The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1862-04-15
For the Eestera Democrat
PRACTICAL. SUGGESTION

Ma. EDIToR:-Wil you allow me space in your
columns for few practical suggestions to the
farmers of Mecklenburg and the neighboring
countless 1t is Of the greatest Importance not
only TO them, but to the country that they
should produce as large crop as possible-and the
season has been far very unayorabie The farmers
in this region do generally prepare their land su
eentiy by fall and winter blowing, and especially BY
deep blowing, to induce the soil put forth its full
strength on the crop But owing to the unusual
quantity of rain during the past winter, and the
spring so far, there has been preparation at all by
most farmers And in addition to this, the ground
has been kept saturated with cold water, by the
versal quantity of north rains and the extreme
cloudiness of the weather have had much less than
the usual quantity of sunshine and the tempera-
ure of the soil is much below the average for this
season. the grain therefore will not terminate readily,
large replanting will be necessary and that which
does get above ground will be stunted and dwarfe in
ITS growth. The question Isl under these conditions,
now to produce the largest crop. Before making the
proposed suggestions towad DIS this qqes-
ton, must call attention another condition not
peculiar to this season 1t is generally aPprehended
that we shall have a dry summer, account of the
great amount of rain which has already fallen; since
a. is supposed, the quantity nearly may be
pected to fall every year. This prevalent notion of
equal annual quantity of rain is true There is
for every locality of annual oceraqs which
for this region is about fortyfye inches; but year
the whole quantity does not reach thirty inches and
another it rises to seventyfve So that although we
have had already 4 fall of some fifteen inches one
third of the annual average, yet may still have
more than the average quantity for the remainder of
I
common, Of dry season, is far founded on this
hypothesis, groundess But Tie distribution of the
rains through the different seasons of the year is
matter of quite rs much consequence the quantity
Ii the corn crop does not get rain during a certain
critical period Of its growth for three four weeks it
will fail, no matter what quantity may fall before or
afterwards. Now, the distribution of the rain is not
uniform large district, but varies often from
one neigbborhood to another every farmer knows
The country is subdirided into small districts limited
by the various features of the surface that is by water
htch lid had Il:
TENS &c.
Along the dividing ridge between the Catawba and
Yadkn, running through Iredell and Meckleuburg the
distribution of the summer rains is such as TO en-
danger at least every third crop the of twenty
to fifty per cent. BY series of obseryatics continued
through four years at Davidson College have found
that the reaches its critical stage from three to
five weeks too soon. And by planting with reference
to this observation for three past full crop has
been secured, while there partial failure in the
neighborhood two of those wears
The suggestions then which would make to the
farmers of this section, and to others similarly situated
are obvious. They intended the conditions
maintained, viz cold wet soil, yet unturned and
the probability of 'dry spell when the grain is usu-
ally in Its forming stage and most needs moisture.
would say TO the farmers then, do not be in haste
plant corn, but lay plans for planting from
four to six weeks later than usual. Employ this
time in turning the soil great a dept, as
possible, in order to admit the air amt ne to dry
and warm and pulverize and fertilize it, and at the
same time prepare it retain the moisture of our
seanty summer rains. List your land throw it into
ridges, with two-horse pillow. In this way a large
surface Is exposed and greater depth secured for the
roots of the plant, which enables it better to resist
drought. And do not often have excess of rain
in June and July Plant your corn the second and
third weeks of May. In this way Won will find that it
will grow fast that you will he able to work it
than three times; and it makes better crop with
two workings than with four when planted the
usual time and in the usual way.
A.. W. KERR,
Davidson CulIcPc