The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1875-10-06

Southern Cultiyator.l

of the regular housing Ct the crops. We
shall not therefore repeat, except to adj
wise the pressing forward and completing
the sowing of all grain, excepting wheat, J
grass and clover by 18th of October, in
localities north of SO deg.-South of that
line the time may be extended two or
three weeks later. In the very mild
winters late sowings may do well, but no
one can foresee the nature of the weather,
and a prudent man prepares for the
4Uorst.
We have just finished putting in some
oats in a very cheap and yet satisfactory
manner. A part Of the land was rested
and part stubbIe.-About three weeks
ago it was carefully ploughed with two
horse turning plough-the weeds and
grass very handsomely buried, and the
land left with moderately ridgcd surface.
Upon this the seed was sown, and also
about 1OOfbs acid phosphate per acre,
and both seed and fertilizers effectually
covered by passing a drag or smoother
over the surface. The field now looks as
If a very heavy roller had been over it.
In the spring if the oats are not killed
out, it is our purpose to give it top
dressing of nitrate soda and salt-75 lbs.
of the former and 100 lbs. of the latter
per acre.
WHEAT SOWING.
Wheat sowing in the cotton States ex-
tends from the LIST October to LIST Decem-
Der, according to latitude and elevation
the majority Of farmers, even as far North
as "a degrees, regarding November as
the best month. 1t Is worthy OF InvestI-
CATION, however, whether earlier sOwings,
judicious grazed by sheep and calves,
would not make better returns but
whatever the time decided on, it is not
too early to begin preparation. The
surface soil should be very thoroughly
pulverized by repeated plOughings and
harrowings, and whatever manure is
applied should be most thoroughly mixed
with it. Wheat and other like plants
have innumerable small fibrous roots and
each of these ought to be able to find
something to feed upon. This they can
not if the manure is in spots. Wheat is
also a plant of aoeak digestive power; it
needs concentrated, rich food-especially
such as abounds in ammonia, and an
abundance of it, as it has very little root
power or ability to extract substances
that are locked up in the soil. As com
pared with many others of our cultivated
plants, it holds the same relation that
the pampered horse fed on grain from its
birth, has to the "scrub" who has lived
upon our scanty, native pastures all his
life. Sow wheat then on rich land, and
on rich land only. Considering the
quality of seed and labor required to SOW
down large area Of poor land, and the
uncertainty of the crop from rust and
other causes, such ventures do not pay.
Cotton seed, which can be had on almost
every farm, is unexcelled as a fertilizer
for wheat. A little phosphate, say 100
lbs. to every 80 bushels of seed, will
improve it, but alone it produces excel
lent results, and the cotton planter there
fore has no excuse for starring a wheat
crop. 1t is good policy to reserve part
of the manure intended for small grain
crops, to be applied in the spring as
top-dressing, if the manure is suitable for
that purpose. Cotton seed is not, but
the commercial fertilizers, guano, and
nitrate Of soda, are, and the last, in |
connection with salt, is one of the very
best for this purpose-100 lbs. of the soda
to 200 Tbs. salt per acre.
White wheats are more delicate than |
the red, and require richer sod. For
general purposes, perhaps the Amber
varieties are best, being hardy, and max
ing -four sufficiently white to satisfy the
good housewife. Again, we urge upon
every farmer to raise enough wheat for
home supply-it will not cost much to do |
this-it will look better-it will make
him more independent, and it will exert
a most wholesome influence on the condi- |
ton of the country at large Cotton
does not bring such remunerative prices,
that we can afford to raise it to buy every |
thing else in the world.
HOUSING CORN.
Clean out crib thoroughly, and paint
over the inside with coal tar, if wevils |
are troublesome. Gather corn as soon as
dry, to prevent rotting and destruction by |
vermin. Feed very economically aaoa0,
that you may be able to feed more liber-
ally next May and June. The DISPOSE
ton to be lavish and extravagant is very
great on Southern farm, when the crops |
have just been gathered-one feels so |
rich, after having been pinched and
stinted for months.
PEA CROP.
An abundant supply of seed, at least,
should be gathered. They will be needed
both for planting the next crop and for
sowing on wheat and oat stubble. Don't
trust to buying them ''in townn-they
will be scarce and high, money not over
plentiful, and you will not get as. many
as you ought to have. Nov orpull up
the vines, thresh out the. peas, store them
away in a cool cellar, andsput away the
vines for forage, or use them for litter in
the stalls, and the land will still get the
benefit of them. Everybody admits the
value of the pea as a fertilizer, and yet
how few make full use of 1t.
SWEET POTATO.
Dig before hard frost, and if possible
in dry cloudy weather. Handle carefully,
put in old-fashioned ''hilIs" or banks,
leave an ''air-hole," and cover lightly {
for some weeks, and when the weather 1
gets cold pile on the dirt at least one {
foot thick. When the Sweat" is over,
close ''air-hole," and be sure that the po-
tatoes are kept from getting gcet $
FODDER AND Hay.
As the stacks of these have had ample
time, fodder and hay should be housed :
before the winter rains set in. During =
long rainy spells, water is almost sure to
penetrate the stacks, and cause more or =
less damage.
STOCK. n
AS pastures begin to fail. commence at C
once feeding stock. Keep them fat, if il
you wish to winter them easily and G
economically. Animals kept fat all the b
time will eat less in the long run. Have Al
hogs fat and ready for the knife when the b
hrst "hog-killing spell" in November al
comes. The meat will cure better than st
4 killed later, and the corn crib will be u
decidedly the gamer thereby. "
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