Fertilizer Page By GEO. VAN BUSKIRK Address Inquiries to Editor, Citrus Leaves, Redlands, Calif. T BEAN STRAW FEATURES states in the Union which produce beans in quantity and California leads the other five. It seems almost like luck that our greatest orange acreage is situated within hauling distance of several of the best lima bean producing regions, for that solves at once one of our main problems, namely, getting humus to the grove. Of course, we have other sources of humus, but without the supply of bean straw used yearly, we would be forced to use more inferior grades of straw. Geo. Van Buskirk Bean Straw Users Consistent Taken all along the line, there is more favorable comment heard from growers who use bean straw than from those using other mulches. I have noticed that the bean straw users as a rule will use nothing else but bean straw each fall,.so great is their belief in it. Even last year these men were willing to pay as high as $20 delivered for baled lima bean straw, so great was their confidence of its value. Naturally, there are other good mulchesmanure, alfalfa hay, barley straw and cotton bolls are all used to advantage. Spoiled alfalfa hay, if it can be bought cheaply is all right. It runs higher in nitrogen than other hays. However, only occasionally can it be bought at a low figure, and even when late rains spoil it for feeding purposes, such as happened this year, it is sold for a fancy price. Nevertheless, it is good and the growers who bought this year were not stung. Some Straws Stringy Barley straw, wheat straw and black eye bean straw are not suited so well for the groves. They are too stringy and do not break up or decompose rapidly enough. That is one of the strong points in favor of the lima bean straw. It breaks up and can be turned under the ground readily, and the decomposition at once commences. There is one point which I would like to make plain in this talk. Many growers ask why they should pay fourteen or fifteen dollars a ton for bean straw when they can buy dairy manure for five dollars. Let us compare a $5.00 per ton-at-the-grove manure with lima bean straw. Analyses which I have show that most of these corral manures contain below one per cent, in fact usually around six-tenths of one per cent, nitrogen. Lima bean straw contains about the same. So we'll give nitrogen an even break. Anyway, organic matter, which is humus, is what we are most concerned with, so let's consider that. In the $5.00 manures we can Then we could pay three times as much for bean straw, couldn't we? Or $15.00 delivered side of grove for bean straw would be a fair price to pay for it, if a good country dairy manure is costing about $5.00 at the grove side per ton. As bean straw ought to cost below $15.00 this fall, it will be a good buy. (I have made allowances in my percentages to take care of the excess nitrogen contained in three tons of manure against one ton of bean straw.) This same comparison may be carried on with higher grade manures, except that you must give credit for the extra nitrogen in high grade manure. Manure is good, so is bean straw-do you see what I mean? One may be the cheaper to use at one time, the other cheaper another time. All we have to do is wear down the point of a pencil figuring what we are getting and what we are paying for it. Must Use Humus It's up to every grower to put humus matter into his grove, and I would advise any one who is doubtful to talk to a neighbor who has used bean straw. When you are getting advice, pick your advisor. Like a well known automobile concern advertises-"Ask the man who owns one." THE FERTILIZER MARKET Tankage-Good demand for feed as well as fertilizer. Price up a little-very small supplies on the coast. Blood-Same as tankage-price up; no large supplies. Cottonseed Meal-Scarce at present. New supply will be coming on this month, but demand will also commence soon. Nitrate of Soda-No contracts being madeimporters advanced price, which stopped business. At present prices nitrate cannot compete with the low price on sulphate of ammonia. Sulphate of Ammonia-Price lowest for years -large supplies in east. Production is ahead of demand, so price should not advance. As sulphate of ammonia is a by-product of the coke industry, as long as the steel industry is alive, production cannot be decreased. Potash-Stimulated interest in east with some buying of American material. Fordney bill contains a duty of 50c a unit on imported potash, gradually decreasing during five years. This gives us a chance to develop our own potash