Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1849-09-28
A G r &c i L I I R A L.
From the Alabama Flante

A G r IC i L I I R A L.
From the Alabama Planter.
Winter Odts-Having made some expert
ments in the cultivation of the Winter Dat,
have concluded TO give them 10 the public,
through the columns Of your valuable paper.
! will premise by saying, that the land that
cultivated is of a sandy character the old
land, when | came in possession of it, some
five years ago, was very much exhausted, the
best of 1t not producing more than ten bushels
of corn TO the acre. procured one bushel of
the Winter Dat from Shelby county, in this
State but il being so late in the fall before
sowed them, had a very bad stand, Git being
sometime in Novemher) There come very
severe frost about the time they were coming
up, aud did not secure more than half a
stand. In the spring they continued 70 grow
very luxuriantly, much later than they would
if | had secured good stand and from that
fact did not ripen until a week or Two after
wheat was cut. mede that year twenty
shocks, of about twelve bundles G. ordinary
size 10 the shock When threshed them out
there were fourteen bushels and half OF
clean Oats. In the next October | sowed six
bushels On about the same number OF acres,
of very poor upland, lit not producing the
same year more than or s bushels Of corn
to the acre.) The OATS came up this year very
good, and locke ed much better than the oats
soWn in the spring, on better land. On the
six acres ! cut ninety-two shocks, of supe
rior and heavy grain. | have not thrashed
them all out, but have no doubt but that
will get fifty bushels sheled oats, let a
friend have seed 10 SOW about four acres Of
toerable good upland, Git made about twelve
bushels of corn to the acre) He threshed
them out shortly after he cut them, when they
were too damp to thresh clean. He measured
up ninety bushels of the heaviest oats that
have ever seen growing in this climate. My
object in giving The foregoing details, is sim
ply to show The advantage OF fall over spring
sown oals. Another great advantage they
have is. that they ripen near one month soon
er than the spring oats which is a great help
10 those who are scarce OF corn III the sum
mer. / have no doubt but that | made as
much again to The acre of winter as | did Of
the spring Dat. find, from experience, that
plough horses perform their work much bet
ter by change OF food than they do on corn
and fodder alone. TUSCALOOSA.
Pine Lands Best Treatment Of hem.-It
is the prevailing opinion among farmers that
the pine Leaf or straw is deIeterOus 10 land !;
consequently we see The region OF the pines -
burnt over for the purpose OF destroying that
poisonous substance! Do such farmers ever
reflect upon the wise provisions of Provi-
dence? For what purpose does the foliage
annually fall E? Is it merely that new leaves
may put forth 10 beautfy and adorn the trunks :
By no means 1t is that they may go through
their gradual and sure decay, returning 10 the
earth not only the nutrlment which the earth
had given them, but that richer quality which
they had taken from the atmosphere 1t is
well known that pine soils lack potash, and it
is proven by scientific analysis beyond cayil
or debate, that the pine leaf contains more
potash than the leaf of any other tree; and
potash is one of the first principles in the
growth Of all plants and vegetables. What a
suicidal policy then to destroy the very sub
stance destined by nature to enrich pine lands,
and then murmur at unpr effectiveness p
Farmers who cultivate pine lands, preserve
your woods as you would your dwellings,
from the ruthless flames. Cover your COW
pens, your horse lots, and your stables, with
pine straw The treading of the animals, with
their manure added, will soon decompose il,
which will make a fine compost for your vege-
teble garden Husband your pine straw as
you would husband your crop, for with it you
can make any crop, in the bounds of reason
that YOU may desire. The finest Irish pota.
toes that are made in this climate are maat
under pine straw. This crop has proved a!
| most an entire failure in this section his sea
son, and yet 8 old Ireland" never produced a
more &c meaiy pralie . than my crop turns oul
this season, planted under straw. There have
been many failures in attempting to cultivate
the Irish potato in this manner, but il has beer
owing entirely TO not truly. covering will
straw. Like the fellow that took feathe
and laid his head on rock, they say that j
few straws make such miserable potatoes
what would loads do 4? Those who would
have good Irish potatoes, no matter whether
The season be wet or dry, plant as follows
and you will not only get good Return of de
licious potatoes, but you will enrich the sol
and save culture As soon after Christmas a
possible, plough the piece of ground designed
| for potatoes; open trenches SIX or eight inch
! es deep, and two feet apart, across the groCn
/ fill the trenches with partially decompose
| wheat, oat, or pine straw. Cut the polalt
once in two, place the cut side downwards OF
the straw. about six inches apart, now cove
all with the remaining earth on top of til
uDAll IL 10 tlIGiI Nelcl OiJ IIIS
straw until it is eighteen inches deep all ovtl
the piece--it will require no after culture, an,
each succeeding year, with the addition of
/ portion of straw, will increase in productive
ness. AS the winter and spring rains bea
down the straw compactIy, decomposition
commences at the bottom, and no matter hoy
dry the season may prove, there is Away
moisture, and consequently meaIy and goo
potatoes. Remember, We who have pine fol-
ests, that spine straw is the very best manur
for pine lands. "-GeorgiG paper.
/ Horticultural Science.-We know hut lii
tie as yet, of the real science of Horticulture
as adapted to this section of country. Ever
day teaches US. that the English and North
ern methods of culture will not do with Us
There is scarcely fruit, vegetable, or fowe
but requires different treatment from tn;
laid down by able writers at the North. Fo
instance, Horticultural science at the Mort
says. prune your grape vines close, and jul
before the fruit begins to ripen. pluck off
portion OF leaves 10 give the fruit sun and al
Nan h0HR.