398 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
MAY 23 
farmers know of this weakness, and all through the spring 
men may b^ seen parading the streets by the side of old 
wagons yelling—“ Fll or-or-or-or-ors 1 ” “ Pll-annne nnts 
oeer-111!” To a stranger it is about the most meaning¬ 
less cry in the world, but the housewives and servants 
understand it readily. Water sold in the form of plants 
for transplanting will bring more money than when offered 
in any other form. It is live water—life is always worth 
more than death. 
Many of these Manhattan farmers must make money. 
The beer barrels explain where some of it goes to. We 
have often wondered where such people put their money 
and where they naturally look for investments. The art 
of investing one’s savings is almost as important as that 
of saving them. So near as we can learn, these farmers 
put their little money into savirgs banks and keep it 
there until a chance offers to buv land that they want. 
Several of our recent articles on Eastern farming have 
called forth many letters from Westen men who are dis¬ 
cussing the problem of moving back East. We have no 
thought that any of our readers will want to come and 
farm on a city lot. While the situation may be an ideal 
one, so far as theory goes, most people prefer a little more 
practical value mixed in with the theory. At the same 
time have we nothing to learn from the city farmer ? 
DIVIDED DOSES OF FERTILIZER. 
Does the Plant do Better With a Lunch? 
On page 282 of The R. N.-Y., Mr. Henry Stewart made a 
strong argument in favor of applying fertilizer to the corn 
crop at different times during the growing season His 
chief argument was that the process of developing an ear 
is the hardest task of the corn plant’s life. It comes near 
the end of the season when the fertilizers or manure ap¬ 
plied in the spring are most likely to have been used up. 
The theory is that a soluble fertilizer applied just at this 
time will be used directly by the ear and will help in the 
formation of grain as it could not at any other time. Be 
low we give the views of a number of fertilizer farmers 
who use large quantities of chemicals. 
Several Applications of Home Mixed Fertilizer. 
I am buying chemicals and doing my own mixing and 
much prefer two or three applications during the growing 
season. 1 am making a mixture with a low percentage of 
ammonia for the dose at the time of planting, and reserv¬ 
ing the more soluble plant foods until the plant has made 
sufficient growth to take up what might otherwise be lost 
were there no vegetation at band. It is very noticeable 
that the nitrates will in a damp, warm period show their 
effects in 48 hours, and if so soluble, what becomes of this 
quickly acting material if there is nothing to use it ? I am 
experimenting along this line with the present year’s 
work to learn more fully about it. I use nitrate of soda 
on Timothy Grass—75 pounds the last of March, and 75 
pounds the middle of May, during damp weather. I pre¬ 
fer to mix it with an equal weight of dry earth. 
For all vegetables I would apply at the time of planting 
half of the quantity, and the rest after a good growth had 
been made. As to the method, one-half of the first applica¬ 
tion would be made broadcast and one-half in the drill 
well mixed with soil. The second application I would 
scatter along either side of the row by hand or with a 
fertilizer distributor, and then work it into the soil with 
proper tools. As to what fertilizers to use, soils are so 
different that each one must study for himself, drawing 
bis conclusions from experience and observation. A com¬ 
plete ration must be given to the soil, more of the organic 
food being saved for the last dose. j. h. d. 
Freehold, N. J. 
A Square Meal Best. 
We have always applied our fertilizer at the time of 
planting. For potatoes we make a deep furrow, drop the 
seed, cover lightly, scatter the fertilizer over the seed and 
cover. For corn we use a planter which plants the corn 
and distributes the fertilizer at the same time. We think 
a good square m al is better than several lunches. We 
use the Stcckbiidge fertilizer altogether, thinking that 
the best. STUhGIS BROS. 
Androscoggin Co., Me. 
Will Pay in Wet Seasons. 
I have not tried the plan of using soluble chemical fer¬ 
tilizers on corn or potatoes at different stages of the growth, 
but am inclined to think it would be advantageous in a 
wet season, but for a dry season I think it would be best 
to apply the hr ilizers before planting. T. B. 
Swedesboro, N. J. 
An Extra Crop Needs Extra Fertilizer. 
I have never made any comparative tests to learn whether 
the same amount of fertilizer would give better results if 
applied all at once or in several applications, as I believe 
our txpi riment stations should make all such tes's, as they 
have eieiytblng to work with and are used to such ex¬ 
periments. My practice has been to fertilize liberally in 
spring, then if 1 wished an extra crop I could apply ferti¬ 
lizers any time duriLg the season. I always prefer to ap¬ 
ply them when it rains and cultivate as soon after as the 
condition of the land will permit. It is not uncommon to 
see a change in the color and general appearance in two or 
three days. I always sow the fertilizer between the rows, 
as 1 want the roots to fill the whole ground, and there is 
nothing that I know of that will stimulate them so much 
as some good, complete fertilizer. 