supply. J. N. Harper, of the Southern Soil Improvement Committee in his advice to Southern farmers says. "This is a time for farm efficiency, faith and courage. These virtues exercised, the farmer will emerge from the post-war struggle victoriously. Making Fertilization Pay Dividends (Continued from Page 13) ing the myriad of small, fibrous roots. I never disc in this sandy soil. In fact, I sold a new disc for practically nothing so that I would not be tempted to use it in killing weeds. I use the ordinary hoe to combat the weed evil. It's harder work and more tedious, but the results are most gratifying." Illustrations Explain Success This grove was four years old when Mr. Sherrod bought it. The illustrations used in connection with this article explain the situation more easily than an extended discourse. Illustration number one, is a view of one of the typical trees in the five acre piece which Mr. Sherrod did not purchase, and which was not fertilized by him. This photograph was taken by the writer on August sixth-the same date that illustrations number two and three were photographed. The tree shown in illustration number one is in a row next to the one in which the tree in illustration number two was located. Both trees are true examples of the aggregate and not special subjects. The tree in illustration number two is typical of all those in the fifteen acre grove which Mr. Sherrod has fertilized. It is the same age as the one shown in the first illustration but has at least four times the bearing space of the one shown in the first cut. It has a better color and many times the young fruit now on the smaller tree. A comparison in the height of the two can be obtained by noticing the relative size of the figures in each view. The man shown in both pictures is Mr. Sherrod himself. Note that the tree in illustration number one is but a few inches taller than Mr. Sherrod. The second view shows the greater size of the fertilized tree. Illustration number three gives a more general view of the two types. Sherrod is standing to the right of an unfertilized tree of the hive acre grove. To the left of the picture is seen a tree in the first row of the fifteen acre piece which was frtilized. Note the similarity in soil and formation, and the great difference in size of the two trees. He Reads "Citrus Leaves" Mr. It is also interesting to note that Mr. Sherrod has a copy of "Citrus Leaves" and an envelope in his hand. The envelope contained a check for over $2,000, which was his return on one of this season's pools. Mr. Sherrod ships his fruit through the Anaheim Co-operatvie Orange Association and is a firm advocate of co-operative marketing. This organization is a member of the Mutual Orange Distributors. PISTONS EVERY MAKE OF TRACTOR MFGRS. OF THE CELEBRATED AMERICAN RITE-WATE PISTONS We have the largest plant on the Pacific Coast devoted to this class of work. WRITE FOR FOLDER ON TRACTOR TROUBLES Put Agriculture on a Business Basis (Continued from Page 2) Face New Era methods of distribution that we have given to methods of production, it is reasonable to believe that much of the trouble we are now experiencing might have been avoided. What we need now is that same solidarity of purpose that was so much in evidence during the war period. When we have worked our way through this period of disorder and have shaken off the terrible grip of these economic forces which are now causing us so much discomfort we will find ourselves at the beginning of a new period in our National life. Up to the present time this Nation, like Topsy, has just growed. In the future there must be a more conscious direction of our growth and a much closer coordination of our various activities. The relation between agriculture and business will become more and more intimate. The Department of Agriculture, charged with the duty of promoting agriculture in its broadest sense not for the benefit of the farmers alone or even primarily but for the benefit of all our people, may very properly in KELLOGG'S ANT Makes Ants Disappear Never Fails • AT ALL DRUGGISTS • HEARD IN THE GROVES Personal Items about Folks You Know D. D. Bronson, of Covina, recently purchased the Mrs. W. L. Case grove at $3600 per acre, one of the highest prices recorded in that district. Mr. Bronson ships through the Covina Heights Groves. Summerfield Douglas, one of the charter members of the Covina Heights Groves is on a three months' trip through Canada. The Temple family, of Covina, is spending the summer at Santa Monica. Mr. and Mrs. Temple are extensive lemon