and
whip a paddle or old broom until emulsion is completeAnnual Publication foe 1895
201
One gallou of this emulsion to 25 gallons of water and mix well
will kill most plant lice For bark lice use one gallon of the emul
sion to nine gallons of water
For peach trees during the dormant season the solution if neces
sary can be used as strong as one gallon of emulsion to five gal
lons of water
For hardy rose bushes one gallon of emulsion to ten gallons of
water will be sale
Instead of using whale oil soap and water in making the emul
sion sour milk can be used if desired
Kerosene oil2 gallons
Sour milk1 gallon
Make emulsion as described above and use the emulsion when
finished with the same amounts of water as that made with the use
of soap
EXTRACTS FROM FERTILIZER BULLETIN NUMBER 31
THIRD SERIES
The following extracts taken from the Commercial Fertilizer Bul
letin for the season of 189495 will we believe be found of gen
eral interest and benefit to our farmers While it has been the cus
tom to place the entire bulletin in the annual of the department
as the bulletin is at the command of all who apply to the Commis
sioner it has been seen proper to omit a large number of analyses
of fertilizers and chemicals However as showing the immense
amount of work accomplished by the chemical department it is well
to mention that eight hundred and seventyfour brands of fertilizers
and chemicals are registered and aualyzed besides a large number
of mineral analyses 202
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
THE LAW GOVERNING THE INSPECTION OF FERTILIZERS
FERTILIZER MATERIAL
AND
On the 19th of October 1891 an act the full text of which is hereby given
was approved by the Governor In many respects it changes the method of
inspecting fertilizers and fertilizer materials and in these changes the Com
missioner trusts that all manufacturers and dealers or their agents will will
ingly acquiesce as the department will require and will see that the law and
regulations established by the Commissioner are carried put The assent and
cooperation of manufacturers and dealers or their agents will obviously ren
der their dealings with the department more pleasant and at the same time
will better enable the Commissioner to give an efficient service and will aid
him more readily to detect any spurious article that is sought to be imposed
upon the people of the State and in protecting the farmers at the same tiine
to protect the honest manufacturer and dealer
AN ACT
To amend and consolidate the laws governing the inspection analysis and sale
of commercial fertilizers chemicals and cottonseed meal in the State of
Georgia and to repeal all other laws and parts of laws in conflict therewith
and for other purposes
Section I Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Georgia
That all manufacturers of or dealers in commercial fertilizers or chemicals
or cottonseed meal to be used in manufacturing the same who may desire to
sell or offer for sale in the State of Georgiasuch fertilizers chemicals or cotton
seed meal shall first file with the Commissioner of Agriculture of the State of
Georgia the name of each brand of fertilizers or chemicals which he or they
may desire to sell in said State either by themselves or their agents together
with the name of the manufacturer the place where manufactured and also
the guaranteed analysis thereof and if the same fertilizer is sold under differ
ent names said fact shall be so stated and the different brands that are iden
tical shall be named
Sec II Be it further enacted That all fertilizers o chemicals for manu
facturing the same and all cottonseed meal offered for sale or distribution in
this State shall have branded upon or attached to each hag barrel orpackage
the guaranteed analysis thereof showing the percentage of valuable elements
or ingredients such fertilizers or chemicals contain embracing the following
determinations
Moisture at 212 deg Fahper cent
Insoluble phosphoric acidpercent
Available phosphoric acidper cent
Ammonia actual and potentialper cent
Potash K2 Oper cent
The analysis so placed upon or attached to said fertilizer or chemical shall
be a guarantee by the manufacturer agent or person offering the sain for saleAnnual Publication for 1895
203
that it contains substantially the ingredients indicated thereby in the percen
tages named therein and said guarantee shall be binding on said manufacturer
agent or dealer and may be pleaded in any action or suit at law to show total
or partial failure of consideration in the contract for the sale of said fertilizer
chemical or cottonseed meal
Sec III Be it further enacted That it shall be the duty of the Commissioner
of Agriculture to forbid the sale of either of the following Any acid phos
phate which contains less than ten per centum of available phosphoric acid
any acid phosphate with potash which contains a sum total of less than ten
per centum of available phosphoric acid and potash when the per cents of the
two are added together any acid phosphate with ammonia which contains a
sum total of less than ten per centum of available phosphoric acid and ammonia
when the per cents of the two are added together any acid phosphate with
ammonia and potash which contains a sum total of less than ten per centum
of available phosphoric acid ammonia and potash when the per cents of the
three are added together that no brands shall be sold as ammoniated super
phosphates unless said brands contain 2 per cent or more of ammonia And
also to forbid the sale of all cottonseed meal which is shown by official analy
sis to contain less than 7J per cent of ammonia Nothing in this act shall be
construed to nullify any of the requirements of an act entitled an act to
require the inspection and analysis of cottonseed meal
Sec IV Be it further enacted That all persons or firms who may desire or
intend to sell fertilizers chemicals or cottonseed meal in this State shall for
ward to the Commissioner of Agriculture a printed or plainly written request
for tags therefor stating the name of the brand the name of the manufact
urer the place where manufactured the number of tons of each brand and
the number of tags required and the person or persons to whom the tame is
consigned the guaranteed analysis also the number of pounds contained in
each bag barrel or package in which said fertilizer chemical or cottonseed
meal is put up and shall at the time of said request for tags forward directly
to the Commissioner of Agriculture the sum of ten cents per ton as an inspec
tion fee whereupon it shall be the duty of the Commissioner of Agriculture
to issue tags to parties so applying who shall attach a tag to each bag barrel
or package thereof which when attached to said bag barrel or package shall
be prima facie evidence that the seller has complied with the requirements of
this act Any tags left in possession of the manufacturer or dealer at the end
of the season shall not be used for another season nor shall they be redeem
able by the Department of Agriculture
Sec V Be it further enacted That it shall not be lawful for any person firm
or corporation either by themselves or their agents to sell or offer for sale in
this State any fertilizer chemicals or cottonseed meal without first registering
the same with the Commissioner of Agriculture as required by this act and
the fact that the purchaser waives the inspection and analysis thereof shall be
no protection to said party so selling or offering the same for sale
Sec VI Be it further enacted That the Commissioner of Agriculture shall
appoint twelve inspectors of fertilizers or so many inspectors as in said Com
missioners judgment may be necessary who shall hold their offices for such
terms as said Commissioner of Agriculture shall in his judgment think best
for carrying out the provisions of this act The greatest compensation that any
one inspector of fertilizers shall receive shall be at the rate of one hundred204
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
dollars per month and his actual expenses while in the discharge of his duty
as such inspector It shall be their duty to inspect all fertilizers chemicals or
cottonseed meal that may be found at any point within the limits of this State
and go to any point when so directed by the Commissioner of Agriculture and
shall see that all fertilizers chemicals or cotton seed meal are properly tasrged
Sec VII Be it further enacted That each inspector of fertilizers shall be
provided with bottles in which to place samples of fertilizers chemicals or cot
tonseed meal drawn by him and shall also be provided with leaden tags
numbered in duplicate from one upward and it shall be the duty of each in
spector of fertilizers to draw a sample of all fertilizers chemicals and cotton
seed meal that he may be requested to inspect or that he may find unin
spected and he shall fill two sample bottles with each brand and place one
leaden tag of same number in each sample bottle and shall plainly write on a
label on said bottles the number corresponding to the number on said leaden
tags in said bottles and shall also write on the label on one of said bottles the
name of the fertilizer chemical or cotton seed meal inspected the name of the
manufacturer the place where manufactured the place where inspected the
date of inspection and the name of the inspector and shall send or cause to
be sent to the Commissioner of Agriculture the samples so drawn by him an
nexed to a full report of said inspection written on the form prescribed by
said Commissioner of Agriculture which report must be numbered to corre
spond with the number on said sample bottles and number on the leaden tags
placed therein and it shall also be the duty of said inspectors of fertilizers to
keep a complete record of all inspections made by them on forms prescribed
by said Commissioner of Agriculture Before entering upon the discharge of
their duties they shall take and subscribe before some officer authorized to
administer the same an oath faithfully to discharge all the duties which may
be required of them in pursuance of this act
Sec VIII Be it further enacted That the Commissioner of Agriculture shall
have the authority to establish such rules and regulations in regard to the in
spection analysis and sale of fertilizers chemicals and cottonseed meal not
inconsistent with the provisions of this act as in his judgment will best carry
out the requirements thereof
Sec IX Be it further enacted That it shall be the duty of the Commissioner
of Agriculture to keep a correctaccount of all money received from the inspec
tion of fertilizers and to pay the same into the treasury after paying out of
said sum the expenses and salaries of inspectors and for the tags and bottles
used in making such inspections
Sec X Be it further enacted That all contracts for the sale of fertilizers or
chemicals in the State of Georgia made in any other manner than as required
by this act shall be absolutely void provided that nothing in this act shall be
construed to restrict or avoid sales of acid phosphate kainit or other fertilizer
material in bulk to each other by importers manufacturers or manipulators
who mix fertilizer material for sale or as preventing the free and unrestricted
shipment of these articles in bulk to manufacturers or manipulators who mix
fertilizer material for sale
Sec XI Be it further enacted That any person selling or offering for
sale any fertilizers or chemicals without having first complied with the
provisions of this act shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and on convictionAnnual Publication for 1895
205
thereoi shall be punished as prescribed in section 4310 of the code of
Georgia
Sec XII Be it further enacted That all laws and parts of laws in conflict
with this act be and the same are hereby repealed
1 With the provisions of the above law the Commissioner requests that
all manufacturers and dealers in commercial fertilizers chemicals and other
fertilizer material immediately comply
While the law itself is sufficiently explicit to be thoroughly understood to
facilitace its operations the following form is prescribed
REQUEST FOR REGISTRATION
To R T Jesbitt Commissioner of Agriculture Atlanta Ga
You are hereby requested to register for sale and distribution in the State
of Georgiamanufactured by
at
THE FOLLOWING IS THE GUARANTEED ANALYSIS
BRAND
OF THE
Moisture at 212 Fahper cent
Insoluble phosphoric acidper cent
Available phosphoric acidper cent
Ammonia actual and potentialper cent
Potash K2 0per cent
The ammonia is in the form of
Theis put up inof
lbs each
It is identical with
In consideration of being allowed to sell and distribute the above brand be
fore the official analysis thereof is madeagree and bind
to cancel all sales thereof and forfeit all
claims for purchase money therefor if after the official analysis is made the
Commissioner of Agriculture shall prohibit its sale in accordance with law
2 Under section 4 relating to requests for tags in order that no delay may
occur in shipments the manufacturer or dealer need not notify the Depart
ment at the time of the request for tags of the name of the purchaser or
consignee but must notify the Commisssioner in writing of every sale or con
signment on the day in which the same is made This notice must dis
tinctly state the brand of the fertilizer or the name of the chemical or fertil
izer material and the number of tons together with the name of the pur
chaser or consignee and their places of residence It must request inspection
and contain an agreement to cancel all sales thereof in the event the Com
missioner shall prohibit its sale in accordance with law The following form
may be used substantial compliance with the above rule being regarded as
sufficient206
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
NOTICE OP SALES AND CONSIGNMENTS AND BEQUEST EOR
INSPECTION
189
To R T Ncsbitt Commissioner of Agriculture Atlanta Ga
You are hereby notified thathave this day made the follow
ing sales and consignments and request that the same be inspected
c
m n 3 O H X p 3 0 ft

o o3 fc CD
a as 6 s 0 CD a o O
In consideration of being allowed to sell and distribute the above before the
official analysis thereof is made agree and bind
to cancel all sales thereof and forfeit all claim for
purchase money thereof if alter the official analysis is made the Commissioner of
Agriculture shall prohibit its sale in accordance with law
Manufacturers and dealers by this rule are not required to delay shipment in
order that the inspection may be made but are required to see that their goods are
properly tagged the inspection being made while the fertilizer or fertilizer mate
rial is in the hands of the purchaser or consignee
3 All orders for tags must be sent direct to this department and the request
must be accompanied with the fees for inspection at the rate of ten cents per ton
for the fertilizer or fertilizer material on which they are to be used
Manufacturers and dealers or their agents may request tags in such quantities
as they see fit but each request must state distinctly the brand or brands on
which they are to be used with the number of tons of the brands or of each of
said brands
It is not necessary that the fertilizer or fertilizer material be actually on hand
at the time the request is made but manufacturers or dealers can order such a
number of tags as they may need during the season bearing in mind that no tags
carried over will be redeemed by the department
In the event that more tags are ordered for any brand than it is ascertained can
be used on the sales and consignments of that brand by proper notice with the
consent of the Commissioner the tags can be used on another brand put up in
packages or sacks of the same weight and sold or consigned the same season
4 If a fertilizer be offered for registration inspection or sale branded as either
of the following
Ammoniated Superphosphate
Ammoniated Dissolved Bone
Ammoniated Guano
Guano
Fertilizer
or other words implying that the same is an ammoniated superphosphate theAnnual Publication for 1895
207
guaranteed analysis must claim that it contains not less than two per cent of
ammonia actual or potential
5 That part of section 3 excepting from the operations of the act an act to
require the inspection and analysis of cottonseed meal leaves the inspec
tion of that article under the Calvin bill which requires that all cottonseed
meal for whatever purpose to be used be inspected It is therefore necessary
and is required that a request for inspection be sent to the Commissioner and
that the inspection be made in the hands of the manufacturer dealer or their
agent or if shipped in the State at some convenient point before the meal is
sold or distributed In all cases fees will be sent direct to the Commissioner
who will immediately order the nearest inspector to make the inspection208
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
COTTONSEED MEAL
IT MUST BE INSPECTED UNDEB THE CALVIN BILL
The Calvin Bill relating to the inspection and analysis of cottonseed meal
does not seem to be thoroughly understood by manufacturers and dealers in
that article
Under the bill all cottonseed meal must be inspected and analyzed before
it can without violating the law be sold or offered for sale to be used as a
fertilizer or for any other purpose
Bules and regulations governing these inspections have been prescribed by
the Commissioner and will be printed but in order that through misappre
hension no sales in violation of the act may be made the Commissioner issues
the following
CALVIN BILL
A bill to be entitled an act to require all cottonseed meal to be subjected to
analysis and inspection as a condition precedent to being offered for sale and
to forbid the sale in this State of such cottonseed meal if it be shown by the
official analysis that the same contains less than 7J per centum of ammonia
to prescribe a penalty for the violation of the provisions of this act and for
other purposes
Section I Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Georgia and it is
hereby enacted by the authority of the same That from and after the passage
of this act it shall not be lawful for any person or persons to offer for sale in
this State any cottonseed meal until the same shall have been duly analyzed
by the State Chemist and inspected as now required by law in the matter of
all fertilizers and chemicals for manufacturing or composting purposes nor
shall it be lawful to offer such cottonseed meal for sale in this State if it be
shown by the official analysis that the same contains less than 7 per centum
of ammonia provided that the provisions of this act as to the per centum
mentioned in this section shall not apply to meal manufactured from sea
island cotton seed but the Commissioner of Agriculture shall upon the pass
age of this act fix and make public a minimum per centum which shall con
trol as to the cottonseed meal referred to in this proviso provided further
that if any cottonseed meal shall not analyze up to the required per centum
of ammonia the same may be offered for sale as secondclass meal provided
the analysis be made known to the purchaser and stamped on the sack
Sec II Be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid That there shall
be branded upon or attached to each sack barrel or package of cottonseed
meal offered for sale in this State the true analysis as determined by the State
Chemist and the number of pounds net in each sack barrel or package
Sec III Be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid That it shall be
the duty of the Commissioner of Agriculture to take all steps necessary to
make effective the provisions of sections 1 and 2 of this act
Section IV of the act makes the person or persons violating the provisions
of the act guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction punished as prescribed
in section 4310 of the code
Section V repeals conflicting lawsAnnual Publication for 1895
209
I desire to call the attention of all manufacturers of and dealers in cotton
seed meal to the above law which requires the inspection tagging and analysis
of all cottonseed meal whether sold for cattle food fertilizer purposes or
other uses This law will be enforced and I most earnestly request all manu
facturers to promptly comply with its requirements And in case of doubt
as to the method to apply to the department of agriculture for the rules
and regulations governing such inspections
R T Nesbitt
Commissioner of Agriculture
14 ag210
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
ELLINGTON1 BILL
No 168
An act to regulate the sale of fertilizers in the State to fix a method for
determining the value of the same and for other purposes
Section I Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Georgia and it is
hereby enacted by authority of the same That from and after the passage of
this act it shall be lawful for any purchaser of fertilizer from any owner
thereof or agent of such owner to require of the person selling and at the
time of sale or delivery to take from each lot of each brand sold a sample of
its contents
Sec II Be it further enacted That said sample so taken shall be mixed to
gether and placed in a bottle jar or such other receptacle as the purchaser
may present It shall then be the duty of such purchaser and seller to deliver
said package to the Ordinary of the county who shall label same with the
names of the parties and of the fertilizer
Sec III Be it further enacted That said Ordinary shall safely keep said
package allowing neither party access to the same save as hereinafter pro
vided The Ordinary shall receive a fee of ten 10 cents from the party de
positing such sample for each sample so deposited
Sec IV Be it further enacted That should said purchaser after having
used such fertilizer upon his crops have reason to believe from the yields
thereof that said fertilizer was totally or partially worthless he shall notify the
seller and apply to the Ordinary to forward the said sample deposited with
