The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1868-06-10
Agrirntural.
From tho Southern Cultivator.1 I
Work for the Month,

Work for the Month.
Work work work Is the motto for
this month. Grass is not too large yet
to be killed with the plow-be sure that
nope escapes. When the farmer turns
aside for awhile from mis- corn and cot.
ton crops to The small grain harvest, let
him feel that those crops will not SUI.
fer from tho absence Of plow and hoe. -.
In some localities, small grain may not
yet be ready for the scylhe; if SO, let
the time be diligently employed to bring
other crops inlo the best possible con
dition. Cotton should DC brought to a
stand just as soon as the danger Of its
dying out has passed. II this operation
is delayed too long the plant does not
branch SO well, aud will not mature
early. In those regions, particularly,
where the seasons are short. it is Il mat
ter OF The first Importance 10 give IL
facilities for early and rapid growth. -
For tins reason we prefer one lnsluad Of
two stalks in hill Plants are more
like animals in some respects than we
are apt to ina, ,.nc-likc the latter if
stuntcd during early growth, they SCI
dom recover fully from it. Let care be
taken, in chopping down to u stand, not
TO draw 50 much dirt away from the
young plants as to have them fall down.
This checks their growth also. AS to
proper distance IN the drill, SO much
depends on climate, soil, SC, that no
general rule can be laid down. We
shlnk the general tendency is to leave
cotton too thick. Would it not be well
lor our farmers to make some expert.
mcnLs on this point, and determine by
Ec stce!yard what is tho best distance
for given soil? Keep the surface well
sLlrrcd--not blowing deep, unless in
clay soils tho ground has been packed
by heavy rains. Doubtless as an alb
stract proposition, it is best never TO cnt
root, but in practice al! abstract prop.
asitlons have to be modified by circum-
stances; and it is better to sacrifice some
of the roots OF plant and give it a
loose mellow bed in which to push forth
new roots, rather than 5. 20 all the roots
but leave them in hard, impcnclrablr
soll, III which they cannot extend them
selves IN search Of food.
early corn Will be generally "laid
by" this month. Let the last working
DC very carefully done. Let no weed
or grass escape, and on upiands leave
he surface as level as possible, as a
protecllo' against drought. It is good
plan to broadcast The corn.felds with
peas ut the last plowing, for the purpose
OF improving the land Peas should be
planted this month, and where full
crop has not been planted in Tic corn,
We would urge upon our readers the i'm
portance Of dcvoling as much ground as
possible to drilled planting and
cuilivatinG much the same as cotton,
except dropping the seed i or two feet
apart IN the drills, instead OF sowing in
the drill and chopping out. A bushcl
OF seed will plant at least four acres, and
one or two plowings and one hoeing
will insure good crop, either for hay
or seed. 1t would be well 10 seed down
III this manner all the land from which
wheat and oats are cut. Plant the
Speclilca or Whippoorwill pea, where
the seeds arc to be gathered, and the
ordinary cow.pca where hay is to be
made.
Put onl potato slips as fast as they are
ready, Those set ont in May are NOE
sure OF making crop. but if the season
IS favorable, they will make roots put
on, rs late as lst July.
Select he best spots in your wheat
field, and let the grain therein become
perfectly ripe before cnliing. From
this save your seed. That Destined for
the mill may be cut before fully npe,
and will then yield more and better -four.
So with oats-tl,at for seed should be
allowed to mature fully; that for stock
should be cut before it is too ripe.