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

large outlay of capital for work. stock, and
the unavoidable heavy expense of feeding
and maintainingthem, is probably the great
est obstacle to the profitable, successful cul.
tnre of cheap cotton. This fact will be &c.
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 acte, 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, IN alrour Southern agricultu-
raj System, than this exclusive corn and fod-
der feeding, net 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 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, aud alsordisposed of at
good prices, by judicious use of green soil.
ing, which will also add much to the he1lth
and longevity of stock, and enable them to
accomplish as much if not more 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 corn-crib'to just onc.haf if not
less, and making the planter seller instead
Of tuyer of corn. Commencing With Lu.
cerne, which can be profitably 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 hanlA-l.Ahds .ahanAasnursa.sr,al
aninais are fed' S6s sS56S&y b sfSi -
dcrful. With continued feed of a very
little corn per day, stock will be, must be,
healthier, and endure equal hard work.
Mixing food 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 u 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 of greer
food, instead of the great risk of pasturing
My stock is not only healthy and FREQ from
disease, but more tractablc and more easily
caught and controled-no disposition tt
break fences or roam at large. In coDnec
tion with these valuable green crops, be.
to suggest to my brother planters. one crol
from which can be obtained. the ssestes
Tyield of'green forage or good hay for Winte
food. IT'S upon the principle of the Ger
man and English mixed crops of winte
vetch and oats. Prepare rich piece @
land by thorough breaking in early, sprin
and about the first or middle of May brea
again, broadcast two bushels per acre c
some good running pea, (Clay.bank o
lQthers), broadcast over this six pounds pc
acre of Egyptian or at-tail Millet, harro
in well, and smooth or roll for the scyth
They both start together under the war;
sun. The millet is dwarfed, but OF the rigl
size to cut, and it supports the pea whic
Chambers over it. This produces the ricl
est mass vegetable matter I've ever seel
and can be cut till the vines are too wood
and hard, extending even to middle of O.
tober. The othes, ,sarieties Of millet matu,
Too early. and are too feeble to support I'll
vines. Have never estimated the numb,
: Of tons per acre this mixed crop will pr
duce on rich soil thus treated, but belle,
it will eclipse anything yet fairly tried.
D w. b. JONES.
s Birdsvillss sGaa.. Apsil I'd, 1877. .
How TO SELECT Coon FLoUR.r-In .
Letting -four first look to the color. If it
white, with a yellowish straw color tint, b,
it. If it is white with blush cast, or wi
white specks in it, refuse it. Second, g
. anime ;ta aadhos;vnaae-w.t o,d Lnaod~ :. 4