him or a sufficiency thereof to insure a fair analysis to the State Chemist
without stating the names of the parties the name of the fertilizer or giving
its guaranteed analysis the cost of sending being prepaid by the purchaser
Sec V Be it further enacted That it shall be the duty of the State Chemist
to analyze and send a copy of the result to said Ordinary
Sec VI Be it further enacted That should said analysis show that said
fertilizer comes up to the guaranteed analysis upon which it is sold then the
statement so sent by the State Chemist shall be conclusive evidence against a
plea of partial or total failure of consideration But should said analysis show
that such fertilizer does not come up to the guaranteed analysis then the sale
shall be illegal null and void and when suit is brought upon any evidence
of indebtedness given for such fertilizer the statement of such Chemist so
transmitted to the Ordinary shall be conclusive evidence of the fact
whether such evidence of indebtedness is held by an innocent third party
or not
Sec VII Be it further enacted That in lieu of the State Chemist should
the parties to the contract agree upon some other chemist to make said analy
sis all the provisions of this act shall apply to his analysis and report to the
Ordinary
Seo VIII Be it further enacted That should the seller refuse to take said
sample when so required by the purchaser then upon proof of this fact the
purchaser shall be entitled to his plea of failure of consideration and to sup
port the same by proof of the want of effect and benefit of said fertilizer uponAnnual Publication for 1895
211
Tiis crop which proof shall be sufficient to authorize the jury to sustain de
fendants plea within whole or in part whether said suit is brought by an
innocent holder or not H y
wVX eitfurtherenacted That all laws and parts of laws in conflict
with this act be and the same are hereby repealed tonmct
Approved December 27 1890
Special attention is called to
Sec IRequiring seller to take the sample
Sec II Requiringpurchaser and seller to deliver package to Ordinary
8ec VRequirmg cost of sending being prepaid by purchaser
REMARKS ON THE ELLINGTON BILL
Unless the law is complied with and samples are taken in the presence of
r0tTe 2iand in charge f the rdinarthe che it
not make the analyses If the sample is not taken in the presence of the seller
and kept in charge by the Ordinary until sent to the Chemist a dtahTnS
purchaser by taking his own sample during the absence of the se ler and mix
nig it with dirt could cause the ruin of an honest man and vicevaTrZ
SKiSsaingredients r s s
It is impossible under the law for the Chemist to have any knowledge
whatever of the names of the parties or of the names of the fertilizers or of
eir guarantees This is eminently proper as it is equally so tha neithe
purchaser nor seller should have private access to the sample
Ihe farmers desire protection against lowgrade goods and dishonest dealers
proper care and attention to this law will certainly secure it
The State Chemist earnestly requests the sealing with wax of all samnle
sd PTrwf brr and S6ller Althouh the des not requiTif i
is advisable that it should be done A record should be kept by the Ordinary
of the names of the two parties the name of the brand and the guarantee and
the samples should be numbered as taken and a corresponding number shouW
be put upon the bottles When the sample is sent to the Chemist everythS
should be scraped off the bottle but the number or the sample should n
Placed in another bottle and numbered to correspond with his re ord book to
countv onT T8 f The 0rdinary should te the name of ihe
county on the package when shipping that the Chemist may know to what
county the package belongs It is impossible sometimes to identify samples
SeSn Stothi8 office by the sender m 2SS212
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
REPORT OF THE CHEMIST
Laboratory of the State Chemist State Capitol
Atlanta Ga August 22 1895
Hon R T Nesbitt Commissioner of Agriculture of the State of Georgia
Atlanta Ga
Dear Sir The work of the State Chemist has been particularly
arduous during the present year The opening of the fertilizer season
was unusually backward the dealers in many instances putting off
their purchases a number of weeks later than usual Samples of fer
tilizers have poured in very steadily until after the middle of August
necessitating constant work every day of from one to four hours beyond
office hours by the State Chemist and his assistants to accomplish the
analyses The number of brands registered has been the largest known
in the history of the department some establishments registering over
forty different brands This great multiplication of the names of identical
goods must prove a source of constant uncertainty to the farmer for in
cases where he has not found a goods suited to the wants of his land in
endeavoring to buy another brand he may unwittingly be purchasing the
same thing under another name It has been the pleasure of the State
Chemist to answer an unusually large number of letters received during
the season requesting information in regard to the home manipulation
of fertilizers and the proper utilization of accessible plant food A knowl
edge of what really constitutes the value of a fertilizer is of deep signifi
cance to all farmers and their increasing interest in the subject is one of
much congratulation and will receive every encouragement
The work of the State Chemist in connection with the State Exhibit
Commission has been one of great interest Appreciating the importance
to the State of their fruit industry he managed to secure a small fund
from the commission to be used for the purpose of displaying the fruits
of the State This is an important and growing industry and is now
attracting more settlers to the State than probably all other kinds of
business put together In preparing fruit for exhibition there must be
no delay in putting it up most fruits were received overripe and imme
diate attention was imperative if they were to be saved Many of the
fruits have been received in the afternoons being shipped on the morning
trains and arriving about the time most of the offices were closed in the
Capitol this necessitated many hours of night work The exhibit wiltAnnual Publication foe 1895
213
prove a handsome one and one which has been gotten up at a remark
ably small outlay by the State The chief cost to the State has been
for containers and chemicals and a small amount for fruits and the
services of one man for a few weeks The work of the State Chemist
and his assistants at night after office hours has made this possible
without delaying the regular fertilizer analyses As evidence of how well
the work of the chemical laboratory has been kept up with it will suffice
to say that the official samples of fertilizers continued to come to the
State Chemist to be analyzed for appearance in this bulletin as late as
August 20th yet by August 22d the official work of the whole season was
complete and had been reported to you But thirty days now intervene
before the opening of the new season of 189596 which will be devoted
to straightening up the rooms of the laboratory after the seasons rush
and preparing and verifying apparatus chemicals and solutions for the
new work of the coming season which will begin on October 1st In
addition to the verification of chemicals solutions etc for every batch
of analyses made during the year there is always a complete overhauling
and checking of apparatus chemicals and solutions preparatory for the
beginning of each season The amount of work during the season of
189495 was as follows
Acid phosphates with ammonia and potash complete fertilizers 651
Acid phosphates with ammonia 5
Acid phosphates with potash 112
Ammonia and potash 5
Acid phosphates superphosphates 137
Potash salts 51
Fertilizers under the provisions of the Ellington bill 8
Oottonseed meals 80
Ootton seedwhole hulls and meats 23
Minerals 215
Waters 8
Substances not otherwise enumerated 160
Ashes 2
Soft phosphates 3
Bones 11
1471
Very respectfully
GEORGE
PAYNE
State Chemist214
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
VALUATIONS
For Available Phosphoric Acid Ammo7iia and Potash for Season of 189495
Available phosphoric acid 4 cents a pounct
Ammonia or its equivalent in nitrogen 10 cents a pound
Potash 4 cents a pounct
If calculated by units
Available phosphoric acid 80 cents per unit
Ammonia or its equivalent in nitrogen 2 00 per unit
Potash 80 cents per unit
The relative commercial value which is given each fertilizer is calculated
from the above figures with an addition to each of 260 per ton to cover in
spection sacks mixing and handling
To calculate the commercial value of a ton of a given fertilizer bear in mind
that a ton weighs 2000 pounds and one per cent of this is twenty pounds
If a goods contain one per cent of available phosphoric acid this will be
twenty pounds of available phosphoric acid in a ton Twenty pounds of
available phosphoric acid at four cents a pound will be eighty cents for each
per cent contained in a ton or eighty cents per unit as it is generally desig
nated Ammonia being ten cents a pound each one per cent or twenty
pounds in a ton will be worth 200 As potash is the same value as available
phosphoric acid each per cent in a ton will be worth eighty cents
To illustrate this take a sample containing
Available phosphoric acid1010 multiply by 80 8 08
Ammonia 260 multiply by 200 5 20
Potash 110 multiply by 80 88
Inspection sacks mixing and handling 2 00
Relative commercial value16 76
These valuations were obtained by the most careful investigation and fairly
represented the wholesale cash value on the first of January 1895 of fertil
izers in Georgia in those cities where the goods enter the State or where they
are manufactured Any one buying at a distance from Savannah should add
the freight to their depot to obtain the local wholesale cash value This sub
tracted from the price charged for the goods will give one a fair idea of what
is charged as profit Goods are sold very close for cash but when sold on
time dealers are compelled to charge full price to cover interest cost of collec
tion and bad debts
It is impossible to fix exact values for an entire season upon mercantile
goods subject to the fluctuations of the market hence these values while con
sidered fairly approximate are to be regarded rather as comparative and not
absoluteAnnual Publication for 1895
215
WHOLESALE CASH PRICES OP FERTILIZER MATERIALS
February 1895
These are the Substances from which Ordinary Commercial Fertilizers are Manu
factured mixing handling freight sacking etc increasing the cost of the finished
product
8 00 to
6 50 to
8 50 to
65 to
75
00
25
50
25
sa
2 00
Phosphate Rock free on board Charleston S Cper ton 6 50 to 6
Peace River Flaper ton 4 50 to 5
ground for making acid phosphates per ton
Sulphuric Acidin bulk50Bper ton
Acid Phosphatesper ton
Acid Phosphates sold by the unit of available Phosphoric
Acidper unit
To obtain the price of a given acid phosphate multiply Jthe per cent of
available phosphoric acid by the price per unit One ton of ground phos
phate rock and one ton of sulphuric acid will make two tons of acid phos
phate The cost of available pnosphoric acid at 65 cents a unit is 3J cents a
pound at 80 cents a unit it is 4 cents a pound
Blood dried red high giade with nitrogen equivalent to 16
per cent ammoniaper ton 32 00
Blood dried low grade with nitrogen equivalent to 14 per
cent ammonia per ton 25 20 to 25 90
Blood dried red high grade by the unit of ammonia calcu
lated from nitrogen presentper unit
Blood dried low grade by the unit of ammonia calculated
from nitrogen presentper unit
Tankage High gradeper ton
Low grade per ton
Pish Guano or Fish Scrap dried free on board at the
factory per ton 22 50 to 23 00
Fish Guano or Fish Scrap acidulated free on board at the
factoryper ton
Bones roughper ton
groundper ton
Bone Meal steamedper ton
Bone Black Refuseper ton
Sulphate of Ammonia containing about 248 per cent am
monia per ton 61 00 to 62 00
Nitrate of Soda containing nitrogen equivalent to about 19
percent of ammoniaper ton 35 00 to 37 00
Cotton Seed Mealby car loadcontaining nitrogen equiva
lent to about 8J per cent ammoniaper ton
Kainit containing about 1212 per cent potash K20 at Sa
vannah Ga in lots of less than 1 tonper ton
Kainit containing 1212 per cent potash K20 at Savannah
Ga in lots of less than twelve tonsper ton
Kainit containing 1212 per cent potash K20 at Savannah
Ga in lots of less than 25 tonsper ton 11 00
1 80 to 1 85
19 00 to 20 00
18 00 to 19 00
11 00 to 12 00
19 00 to 20 00
24 00
22 00
18 00 to 18 5a
16 00
13 00
12 00216
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
Kainit containing 1212 per cent potash K20 invoice lots
astoportper long ton 2240 lbs 8 80 to 9 55
Muriate Potash containing about 5150 per cent potash
K20at Savannah Gain lotsof less than 1 tonper ton 52 00
Muriate of Potash containing about 5150 per cent potash
K20 at Savannah Ga in lots of less than 12 tonsper ton 47 50
Muriate of Potash containing about 5150 per cent potash
K20 at Savannah Ga in lots of less than 25 tonsper ton 42 00
Muriate of Potash containing about 5150 per cent potash
K20 invoice lots as to portper long ton 2240 lbs 35 00 to 36 00
Cotton Seed Hull Ashes averages about 2275 per cent potash
K20 but varies from 10 per cent to 42 per centper ton 16 00
These prices give a fair idea of the value of fertilizers in large wholesale
lots The phosphate rock is quoted F 0 B at the mines the freight to any
given point will have to be added to give the wholesale value at such place
Sulphuric acid is given at New York quotations but sulphuric acid is prob
ably made as cheaply in Georgia as at the north as acid phosphates have been
sold in the State in bulk as low as 850 per ton which is the lowest present
New York quotations
Blood tankage bones boneblack sulphate of ammonia and nitrate of soda
are quoted at New York prices But as most of the blood tankage and bones
comes from the western markets they are probably delivered almost as
cheaply in Georgia as in New York city Fish scrap is quoted at the factory
The freight rate on fertilizers from New York to Savannah is from 160 to
200 per ton so 200 added to the fish scrap prices would give about cost at
Savannah
With these figures as a basis the value of the plant food in these materials
taking the prices for large quantities is as follows
Available phosphoric acid ob cents cents
tained from phosphate rock per ft 3J to 4 per unit 65 to 80
Ammonia or its nitrogen equiv
alent in the form of bloodper lb 9 to 10 per unit 180 to 200
Ammonia or its nitrogen equiv
alent in the form of Sulphate
of Ammoniaper lb 12J to 12J per unit 247 to 250
Ammonia or its nitrogen equiv
alent in the form of Nitrate
of Sodaper lb 91 to 9f0 per unit 184 to 192
Ammonia or its nitrogen equiv
alent in the form of Cotton
Seed Mealper lb 9J per unit 190
Potash K20 in the form of
Kainitper lb 3 to 4J per unit 70J to 90J6
Potash KjO in the form of
Muriateper ft 3 to 4 per unit 64 to 82
Potash K20 in the form of
Ashes of Cotton Seed Hulls per ft 3 per unit 72
As tankage bones fish scrap and boneblack refuse contain phosphates as
well at nitrogenous matter they would not be treated fairly if estimated on
their nitrogen aloneAnnual Publication foe 1895
217
The Percentage in Ordinary Fertilizing Materials of the Three Plant Foods
Most Easily Exhausted from the Soil is as follows
a o U ft ti o o Per Cent of Available Phosphoric Acid This subtracted from the total Phosphoric Acid present will leave the Insoluble Phosphoric Acid a d d bo t o3 P u o F4
Acid Phosphates 1200 to 2000 1986 190 1200 825 2274 10 00 to 1900 207
Soft PhosphatesBlood 1200 to 1700 800 to 1400 880 4 63 2480 1900 800 to 900 450 to 650
Tankage 540 315 800

Sulphate of Am
Nitrate of Soda
CottonSeed Meal 280 250 180 150 1100 to 13 00 5150 2275 10 40 120 1 27 525 68
Sea Island Cotton Seed Meal
Muriate of Potash 885 10 40 114 151 170 70 10 17 17 109 41 31
Cotton Seed Hull 775
AshesAnthracite coal
AshesBitumous Ashes limekiln
Ashes wood leached
Ashes wood unleached
Ashes city cre 130 35 53 121 72 67 70 1 88 72 52 237 60 59
Muck
Cattle Excrement 15 10 35 25 13 15 49 150 20 83 226 60 43
Horse Excrement Human Exc ment
Swine Excrement
Sheep Excrement Cattle Urine

Human Urine 17 07 01 30 32
Swine Urine

Stable Manure
Barnyard Manure average

The movement of fertilizers was unsually backward this season and there
lias been a large falling off in their use under the crops of 1895 The number
of brands registered is larger than usual requiring more chemical work but
the number of pounds of each brand sold is considerably reduced in many
instances218
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
FERTILIZERS FROM THE FARMERS STANDPOINT
There are but few intelligent farmers who deny the value of science to agricul
ture in fact we might say that there are no intelligent farmers who do not ac
knowledge the importance of scientific knowledge in their work for science is
knowledge the comprehension and understanding of truth or facts Scientific
men endeavor to systematize all facts and knowledge as much as possible so as in
this way to bring out other unknown facts A theoretical farmer is not always a
scientific one Theory means a doctrine or a scheme of things which terminates
in speculation or contemplation without a view to practice Hence the theoreti
cal farmer is often deservedly laughed at by the practical farmer A practical
farmer in his successful efforts in agriculture is simply carrying out the wellknown
facts of chemical and physical science Every successful farmer is to some extent
a scientific man as his work is conducted upon the basis of scientific facts In the
study of the requirements of the various crops it has been developed that besides
the three important requisites ol iir water and sunlight there are certain ingre
dients also extracted from the soil which though small in quantity are of vital
importance Most ordinary soils contain a sufficient supply of these materials
with the exception of phosphoric acid nitrogen and potash and these three ma
terials being often lacking in certain soils and also quickly exhausted from those
of much fertility constitute the substances chiefly used as fertilizers The use of
fertilizers whether profitable or not depends upon a number of conditions
Farmers as a rule agree that with a fair season the use of fertilizers pays them an
excellent profit upon their investment yet a good understanding of the facts or
science involved in the matter enables one to get a far better return upon his out
lay than would be the case if he does not study the matter thoroughly Some
crops require a greater proportionate amount of one or the other of these mate
rials An intelligent use of this fact alone is of much value We will not go into
a discussion of this at present however as we wish to speak more upon the subject
of what is called the complete fertilizer that is a fairly proportioned combination
well adapted for all crops and for use by those least versed in scientific fer
tilization The ordinary commercial fertilizer of the market is well adapted
to our average field crops the average of the complete fertilizers sold
in Georgia last season being 9 per cent available phosphoric acid 21 per
cent ammonia and 2 per cent potash which at the calculated values of the de
partment were worth 1850 per ton but for which small buyers of course had to
pay a larger amount probably about 2200 per ton While these mixed fertil
izers are most excellent it is incumbent upon the wideawake farmer to become
more familiar with the materials used in making these fertilizers and thus learn to
buy them to the best advantage We will not enter in this article into the pro
portions of the various ingredients used in making complete fertilizers but wish to
call attention particularly to economical business management in securing the
proper materials We first take phosphoric acid it is considerably cheaper to buy
this in the form of acid phosphate than in the form of mixed fertilizers Acid
phosphate of good quality can be bought at some of the factories in this State as
low as 850 per ton This however is in quantity and for cash and to secure
any such price it would be necessary for a number of farmers at a given point to
act in concert Nitrogen can be secured very cheaply in the form of cottonseecV
meal blood and tankage Cottonseed meal if used as a cattle food first and a ferAnnual Publication for 1895
219
tilizer afterwards loses tut about 5 per cent of its manurial value and if thus used
is a remarkably cheap source of nitrogen Blood can be bought sometimes for
less per unit for its nitrogen content than can cottonseed meal this is offset in cot
tonseed meal to a small extent by the amount of phosphoric acid and potash
present the percentage of phosphoric acid in cottonseed meal being slightly
larger than that in blood Blood may sometimes be higher per nitrogen unit
than cottonseed meal on account of the market and freight Potash is usually
purchased in the form of kainit or muriate of potash the prices for which are fixed
annually by the potash syndicate in Germany At the ordinary cash market price
for these materials the farmer can buy them and mix them at home with consider
able economy as such materials as cotton seed meal acid phosphate and kainit
can be mixed with comparative ease by putting down in layers one upon the
other cutting through the layers with a spade and then throwing upon a sand
screen It is advisable that the kainit should be crushed quite fine as otherwise
the potash will not be as thoroughly disseminated There is one source of potash
which is available to some extent in this State which is not sought after as its
value deserves and that is cottonseed hull ashes The mills readily sell every
ton they produce most of it being shipped to a distance The quotation during
the past season on these ashes was only 1600 per ton This material at such a
