The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1877-05-11
EXPERIENCE WITH GRASSES AND STOCK.

Previous to 1852, | was farming in my
native county, Laurens, S. c., but always
having fancy for stock and grass, and be-
Loving that l could do better in Northern
Georgia than in Laurcns, moved and set
tied in Cass County, about twelve miles from
Mr.. Howard, where farmed on the mixed
plan with fine success, raising as fine clover
as | have ever seen grow anywhere else
When first began sowing clover seed, l
found the prejudiccs of my nc!ghbors just
as strong against the grasses as in my native
State, but my success stimulated others un-
til that region has become fine clover
, country. 1 left there during the war, and
after the war settled at Martins Depot, 8.
c., where have grown as good clover as |
ever saw, cutting one season three good
crops from the same land, but 1 am con-
vinced that we should not cut more than
two crops, and rarely moro than one as it
robs the land too much, the last crop should
be left on the land.
l have made excellent hay of clover,
Herds grass, and crab grass, and can testify
that it is as easy to raise clover here rs any
where in the United States, it only rcquir-
ing Of us the same efforts made by Others
The main cause Of failures here is, that
most persons try to get crop of clover and
grain at the same time, when the land is too
poor for one crop. Clover should be sown
on land previously well cultivated in cotton,
potatoes peas, or some clcanly hood crop.
[ have succeeded better sowing in March
than any other time, on land freshly plough
ed and, after sowing, harrow again, if con
venicnt, but it makes but little difference
whether narrowed in or not, as the first
shower will put it in be sure to put no crop
with it unless it be orchard grass oats will
dry it up and ruin your stand. If weeds
come up, all the better, for they will garrison
the clover against the crab grass, and will
not injure the crop.
| have raised turnips with fine success,
both here and in Georgia !: have grown three
hundred bushels to the acre, with but little
trouble and expense, and have no doubt we
can raise three times three if proper effort
be made. We usually take up our turnips,
and bed them like potatoes, and feed as we
need them, to sheep and cattle.
Herds grass can be grown here to per-
fection. find it growing on our branch
bottoms nearly everywhere ! 90. Orchard
grass does well here, and is the best mixture
with red clover that | have tried, both RI
pCuluS tHc same time. w z also nave
the Bermuda grass, and, from present ind-
cations, it will soon possess all the bottom
land in this section, and the earlier the
better; then some people will have grass
and hay who have never known the good of
1t; and, for permanent PASTURE the I'crmu-
da grass, and the white clover mixed will
make about as perfect pasture rs any otE-
cr known grasses, each growing in its time,
AS if the other was not present, and fur
nishing grazing nearly all the year. Every
body knows crab grass, but few know its
value for hay; it rarely fails ON well cult
waited land, and makes excellent hay if cut
while in bloom and we'll cured in addition
to these we have an abundance of Japan
Glover, (Lcspcolc.a stiato,) and other gras.
scs, for sheep pasture, and assert, without
fear of successful contradiction, that we can
raise sheep here as cheaply and proftably as
anywhere this far North, and am almost
ready to say anywhere in the United States,
unless California furnishes an exception !;
and this msy be done to a considerable ex.
tent without diminishing the cotton crop !;
but, on the contrary, by grazing the waste
places we add fertilizer that is very cheap,
the manufacturer working for nothing and
paying his board. The sheep yields three
crops, wool, lamos, and manure either Of the
first two will more than pay all expenses
leaving the other two clear profit
1t is regarded good economy at the North,