I have made two applications of fertilizer to late sweet 
corn and late potatoes ; but nevermore than one for early, 
and the two were made only when I wanted a heavy crop. 
I have made four, and sometimes five applications of ferti¬ 
lizer on celery. If I were to use less than 1,500 pounds of 
the best commercial fertilizer per acre, I would use it all 
in spring, and a large part of it broadcast. Then I could 
be;pretty sure to get it in a condition so the plants could 
get it some time during the season, whereas if I applied 
it in the summer there may not be sufficient moisture to 
afford the full benefit. I have used nitrate of soda, sul¬ 
phate of ammonia and the Scockbridge complete manures, 
and ordinarily consider the last very much preferable to 
the other chemicals. H. R KINNEY. 
Worcester Co., Mass. 
No Benefit from Nitrate. 
I have tried nitrate of soda on potatoes in two applica¬ 
tions, but could see no material difference either in quan¬ 
tity or quality between the effects of one and two applica¬ 
tions. My experience shows that my soil derives no profit 
from nitrogen in any manner when applied to potatoes 
When using it, I have drilled in a part with the planter 
and broadcast a part. I now use only potash and phos¬ 
phoric acid mixed together and applied part broadcast and 
worked in with the Acme harrow, and part drilled in. I de¬ 
rive potash from muriate, kainit and sulphate, phosphoric 
acid from bone dust, slag and precipitated phosphate of 
lime. 
I have never experimented with basic slag in a way to 
correctly test its value as compared with that of other 
forms of phosphoric acid, but I was satisfied I had my 
money’s worth out of it. It was especially good on fruit, 
and satisfactory on potatoes. I can speak well of it in a 
general way, but I dislike to recommend anything as being 
better than something else, or even as good, unless I have 
tested it by actual weight of crops as I have done with 
nitrogen. I will say, however, that if precipitate phosphate 
of lime were at all times on the market in good condition, 
It would be my form of phosphoric acid. J. M w. 
New Brunswick, N. J. 
We Shall Change Our System. 
I have not heretofore applied chemical fertilizers more 
than once during the growing season. This season I ex¬ 
pect to make two applications, one at the time of planting, 
and one, say, as soon as the potato vines are about six 
inches high, and perhaps later. This change from former 
treatment is induced by the experience of others, who 
believe it of considerable advantage in increasing the yield 
of potatoes. 
We are now drilling in our fertilizer for curn. I do not 
expect to make any further applicition during the grow¬ 
ing season. This is the first time I have managed to drill 
in fertilizers after an applicition of yard manure. I have 
no doubt a second application would prove profitable; but 
I do not feel that I have the time to make a second appli- 
cition when it would be necessary, and yet I am of the 
opinion that I shall give more attention to increased yields 
of corn in the future. In making a sec ind applicition to 
potatoes I shall use the drill, drawing the tubes together 
and distributing as near the row as possible. If I should 
A Manhattan Goose Farm. Fig. 141. 
make the second application to corn. I would use the drill 
and broadcast the fertilizers I have had no experience 
in broadcasting fertiliz irs, except by the use of the drill, 
aside from top dressing mowing fields, which I always do 
by hand sowing. Perhaps the drill would be preferable 
even for the latter purpose, as it would make a more even 
distribution. I use a special corn manure. D c. lewis. 
Middlesex Co., N. J. 
All Used In the Spring. 
My inclination has been to apply large quantities of pot¬ 
ash and semi-available phosphoric acid in the spring be¬ 
fore planting, thoroughly working them into the soil, as 
this can be done more thoroughly then for the permanent 
benefit of the land, as well as for the success of the crop to 
be grown. The results have been very satisfactory, both 
as to the crop and the improvement of the soil. Nitrogen 
I do not intend to apply to any great extent for future use, 
but I do apply it more freely than it is found in the ready 
mixed fertilizers sold. Potash I also apply much more 
freely than it is found in them. F. w. 
Concord, Mass. 
Basic Slag as a Source of Phosphoric Acid. 
The first analysis of basic slag was made by this station 
in 1887. The sample represented the German product, and 
contained 19 02 per cent of total phosphoric acid, of which 
6 37 per cent was “ available” by the methods of analysis 
In use in this State, Samples representing the American 
product have also been analyzed with results as follows : 
No. 1, 20.34 per cent total phosphoric acid, and 5 45 per 
cent “ available:” No. 2, 17 84 per cent total phosphoric 
acid, and 3 06 per cent “ available.” The above analyses 
show a decided variation in the composition. Its value as 
compared with other forms of phosphatic materials has 
not been studied by us to any extent. In an experiment 
on wheat it was shown to be of value, the increased yield 
secured being nearly two thirds as great as that from the 
use of the soluble and “available” forms of phosphoric 
acid. 