growers and recently associated with the Covina Heights Groves. Henry Ramm, of Anaheim, is building a new bungalow on his ten acre grove. The Fullerton Mutual Orange Association has taken on a gala day appearance since the irls employed there have adopted a uniform dress of green and orange. C. L. McComber of Fullerton is constructing a large home at Northam station. He is the owner of 75 acres of oranges and 50 acres of Lemons, and is an extensive general farmer as well. He is associated with the Fullerton Mutual Orange Association. After having shipped 22,000 loose boxes of citrus fruit this season, Henry Wagner, of South Placentia Avenue, Anaheim. has left for an extended trip through Yosemite. Bringing home two deer to prove their prowess. W. E. Paulus, W. Paulus and R. Lemke, have been telling of their hunting experiences in San Luis Obispo county. All are well known growers of Olive. For the purpose of forming a joint Chamber of Commerce, residents of Orange, West Orange, El Modena and Villa Park held a meeting at Orange on August 17th. Mr. Maxwell, of the Olive Hillside Groves, attended the gathering. Mr. G. W. Struck, of Orange, is spending the month in Strawberry Flats. He has 35 acres of citrus groves and is a member of the Foothill Valencia Groves Association. The Red Fox Orchards report that their June pool aggregated $77,068.52. Mr. E. A. Beard of East Santa Ana Avenue, Anaheim, has returned from a trip east. F. W. Beseler, owner of a ten acre grove on W. Katella road near Anaheim, is in the east on a pleasure trip. W. A. Collman has left for a visit with friends in Salt Lake City and the east. He owns a 20 acres grove on the Brookhurst road near Fullerton. W. B. Dunton has sold his grove, which was located between Anaheim and Fullerton, and purchased the Lush grove of ten acres on the Farm road near Orange. He will ship through the Red Fox Groves. The Olive Petroleum Co. has suspended operations on the oil well located near the Olive Hillside Groves packing house after 18 months' work. Commercial oil is reported as not having been found. Switzerland is just as pretty as ever, according to Mr. Job J. Denni, who has just returned from a prolonged visit to his old home. Mr. Denni, of Los Alamitos, is affiliated with the Anaheim Co-operative Orange Association. Mr. R. D. Dinkler recently made a business trip to Utah. He owns 20 acres of citrus land in the Anaheim district. Mr. A. T. Carpenter, of Fullerton, is on a vacation. His 20 acre grove is regarded as one of the best producers in the Fullerton district. Having recovered from his recent paralytic stroke, Mr. W. F. Dumke, of Anaheim, is spending some time at a hot spring near Anaheim. Touring the national parks is the summer pastime of R. Jansen, an Anaheim citrus grower. Yosemite has as many appealing features as ever, is the opinion of N. W. Hatfield, of Fullerton, who recently returned from that pleasure spot to handle his 10 acre grove located near Garden Grove road. J. Molt, of W. Center Street, Anaheim, plans on building a two story flatiron apartment house at Five Points, in Anaheim. Charles Schneider is devoting five of his twenty acres on Placentia Avenue, Anaheim, to raising black eyed beans for commercial purposes. Mr. A. Michaelie, the well known citrus grower of Fullerton, is visiting friends at Vi salia. Mr. W. E. Vaughn, accompanied by his son B. K. Vaughn, of Lindsey, was a Los Angeles visitor recently. While here, he visited several of the local citrus packing houses. Mr. Vaughn is the owner of the well known Camilla ranch containing about 200 acres of Valencia and Navel oranges near Lindsey. Mr. Vaughn ships his fruit through the Mutual Orange Distributors. George Robert Dofflemyer, of Exeter, was fatally injured August 13 at Ducor when he fell from his tractor while engaged in his citrus work early this month. He is the son of Mr. T. J. Dofflemyer, 2913 La Salle Street, Los Angeles. Burial services were held in Los Angeles. Mr. Dofflemyer was associated with the Cobb and Dofflemyer packing house at Exeter and a well known grower of that locality. Mr. W. L. Crowe, manager of the Sunflower Packing Corporation of Porterville, was in Los Angeles on business during the early part of the month. FUMIGATION FOR CONTROL OF SCALE CYANEGG: for pots CYANEGG: for Cyanofumers HYDRO-CY APPLICATORS: for Atomizing the Liquid HYDRO-CY VAPORIZERS: for Gasifying the Liquid We are prepared to give you THE PACIFIC R & H CHEMICAL CORPORATION Main Office and Factory at 2575 EAST NINTH STREET Phone Boyle 4424 Los Angeles, California |