figure if only containing 22 per cent potash which is a fair average furnishes
potash more cheaply than it can be bought either in the muriate or kainit except
in very large quantities Some cottonseed hull ashes it is true run a little lower
than this but many of them run very much higher some as high as 40 to 42 per
cent of potash thus making them a correspondingly cheap source of this valua
ble material
In addition to this percentage of potash cottonseed hull ashes also contain 7 to
8 per cent of available phosphoric acid and a small amount of insoluble phos
phoric acid If we take the average cottonseed hull ashes and figure them as con
taining 7f per cent of available phosphoric acid and 22f per cent of potash thoy
would be worth as a manure 2440 per ton if calcinated at 4 cent per pound each
for the available phosphoric acid and potash At 1600 per ton if of good aver
age character they are a remarkably cheap source of phosphoric acid and potash
when these two materials cost 4 cents per pound in other substances which is about
the present price It seems strange that when this material can be bought at
1600 per ton a single ton of it should be permitted to go out of the State
Muck is another easily obtained material of value as a fertilizer Muck depends
upon its nitrogen content f r its fertilizing value Mucks however are very un
certain in their composition The average muck does not contain more than 1J
per cent of ammonia when calculated from the nitrogen present This would be
worth only about 340 per ton if estimated by other nitrogenous materials There
are mucks however which run as high as 3J per cent This would make a value of
700 per ton at 2 per unit The amount of phosphoric acid and potash usually
present in mucks is very small Nitrogen in muck is not quickly available and
should go through a process of heating or fermentation to make it so This is done
in the manufacture of compost One load of manure to three loads of muck if
covered with earth and allowed to ferment until ripe makes a valuable fertiliz
ing material the combination being claimed load for load of equal value to the
manure Such a compost however would be overrich in nitrogen and would
give better returns for the outlay of time and money if used in combination with
phosphoric acid and potash220
Department op AgricultureGeorgia
Another valuable source of nitrogen is leguminous crops which are those which
hear legumes or pods such as peas beans clovers and the like They have the
remarkable power of rendering nitrogen from the atmosphere available as plant
food This is done through the medium of certain microbes which grow upon the
roots of these plants and are found in large numbers in the little nodules which ad
here to the roots After the peas or beans are gathered as they are too valuable
to use as a fertilizer the vines should he allowed to dry thoroughly and then
plowed under If plowed under green they are liable to render the land sour
The roots as well as the tops of all leguminous plants add largely to the nitrogen
ous fertility of the soil and their use is one of great economic value to the farmer
As the nitrogenous materials of fertilizers are worth in the market about two and
a half to three times as much for each percentage of nitrogen present as is an equal
percentage of either phosphoric acid or potash the conservation of nitrogen is of
great importance
Geoegk F Payne F C S State ChemistAnnual Publication for 1895
221
UNDESIRABLE FERTILIZER FORMULAE
SOCALLED CHEAP RECIPES FOE MAKING HOMEMADE FERTILIZERS
During the season we have had our attention called to three formula which par
ties have attempted to sell in the State for making cheap fertilizers They claim
that the mixtures will be fully as good as the regular commercial fertilizers and
convey the impression in one instance that the cost will not be much over 125 per
ton and in another that it will be about 500 a ton In the third case no value is
given Such formulas as these are very misleading and expensive for the amount
of plant food actually in them These are the formulas
FORMULA A
Take commercial potassium nitrate 5 js
Sodaash 48 4 lbs
Ammonium chloride g 1
Copper sulphate 2 bs
Ammonium nitrate j iu
Dissolve all except the sodaash in three waterbuckets of water Put 100
pounds of manure in a covered pen and sprinkle over it a part of the solution
Then take about 60 pounds of ashes unleached and add to them the sodaash 6
pounds of salt and 6 pounds lime mix well and sprinkle part over the manure
Continue this process until you make up a ton and allow it to remain in a dry
place for thirty days or more the longer the better
Use from 200 to 400 pounds to the acre just as you would other fertilizers
If you have not the stable or cow manure you can use muck or rich black earth
and cotton seed
It is now conceded by all advanced chemists that the changes produced in or
ganic tissues making ammonia and nitrates are due to the presence and action of
minute organisms On the same principle as yeast is added to dough to start the
bread to rising we addthese chemicals to the manure to start the ammoniazation
and nitrazation They change the urates and other nitrogenous bodies into am
monia and nitrates Hence the necessity for keeping the fertilizer for some
time to allow this process to go on The chemicals are to the manure what the
yeast is to the dough
The chemicals for a ton by this formula will cost only 125 and less in larger
quantities
FORMULA B
Ammonia 5 lbs
Phosphoric Acid o ba
Nitrate Potassium 5 Ibs
SaltPetreZZ 10 lbs
SuPhur 5 lbs
Potash 10 lbs
Lime 50 lbs
Ashes 100 lbs
Dirt enough to make a ton g13 jbs222
Department op AgricultureGeorgia
DIRECTIONS FOR PREPARING
Mix all the ingredients thoroughly then mix with the dirt Moisten with
water lightly and mix thoroughly Put in a heap in a dry place Three weeks
before needed pulverize thoroughly and scatter in guano distributor
Good muck is best for thebody of the guano hut an earth that is free from
gravel will answer
The above makes a very high grade fertilizer Lessen the quantity if you
wish a lower grade This formula will cost less than 500
FORMULA C
Muck or decomposed vegetable matter 500 lbs
Droppings of Animals 500
Cotton seed whole 450
Droppings from fowls 120
Acid phosphate 15 per cent available 375
Land Plaster 125
Nitrate of Soda 18
Potash 3
Sulphate of Potash 28
REMARKS ON FORMULA A
The statement that the chemicals for a ton of fertilizer made by this formula
will cost only 125 is a wild one The formula as given will be composed of the
following
Cents a lb Cents
Potassium Nitrate 5 pounds at 3 j 18J
Soda Ash 4 2 8
Ammonium Chloride 3 6 18
Copper Sulphate 2 3J 6J
Ammonium Nitrate 1 10 10
Water 3 buckets 483 0 0
Manure 100 0 0
Ashes 60 1 60
Salt 6 J 3
Lime 6 fa J
2353 lbs 124
These figures have been put at the lowest wholesale prices in large lots and they
amount to 125 for the 235r3jj pounds counting the manure as of no cost It takes
the receipt 8J times to make one ton of two thousand pounds So a ton of the
mixture instead of costing 125 will cost 125 multiplied by 8J or 1062J exclu
sive of the value of the manure The use of potassium nitrate ammonium chloride
and ammonium nitrate is not economical in ordinary fertilization as the same
amounts of plant food can be bought far more cheaply in the forms of nitrate of
soda sulphate of ammonia sulphate of potash muriate of potash kainit etc
In formula A every fertilizing chemical used is more expensive than the same
plant food can be secured in other combinations The formula is also an unscien
tific one for when soda ash is mixed with ammonium chloride or ammoniumAnnual Publication for 189
o
223
nitrate the ammonia is released by the action of the soda ash and escapes into the
air in the form of ammonia gas The copper sulphate is probably used as an in
secticide The unleached ashes and also lime will both drive out ammonia from
the ammonia salts The materials are good enough though expensive but their
combination s unfortunate No alkalies nor alkaline earths should be mixed with
ammonium salts as they replace the ammonia and drive it out in the form of a gas
As the ammonia and potash in this formula are already in an available form the
idea of adding these chemicals to the manure to strt the formation of ammonia
and nitrification is unwise
The writer of the formula was evidently a little mixed in regard to the charac
ter and functions of nitrifying bacteria as he starts out bravely slating that nitrates
are produced by them and in the next sentence states that he adds these chemicals
to start the nitrification Because nitrifying bacteria produce nitrates is no reason
that nitrates will produce these bacteria and in turn more nitrates This is putting
the cart before the horse Manure by its own fermentation will bring its nitro
genous matters into available form without the addition of these chemicals and
furthermore if this combination is kept for some time as recommended there
would be less ammonia present in the material at the end of that time than there
was when the compound was first mixed
REMARKS ON FORMULA B
In formula B there is a misuse of names as ammonia is a gas and if put into
the fertilizer without an acid to fix it only a small portion will remain if sul
phate of ammonia is intended the lime and ashes will drive the ammonia from
it in the form of a gas Pure phosphoric acid is too expensive an article to
use in a fertilizer This is probably intended for acid phosphate of lime or acid
phosphate as it is usually called Nitrate of potassium and saltpetre are the
same thing In this case however the word saltpetre is probably intended to
mean what is sometimes called Ohili saltpetre or nitrate of soda The sulphur is
probably added as an insecticide it is not a plant food Potash like phosphoric
acid is too expensive and also too corrosive to use in an uncombined form Kainit
or muriate of potash was probably intended If in every ton the constructor
of the formula wished to secure
Ammonia 5 vbs
Phosphoric acid 2 lbs
Nitrate of potassium 15 lbs
Potash 10 lbs
JJime 50 lbs
Ashes100 lbs
Dirt q s ton
one could use sulphate of ammonia 20 lbs
one could use acid phoshate 20 lbs
one could use nitrate of potassium 15 lbs
one could use kainit 80 lbs
one could use sulphate of lime 100 lbs
one could use sulphate of potash 16 lbs
Dirt enough to make a ton1751 lbs
The formula is cheap simply because it is so weak Put up as suggested so
that one will not lose the virtues of part of it the formula will only give vou a
goods with J b J
Ammonia not over of 1 per cent calculated from nitrogen
Phosphoric acid not over 17 of 1 per cent
Potash 1J per cent
Lime lper cent224
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
It is incorrectly called a guano and high grade fertilizer by the seller of the form
ula It is simply a compost The suggestion to use muck in place of the dirt
is a good one If the muck used is a fair one it should contain nitrogen equivalent
to about 1 per cent of ammonia and the formula will be much improved As
suming that a formula was made on the basis of this recipe but from proper
materials containing in correct form and combination the amounts of constitu
ents called for the plant food contained therein and its value would be as follows
Ammonia 5 lbs worth 10 c alb 50 c
8 c
56ic
40 c
5 c
100 c
0 c
Available phosphoric acid 2
Nitrate of potassium 15
Potash 10
Lime 50
Ashes 100
Dirt1818
4 c
3c
4 c
i
iff
1 c
0 c
Totals2000 lbs 259
Such a fertilizer is worth about 259 Considering that the ingredients as
given in the formula will cost about 500 under ordinary circumstances and the
amount of labor involved in the manipulation the transaction is an expensive one
for a 259 result when compared with other commercial fertilizers If a good
muck were used in place of the dirt the compound would be increased in value
about 200 more per ton
REMARKS ON FORMULA C
Formula O is unnecessarily complex there being three kinds of manures and
two kinds of nitrates Taking the muck manures and other materials as of aver
age character there would be present in the mixture the following percentages of
plant food
FORMULA C
2 a
s s
03 Hl
Muck or decomposed vege
table matter
Droppings of animals
Cotton seed whole
Droppings from fowls
Acid phosphate 15 avail
able
Land plaster
Nitrate of soda
Nitrate of potash
Sulphate of potash
500 lbs
500
450
120
375
125
13
3
28
21141bs
Per Ct
130
35
373
59
1900
1687
o
o
G rv
O
O
Per Ct
10
17
102
32
1500
o
Ph
to
a
a
o
o
a O
V
o o


J
a a o
a jq
3 S
SH 5 o
ga sa
oPh
H w
Per Ct Lbs
15
10
117
A3
650
175
1678
71
46 58
5403
247
50
Lbs
50
85
459
38
5625
2871 625
Pl4
3
Lbs
75
50
526
52
140
1513
24 56
This will result in a compound containing ammonia 135 per cent phosphoric
acid 296 per cent potash 116 per centAnnual Publication for 1895
225
This is too small a percentage of phosphoric acid in proportion to the other in
gredients for cotton and corn It would be a compound however of considerable
value containing an amount of phosphoric acid ammonia and potash in each ton
which would cost in the market about 700 If used liberally it would be well
adapted to garden truck
The many letters which we have received during the past season from farmers
in regard to mixing fertilizers and availing themselves of accessible materials
shows a decided increase of interest and investigation in this subject It gives us
pleasure to do everything in our power to aid the farmers in economical fertiliza
tion economical of course not in regard to the simple cheapness of the fertilizer
but in regard to the best results for the amount of money used
The purchase of such formulae as these is a waste of money The Department of
Agriculture is always glad to furnish formula free of cost for any intelligent line
of fertilization There are a number of ammoniates which can be used and their
selection depends both upon the ease of securing them and the crop for which they
are intended The following are the most frequently used and cheapest forms of
commercial plant food Cottonseed meal blood tankage sulphate of ammonia
nitrate of soda and fish scrap Phosphoric acid is usually furnished by acid phos
phate and potash by kainit muriate of potash and sulphate of potash The com
post heap becomes more and more valuable and profitable as accessible fertilizing
material is best taken adventage of This will vary upon each farm according to
the conditions surrounding it and convenient local material which can be ren
dered available as plant food
It is well to remember that a cheap fertilizer may prove to be a very profitable
experiment or a very unprofitable one depending largely upon whether you have
obtained a lot of actual plant food cheaply or whether you have secured a mate
rial which seems low priced when its weight is considered but is yet very high
priced when its small content of plant food is estimated
Such opportunities for economical fertilization as the use of leguminous crop
affords should not be neglected Many mucks can be fermented and used to ad
vantage and cottonseed hull ashes can be often bought very cheaply when their
real value is considered In spite of these opportunities for securing plant food
advantageously the great mass of fertilization must be done with commercial fer
tilizers The purchase of these materials upon their actual percentage content is
advisable It is cheaper to the farmer and more satisfactory to the honest dealer
It is difficult for manufacturers to sell upon a lower basis than at present under
the system which prevails but by getting together and paying cash even if the
money is borrowed for the purpose prices can be reduced still further to the ad
vantage of both the farmer and the manufacturer
It is a source of great satisfaction that the Georgia factories should produce such
a large percentage of the fertilizers used in the State About 71 per cent of the
tags sold by the Georgia Department of Agriculture this season were sold to Geor
gia factories The Charleston factories purchased only 21 per cent and the fac
tories outside of Georgia and South Carolina between seven and eight per cent
This is a most creditable showing for the advance of the manufacture of such
goods in our section It also means that a steady improvement is going on among
our people in becoming familiar with this important subject
Situated as we are in the center of a triangle formed by Florida South Caro226
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
lina and Tennessee at each point of which are deposits of phosphates of such
enormous value that it has become the chief phosphate region of the world we
have opportunities before us for the manufacture of such goods which are not
equalled in any other section Hence with the double interests of agriculture and
manufacture the situation demands of us our most careful investigation and
study upon proper lines Geo F Payne F 0 S
State ChemistAnnual Publication fob 1895
227
SEA ISLAND COTTONSEED MEAL
ITS PBOPEE PERCENTAGE OF NITROGEN
By Dk George F Payne F C S State Chemist of Georgia
From the Tradesman
When cottonseed meals as well as other substances are used in the manufac
ture of commercial fertilizers it is important that the percentage of nitrogen
should be accurately known Some manufacturers in the South buy fertilizer ma
terials upon a guarantee and have no analysis made to check these guarantees
flattering themselves that they are actually saving the chemists fees A guarantee
is worth little if a dealer is aware that it will never be called into question After
the goods are mixed it is difficult to prove the shortcomings in percentages and
without large and costly margins in excess of his guarantees such a manufacturer
is never safe By working upon suppositious plant food contents in his materials
he may save a few dollars which he might otherwise pay a chemist but in so doing
loses many if his margins are large enough for safety and if he figures closely
he is likely to fall below his guarantee with its attendant losses
This importance of the analysis of materials has appeared to some manufacturers
less necessary in the case of cottonseed meals than in other materials often made
up of substances from widely different sources In the case of upland cottonseed
meal during a given year while there is a difference it is not usually a very wide
one among the seed themselves The nitrogen percentages of cottonseed meals
vary also with the different percentages of hulls and oil left in the seed and the
amount of decomposition which they may have undergone On account of these
different reasons as well as the difference in soils and seasons upland cottonseed
meals are found in the market at different times with varying nitrogen content
but under ordinary working of milks and usual seasons they contain nitrogen
equivalent to from 830 to 890 per cnt of ammonia The Georgia law requires
nitrogen equivalent to 7 per cent of ammonia in upland cottonseed meal which
amount it is easy to exceed if the hulls are not purposely left in the meal
In sea island cottonseed meal the Georgia law requires the Commissioner of
Agriculture to fix the minimum nitrogen percentage calculated to ammonia and
at the time of the passage of the cottonseed meal act only one mill in the State
was working sea island cotton seed Their samples of meal as sent to the depart
ment and taken by the inspectors contained a percentage of nitrogen equivalent
to about 612 to 649 per cent of ammonia Upon this showing the percentage of
nitrogen equivalent to ammonia was required temporarily by the Commissioner to
be 650 per cent Since that time two more mills in the State have started to oper
ate upon sea island cotton seed A number of these new sea island cottonseed
meals coming in this season have been lower than usual in nitrogen both from
the old mills and the new ones and this led us to investigate the matter It is
found that the true Sea Island cotton seed contains less nitrogen than the same
seed after cultivation inland and also less than the Georgia upland seed Th228
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
result of this investigation is given below and for comparison a number of vari
ous cotton seeds were worked upon The percentages of pure hulls and meats
are given as well as their percentages of nitrogen Egyptian seed are also in
cluded as a matter of interest
It will be noticed that the pure sea island cotton seed contained in one case only
272 per cent of nitrogen against 358 per cent in the upland seed when its lint is
removed and its seed left bare like the sea island seed The pure meats of the sea
island seed contain considerably less nitrogen than the pure meats of the upland
seed and even the hulls of the pure sea island seed contain less nitrogen than the
hulls of the upland seed The analyses show a steady increase of nitrpgen as the
pure sea island is raised further and further from its natural home and more within
the range of the upland seed Sea island cottonseed meal is low in nitrogen not
only on account of containing nearly all the hulls while the upland meal contains
scarcely any but also because the meats of the sea island cotton seed actually con
tain less nitrogen than those of the upland seed The following samples were ex
amined in the investigation
5101 Whole sea island cotton seed Prom Edisto Island off the coast of South
Carolina Free of lint Pure sea island seed
5113 Whole sea island cotton seed From James Island off the coast of South
Carolina Free of lint
5112 Whole sea island cotton seed From one of the coast islandsexact
location unknown Free of lint
4912 Whole sea island cotton seed From East Florida Free of lint
4913 Whole sea island cotton seed From South Georgia Free of lint lint
covered seed picked out
4914 Whole lintadhering seed picked out of South Georgia sea island cotton
seed So called adulterated seed
5104 Whole Egyptian cotton seed Eaised in Egypt Free of lint Sent to
us from Egypt
5057 Whole upland or Green cotton seed From Middle Georgia New lint
on them Removed by Buggs process
