V
Garden
VOL. LVIII.
INDIANAPOLIS, FEB. 14, 1903.—TWENTY PAGES.
NO. 7
Studies In Crop Fertilization.
Editors Indiana Farmer:
We aU understand tliat plant food, that
is. tlu* vital Bubstance of manures ami
fertilizers, is composed of time materials
or elements,—potash, nitrogeu and phosphoric acid; also, we know that these
three elements must be used in quantities
that bear a certain reference to each other.
We know that a crop may require certain
amounts of nitrogen, potash ami phosphoric
acid, and also if one-half of the potash
be taken away, though even the nitrogen
and phosphoric acid be doubled, the resulting crop will be only a half crop or
less. That is, every pound of nitrogen
used by plants in their growth must be accompanied at the same time by certain
(.mounts of potash and phosphoric acid.
This being true, a very important matter
is proper composition of manures and fertilizers; that is, the correct proportioning
of the plant food elements for any particular crop.
The actual plant food need of crops is
very clearly shown by the chemical analysis of the crop. In* this we must take
the whole crop, as plant food is just as
necessary for the stalks and straw as
for the salable portions of the crop, and
the one eannot be grown without the
other. Reckined in this sense, we gi<-e
herewith the actual plant food contained
in good crops per acre, of the more widely
cultivated plants.
.Phosphoric
Nitrogen.   Potash.    Acid.
Beets ino lbs.   221 lbs.   20 lbs.
Buckwheat    00 lbs.     44 lbs.    16 lbs.
Corn 110 lbs.     78 lbs.    58 lbs.
Oats 62 lbs.     61 lbs.    24 lba.
Potatoes 89 lbs.    109 lbs.    20 lbs.
Tlmotliv    129 lbs.   107 lbs.    39 lbs.
Wheat 57 lbs.     30 lbs.   24 lbs.
It will be noticed that there is a wide
variation in the total amounts of plant
food, due to the fact that some of these
crops produce an acre yield many times
lhat of others. Also, all crops of the
clover family are omitted, as they store
up atmospheric nitrogen, and therefore
contain plant food over and above that
actually necessary for their growth. On
this very account, fertilizers contain less
nitrogen than the crops they are intended
to grow, as compared with the potash and
rhosphoic acid, simply because the clover
is meant to supply rather cheaply too,
more or less plant food nitrogen. There
is one more point to take into consideration. Phosphoric acid when supplied to
the soil very quickly takes insoluable
forms, which means in effect, that it has
become largely unavailable as plant food.
On this account, the amount actually contained in the crop is donbled in judging
a fertilizer for same, this as a rough sort
of compensation for this tendency towards
raking insoluble forms. It is not very
accurate, but it is all we have, and its
error in all probability is on the safe
side.
Omitting the nitrogen in the above table,
and doubling the prosphoric acid, we have
the potash and phosphoric acid needs
about as follows:
Phosphoric
Potash. Acid.
Beets 221 lbs. 40 Ihe.
Buckwheat 44 lbs. 32 lba.
corn 78 lbs. 116 lbs.
Outs 61 lbs. 48 lbs.
Potatoes 109 lbs. 40 lbs.
Timothy 107 lbs. 78 lbs.
Wbeat 30 lbs. 48 lbs.
This final table gives a key for a systematic study of crop fertilizers. From
tame we can figure out about what the
arraysis of a fertilizer ought to be for any
given crop in general cultivation, bnt it is
a question how many farmers will take
the tronb'e to do so, important though it
is. V. J.  Lance.
The Circular Ideal Barn.
Bdltora Indiana Farmer:
We wish to call your attention again to
ilie "Circular barn," as perfected by us.
■•- shown on this page of the Indiana
("armer.    While  the history  of  circular
construction, has been successfully work-
• d out. and it could be done in no other
•.•ay (hair tn apply the circular formation
tind then develop a means of construction
that would conform to its peculiar shape
and   furnish   a   strong,     light     style     of
Ideal Circular     Barn—Elevation.
barn construction is of very recent date,
we n-evetheless offer the complete solution of the entire problem. We have successfully met and overcome every objectionable feature that has been advanced
against the circular barn, and now offer
framing, where a few light timbers make
.i strong,  durable structure.
The most prominent features of the
•'Circular barn"  are  as  follows:
1. A greater capacity, with the same
amount of material used, than any other
creased or diminished to any required
rite without affecting the form of construction  in  the  least.
•1. The simplicity and ease with which
hay inn be stored away. By using the
"Fen-is" self-returning hay  carrier,  which
nperatea on a circular track, the barn can
In* filled entirely full with great ease. The
eelf-returning   hay   carrier   was   invented
•*i meet this apecial form Of building, ami
is a most decided success in every particular.
5, The eaae hy which the plan and
general arrangement can be adjusted to
suit the requirements of any department
of stock  husbandry.
8. limit strength of roof and side
walls, Insuring against the dangers of
leavy wimis and tornadoes.
7. Graceful outline and symmetry of
proportion.
8, Kvery principal of construction is
based on* science, and combines simplicity, cheapness and strength.
0. No roof to sag or settle out of shape
and become unsightly.
10. No sides nor ends to bulge out.
Just as well talk about bulging the sides
tf a well hooped barrel, for the barn is
built a!', the way through on this principal.
11. Is equally well adapted to all kinds
of roofing materials, whether wood, slate
or metal.
In fact every advantage can be claimed
lhat it is possible to incorporate in barn
planning  and   building.
Pendleton, Ind. Detraz & Steele.
Ideal   Circular   Barn—Ground Plan.
the accompanying elevation and ground
plan, for the thoughtful consideration of
farmers, stockmen, ranchmen and breeders.
Modern barn* building, which must consist of some form of    "Balloon    frame"
torm of construction.
2. A vast, unobstructed mow space,
there being no timbers whatever of any
kind to form an obstruction, the roof being  entirely  self-supporting.
3. The capacity of the barn can be in-
What Kind of Timber Must we Grow?
Kdltors Indiana Fanner:
Only lately have I become converted
to the idea of timber growing, which I
now think ought to become a general
thing, where the farm is of much size,
say 30 or more acres.
On our farm we have a cow lot pretty well covered with underbrush, which
is- in the shape of a flat iron, which I
want to square up and plant to timber.
I think I will plant black locust mostlv,
as they will make good fence posts ami
sprout enough to make a permanent timber lot without much trouble. As then*
is* about one half acre of swamp which
cannot be ditched without great expense
1 expect to stick it full of yellow willow
cutlings. which will do for fire wood,
though it is not the best. We could use
the blue willow, but it does not grow so
fast as the yellow willow.        C. A. B.
St. Joseph Co.
—For quick growing post timber, especially for posts, you cannot do better
than to plant the hardy catalpa and
black locust. Small trees can be bought
for $1 per hundred, and less by the thousand. The American Chestnut is a rapid
grower, comes into bearing early, ami is
a durable wood for posts or rails, and
the nuts in a few years would make the
trees too valuable to use for any other
purpose. The soft maple grows well in
moist soil, and we think would make
more  and  better- wood  than the  willow.
Putnam county's new court house is
tn have a largo room devoted to the use
of farmers and their families, where
they may have a resting place of their
own, and thanks to nobody, while in
town.    It is an excellent idea.
Remonstrances against the proposed
change in the Nicholson law were signed
in hundreds of churches last Snnday.
They are having their effect in the Legislature, and the bill will not be passe,1,
even in the House, it is believed.