SOILS, FERTILIZERS AND IRRIGATION 81 



Gypsum as a Fertilizer Absorbent. 



\Does the action of gypsum reduce the Ay pest and preserve the 

 manure from loss of volatile matter? 



Unless properly handled fermentation rapidly sets in in manure 

 and volatile contents pass off into the air, which can be detected 

 by the odor of ammonia. By using finely ground gypsum or land 

 plaster the escape of ammonia can be somewhat lessened. This is 

 the chief reason for using gypsum as an absorbent, although it materi- 

 ally aids in solving the fly question. Many dairymen use from one- 

 half to a pound of gypsum per 1,000 pounds of animals in their milking 

 barns, scattering it on the floor after the barn has been cleaned. 

 They do this to keep flies down as well as foul odors. 



Corn Stalks for Fertilizer. 



Can I work in corn stalks profitably as an orchard fertilizer? Can 

 the stalks be spread, a disk run over the same and then plow them 

 in in the spring, or would it be feasible to rent a gasoline corn stalk 

 chopper and cut them upf 



If you are dealing with a light soil, the plowing in of the stalks 

 will give you more trouble than could be compensated for by the 

 humus which they might ultimately produce. On a heavier soil 

 they can be hashed up and plowed in as you propose. It is doubtful 

 if their value would warrant even hiring machinery for the purpose. 

 A better proposition would be to trade them to some local cow feeder 

 in return for as many loads of manure as he is willing to give you. 



Leaf Mold and Oak-Root Fungus. 



We have been gathering leaf mold from an oak grove and placing the 

 same (mixed with droppings from cattle pastured in the grove) around 

 our young orange trees to provide humus fertilizer and put the heavy 

 soil in good mechanical condition. The results have been fine. Would 

 it be possible to infect the orchard with "oak-root fungus" providing 

 it were present in the oak grove ? 



One can hardly say it is impossible, but it is so improbable that 

 we would not hesitate a moment to continue your practice because 

 of fear of it. 



Plowing-in Tomato Vines. 



We had between our young oranges tomatoes. Of what value as 

 a fertilizer would the frozen vines be? Would it pay to plow them under? 

 Unless it would, we would not plow the orcliard this year. 



You should surely plow them under for humus ; besides, do not 

 let the land go unplowed this year. 



Highest Value in a Vetch. 



In all my reading regarding the value of vetch as nitrogenous fer- 

 tilizer, I haven't as yet seen a statement as to when is the time to plow- 

 under to get the greatest results, regardless of any conditions. 