4917 Whole upland or Green cotton seed From Middle Georgia As they
come from the ordinary gin
4918 Whole upland or Green cotton seed From Middle Georgia As they
come from the linters of the oil mill
NITROGEN CONTENTS OF VHOIE COTTON SEEDS
Percentage Equivalent
of Nitrogen to Ammonia
101 Edisto Island S C sea island 272 330
5113 James Island S C sea island329 400
5112 From coast islandexact location unknown320 388
4912 East Florida sea island304 369
4913 South Georgia sea island 343 416
4914 South Georgia degenerated sea island with lint301 365
6104 Egyptian cotton seed297 361
5057 Middle Georgia upland all lint removed 358 434
4917 Middle Georgia upland from common gin286 34T
4918 Middle Georgia upland from linters 289 351Annual Publication for 1895
229
NITROGEN CONTENTS OF PURE COTTON SEED MEATS
5099 Edisto Island sea island Prom 5101 meats 6119 per
cent445 540
5072 East Florida sea island From 4912 meats 6159 per
cent 483 586
4916 South Georgia sea island Prom 4913 meats 6146 per
cent536 651
5102 Egyptian Prom 5104 meats 6266 per cent 462 561
6058 Middle Georgia upland Buggs process 5057 meats
6750 per cent528 641
4919 Middle Georgia upland Prom linters 4918 meats
5231 per cent523 635
NITROGEN CONTENTS OP PURE COTTON SEED HULLS
5100 Edisto Island sea island From 5101 hulls 3881 per
cent031 038
5073 East Florida sea island From 4912 hulls 3841 per
cent050 061
4915 South Georgia sea island From 4913 hulls 3854 per
cent 043 052
5103 Egyptian From 5104 hulls 3734 per cent042 051
5059 Middle Georgia upland From 5057 Buggs process
hulls 3250 per cent036 044
4920 Middle Georgia upland From 4918 hulls 4769 per
cent059 072
Sea island cotton seed is treated differently from upland cotton seed in the man
ufacture of cottonseed oil and meal It is possible to separate the hulls from the
meats in the case of upland cotton seed by a system of shaking perforated screens
The lintcovered hulls fall together and remain upon the screens the meats being
separated by dropping through the perforations There being no lint upon the
hulls of sea island cotton seed it is not possible to separate them in this way
hence the hulls and meat9 are pressed together and are bothfound in the resulting
meal Sea island cotton when cultivated inland in Georgia is found to quickly
tend towards the upland or green variety the seed being rene wed every three
years from the coastraised seed on this account Pure sea island cotton seed is
completely free of lint but upon cultivation away from the coast quite a number
of lintcovered seed are gathered in each harvest Such seed are called by the
farmers adulterated seed One mill which works sea island cotton seed removes
these lintcovered hulls by the methods used in the mills working upland seed and
thus secure a little better meal The following are the results of three mills oper
ating on sea island cotton seed The results are as given by the mill owners
themselves
MILL A
O11 300 pounds 1500
Meal 1525 pounds 7625
Hulls 0 pounds 0
Winters 6 pounds 30
1088 169 pounds 845 230
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
MILL B
Oil 317 pounds1585
Meal M50 pounds7250
Hulls pounds 0
Linters 4J pounds 22
Loss 228J pounds1142
MILL C
Oil 277 pounds1385
Meal 1420 pounds7100
Hulls 151 pounds 750
Linters 3 pounds 15
Loss 150 pounds 750
MILL D
Mill operating on Georgia upland cotton seed
Oil 317 pounds585
Meal 25 pounds3625
Hulls 900 pounds4500
Linters 25 pounds 125
Loss 33 pounds 165
From these figures can be calculated approximately what should be the nitrogen
content of a certain cottonseed meal if resulting from any of the cotton seeds an
alyzed and worked with the above results in the mills As the oil removed does
not carry off nitrogen and the chief loss in cooking is water it can be assumed
that most of the nitrogen remains in the resulting meal In the following calcu
lations we will assume that the whole of the nitrogen is retained in the meal and
that there is none carried off in the loss This is an extreme supposition as there is
a small loss but in this way the calculations will show all we can possibly hope
for in each case
Edisto Island pure sea island seed contain 272 per cent of nitrogen which is
5440 pounds in the ton this concentrated in 1525 pounds of meal as is done in
mill A will yield a meal containing 356 per cent of nitrogen equivalent to 432
per cent of ammonia In mill B the 5440 pounds of nitrogen being distributed
among 1450 pounds of meal will yield a meal containing 375 percent nitrogen
which is equivalent to 455 per cent of ammonia In mill C the 5440 pounds of
nitrogen will be diminished by the amount in 150 pounds of hulls which are re
moved this will be 465 of a pound 31 150 giving 53935 pounds of nitrogen
to be distributed among 1420 pounds of meal or 379 per cent nitrogen which ts
equivalent to 460 per cent ammonia
By similar calculations we have estimated the nitrogen content of meals from
East Florida and South Georgia cottonseed meals when manipulated by mills A
B and C The pure sea island seed from Edisto and James Islands and the un
known island are included The two latter are not estimated by mill C as the
nitrogen was not determined in the hullsAnnual Publication for 1895
231
d ts B 73 CO
T3 o U CD CS
d a O K
0Q ceoo D t 3
CO 73 M d to 73 d B
o 2 3 CD CO M O CO d P OH
S rt
K ffl 15 CB CO
00 OQ w
a 0
d
03
CD
Percentage of Nitrogen in whole seed
Number of pounds of Nitrogen to the ton
Nitrogen divided among 1525 pounds of
meal Mill A calculated to per cent
Nitrogen divided among 1450 pounds of
meal Mill B calculated to percent
Nitrogen divided among 1420 pounds of
meal and 150 lbs hulls Mill B calculated
to ppr cent
272 5440 329 6580 320 6400 304 6080
356 431 419 398
375 453 441 419
379 414
343
6860
449
473
479
Calculating
have
the Nitrogen in these cotton seed meals to Ammonia we will
Mill A Mill B Mill C
Edisto Island Sea Island Seed per cent of ammonia James Island Sea Island Seed 432 523 509 483 545 455 550 535 509 574 460
Unknown Island Sea Island Seed
East Florida Sea Island Seed 503 582
South Georgia Sea Island Seed
South Georgia sea island seed usually contain a number of hybridized or lint cov
ered seed which enables mill C to secure 100 pounds of hulls to the ton as it largely
operates on this kind of seed as the percentage of hulls separated increases the
meal obtained decreases but rises in nitrogen content If we take the Middle
Georgia upland or green cottonseed after going through the linters it contains 289
per cent of nitrogen or 578 pounds in 2000 pounds of seed at the oil mill 90O
pounds of hulls containing 59 per cent of nitrogen is removed and this amounts to
531 pounds which subtracted from 578 pounds leaves 5249 pounds of nitrogen
distributed in the 725 pounds of meal this amounts to 723 per cent of nitrogen
equivalent to 878 per cent of ammonia This is a fair average upland cotton
seed meal which by separating the hulls reaches this percentage of ammonia
From the above analyses it will be seen that a requirement of nitrogen equiva
lent to more than 425 per cent of ammonia would be onerous if the meal is made
from the pure sea island seed This requirement is now provisionally adopted by
the Georgia Department of Agriculture on sea island cottonseed meals
The mills do not appear to suspect this difference in nitrogen in the different
kinds of seed and one mill sent us samples to show that by careful sampling their
meal could not show nitrogen equivalent to 5 50 per cent ammonia yet these iden
tical three samples gave nitrogen equivalent to 628 658 679 ammonia when the
official sample taken by the inspector a short while before only ran to 530 per
cent The seed vary in their nitrogen content and in the percentage of lint cov
ered hybridized hulls which can be removed hence according to the hybridizing232
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
of the seed and the amount of hulls which are thus made capable of removal and
the varieties of the seed mixed together the ammonia calculated from the nitro
gen present in sea island cottonseed meal can vary from 425 per cent upward to
over 800 per cent when the hybridizing has become nearly complete and the seed
are treated like upland seed While pure sea island cottonseed meal mixed meats
and hulls may run as low as432 percent ammonia calculated from nitrogen pres
ent it may even run lower or considerably higher as hulls or meal predominate in the
sample The hulls and meats of sea island cottonseed meal do not always stay well
mixed when shaken in shipment or in handling and sampling should be very
thoroughly done otherwise there will be an excess of hulls or meats and a corre
sponding fall or rise in the nitrogen percentage on analysis Though sampling is
very important as an evidence of this varying character of sea island cottonseed
meal the following analyses are given of samples taken in the State of Georgia by
sworn inspectors
SEA ISLAND COTTON SEED MEALS WITH THEIR NITROGEN PERCENTAGE CALCU
LATED TO AMMONIA
No 4911679
3570663
4910656
2649649
411360
3541634
4908628
4963614
2655612
4971608
4974596
4972544
4642536
4820488
4571478
None of these samples run quite as low as 432 per cent which would be possi
ble with the Edistosea island seed The samples of meal appear to run pretty well
together when taken at the same time but there must be much uncertainty when
the sea island seed is renewed from the coast each year by some inland planters
in two years by others and by others again only once in three years By observa
tion of these sources of the seed as to whether they are grown on the coast or in
land and if grown inland if from sea island or inland grown seed the manufac
turer may so classify his purchases as to have an approximate idea of the results
he may expect
If pure upland or green cotton seed were denuded completely of lint as is done
in the Bugg process and worked like the sea island cotton seed in mills A and B
that is leaving the hulls and meats together in the meal there would be 358 per
cent of nitrogen to the ton or 716 pounds of nitrogen which would be concen
trated in 1525 pounds of meal in mill A or 1450 pounds in mill B In such a
case the meal of mill A would contain 469 per cent of nitrogen and that from
mill B would contain 492 per cent nitrogen which in mill A would be equivalent
to 569 per cent of ammonia and in mill B to 597 per centAnnual Publication for 1895
233
With these facts it is easy to understand the unexpectedly low percentage of ni
trogen in some sea island cottonseed meals but the causes of their often containing
nitrogen equivalent to over 600 per cent of ammonia will not now be discussed
The range of our analyses of sea island cottonseed meals when calculated to
ammonia as will be seen above is from 478 to 679 We know of one unofficial
sample which run as low as 440 This is a difference of 200 per cent when sep
arated from each other but the higher figure represents an increase of 42 per cent
more than 478 If we assume 800 per cent as about the lowest figure for upland
cottonseed meal 940 per cent the highest the latter figure represents an increase
of only about 18 per cent more than 800 showing the wider difference among
themselves of sea island cottonseed meals than among those made from upland or
green seed234
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
COTTON SEED HULLS
THEIE ECONOMIC VALUE AS A FEEDING STUFF
AN ADDRESS DELIVERED BY DR GEORGE F PAYNE STATE CHEMIST BEFORE THE
GEORGIA STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY AT THEIR MEETING AT AUGUSTA
GEORGIA ON FEB 15 1893 THIS IS PUBLISHED IN RESPONSE
TO FREQUENT REQUESTS FOR A COPY OF THIS ADDRESS
It is difficult to imagine anything apparently more dry tasteless and devoid of
nourishment than cottonseed hulls Yet within the last few years they have
come to the front as a most valuable cattle food Chemical analysis shows us that
although they appear so uninviting and insipid they yet contain substances of
much value
The producers of cottonseed oil formerly burned their hulls under the boilers as
fuel and sold the ashes Such ashes are rich in potash containing from 25 to 30
per cent but as a ton of hulls only yields from 1 to 3 per cent of ashes there
will only be from 50 to 60 pounds of such ashes for each ton of hulls burnt this
would only represent from 15 to 18 pounds of potash A ton of hull ashes if of
good quality can contain 600 pounds and upwards of potash which would be
worth about 24 But as it takes about thirtyfive tons of hulls to produce such a
ton of ashes it is far more profitable to sell the hulls for feed even at the low
price of 3 a ton
Cottonseed hulls contain in every 100 pounds
Moisture725 pounds
Ash288
Crude fiber 4283
Fat154
Crude protein375
Nonnitrogenous extractive matter4175
In a food analysis such as this the moisture represents the absorbed water in
the material the ash indicates the mineral portion remaining after the substance
has been burnt and the nutritive ingredients are the crude fiber fat protein and
nonnitrogenous extractive matter The crude fiber is the woody substance or
crude cellulose of the food the fat is the oily matters the protein is the albumin
oids and might be said to correspond in character to the white of an egg and the
nonnitrogenous extractive matter is that portion which is not water ash fibrefat
nor protein It is composed of soluble substances and consists chiefly of such
carbohydrates as gum starch sugar etc
While such an analysis shows certain nutritive bodies it does not necessarily
follow that they can be all digested and assimilated In fact it has been found
by actual experiment that the digestibility of the constituents of the various feedAnnual Publication for 1895
235
ing stuffs are not the same but are nearest alike in those materials which most
closely resemble each other It has also been ascertained that to secure the best
results in cattlefeeding the amount of digestible protein present must be always
accompanied by a certain proportion of digestible nonnitrogenous matter con
sisting of crude fiber fat and extractive This is called the nutritive ratio The
crude protein is the nitrogenous portion of the food and is the most costly Its
chief work is the production of flesh and muscle The crude fiber fat and non
nitrogenous extractive matter furnish heat and fat and in adding their total
digestibility together that of the fat is first multiplied by 2J to put it upon an
equal basis with the others a9 its fat and heatproducing powers are that much
greater
The nutritive ratio varies for different animals and for different conditions under
which they live The following are some of the most important ratios
Milch cowsOne part of digestible protein to 54 parts digestible nonnitrog
enous matter
Oxen fatteningOne part of digestible protein to 55 up to 65 parts digestible
nonnitrogenous matter according to age and weight
Growing animalsOne part digestible protein to 47 up to 80 parts digestible
nonnitrogenous matter according to age and weight
Any decided change from these proportions means waste of food Hence
the proper regulation of the different ingredients of a ration is a most impor
tant matter
In discussing cottonseed hulls it is well to also speak of cottonseed meal as
they are the natural concomitants of each other We have stated above that cotton
seed hulls contain 3J pounds of crude protein in 100 pounds Twentysix per cent
of this 3f pounds is digestible This gives T of a pound of digestible protein
This is the unit for the nutritive ratio of cottonseed hulls The crude fiber in the
bulls is 42A pounds and 62 per cent of it is digestible This will give 22T2Jj
pounds of digestible crude fiber The fat present is 1 pounds and 27 per cent
is digestible This figures to r2g of a pound of digestible fat which is to be mul
tiplied by 2 as described above This makes it figure up as 1 Tjj of a pound The
nonnitrogenous extractive matter in cottonseed hull is 41 pounds Forty per
cent of this is digestible which upon multiplication gives 16 pounds of
digestible nonnitrogenous extractive matter Upon adding together the digestible
percentages of crude fiber fat and nonnitrogenous extractive matter as figured
above the result will be 40Tfy pounds As we have only T of a pound of
digestible protein the nutritive ratio will be as ft is to 40 Tf ff or as 1 is to 408
But as a nutritive ratio of 1 408 is much too low for feeding purposes it should be
corrected by some far richer food and we naturally turn to cottonseed meal which
is too expensive and also has too high a nutritive ratio to use alone
Cottonseed meal in a hundred pounds contains 5Tyff pounds of crude fiber of
which 26 per cent is digestible There are Utf6 pounds of fat of which 91 per
cent is digestible The nonnitrogenous extractive matter amounts to 25 pounds
and 91 per cent is digestible Calculating these percentages and adding them to
gether as in the case of the hulls gives a total of Slffo pounds of digestible non
nitrogenous matter The crude protein present in cottonseed meal is 44J pounds of
which 87 per cent is digestible This yields S8V pounds of digestible protein
Hence the nutritive ratio of cottonseed meal will be as 38 is to 51 T or
as 113
Here we have the two materials widely differing in their nutritive ratios cot236
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
tonseed hulls being 1 408 and cottonseed meal 1 13 a very rough food and a
very rich one If one desires to feed an animal for the best results in a given
case whether it is for work fattening or the furnishing of milk the nutritive
ratio is secured for such an animal under the given conditions The nutritive
ratio of the milch cow for example is 1 54 By calculation we find that it will
take about 100 pounds of hulls and 22 pounds of cottonseed meal to produce thig
ration or in even numbers and for a food rich enough for most purposes 1 pound
of meal to every five pounds of hulls
Some animals may not be willing at first to touch the hulls containing this
small amount of meal but they are readily taught to eat them by adding the
meal very liberally at first and gradually decreasing the amount until the desired
proportion is reached when they continue to eat the mixture with avidity and
relish
The use of cottonseed hulls for fattening cattle and for milch cows has been
very extensively practiced for some time in the Mississippi valley the demand at
New Orleans by the dairies alone consuming all produced by the oil mills of that
large city
A gentleman in this State who is engaged largely in the granite business em
ploys a number of teams of oxen These animals were always thin until he put
them upon cottonseed hulls Now they are sleek and fat and are fed on hulls
alone with only the addition of a liberal handful of cottonseed meal to each
bucketful of hulls His business furnishes another illustration of value to the
farmer showing how little the farmers interests are sometimes considered The
railway which freights this gentlemans granite to the city charges him 800 a
car load of 30C00 pounds when these cars are returned carrying 10000 pounds
of cottonseed hulls the charge is 1200 a car load
In actual practice the proportion of 5 pounds of meal to 25 pounds of hulls has
been found very satisfactory indeed as a daily ration The cost of such feeding is
quite small With the meal at 2200 a ton and the hulls at 300 the daily cost
of such feeding would be 9J cents a day or 277J a month Cattle fatten readily
under such feeding which is cheaper than using corn even at 25 cents a bushel
The manure is also considerably richer than that produced under the ordinary
system and hence more valuable
We would suggest to all farmers who are interested either in the raising or fat
tening of cattle or the feeding of milch cows a fuller study of the wonderful
economy and good results of feeding cottonseed hullsAnnual Publication foe 1895
237
DOMESTIC FERTILIZERS
THE INTELLIGENT MIXING OF FIRSTCLASS FERTILIZERS CJPON
THE FARM
The use of formulae which produce cheap and almost worthless fertilizers is poor
economy It is a loss of time to the farmer and his help in the actual handling
and manipulation and a still greater loss in the poor results upon the crops Good
fertilizers cheaply obtained though apparently higher in price per ton secure
given results far more economically In this article we will not discuss the sub
ject of leguminous crops and mucks and the valuable results to be obtained by their
conservation and intelligent handling in connection with stable yard manure and
composts but will confine ourselves to formula composed of the commercial plant
foods In these formula we will give the approximate retail values of the mate
rials These values of course vary with the markets and location Any farmer
can secure actual selling prices for his location and figure the exact cost on his
own farm At wholesale cash prices the materials can be secured still more
cheaply See the articles on Wholesale cash prices of fertilizers and on
Composts
FORMULA NO 1Foe Cotton and Corn
Acid phosphate 14 per cent available1200 lbs 840 pr ct avl phs acid
Cotton seed meal nitgn equal 8prct am 500 lbs 212 pr ct ammonia
Kainit 12 percent potash 300 lbs 180 pr ct potash
2000 lbs or one ton
COST OF MATERIALS
Acid phosphate1200 lbs at 13 00 a ton 7 80
Cottonseed meal 600 lbs at 16 00aton 4 00
Kainit 300 lbs at 12 00 a ton 180
Cost not including onethird days labor in mixing
Commercial value as calculated by Department
Usual selling value of such goods
BIS 60 per ton
14 96 per ton
20 00 per ton
FORMULA NO 2ForCotton and Corn
Acid phosphate 14 percent available1300 lbs 910 pr
Blood nitrogen equal to 16 pr ct am 300 lbs 240 pr
Kainit 12 per cent of potash 400 lbs 240 pr
2000 lbs or one ton
COST OF MATERIALS
Acid phosphate1300 lbs at 13 00 a ton
Blood 300 lbs at 32 00 a ton
Kainit 400 lbs at 12 00 a ton
Cost not including onethird days labor in mixing
Commercial value Department valuation
Usual selling price
ct avl phs acid
ct ammonia
ct potash
8 45
4 80
2 40
15 65 per ton
16 60 per ton
22 00 per ton238
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