Dr. Paul Wagner, the eminent German authority on 
methods of manuring, recommends it very highly. Ex¬ 
periments in that country have shown that two pounds of 
phosphoric acid from basic slag produced the first year 
after application the same increase of yield as one pound 
of soluble phosphoric acid, and that the after effect of the 
two pounds in the second year after manuring was twice 
that of the one pound of soluble phosphoric acid. If the 
above should be the experience in America with American 
slag, its profitable use must depend entirely upon its cost. 
The selling price of the American slag is $25 per ton. As¬ 
suming the material to average 18 per cent, the cost per 
pound of phosphoric acid would be about seven cents; the 
average cost per pound of soluble and available phosphoric 
acid, from bone black and S. C rock superphosphates, has 
been shown to be this year—for the farmers of New Jersey— 
less than 6% cents per pound; therefore, unless the agri¬ 
cultural value of the form of phosphoric acid existing in 
American basic slag is proved to be equal to or greater 
than the available forms in the above materials, it would 
not be business policy for farmers to pay present prices 
for it. Its wide use in Germany depends to a large extent 
upon its cheapness, which is evidenced by the fact that the 
price of the German basic slag, which was sold here in 
1887 and 1888, was but $13.50 per ton, making the cost per 
pound of phosphoric acid less than four cents. 
N. J Experiment Station. E. B VOORHEKS 
CULTIVATING A CROP OF WATER. 
Dodging drought; rain rises for the just cultivator; 
man controls—not provides—moisture; not trusting 
high priced seed to the planter. 
T. B. TERRY. 
We stir the surface soil an inch or two deep as soon as 
possible after it is dry enough after each shower. Of course 
in a wet time, when showers follow each other in quick 
succession, we do not follow the above rule. But we are 
very careful not to get caught and let the surface crust 
over after the last shower. So careful are we in this re¬ 
spect that we often stir the surface only to have it wet 
down again in a few hours. We had better lose our labor 
half a dozen times than let the ground dry up and crust 
over once. My only cultivated crop is potatoes. Moisture 
is very valuable to them. We cannot often afford to let 
any of this go to waste that we can save by careful and 
timely cultivation. This matter of sufficient moisture is 
largely under our control. I have yet to see a season in which 
we could not grow a good paying crop of potatoes in spite 
of drought. In fact I believe a half crop can be grown 
without any rain at all from planting time to digging It 
is wonderful what man can do in this line. It is more 
wonderful, however, that so many pay no attention to this 
point and quietly accept a total failure, or very nearly so, 
as their “ luck.” 
There is seldom a year when we have rain enough 
during the growing season to make a crop of potatoes. 
The main source of supply is what is stored up 
in the earth beneath and is constantly being brought up 
by capillary attraction. The farmer who simply cultivates 
a certain number of times in a season, without regard to 
just when, may lose much of this, as well as of what comes 
directly from the clouds. More intelligence must be put 
into the work. The surface must be constantly mulched 
to check the unnecessary evaporation. An inch or two of 
freshly-stirred soil is the most practical mulch. Of course 
we lose a little moisture, after a rain, before the ground is 
dry enough to allow one to go on it without injury. Aside 
from this I do not intend to let any water evaporate 
directly from the soil in my potato field that work can 
prevent. It must go through the vines on its way up and 
pay tribute. I speak positively on this point, because I 
know I have made thousands of dollars by paying atten¬ 
tion to it, and I have seen others lose thousands by doing 
the contrary. In truth I have made the thousands because 
others were slack. I had something to sell when the crop 
was a failure and the prices consequently high. Of course 
I am not selfish enough to wish for draughty seasons; but 
the fact remains that such years, like 1831 and 1887, briDg 
me the most money with the least work. Haw many 
readers of The Rural have contributed to this result ? 
How many will when the next drought comes ? My wife 
sometimes says I might have got rich if I had kept my 
mouth shut. Alas! farmers are too slow to change old 
practices and think and study ! I am not cutting my own 
nose off as fast as wife thinks. Again, the specialist can 
do this if he will, and this is one of the strong points in 
favor of special farming; but the “mixed” farmer with 
his numerous crops to attend to, cannot, by any possi¬ 
bility, do all this work just when it ought to be done. 
He will continue to plant potatoes in the spring, and when 
a bad season comes buy fur his own use, in the fall, of the 
specialist. I have sold thousands of b ushels to such men. 
I am writing of ordinary farming land in my latitude. 
Very rich land and a location farther north will make a 
difference. For example, my friend J. M. Smith, of Green 
Bay, Wis , the noted gardener, who uses 40 or 50 loads of 
manure to the acre, every year, raises larger crops of 
potatoes than I can and does not cultivate one-half as 
much. Readers should bear in mind that all this cultiva¬ 
tion that we give (I would hardly dare tell how many 
