The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1877-06-01
EcoAoMY OF soILINa.

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the unavoidable heavy expense of feeding
and maintainingthem, is probably the great.
est obstacle to the profitable, successful cul
ture of cheap cotton. This fact will be nc
knowledgcd by all practical, experienced
planters
1t is safe to estimate the cost of feeding
an Ordinary mule or horse, at one hundred
dollars year, if kept exclusively upon corn
and corn fodder-the great reliance of most
planters for food for work stock, with very
little variation the year round. One peck
OF corn and six lbs. of fodder daily, (the
usual feed, } will reach the above figures at
the present prices of these articles. This,
at the average yield per acse, on"our most
impoverished cotton lands, is the total pro-
duct of ten or twelve acres of well-culti-
waited crop. 'Tis about the average cash
value of the animal himself, and almost
twice the amount rationed in meat and
bread, to the hand that follows him. There
is doubtless no greater extravaganza, if not
actual waste, N alrour Southern agricultu-
raj System, than this exclusive corn and fod-
der feeding, not to speak of the injury
and cruelty to the work animal, and in the
end it absorbs the marlin of profit in the pro-
duction of a money crop.
Whilst these articles of food are absolute
ly necessary to be produced, and it is safest
to have them in abundance, as sure and
certain for provision supply, they can be
greatly economized, and also disposed of at
good prices, by judicious use of green soil
ing, which will also add much to the hsDlth
and longevity of stock, and enable. them to
accomplish as much if not moro work.
To the great assistance of the planter in
our favored warm climate, comes the long
list of perennial and annual plants, that fill
up nearly the whole year, reducing the drain
upon the curn-crib'to just onc-half if not
less, and making the planter seller instead
Of a luycr of corn. Commencing With Lu-
cerne, which can be proftably cut for green
food the latter part Of February, and fol-
lowed with Rye in the month of March,
with Oats succeeding this, we have the va
ried millets in quick rotation, all requiring
no cultivation, only the labor of the hand
to cut and ahalil4--.And- -uhanAa. .n,spshA.,oc
animals are lsd, the economy @ = il tfSly 406
dcrlul. With continued feed of very
little corn per day, stock will be, must be,
healthier, and endure equal hard work.
Mixing focd in this way gradually at first,
with free access to salt and pure water, the
writer for many years can exhibit health
ier record, and Il reduced mortality among
hia work animals that will compare with the
treatment of any good grain and stock raiser
keeping my animals up the whole year,
and giving them the greatest variety ofgrcen
food, Instead of the great risk of pasturing.
My stock is not only healthy and free from
disease, but more tractablc and more easily
caught and controed-no disposition to
break fences or roam at large. In copnec.
tion with these valuable green crops, beg
to suggest to my hrather planters. one crop
from which can be obtained. the greatest
yield of'green forage or good hay for winter
food. IT'S upon the principle of the Ger.
man and English mixed crops of winter
vetch and oats. Prepare rich piece of
land by thorough breaking in early, spring
and about the first or middle of May break
again, broadcast two bushels per acre of
some good running pea, (Clay-bank or
others), broadcast over this six pounds per
acre of Egyptian or cat-tail Millet, harrow
in well, and smooth or roll for the scythc
They both start together under the warm
sun. The millet is dwarfed, but oc the right
size to cut, and it supports the pea which
Chambers over it. This produces the rich.
est mass of vegetable matter I've ever seen,
and can be cut till the vines are too woody
and hard, extending even to middle of DC.
tober. The other varieties of millet mature
too early and are too feeble to support the
vines. Have never estimated the number
of tons per acre this mixed crop will pro
ducc on rich soil thus treated, but believe
it will eclipse anything yet fairly tried.
w. b. JONES.
Birdsvillo, :Ga,., April I'd, 1877.
How TO SELECT GooD FLoUR.-In SC
lecting flour first look to the color If it il
white, with yellowish straw color tint, buy
it. If it is white with blush cast, or will
white specks in it, refuse it. Second, cx