FORMULA NO 3For Cotton and Corn
Acid phosphate 14 per cent
available 1300 lbs910 per cent available phosphoric acid
Blood nitrogen equivalent to
16 percent of ammonia 200 lbs160per cent
Nitrate of soda nitrogen equiv
alent to 18 per cent ammonia 100 lbs 90 percent
Muriate of potash 50 per cent
of potash 100 lbs250 per cent potash
Muck woods earth or rich soil 300 lbs0
250 per cent ammo
nia
2000 lbs or one ton
COST OF MATERIALS
Acid phosphate1300 lbs at 13 00 a ton 8 45
Blood 2001bsat 32 00 a ton 3 20
Nitrate of soda 100 lbs at 38 00 a ton 190
Muriate potash lOOlbsat 42 00 a ton 2 10
Muck woods earth or rich soil 300 lbs at 00 a ton 00
Cost not including onethird days labor in mixing 15 65
Commercial value Departments valuation 16 96
Usual selling price 22 00
This formula is made up with a moderate amount of nitrate of soda to give the
plants a good strong start The muck woods earth or rich soil may be left out
in this formula if desired The percentages of all the ingredients are thus in
creased and the cost per ton It can be used by the farmer with equal outlay per
acre by proportionally decreasing the amount used as the percentage of plant
food increases
FORMULA NO 4For Peaches Plums and Pears
Acid phosphate 14 per cent available 700 lbs490 pr ct avl phos acid
Blood nitrogen equal to 16 per ct ammonia 300 lbs240 pr ct ammonia
Double manure salt sulphate of potash and
magnesia with 27 per cent potash 360 lbs486 pr ct potash
Muck woods earth or rich soil 640 lbs0
2000 lbs or one ton
COST OE MATERIALS
Acid phosphate 700 lbs at 13 00 a ton 4 55
Blood 300 lbs at 32 00 a ton 4 80
Double manure salt360 lbs at 24 00 a ton 4 32
Muck woodsearth or rich soil at 00 a ton 00
Cost not including onethird days labor in mixing13 67
Commercial value Department valuation 15 21
This formula can be made much higher grade by simply leaving out the muck
woods earth or rich soilAnnual Publication for 1895
239
FORMULA NO 5For Peaches Plums and Pears
Acid phosphate 14 per cent available 700 lbs490 pr ct avl phos acid
Blood nitrogen equal to 16 per ct Ammonia 300 lbs240 pr ct ammonia
Muriate of potash 40 per cent potash196 lbs490 pr ct potash
Muck woods earth or rich soil804 lbs0
2000 lbs or one ton
COST OP MATERIALS
Acid phosphate 700 lbs at 13 00 a ton 4 55
151ood300 lbs at 32 00 a ton 4 80
Muriate of potash196 lbs at 42 00 a ton 4 12
Muck etc 00
Cost not including onethird days labor mixing13 47
FORMULA NO 6Fob Peaches Plums and Pears
Acid phosphate 14 per cent available675 lbs473 pr ct avl phos acid
Cotton seed meal nitrogen equal to 8J per ct
ammonia525 lbs223 pr ct ammonia
Kainit 12 per cent potash800 lbs480 pr ct potash
2000 lbs or one ton
COST OF MATERIALS
Acid phosphate675 lbs at 13 00 a ton 4 39
Cottonseed meal 525 lbs at 16 00 a ton 4 20
Kainit800 lbs at 12 00aton 4 80
Cost not including onethird days labor in mixing13 39
This formula has no muck or other filler as the crude materials are such that
correct proportion can just be gotten into the goods to make them properly exceed
the 10 per cent of total plant food which is considered the lowest limit for com
mercial fertilizers This formula contains a total of 1176 per cent of plant food
All of these fruit formulae meet the State requirement of 10 per cent of available
plant food yet they do not force a fruitgrower to use a cotton fertilizer when he
can obtain better results for his money by using a different character of fertilizer
In these formulse he gets a fair amount of potash which he needs most instead of
the usual excessive amount of phosphoric acid in proportion to the potash present
Yet the fertilizer does not cost him any more money Cotton and corn require
large proportionate amounts of phosphoric acid but the peach pear and plum
require a greater use of potash for the best results
MIXING
The mixing is best done by spreading out the materials in layers on top of each
other and cutting through the layers with a hoe and mixing as the compound is
cut down The use of a bricklayers sand screen enables one to make a better
mixture George F Payne F C S240
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
COMPOSTS
AND THE UTILIZATION OF MATERIALS FOUND UPON THE FARM
IN COMBINATION WITH COMMERCIAL CHEMICALS FOR FER
TILIZING PURPOSES
EXTRACTS FROM LETTERS WRITTEN BY DR G F PAYNE THE STATE CHEMIST
IN REPLY TO INQUIRIES IN REGARD TO THE MIXING OF CERTAIN
FERTILIZING MATERIALS
Composts have a certain value upon most lands beyond their actual plant food
as they contain much humus and are on this account great conservators of mois
ture Sandy lands hold moisture much better when the spongelike humus is
present and heavy clay soils are made lighter and more porous by its presence
Its dark color also makes a lighter colored soil warmer by its coloring power
This is easily illustrated by laying down a piece of white cloth and a piece of
black cloth upon snow in the winter or powdered ice in the summer and noting
how much quicker melting takes place under the piece of black cloth
Atlanta Ga January 16 1895
W C W Darktown Ga
The principle of composts is to ferment the organic matter which you have in the
shape of muck leaves litter etc To do this one of the simplest plans is to
treat the material with manure Put one load of manure to every three loads of
your leaves and drift Keep enough litter in your stables to absorb the urine
which is very valuable also After you have mixed your materials together it is
well to cover them up with earth or litter It is claimed that such a compost
load for load is as good as manure
To get the best results you wish to make the material ferment as the fermen
tation brings inert materials into available forms and improves the mechanical
condition of the mass
Avoid hauling the materials as much as possible as hauling is expensive So
locate your compost heaps that the hauling of the materials from the first until
their final distribution on the fields will cost as little as possible
If you wish a stronger fertilizer than this and desire to use chemicals in addi
tion the following would be suitable
Acid phosphate 500 lbsCost 4 00
Muriate of potash 50 lbsCost 1 00
Compost1450 lbs
2000 lbsAnnual Publication foe 1895
241
If you desire more nitrogenous material you can use the following
Acid phosphate 340 lbsCost2 75
Cottonseed meal 165 lbsCost 142
Muriate of potash 30 lbsCost 60
Compost1465 lbs
2000 lbs
4 74
January 30 1805
R H M Fralona Heard Co Ga
Yours of the 21st at hand in which you state that you have cow stall and
stable manure and wish to make a complete fertilizer having also some ashes and
cotton seed The fertilizer is desired for cotton
To construct a complete fertilizer one must consider the percentages of avail
able plant food in the materials he wishes to use
Manure while not a concentrated fertilizer can be considered in most cases as
a complete one with an excess of nitrogen Ashes are particularly rich in
potash if they are wood ashes and unleached Coal ashes are almost valueless
Cotton seed is a complete manure but with an excess of nitrogen You have
here three ingredients furnishing ample nitrogen and potash To mix them to
the best advantage there should be a further quantity of available phosphoric
acid added as that present in the three ingredients you desire to use is not
sufficient to properly balance the potash and nitrogen Manure contains about
T3o per cent of nitrogen about per cent of potash and about per cent of
phosphoric acid
Cotton seed contains about 3 per cent nitrogen about 1 per cent of potash
and about 1 per cent of phosphoric acid Ashes contain about 5 per cent of
potash and 150 per cent of phosphoric acid when unleached If leached they
run down to about 1J per cent of potash
To each ton of manure of 2000 pounds add
Cotton seed 200 lbs
Ashes unleached 150 lbs
Acid phosphate400 lbs
Mix well The cotton seed can be killed before mixing by allowing them to get
wet and go through a heat the fermentation killing them This mixture will
weigh about 2750 pounds and will contain from these ingredients
Nitrogen Potash Phosphoric Acid
2000 lbs manure 6 lbs 4 lbs 4 lbs
200 lbs cotton seed 6 lbs 2 lbs 2 lbs
150 lbs ashes 71 21
400 lbs acid phosphate 55
12 lbs 13J lbs 64 lbs
This is equivalent to about
Nitrogen44 percent
Potash48 per cent
Phosphoric acid233 per cent
16 ag r242
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
January 24 1895
C M D Carrollton Ga
Yours of the 19th at hand in which you state that you have some fine muck and
pine straw as well as cotton seed stable manure and rich earth around the lot
and that you would like me to advise you how to make them into a fertilizer
In composting muck pine straw etc it is desirable that the materials ferment
To bring this about add one load of manure to every three loads of muck or pine
straw mix well and cover with earth to keep out the rain The fermentation
which takes place breaks down the structure of the organic material and permits
the plant food to assume conditions in which it is much more available Such a
compost when well rotted or ripe is claimed to be load for load of equal value
with manure The value of a compost however must depend not only on its
ripeness but upon the materials used
In saving the manure it would be well worth while to provide means for pre
serving the liquid excrement at the same time This can be done by means of the
pine straw liberally used as an absorbent or by means of a drain
If vour muck is sour it would be advisable to use a small quantity of lime to
correct its acidity but not enough to render it alkaline as excess of free lime will
drive out ammonia
If you desire to compost your cotton seed manure and muck use one load of
cotton seed two loads of manure and four loads of muck mix well and cover
with earth
To use the pine straw use three loads of it to one load of manure cover with
earth and let stand until fermented
January 30 1895
J W R Summerville Chattooga County Ga
Yours of the 25th at hand I inclose you a copy of a letter of mine written a
few days ago answering some of the same questions as yours
One load of manure to three loads of leaves well mixed and covered with earth
to keep out rain will ferment and make a good fertilizing material It should be
ripe or well rotted before using if possible so the earlier started the better it
will be
I inclose Bulletin 29 in regard to comparative value of whole cotton seed and
cotton seed meal
You ask if it will pay to sell whole cotton seed at 12 to 15 cents a bushel and
buy cottonseed meal in place of it for fertilizing purposes By referring to page
14 of Bulletin 29 you will see the comparative fertilizing values of the whole seed
and the meal
One ton of whole seed contains fertilizing materials which are equivalent to 880
pounds of meal
One ton of whole seed at 12 J cents a bushel and 67 bushels to the ton will be
worth 837
One ton of whole seed at 15 cents a bushel will be worth at 67 bushels to the
ton 1005
Cotton seed meal now sells at 16 a ton and 880 pounds of it are equivalent in
fertilizing power to one ton of the whole seed then as the cotton seed meal costs
75 cents per hundred pounds at 15 a ton 880 pounds would be worth 660
Hence at these figures there would be a difference in your favor if you got eitherAnnual Publication for 1895
243
12J or 15 cents a bushel The difference is not large and whether it is enough to
pay for hauling to and from the mill and the time consumed will depend upon
the distance and other expenses of handling
July 3 1895
S C H Victory Ga
Yours of the 30th of December at hand Kainit contains about 12 per cent of
potash Muriate of potash contains about 50 per cent of potash or about 4 times
as strong as the kainit If you wish cheap hauling you should buy concentrated
fertilizing chemicals You can buy muriate of potash at about 4000 a ton prob
ably a little higher in less lots than a ton
As a fivedollar combination of fertilizers I suggest the following
No 1
Muriate of potash containing 50 per
cent37 lbs at 4000 a ton of potash 74
High grade acid phosphate con
taining 18 per cent of phos
phoric acid 280 lbs at 1500 a ton 2 10
Nitrate of soda sometimes called
Chili saltpetre containing ni
trogen equivalent to 19 per
cent ammonia 95 lbs at 4500 a ton2 14
Muck or woods earth or marl 1588 lbs 00
2000 lbs 498
If you wish an ammoniate not quite so quick as nitrate of soda and less iikely
to fire on all shallow soils you might use the following
No 2
Muriate of potash 37 bSi 74
High grade acid phosphate280 lbs 2 10
Dried blood 16 per cent112 lbs 2 15
Muck woods earth or marl1 571 js 00
2000 lbs 4 99
If you desire to use sulphate of ammonia as an ammoniate the following for
mula will answer
No 3
Muriate of potash 37 DS 74
High grade acid phosphate 280 lbs 2 10
Sulphate of ammonia 8000 a ton 54 lbs 2 16
Muck woods earth or marl 1629 lbs 00
2000 lbs 5 00
No 1 will give you from the chemicals alone
Potash921 per cent
Available phosphoric acid252 per cent
Ammonia901 per cent244
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
No 2 will give you from the chemicals alone
Potash92 per cent
Available phosphoric acid252 per cent
Ammonia89 per cent
No 3 will give you from the chemicals alone
Potash92J per cent
Available phosphoric acid252 per cent
Ammonia67 per cent
The filler which you use whether of muck woods earth or marl will add some
thing to this if well selected
The sulphate of ammonia is a more expensive ammoniate than either blood or
nitrate of soda You write that you will have to pay eight cents a pound for it
This is a very high price for it If you find any of the chemicals higher priced
than figures given above use about 75 cents worth of your potash compound
about 210 worth of your acid phosphate and about 215 worth of your ammo
niate and then use your muck woodsearth or marl to make the balance of the ton
and you will strike about the proper proportions for your 500 a ton fertilizer
January 28 1895
G R H Bremen Ga
Dear SibYours of the 28th received in which you inquire what would he
advisable to mix with 2 tons of cow lot manure and 50 to 75 bushels of cotton
seed to make a good fertilizer for corn sweet and Irish potatoes
This will be a good proportion
Cow manure tons
Whole cotton seed 1 ton or 50 to 75 bushels
Muriate of potash1C0 pounds
Acid phosphateI500 pounds
If you have any muck leaves wood litter or rich woods earth you can mix
about an equal quantity with the above cover with earth to keep out rain and let
it go through a heat or ferment
July 20 1895
J L H Pelham Ga
Yours of the 17th at hand Both ground raw bone and dissolved bone would
be good yet both are lacking in probably the most important ingredient in the
culture of grapes Ground raw bone usually contains between 3 or 4 per cent of
nitrogen and 20 odd per cent of phosphoric acid Of this phosphoric acid only
about is in an immediately available form In the dissolved bone if really true
dissolved bone there would be a good percentage of nitrogen and of available
phosphoric acid but the dissolved bone of the market is usually simply acid
phosphate so it is quite important to know which you are using Asa matter of
economy in fertilizing it will of course depend upon the price of materials Cot
tonseed hull ashes and ground bone mixed together in equal parts would make an
admirable fertilizer for the vines If you wish to use acid phosphate or socalled
dissolved bone I would suggest the following
Acid phosphate800 bs
BloodM0 lbs
Sulphate of potash00 lbsAnnual Publication for 1895
245
This would make one ton and will give available phosphoric acid 5 per
cent nitrogen 4 per cent and posash 11 percent Grapes require considerable
more potash than they do of either phosphoric acid or nitrogen This formula can
be varied if you desire to use other forms of potash or nitrogen Cottonseed
meal for instance can be used in place of blood Cotton seed hull ashes kainit
or muriate of potash can be used in the place of sulphate of potash In doing
this however the weights should be so adjusted as to bring about a proper per
centage
A formula which contains an equal amount of nitrogen and phosphoric acid and
an amount of potash equal to both is well adapted to your purpose Such a fertil
izer is also suited to peaches or pears
January 26 1895
S C D Delia Oa
Yours of January 25th at hand in which you request a fertilizer formula to en
able you to compost your cotton seed ashes canebrake soil and manure Mix in
the following proportions
Canebrake soil 2 tons
Manure 1 ton
Cottonseed 600 lbs
Ashes 450 lbs
Acid phosphate1000 lbs
Mix well cover with earth and let it go through a heat or fermentation
January 22 1895
W E H Colguitt Miller County Ga
Yours of the 14th at hand If you desire a fullstrength goods the following
formula will prove satisfactory being made of the materials you wish to use
Acid phosphate1200 lbs cost about 7 80840 per ct avphosacid
Nitrate of soda 250 lbs cost about 5 00237 per ctam
Kainit 300 lbs cost about 1 80180 per cent potash
Muck marl or rotten leaves 250 lbs
2000 lbs
14 60
If you wish a cheaper fertilizer add more of the last ingredient If you desire
a stronger one leave out the last ingredient Muriate of potash is a more concen
trated form of potash than kainit and costs less for freight and for the actual pot
ash in it Kainit contains about 12 per cent of potash and muriate about 50 per
cent
Farmers can save money by clubbing together and buying acid phosphate in
bulk for cash and making their own fertilizers It is difficult to farm successfully
in most sections of Georgia without the use of fertilizers but it is allimportant to
secure the best fertilizers at as close figures as possible
Acid phosphate can now be bought in bulk for cash at 850 a ton Cottonseed
meal can now be bought in bulk for cash at 15 a ton Muriate of potash can now
be bought in 12ton lots for cash at 42 a ton At these figures the materials for
an average fertilizer of the market will be 246
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
1 400 lbs acid phosphate containing 14 per cent avail phos acid at 850
a ton 5 95
620 lbs cottonseed meal containing nitrogen equivalent to 84 per ct am
at15aton 8 90
80 lbs muriate of potash containing 51 per cent potash at 42 a ton 1 08
Making a total of 2000 lbs at a cost of 1153 containing the following percentage
of plant food per ton
Available phosphoric acid980 per cent
Ammonia221 percent
Potash206 per cent
MUCKS
ANALYSIS NO 4810
From Lumpkin Ga
ReactionNeutral
Moisture at 212 F 2152 per cent
Organic matter nitrogen not included4257 per cent
Nitrogen84 per cent equiv to 102 per ct ammo
Phosphoric acid13 per cent
Potash Trace only
Sand and undetermined34 94 per cent
The amounts of phosphoric acid and potash present in the muck are too small to
consider in judging the sample Its value lies in the nitrogen and organic matter
These two added together give the total organic matter present as the nitrogen
constitutes a part of the organic substances
The nitrogen will become more quickly available if the muck is composted or
fermented before using The organic matter when thus treated is converted into
humus and becomes a powerful conservator of moisture which is so important to
plant growth
analysis no 4410
From Savannah Ga
Moisture at 212 F1370 per cent
Potash 05 per cent
Total phosphoric acid20 per cent
Organic matter3792 percent
gjnj 4772 per cent
Lime magnesia sulphates etc61 per cent
100 00
The organic matter contains nitrogen equivalent to 83 per cent ammoniaAnnual Publication foe 1895
247
FUSIBLE CLAY
ANALYSIS NO 4416
From Pulasld county Ga This clay melts with great facility
Water at 110 c 122
Water of combination 9 88
Calcium oxide1440
Sodium oxide53
Potassium oxide88
Carbon dioxide1209
Phosphoric anhydride 20
Sulphur 1 531
Iron 2 681 sulPtide 42
Iron sesquioxide 4 01
Sulphuric anhydride23
Aluminium oxide1040
Silicon dioxide4204
10009
Probably combined as follows
Water1110
CaC032570
FeS 421
Clay and silica 52 44
Oxides of iron alkalies etc g g
10009248
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
INJURIOUS INSECTS
They may be divided into two divisions or classes according to their manner ot
feeding
1 Biting or chewing insects include all those perfect or imperfect forms which
bite and consume substances upon which they feed
2 Sucking or piercing insects include all of those perfect or imperfect forms
which pierce their food substances with a beak and suck out the sap or juice from
beneath the surface
Insects that belong to the first division and like the potato bug eat the leaves
may be easily destroyed by Paris green or London purple applied to the food sub
substance either in a powder or a liquid If on the other hand like squash bugs
plant lice and other insects belonging to the second division thev suck the sap
from the plant causing it to wither and die poison will have little effect on them
because we cannot apply it to the inside of the plant where they get their food
Most of this class of insects may however be easily destroyed with remedies like
Insect Powder or Hellebore These powders kill by contact when applied to the
insects themselves Such insects have breathing holes distributed over their bodies
It is usually claimed that powdered substances should be applied in the morn
ing when the plants are wet with dew while this may may have its advantages
it is not always necessary as it may in most cases be applied at any time in the
day but never when the wind is blowing hard
In using Paris green or London purple or Hellebore the following rules should
be observed
The poison should be kept in a safe place and plainly labelled Poison
Do not distribute the poison with the hands
Always keep to the windward side of the plants or trees when applying the
powder or liquid
Do not use them upon leaves or fruits that are soon to be eaten Give the rains
a chance to wash it off
Never apply it to fruit trees when in bloom as the poison will kill the bees so
necessary to the formation of the perfect fruit
Paris green and London purple may be diluted with a cheap quaility of wheat
flour which is probably the best substance for the purpose on account of its adher
ing to the plants and being more readily eaten than other substances Land plas
ter is also recommended or a mixture of half and half 50 pounds each of flour and
plaster to 1 pound of poison is about the proportion when used in a dry form on
potato plants fruit trees etc To use in a small way mix about i ounce poison
with one quart of flour or plaster It can be applied to great advantage by the
use of a powder gun
When used with water the following proportions are recommended
For potatoes one pound poison Paris green or London purple to 100 gallons
of water
For apple trees one pound poison to 150 gallons of water
For pear plum arid cherry one pound poison to 200 gallons of waterAnnual Publication for 1895
249
For peach one pound poison to 300 gallons of water
The Paris green or London purple should he mixed into a smooth paste before
adding the water The mixture must be applied in a fine spray so as not to deluge
the foliage and should be well stirred while being used
White Hellebore is a vegetable substance which will kill certain insects both by
poisoning and contact and is used successfully against currant worms rose and
cherry slugs Its principal value however is that of destroying currant worms
To use whale oil soap dissolve onehalf pound of soap in about one quart of water
then add from four to five gallons of cold water and apply every other day with
garden syringe or an ordinary watering pot
For the trunks and branches of trees use thicker and apply with a brush
KEROSENE EMULSION
FOR DESTROYING PLANT LICE aphides
Kerosene Oil2 gallons
Water1
Soap whale oil preferred pound
Dissolve the soap in the water by boiling Take from the fire add the kerosene
and churn rapidly with a force pump or stir and whip briskly with a paddle or old
broom until emulsion is complete
One gallon of this emulsion to 25 or 30 gallons of water and mixed well will kill
most plant lice For bark lice use one gallon of the emulsion to nine gallons of
water
For peachtrees during the dormant season the solution if necessary can be used
as strong as one gallon of emulsion to five gallons of water
For hardy rose bushes one gallon of emulsion to ten gallons of water will be
safe
Instead of using whale oil soap and water in making the emulsion sour milk
can be used if desired
Kerosene oil2 gallons
Sour milk1 gallon
Make emulsion as described above and use the emulsion when finished with
the same amounts of water as that made with the use of soapSELECTIONS FROM THE PROCEEDINGS
NINETEENTH MEETING
Georgia State Horticultural Society
HELD IN THE CITY OF CUTHBERT
July 31st and August 1st and 2d
The Department of Agriculture as has been the custom issued
jointly with the State Horticultural Society the proceedings of that
Society for 1895 The proceedings are of unusual interest to all
fruitgrowers and truckfarmers in the State
The limits of this volume will not permit the publication of the
entire proceedings however by application to the Department they
can be secured complete in pamphlet form The selections here
given we trust will add to the value of this work
FROM PRESIDENT BEROKMANS ADDRESS
The following from President Berckmans address emphasizes
what we have frequently said relative to the manner in which our
products are marketed
You are all familiar with the attractive appearance and perfection
of packing of the California fruit which constitutes the bulk of
the stock of the citys fruitstands during a large proportion of the
year and the fancy prices asked for those products In point of
quality a California peach as shipped here is often a delusion and
a fraud but its bright appearance and the attractive manner in
which it is offered for sale takes the eye and the buyers money
WHAT IS THE MORAL
The moral of this is too evident to remain longer ignored by our own252
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
fruitgrowers and now that California concedes the palm to Georgia
peaches and has withdrawn this product from the Eastern markets
our fruit must hereafter sustain the enviable position it has achieved
in Eastern and Western markets as one of the grandest products of
our great State The Georgia peach has dethroned its heretofore
formidable California rival Let it remain in the lead but to ac
complish this desirable end you must unite your efforts in adopting
a uniform grade for every variety of your fruits and also a uniform
ily attractive style of package
ADVANTAGES OF CLIMATE
AVe are singularly blessed with a climate and soil congenial to
the production of a large variety of fruits we are not dependent
upon artificial irrigation Our lands while perhaps not all as pro
ductive as the noted California fruit districts can be purchased at a
ridiculously low price as compared with the irrigated fruit lands of
Riverside Pomona Santa Clara and other celebrated sections of
that State We have fewer insect pests to contend with our labor
is less expensive the quality of our fruit is equal and we are nearer
to the great markets of the East and West All that we need is
more favorable rates of transportation to lessen marketing expenses
and give the producer a better financial return than is the case at
present
There is every inducsinent for the rapid increase of our fruit
products We have learned from our own and our Pacific Coast
friends experience what the markets require let us follow the road
now freed from many of its former obstacles and we may anticipate
success in our avocation
Speaking of the extent of fruit growing in the State and of the large
amount of land available for that purpose but yet unimproved President
Berckmaus says
Each section of our vast country possesses peculiar adaptation for certain
crops and if we adopt their cultivation there is a possibility of successful
results Hence we find in Georgia areas which are usually well adapted
to successful fruitgrowing and many of our progressive citizens have
availed themselves of these opportunities and are today possessors of
comfortable incomes Only a small portion of our State has been given
over to fruitgrowing There are untold acres now almost unproductive
that await being planted in orchards and vineyards to soon become as
well known as our now farfamed fruitgrowing districtsAnnual Publication foe 1895
253
Had it not been for the fruit industry many of our present prosperous
communities would still remain in their somnolent condition of twenty
years ago
Go through a fruitgrowing section such as Marshallville Fort Valley
Griffin and your own Cuthhert and you are impressed with a better class
of dwellings and finer surroundings than where purely agricultural staple
products are grown A higher education and a general appearance of
thrift is there everywhere seen and those who come from a distance soon
catch the spirit of progress that built up those communities
THE STATE HOETICULTURIST
Mr Starnes horticulturist of the Experiment Station delivered before
the Society a most interesting and instructive address on grapepruning
and training The complete address as it appears in the pamphlet issued
by the Society and the Department is elaborately illustrated and will be
found of great value to those engaged in grape culture The following
extract is of interest
Mr President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Georgia State Horticultural
Society
It is but natural in approaching so important a topic as this that I
should feel some little diffidence for even should I be conceited enough
to think that I entertain myself a thorough conception of the subject I
am yet confronted with the dismal but undeniable fact that while many
writers have undertaken its elucidation it is notorious that in some way
with few exceptions they signally fail to make themselves understood
Why this is I dont know but it is certainly true Perhaps it is because
in the full consciousness of their own conversance with the subject they
fail to realize the necessity for fundamental instruction in elementary
principles and hence shoot clear over the mark at the outset
I shall endeavor not to do this but will start with the A B C of the
matter avoiding all technicalities and going as straight and direct to the
bottom of the business as I possibly can
The terms Training and Pruning cannot well be separated and must
hence be considered conjunctively although each has a distinct and spe
cific province of its own Prof L H TCailey truly says Pruning is a
necessity and in essence there is but one method training is largely a
convenience and there are as many methods as there are fancies among
grapegrowers He further defines pruning to be such removal of
branches as shall insure better and larger fruit upon the remaining por
tions Training refers to the disposition of the different parts of the
vine
The object of both is to so manipulate the vine as to force it to bear254
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
each year a maximum amount of large well developed perfect fruit
without injury It must on no account be suffered to overbear any more
than a valuable horse should be overworked but it should be forced in
the interests of true economy to do all the work it can safely
To fully understand how this may be done it is necessary at the outset
to have a proper conception of the anatomy of the vine and its method
of fruit setting This once established and recognized as a basic principle
the whole matter of pruning and training becomes simplified and meth
ods gradually unfold by an easy and logical process
The unripe woodthe growth of the current seasonis known as a
shoot and up to shoots the fruit is set Each shoot will set from one to
four or even five buncheson an average from two to three though there
are occasionally shoots to be found without fruit The bunches are borne
on the first few joints near the base of the shoot which continues to grow
until fall sometimes in vigorous varieties attaining a length of many
feet
When ripened or matured the shoot becomes a cane and is so
known the subsequent season Every bud on the cane at the base of
each of the lateral shoots will upon the removal of the latter put forth
in the spring and form a fruitbearing shoot
The third year and thereafter the cane becomes an arm which is
tough and covered with a stringy bark The fruit therefore springs di
rectly from the shoot the shoot from the cane and the cane from the
arm Hence the shoot may well be termed the mother of the fruit
the cane its grandmother and the arm its greatgrandmother
Consequently let it once be definitely settled in mind how much fruit
a vine will successfully sustain and nourishhow many pounds of grapes
a given root of a certain vigor will pump plantfood into and thoroughly
develop and it is easy to determine how many canes of so many buds
each it will be necessary to leave to set the requisite number of bunches
No steadfast rule can be given for determining the number experi
ence is the only guide as the capacity of a vine differs with the variety
age vigor soil and location At best an illustration must suffice A
strong vigorous Concord Niagara or Ives root at four years of age ought
to be able to sustain 15 pounds of fruit without injury although this is
a full crop At an average of 5J ounce to the bunch which is quite a
conservative estimate this will mean 45 bunches As two bunches to
the shoot is an average estimate it will thus be necessary to provide some
twentytwo or twentythree shoots which will be readily secured by put
ting up three canes cut back to seven or eight buds each
If the vine maintains its vigor under this treatment it may be advisa
ble the next season to increase the number of canes to four of sevenAnnual Publication for 1895
255
buds each or if the method of training employed requires the use of
only two canes to lengthen them to twelve or more buds each
Weaker varieties like Delaware with a tendancy to overbear cannot
be so generously treated but must be held more closely in check It is
well however with any variety to err on the safe side and to underes
timate rather than to overestimate a vines capacity since if there are not
shoots enough to tax the vine to its highest capacity its surplus energy
will be thrown into the fuller development of the bunches it does set
and the result will be increased size and beauty of both bunch and berry
while the vine itself will be rested and ready to respond with renewed
vigor to the next seasons demands
The underlying principle of pruning then consists simply in provid
ing a sufficiency of canes to set the shoots necessary to furnish as many
but no more bunches than the root is judged able to sustain All the
rest of the wood is just so much surplus and must be removed There
fore as Professor Bailey says Pruning is essentially a thinning opera
tion The judgment in regard to the capacity of the root at first hesi
tant and uncertain will be rapidly quickened and matured by observa
tion and in a season or two the beginner will be able to estimate at a
glance the capacity of a vine with astonishing accuracy
There are two different methods of pruning which it will be well to
refer to before passing on to training to wit Cane and Spur renewal
By the first method the renewal is made each year by canes of which
one or more cut to a given number of buds but with laterals closely
trimmed are used to supply the bearing shoots Each year the entire
bearing wood is removed a new cane or canes taking the place of the old
With Spur pruning it is different A permanent arm is established
instead of a yearly renewed cane and the shoots from this arm are never
suffered to attain the dignity of canes but are cut back to spurs each
fall or winter two buds being generally left both of which produce bear
ing shoots but the lower bud though not as vigorous as the upper is
always employed to furnish the shoot used for the spur next season
The shoot from the upper bud is cut entirely away The process is
carried on from year to year and the result is that the spurs are con
stantly becoming longer Their length may be reduced from time to
time by selecting a chance shoot from a vigorous bud developing on the
old wood below the past seasons pruning When they eventually be
come too long and unwieldy however a new arm is laid down and the
process of spurring goes on as before
Both Cane and Spur renewal may be employed with nearly all of the
systems of training mentioned hereafter so that the different systems
really resolve themselves into a series of double methods of pruning in256
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
the employment of which the manipulator may always take his choice
between Cane and Spur renewal although in all of them unless dis
tinctly stated to the contrary it will be understood that Cane renewal
is contemplated
The different methods of traning or what Professor Bailey calls the
disposition of the different parts of the vine remain to be considered
These are many but all reducible at last to three distinct systems
1 The Upright System
2 The Drooping System
3 The Horizontal System
Their names have reference to the direction in which the shootsnot
the canes or armsare trained These systems are subdivided into
many distinct modes or methods of training each however in principle
readily referable to its proper class They will be considered in their
order
PROFESSOR NEWMAN
Professor Newman hadTor his subject Winter Gardening in
the South The importancejof thistopic cannot be overestimated
for not only can the winter garden be made remunerative to the
trucker who has a home market in our large cities and those of the
North but also it can be made a source of profit to the ordinary
farmer Not a source of profit in direct money return but a source
of profit in providing healthful and palatable food Professor New
mans address contains valuable advice on the subject He said
I do not propose to give you any very lengthy talk but sim
ply to give you a few practical hints gathered from my own ex
perience suggestive of taking advantage of our climatic opportunities
for the winter supply of vegetables upon our tables as well as for
commercial purposes One great error of our Southern country is
that we do not appreciate our soil and climatic advantages and
consequently do not avail ourselves of them The same old trouble
that has cursed us always is still in our way Nearly all of our
readingmatter relating to the cultivation of our lands comes from
a climate entirely different from ours All suggestions as to plant
ing come from catalogues and books published in climates different
from ours and we are hence naturally led astray in much of our
work by the reading which we do
The ordinary garden on our Southern farms is more a weed
patch than a garden the larger portion of the year We give aAnnual Publication foe 1895
257
good deal of attention to spring planting and then as a rule raise a
fine crop of grass and weed seeds to give us trouble next year It
is not unusual in August and September to see the calf turned
into the garden which then often supplies a most excellent pasture
Now there is no reason why our tables should not always besup
plied with a profusion of vegetables except through disasters simi
lar to those which prevailed last winter Only twice in my experience
in gardening in the South have we had such seasons Our tables
should be supplied throughout the entire winter from our gardens
In the first place either in the garden or on the farm the old
idea of resting the land ought to be discarded We dont work
our mules one week and then turn them out to rest the nextbut
we feed them well every day and work them every day except
Sundays We ought to treat our land in the same way As soon
one crop is off put another on Feed well and work hard It is
perfectly astonishing the amount of food we can secure from a
small area by pursuing this process industriously and intelligently
I will just give a few running remarks on the list of vegetables
which we ought to have growing through the winter and which I
have had growingbecause I am not speaking theoretically but
from my experience Of course sometimes you may expect dis
appointment I have a peach orchard fourteen years old and I have
never had but two full crops from that orchard in that time Yet
I do not dig up those trees We are liable to have disasters befall
our crops yet wo dont abandon them because we occasionally fail
Cabbage is a suitable crop both for supplying the amateur
gardener and the trucker I have found no other vegetable that
sells every day that you carry to market as readily as cabbage and
we ought to have it every day in the year My practice has been
to transplant cabbage to permanent beds every month in the year
except December and January I have transplanted them in
November and had them off by the time the usual spring planting
commenced Of course there are enemies that we have to contend
with We have to especially watch and protect them from worms
and harlequin bugs Modern discoveries aid us very much Spray
ing has become now a necessity We have not adopted it as we
17 ag258
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
should have done in the South It is much more common at the
North because experiments have been more general there than at
the South and those people give more attention to the bulletins
from the experiment stations than we do Our experiment station
should be kept busy getting out bulletins which should be read
by the farmers Many times I have answered questions which
L knew were answered by bulletins which were iu the hands of
the very man who asked the question and I have no doubt but
that Brother Starnes has had the same experience Our people do
not read enough
I find about the cabbage that we have in our seed catalogues
recommendations about early and late varieties also those
standing the winter But I have found no difference in the va
riety one standing the winter about as well as another The or
dinary winter will not kill any of them This has been my
experience Follow the directions in Whites Gardening for the
South a book which ought to be in every household
For plants which are intended to be set out in February sow
the seed in September on the south side of a ridge thrown up for
their protection
Spinach is one of our most delicious vegetables Plant in Sep
tember October and again in February
Then there are all varieties of turnips We usually sow our
rutabaga turnips too late and then we have so much faith in the
mildness of our winters that we very seldom store them One year
I put up twentyfive varieties of turnips in banks as we do sweet
potatoes The Swedes all remained perfectly firm and crisp until
spring
Then there is the old Georgia collard When I first came from
Virginia to Georgia I had been accustomed to whitehead cabbage
all my life and I positively refused to allow a collard to grow on
my place until one day an old negro woman sent me a dish full
and ever since that time I have planted them We ought never to
raise less than two or three crops of vegetables on the same area of
our garden during the year and instead of transplanting collards
in the spring and justifying the name of the long collards sow
the seed the last of June and transplant early iu the fall TransAnnual Publication for 1895
259
plant to the bud Put the bud just a little in the ground holding
the leaves up over it The leaves spread out and afford protection
during the winter Cabbage are killed by the bursting of the stem
Now the collard transplanted in the fall after you have gathered
one or two crops beforehand gives you a better crop of green food
in the winter than if transplanted in the spring
Lettuce and radishes are also planted in the fall
Kale is also one of our most valuable winter vegetables and is
hardy
I find the multiplying onions to be the hardiest of the family
I have gathered this onion fresh from the garden during the whole
winter They are also of a nice size when ripe for picking Of
course by growing onions from the seed we can store them in a
cool dry place and have them all through the winter just as readily
as not I never grow onions from sets except sets that I raise
from the seed Sets are too expensive in the first place and we
can grow them here just as well as anywhere else By sowing
onion seed now or a little latersay Septemberon thoroughly
prepared land we can grow our sets much more cheaply than we
can buy them and get them better They live through the winter
Then thin and transplant in February and we have just as early
and as good as we can get by buying Northern sets Those that
you leave in the rows will make better and earlier onions than will
Northern sets put out in February There is really no necessity
for buying onion sets To grow sets sow the seed thickly upon
moderately fertile soil
The old shallot comes in well in the winter Ladies prefer it
generally to the onion for seasoning soups etc
The fall crop of potatoes is a very important one all over the
South and its area has extended far North in the last few years
The only difficulty about the fall crop of potatoes is getting a
stand and for planting small areas they should be sprouted before
planting by shading the seed and airing them well and while not
entirely exposed to the sun drying them out Then put them in a
cool moist place under a tree and cover with some rotted straw and
keep them moist In a little while they will sprout Then you
can cut them and plant with a certainty of having them come260
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
These may be left in the ground all winter by simply throwing a
couple of turnplow furrows over them They will not become
watery like the early crop and for table use are far superior to the
spring crop
Salsify is a delicious vegetable which we do not often find in our
gardens but ought to have a place in every one It is easily
grown No winter kills it You can leave it in the ground and
dig it during the winter as needed Every market gardener will
find it profitable and amateur gardeners should grow it
Parsnips and carrots from spring planting may either be left in
the ground or stored for winter These can also be planted in
July and August
As to beets they ought to have been planted three weeks
ago but still we can plant them and have a nice fall crop In
order to secure a stand of beets however at this season of the
year it is necessary to prepare the seed very thoroughly by
pouring boiling water over them They have a very thick cov
ering which water does not penetrate very readily and conse
cpiently unless the ground is abundantly moist the germ is not
brought into life It will not do to soak the seed and then
plant in very dry ground as the moisture will be taken from the
seed by the dry soil and the germ perish
The most delicious of all winter crops is celery We should
take the necessary trouble to grow the plants There is where
most persons failin securing plants in the spring The seed
are exceedingly small and the plants very delicate when they first
come up It is necessary to keep the seed moist until they veg
etate That may be done in various ways With thoroughly
rotted manure well spread over the rows by placing old sacks
and cloths overthem until the seed germinate or by daily water
ing without covering We can thus secure an abundant supply
of large plants far superior to those grown in hotbeds or green
houses I grow mine in that way and find it much more satisfac
tory than the ordinary method of thinning out and transplanting
which involves a great deal of tedious work My plan insures
fine large stocky plants You cannot grow fine celery from inferior
plants They make spindling plants no matter how well theAnnual Publication foe 1895
261
ground may be prepared and fertilized Of course celery will do
better on moist ground or land subject to irrigation On good
thoroughly prepared sandy loam upland however we can grow
it satisfactorily And I speak from experience of many years
We pay too little attention to storing surplus summer crops
For instance if we will quarter the surplus summer cabbages and
pack them firmly in barrels covering each layer with dry salt they
will keep through the winter then all you have to do is to soak
them to get the salt out and they scarcely can be distinguished
from fresh cabbage If you do not succeed in growing them fresh
during the winter these can be used very well
Okra should be dried for soups It should be cut up and dried
in the sun and when thoroughly dry put it in stove pans and heat it
to destroy any eggs of insects Then when put up in fruit cans it
will give you good material for winter use
In traveling through the country I have seen so much of the
lack of winter gardening that the idea occurred to me that a few
suggestions of this kind may bear fruit and I hope they will
MAJOR RYALS ON TRUCK FARMING
Than Major G M Ryals no man can speak more authoritatively of
truck farming around Savannah and on the coast We give Major
Ryalss address together with some interesting questions propounded to
and answered by him Major Ryals said
Mr President and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Horticultural Society
This is entirely unexpected to me as I had written your worthy pres
ident and my friend that I had been forcibly reminded this year that I
bad but very little to say I have been planting truck in Georgia for
twenty years and until this year have always had something to keep the
wolf from the door and a little to lend to the righteous poor This year
it has been the other way I have lost money at the business though I
have displayed all the energy and skill and done everything in my
power
The causes that led up to this state of affairs are manifold In the
first place we had a winter at Savannah equal to what the people ought
to have had in Nevada or Coloradoas cold as it could be It destroyed
celery that had been partly banked killed rutabaga turnips and de
stroyed entirely our winter crop The condition of the countrynum262
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
bers and numbers of people being out of employmentrendered the
markets unsatisfactory in my judgment The transportation has also
been unsatisfactory deliveries at points of shipments have been delayed
All these things combined have made the season an unsatisfactory one
Although I got in late I listened with great attention and profit to
what has just been said I regret that I did not hear all of it And
upon the line of what has been said a few thoughts passed through my
mind
In reference to the cultivation of celerythat most delicious desira
ble and beautiful of all vegetablesI would say that I have pursued a
little different policy with some success in reference to growing the plant
It is a difficult matter to get celery seed out of the ground They are
very small and there are many things that keep them from germinating
and coming up properly I pursued the plan of preparing in open
ground a bottom heat and then water them every day Plant in small
trenches and then cover them with water We do that every day and
in a short period of time we get the plants We pursue almost the same
policy as mentioned before but there is one thing in my judgment
which ought to be done to get good white celery Carefully selected
land ought to be used Mineral substances should be avoided if not
the celery will be spotted The land must be free from minerals and
the fertilizers must be of such a character that they themselves will not
injure the plants Good celery can be grown all over this country
everywhere I dont think there is any trouble about it at all I dont
think there is a plantation in Randolph county but that can grow celery
They can grow it just as fine as in Kalamazoo or Germany I have
grown some myself that has been complimented in the New York market
as being as fine as any that was ever shipped to that point
In reference to the Irish potatothat is a most valuable crop When
I first undertook to grow Irish potatoes the trouble was always with the
stand there was no certainty about it Little by little and watching
the matter very closely I think I have gotten it down to where there is
no trouble about a stand Irish potatoes like everything else must
have something else besides good land to make a good crop We store
the potato up in what we call cucumber boxes We select those po
tatoes being careful not to have any that are bruised r cut with the
plow or trampled upon by the hands when they assort and barrel them
and send them away We let them remain there until August There
will be no loss When we come to plant them we get all those potatoes
large enough for planting and cut off the seed end with a knife so as toAnnual Publication for 1895
263
my
make as few shoots as possible thereby insuring a yield of better pota
toes We roll them in plaster or fertilizers or sift fertilizers over them
Further North the people use lime I never use lime and would not
recommend it being put upon them in large quantities I plant the
potatoes in very hot weather early in the morning and late in the even
ing The hands drop the potatoes and the plows cover them immedi
ately A roller should be used as it packs the ground and helps the
plants to come up speedily Since pursuing this plan I have never failed
to have a perfect stand of fall potatoes I discovered this by finding
that around the barrels where the hands went to and from them they
packed the ground and there was always a stand of potatoes I pack
them with the Selder roller and have never had any trouble I find
these potatoes the most desirable kind to plant In the second crop we
get a marketable and merchantable size that we could not get from the
finest grown in New England From Northern seed we plant those that
we want to grow for fall changing the seed every year This is
plan and I think it is a desirable one and worthy of consideration
Something has been said about onions Like my friend I grow my
onions from the seed and we grow our own seeds We also grow onions
from plants Sow onions and then thin them out from the plants Take
the sets and transplant them and we find them very good We plant
these in the spring and also in the fall of the year
We grow all the varieties of crops that have been spoken of also
others intended for shipping to Eastern and Western markets such as
beans peas cucumbers tomatoes etc For Southern markets small
things such as beets carrots and in fact a thousand thingseverything
that is in the seed catalogues
Carrots in my opinion are as fine a crop as can be grown They
make a most excellent stock feed and are good for milch cows It has
been said that one hundred bushels of carrots are worth one hundred
bushels of corn You can raise one hundred bushels of carrots as
easily as you can raise four or five bushels of corn
Beets also make good stock feed Hogs cows and mules eat them
To grow all these vegetables that you can use on your farm and in
your home is always better than buying Western corn or sending money
out of the country never to come back because those people dont buy
anything much of us
We grow strawberries transplant them every year and grow them
singly one in a place Plant them in August We find a very ready
market at Savannah for strawberries264
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
Now Mr President and ladies and gentlemen I am not much of a
speaker except upon certain occasions and not much of a talker about
agriculture and as I said before this year has reminded me that I
ought not to say much but I am willing to answer any questions that
might be propounded to me and will be glad to give any information I
can
Mr R P Johnson I would like to ask you about the vitality
of onion seeds as I am not fully informed upon that subject
Maj G M Ryals The seed should be bought every year and
from the most reliable dealers in the country and I am glad today
there are many worthy men in this line Avoid the purchase of
cheap or commission seeds and get them as far as possible in sealed
and dated packages They say that the Chinese and Japanese can
tell you every one which will germinate by taking them in their
hand You can get the seed in very small quantities and pay only
for what you use I would not like to recommend the saving of
old seed You sometimes get them mixed and get wrong dates on
them I think it well enough to buy a few fresh seeds which you
can get for a very small consideration I commenced this policy
late in life after I had failed as a soldier and as a merchant
Mr Chas Deckner I would like to ask the Major about
celery plants
Maj G M Ryals I water them every day The soil is
selected with a view to moisture so that it will not bake
Mr Chas Deckner That is the trouble with us
Maj G M Ryals I think if you will put the water on at
night and it only takes a few minutes you will not have much
trouble You should avoid heating them in the middle of the
day When I first commenced sowing celery seed it took me a
very long time to get them out of the ground but it does not
take that length of time now We dig into the ground and put
down green stable manure six or eight inches from the top of the
earth There is one of my neighbors that claims to have brought
celery out in a very few hours I know he brought cucumbers out
in thirtysix hours
Mr W K Nelson I would like a little information about
transplanting strawberries in AugustAnnual Publication foe 1895
265
Maj G M Ryals You should have the land sufficiently wet
to prevent them from wilting In moving them to another place
should we have to transport them say 200 or 300 yards we take
them up with the clod of earth and put them in the box It is a
hard matter to transplant and have them to live The hands dig up
the roots and break off the ball It is very little trouble when you
take them up with the ball
Prof J S Newman You spoke about mineral matters in soil
affecting celery Dont you think it is caused more by working it
while being wet
Maj G M Ryals Sometimes yes I think it is sometimes
very bad judgment in working it while it is wet
Mr Baker What varieties of onions do you plant
Maj G M Eyals Several varieties The white and yellow
onion mostly All of them are good
Mr Baker Did I understand you to say you planted them in
the spring or in the fall
Maj G M Ryals Both At Savannah we can make two
crops of almost any kind of vegetables I sowed tomato seed only
about ten days ago We also plant canteloupes this season of the
year We plant peas the 15th of September and beans about the
1st of September for sale in the New York market In reference
to peas they plant peas on Long Island pretty late They sow rye
at the same time The rye comes up all around the peas and beans
which are formed down under the bush and are uninjured by slight
frost I am trying this year to plant beans and rye I think we
can grow some in that way Upon our place we plant corn after
cabbage also after Irish potatoes Where the land is not so good
we let the crowfoot grass or crabgrass grow for hay We sow cow
peas in some land which is intended to benefit the soil
Pres Berckmans lam sure Major that your modesty is
too great for you and I think you have struck one of your talking
days We certainly have been very much gratified at the manner
in which you have illustrated that subject and we now have the
two methods of winter gardeningboth at the coast and in Middle
Georgia
Maj G M Ryals I have one request to make I have told266
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
you all about the secrets of truck farming I have recently
invested in a peach orchard down here in Wilkes county That
added a great deal to my trouble this year and I would like for
some of the gentlemen who are informed upou the subject to en
lighten me on the matter of growing peaches
SECRETARY MILLER
The following valuable suggestions were made by Secretary Mil
ler on Lessons for the Year
The consideration of the varied experiences and maybe mis
takes of the past should enable us to learn lessons that will lead
to improvements for the future It is quite natural for a man to
tell in glowing terms of his wonderful success Justice to our con
temporaries and those who live after us requires that we should
make a true and faithful report of our mistakes We are living in
an age of the most wonderful growth and development that the
world has ever beheldan age of steam and electricity If we as
fruitgrowers would keep our place in the procession in this age of
rapid progress we must be up and on the march We must ob
serve read study and practice if we would reach that higher plane
in horticulture which should be ours by virtue of the superior
advantages which we enjoy in this Empire State of the South In
this age of close and severe competition our advantages will not
place us in the front rank as successful fruitgrowers unless at the
same time we are ever diligent to correct the mistakes we have
made and to bring to our aid science and observation as allimpor
tant factors to enable us to keep step to the music of the worlds
progress To shut our eyes to the lessons that may be learned from
the mistake we have made would be simply to become mosscov
ered fossils only fit monuments to mark the place where the march
of improvement had left us
One of the lessons that we learn looking back over this season
is that it is a mistake to neglect the cultivation of our orchards
Owing to the utter failure of fruit in 1894 some commercial
planters became discouraged and did not give their orchards the
cultivation they should have done and the effect is seen in the
stunted growth and the diminished crop of this yearAnnual Publication for 1895
267
Another mistake we have observed this current season is the
neglect of some orchardists to thin out their peaches properly A
gentleman came to me early in the season asking me what he
should do with his peaches The trees were even then commencing
to bend and they were literally covered with fruit I told him to
thin them out severely He said he had not the heart to do it in
fact he could not do it As a consequence his trees not having
been shortened back or thinned out are many of them broken to
pieces His fruit is small and inferior on account of the excess of
numbers on the trees At the commencement of the shipping
season he said he saw his mistake He should have thinned them
out Seasons like this when there is an abundance of peaches to
come on the market emphasizes the importance of thinning out
so as to have only firstclass fruit to offer While the peaches
from those trees not thinned out will go begging for a market at
reduced prices firstclass fruit will bring paying prices It cer
tainly costs no more to pull off a surplus of fruit while the fruit is
small than it does to pick the same fruit when it matures but the
fruit that is left on when the trees are properly thinned will bring
double the amount in the market that the whole lot would if no
thinning was done So that on the score of economy if a man has
no desire to build up a reputation for firstclass fruit he should
thin out his fruit
Some years ago we think the mistake was made of planting too
many varieties in commercial peach orchards but our observation
this year convinces us that planters have fallen into a mistake on
the opposite extreme Since the advent of the Elberta peach they
have planted too few varieties We should rather state it in this
way Too large a percentage of their planting has been of the
Elberta variety As a consequence this season we found after the
earliest peaches were marketed there was a demand on the market
for peaches Commission men were writing Have you any
peaches ripening now that you can send us They are not
arriving in sufficient quantity to supply the market Then when
the Elbertas come into the market such vast amounts of them the
price is reduced While it may be true that for individual plant
ers in certain locations it may be best to plant but few varieties so268
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
as to enable them to ship in carload lots yet we think large plant
ers or communitiesof planters should so arrange their planting as to
keep up a continuous supply throughout the season in this way
and by proper distribution of shipments we avoid gluts in the
markets
Another lesson of the year is that it is folly to ship to the market
immature or bruised or in short anything but firstclass fruit
We saw this season Alexander peaches on the market that to all
appearances were not much more than half grown It is not to
be expected that a discerning public will buy fruit of that kind
and when they do invest in fruit of this kind they are disgusted
with it and conclude they have had peaches enough for the season
and by that means their custom is in a great measure lost The
lessons of this year certainly emphasize the oftrepeated advice to
send nothing but firstclass fruit to the market It is much better
to throw away the culls and immature or bruised and speckled
specimens than to ship them as a consignment of fruit is usually
graded according to the poorest specimens in it
Another important truth that is brought distinctly to the front
by the lessons of the year is that careful packing is an important
factor in the success of the shipper As the result of careless pack
ing we have seen peaches this season arrive on the market with
the baskets not more than twothirds full the peaches evidently
having been thrown into the baskets loosely and then crated up
The consequent jostling and settling cause them to arrive in the
market in the condition we have stated Our peaches and other
fruits from this State must come in competition with fruits from
other sections especially California where packing has been re
duced to a science There special pains are taken to have their
fruits packed in the very best manner so that when opened up they
will present a handsome appearance The lesson for us as fruit
growers in Georgia is that we must take equal pains in selecting
and packing our fruit for market Otherwise we may expect to
have our fruits sell at unremunerative prices
While it is true that these few observations are commonplace
yet it is also true that trite truths are often the most valuableAnnual Publication for 1895
269
truths and we should not allow their triteness to divest them of
force
In seasons like the present fruitgrowers must combat the prob
lem of overproduction and ruinous competition While it is true
that the questions of distribution transportation cheaper freight
and express charges are very important ones yet they do not fur
nish a cure for unprofitable fruitgrowing nor for the poor methods
unfortunately so prevalent The only escape is through higher
and better cultivation better fruit better packingquality rather
than quantity The inevitable law of the survival of the fittest ap
plies to commercial fruitgrowing as well as to everything else
SMALL FRUITS
Georgia possesses a large area adapted to small fruits and with
her varied climate is able to supply the markets with berries for
many months out of the year In many sections of the State the
subject of growing small fruits has not received the attention it
merits Mr Charles Decker of Atlanta who is an authority on
the growth of berries and small fruit of every class addressed the
Society on this subject Mr Decker remarked
We in Georgia have to confine small fruit to strawberries black
berries and raspberries as gooseberries and currants do not suc
ceed or at least to no degree of satisfaction here
There is perhaps no product of the soil that has given as re
munerative returns to the grower as the crops of small fruit
Many a home has been secured and many a mortgage lifted off
the home by the judicious cultivation of these fruits Its success
is not limited to sections but extends over all the States from
Maine to California and from Canada to Florida they give satis
faction to the grower
The strawberry the most general in cultivation succeeds in
almost any soil The same is true with the blackberry while the
raspberry is morechoice in the selection of its soil and location
Speaking of crops that are adapted to our soil and climate we
take the turnip and sweet potato as vegetables the cotton and corn
as field crops but when we get to fruit we have the strawberry
and blackberry as a never failing crop for this climate For the270
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
past thirty years I have been growing them near Atlanta and in
all that time have never known a failure except this year when
some kind of blight struck the strawberries and reduced the crop
to onefourth This however may not occur again in the next
thirty years
The raspberry is more susceptible to failures yet their remuner
ative returns compensate for disappointments
I will not go into the details of the cultivation of small fruits
believing such would be an imposition on the time of this intelli
gent audience of horticulturists but shall merely call attention to
some of the points generally overlooked in the cultivation of small
fruits
There is no reason why we should not produce as many straw
berries to the acre as any one It has been stated on good authority
that ten thousand quarts have been raised to the acre which at ten
cents a quart would make the enormous return of 100000 per
acre While we perhaps cannot reach this figure we can and
frequently have raised onehalf to twothirds of this amount
The item generally overlooked in the preparation of the soil is
the deep breaking of the land for small fruits eighteen inches
deep has given best results Then comes the fertilizer to which
I now desire to call your attention The substances that the soil
must be supplied with in the way of plantfood and which it
does not naturally contain or if so in too limited a quantity are
nitrogen or ammonia potash and phosphoric acid In the pro
duction of small fruit plants and especially that of the strawberry
the chief elements utilized are nitrogen and potash while phos
phoric acid is only required in a limited quantity But a great
change takes place in the production of the fruit In this case the
potash is by far the most predominant element and the application
of potash has been too sadly neglected This argument has been
demonstrated by actual experiment
The strawberry that has been abundantly supplied with stable
manure will go to vines and make but little fruit I use stable
manure liberally before setting the plants which stimulates the
plantgrowth so producing strong vigorous vines but when they
begin producing fruit I use nothing but potash and phosphoric acidAnnual Publication for 1895
271
We have now considered the preparation of the soil the supply
ing of fertilizer and now last but by no means least let us con
sider the supplying of moisture
When we notice that the strawberry contains ninety per cent of
water we must at once conclude that soil and fertilizer is not all that
is necessary to produce a good fruit crop There must be a good
supply of water and as that is not always furnished by the clouds
or at least not in sufficient quanity to insure the best results irriga
tion becomes necessary The subject of irrigation is still in its
infancy and yet for the past ten years the agricultural mind has
made wonderful progress in this direction In order to make small
fruitgrowing a neverfailing success we must be able to supply
water in sufficient quanity and at just the right time to produce a
continual growth during the bearing season The water supply in
Georgia is so abundant that thousands of acres may be subjected to
irrigation with but very little expense The watercourses may be
dammed and by a ditch on a level or nearly so the water can be
conducted along the hillside subjecting all the land lying below
the ditch to overflow whenever desired Where this cannot be done
the water can be raised by means of a pump operated either by
wind or steam power
The growing of small fruit without irrigation will soon be a thing
of the past Not only is the application of water necessary to produce
and form a constituent part of the fruit but it is also necessary to
dissolve the fertilizer in order that the plant may receive its full
benefit
In conclusion I would say that while much attention has been
paid to the cultivation of the strawberry the cultivation of the
raspberry and blackberry has been neglected There is some ex
cuse as regards the raspberry as it requires a moist yet not wet soil
Perhaps the best selection of a raspberry soil is what might be
called a second bottom sandy with if possible a northern ex
posure
Speaking of the blackberry Few people realize that the im
provement of a cultivated blackberry is as much superior to its
wild kinsman as the cultivated strawberry is over the wild or old
field berry and we hope to see the time when every garden in272
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
Georgia shall have a patch of some variety of improved blackber
ries
QUESTION BOX
An interesting feature of the proceedings of the Society is a ques
tion box The questions are sent to the Secretary by personsinterested
in horticultural matters from various parts of the State The an
swers are furnished by different members of the Society We give
the following from the box as being of general interest
Secy G H Miller The first question is What is the
best spraying apparatus for peach trees and grapevines where can
it be obtained and what is the price
Pres Berckmans We have used several spraying apparatus
We have found for a small area the Knapsack Sprayers to be the
most convenient Their capacity is about six gallons They are
strapped to the back they are made of copper and will not cor
rode There are many makes a good one is Prof Galloways
patent This can be procured from Wm Stah Quincy 111 Of the
larger ones there are a great number These are put on a wagon
and worked with a doubleaction pump As you push down the
lever you eject the liquid and stir at the same time Some have
double nozzles and some have single They cost very little Some
cost as low as 6 but these cheap apparatus are dear in the end A
good apparatus will cost you about 12 outside of the barrel Then
there are complicated machines that are made in the shape of a cart
with two wheels They are very expensive and cost from 100 to
175 You will find plenty of advertisements about them in any
agricultural paper
Secy G H Miller The second question is What is the
best way to fight the curculio in peaches I find that spraying
with paris green has a tendency to injure the foliage Is there
anything else as effectual or is the best remedy to catch them and
kill them
Pres Berckmans There is a spraying calender issued by the
Experiment Station Newark Del and another one at Cornell and
both are very explicit and simple They give the different formuAnnual Publication for 1895
273
las and the different periods for spraying before the bud appears
and after the leaf appears when the blossom opens when the fruit
sets when the fruit gets a certain size and so on You can get
them by writing to the Experiment Station at Newark Del and
the Experiment Station at Ithaca N Y
Third question Do you know of any way to prevent grapes
from rotting Is rootpruning beneficial in this country or is it
a necessity My grapes were not pruned at the roots last year
and now they are rotting badly Would it be advisable to spray
them with Bordeaux mixture and how often
Dr Samuel Hape Tell him to bag his grapes
Fourth question What is considered the best variety of straw
berries for early which for medium and which for late All to
be grown for a shipping trade
Pres Berckmans Let that go over for the night discussion
Fifth question Do you know anything about fungous diseases
of celery My plants die off just at the ground while they are
very smallabout one inch high The disease does not seem to
affect the large plants
Sixth question In irrigating a strawberry field or raspberry
field by surface irrigation is it best to run the water in the furrows
between the rows or to spray it over the plants with a hose About
how much water would it take to irrigate an acre providing it was
done once a week What size hose would be the most convenient
for the purpose
Pres Berckmans I believe there has been an irrigation Con
gress called to meet at Atlanta The question could be decided
there
Secy G H Miller I should think it would be much better
to irrigate and have running water between the rows than to spray
Seventh question I have a good crop of cowpeas near where
I intend planting strawberries this fall Will it be best to plow
them under now and then use about one thousand pounds of bone
and potash with one thousand pounds of cottonseed meal to the
acre or will it be best to cut the cowpeas for hay I cannot get
much manure
18aar274
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
Pres Berckmans In a discussion of cowpeas that took place
before the Beech Island Agricultural Club this very same question
came under discussion and it was the verdict of the majority that
the greatest benefit was derived from the roots That stands to
reason because the bacteria which create the little nodules contain
ing nitrogen are below the soil You can get just as good results
by cutting off the vines and plowing in the roots as you would by
plowing in the whole vine
Prof J S Newman The analysis made does not sustain that
conclusion The root will be rich in nitrogen but the plant above
ground will contain a great deal more than the root This was
shown by analysis in two or three cases The analysis showed
moreover that a good crop of pea vines contained as much nitrogen
or would supply to the soil as much nitrogen which was not there
before as about sixteen tons of stable manure and apart from the
fact that we cannot always get stable manure the pea vine is
superior because we can broadcast it over as large an area as we
wish
Eighth question Is the Cuthbert the best variety of rasp
berry for this country or are there others as good that are any
earlier
Pres Berckmans From what part of the State does that come
Dr Samuel Hape From Floyd county
Mr The Cuthbert I believe to be the best
red variety for that section
Secy G H Miller I think that without doubt the Cuthbert
is the best variety for that locality That is those that have been
well cultivated The blackcaps according to my observation do
not succeed very well in that section The long summers affect
them in some way and they do not last long I do nor think it is
a good idea to plant blackcaps as a commercial ventureREPORT
Commissioner of Agriculture
STATE OF GEORGIA
Year Ending September 30th 1895
R T NESBITT COMMISSIONERlo His Excellency W Y Atkinson Governor
I have the honor to submit the following report of the transactions of
the Department of Agriculture for the year beginuing October 1 1894
and ending September 30 1895
CLERICAL FORCE
Since the last report there has been but one change in the clerical
force of the department B L Mclntosh having been appointed in the
place of B F Carter resigned The following persons are now em
ployed in the department in clerical capacities B L Mclntosh general
correspondent and bookkeeper J E Brown Jr fertilizer clerk H L
Bennett mailing clerk
FERTILIZER INSPECTION
During the year the following named inspectors have been employed
each receiving a salary of 8333 per month while employed except
A Oemler who for the past ten months has received 100 per month
These gentlemen have rendered faithful and honest work to the State
and by close attention to their work have earned their salaries
follows
SALARY
A Oemler Savannah 1166 99
S B Scott Atlanta 999 96
E R Kirkpatrick Waverly Hall 999 96
W W Dews Cnthbert 999 96
W B Jones LaGrange 249 99
S R Fulcher Greens Cut 333 32
J R VanBuren Griswoldville 333 32
W A Terrell Greenville 458 31
Z L Fryer Barnesville 333 32
M L Johnson Cass Station 333 32
G M Goldsmith Stone Mountain 333 32
J V McWhorter Woodville 333 32
Total1 6875 09
Though the sale of fertilizer decreased very largely last winter result
ing in a diminution of several thousand dollars in the receipts of the de
partment as compared with the previous year the receipts have been278
Department of AgricultureGeorgia
sufficient to meet every expense and the fertilizer business of the de
partment has not cost the State one dollar as the following report will
show
RECEIPTS
Balance from season of 189894 2733 43
sale of tags 22598 91
25332 34 25332 34
EXPENDITURES
For tags 5502 60
Salaries of inspectors 6875 09
Traveling expenses of inspectors 1551 10
Restamping tags 143 00
Express 1 75
Incidentals 96 49
Turned into State Treasury 8672 15
22842 18
Balance 2490 16
25332 24
AGRICULTURE
The condition of the agricultural interests of the State are fairly
good While the cotton crop will fall far short of that of last year the
food crops such as corn peas potatoes sorghum sugar cane and rice
are unusually good and there are more hogs to fatten than in many years
previous Though the cotton crop is short the price is better than it
was last year and on the whole the farmers of the State are in better
condition than they have been for several years past Each year there
is more attention given to diversified farming better preparation of the
land more terracing and a more judicious use of commercial fertilizers
All these I take to be improvements in our agricultural condition each
one a signpost pointing the way to assured independence and prosperity
among our farmers
DAIRYING
The dairying industry is growing steadily and bids fair to soon be
come of great importance A large number of creameries have been es
tablished during the past twelve months and a number of these have
met with fair success Where difficulties have been encountered theAnnual Publication for 1895
279
promoters should not abandon their efforts but by close investigation
discover the leaks stopping which there would be success where hereto
fore there has been failure
In this connection I deem it proper to mention that quantities of but
terine and other compounds are sold in this State as butter to the
great detriment of the dairymen and their products Unless laws are
passed and stringently enforced to put a stop to these deceptions the
result must be to cripple and probably destroy the dairy industry of our
State I do not object to butterine and like compounds most of which
I consider both healthy and palatable but I earnestly protest against
their being sold under false colors They should either be sold on their
own merits or not at all and it would be a simple act of justice to the
farmers if the legislature would enact a law to this effect
ORCHARDS AND FRUITS
There has been an enormous increase in this branch of farming in the
past few years and especially in the growing of peaches the shipments
of which have reached this year several hundred carloads with the
prospect of a large increase year by year for some years to come The
shipment to Northern markets of grapes plums and pears is also stead
ily increasing These different fruits together with melons and the ber
ries bring a large amount of money into the State and if the railroads
would only give more reasonable rates of freight to distant markets the
fruit industry would rapidly become immense and would bring large
amounnts of money to our people in the dull summer months
PUBLICATIONS
The usual Annual for 1894 was published last fall and by June the
entire edition was exhausted and many more called for A second edi
tion was published during the past summer which by some changes and
additions was made a great improvement over the first issue These
have all been distributed without supplying the demand
In addition the department has published a large editionof a book
called Georgia a Fair Field for Homeseekers and Investors a well
illustrated pamphlet of sixtyseven pages giving in a condensed form an
outline of the different industries of the State her educational facilities
waterpowers etc There has been a great demand for this book and
the first edition of five thousand copies has been well scattered through
out the West and North resulting in interesting many people of those
sections in our State and adding to our population probably hundreds280
Department op AgricultureGeorgia
of good citizens A second edition of this work is now in the hands of
the printers and will soon be ready for distribution
During the past year therehave been hundreds of letters received by
this department from the States of the North and West wanting infor
mation regarding our State and we have sent such literature as we had
to every one writing and no doubt with good results If we wish to at
tract emigrants to cultivate our lands and assist in developing our great
State we must publish and place before them the advantages that we
can offer no one will do this for us and while other Southern States are
using every effort to control the tide of emigration plainly setting south
ward it will not do for Georgia to sit with folded hands awaiting what
may happen We should be up and doing or our sister States will get
the cream of this tide of emigration which will soon swell to large pro
portions
In accordance with a recent act of the legislature I have published
a volume of nearly five hundred pages called Georgia her Resources
and Possibilities This is the most complete handbook of the State ever
issued by this department and will be valuable as a book of reference
This work is well illustrated with cuts relating to all the varied re
sources of the State agriculture horticulture manufacturing mining
lumbering etc and is liberally supplied with maps relating to agricul
ture geology forestry rainfall temperature etc The contents of this
work are divided into nine chapters which treat of the following sub
jects
Chapter 1 General Outline of the State
2 Economic Minerals
3 Geology of Georgia
4 The Streams and Drainage Basins of Georgia
Table Showing Tributaries and WaterPowers
5 Manufacturing
6 Agriculture
7 Institutions of the People
8 Governors of Georgia
9 Georgia by Counties
Each of these subjects is treated of fully and instructingly Espe
cially interesting to homeseekers is the ninth chapter in which the State
is taken by counties and carefully and accurately described giving sta
tistical information as to population school fund property of all kinds
rate of taxation etc The statistical information in this work has beenmmwwremimimymmummmmqff
Annual Publication for 1895
281
very carefully compiled and can be relied on as accurate From the
flattering notices received from the Press and from individuals through
out the State I feel that the time and money devoted to this work has
been well expended
EXPOSITION
Having been selected by the legislature as ihe executive officer of
the State Board of Commissioners I have devoted a great deal of time
during the past six months to the work of Illustrating Georgia at the
Cotton States and Intelnational Exposition This work while arduous
and accompanied with many annoyances has been a labor of love
with me aud I have entered into and have continued it heartily and
with all my strength influenced by the desire to see our Grand State
make a display worthy of her renown Ably assisted by Dr Geo F
Payne State Chemist and Professor W S Yeates State Geologist with
their respective assistants by a number of our most ambitious and pro
gressive counties and by earnest individuals both ladies aud gentlemen
from all sections of the State the work has been carried on steadily and
systematically until now the Georgia building at the Exposition con
tains a display of her varied resources industries and educational ad
vancement such as any State in the Union might be proud of
The money wisely appropriated by the legislature to thus show to
the world the resources and possibilities of Georgia has been judiciously
expended and will prove I doubt not the best investment ever made
by the State
This great exposition and the display made by Georgia must attract
attention and inquiry to this section and more particularly to our own
State which stands out preeminently among her sisters as the Empire
State of the Southnm VISSiY9F GL0R2IA LIBRARIES
3 ElDfi 05357 5fe27