The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1878-04-19
SOWING GRASS AND CLOVER.


Southern farmers, is comparatively new
departure and We have much to learn in
this branch Of our agriculture. We need
to experiment more before we can fully un-
uerstand the grasses best adapted to our cl-
mate and soil, and the best method of SOW
Ing and cultivating in Latitude this far
South. We have reason to believe that
during the present season larger area of
land will be sown to grass and clover by
one-third than in any previous sidgle sea.
son, and by hundreds of farmers whoshaye
heretofore kept aloof from grass expert
ments.
BY judicious cultivation of clover aud
grass, with the aid Of sheep and cattle, any
country, ,bpwevcr impoverished and worn,
may be hassae in the course Of few years
land of fertility. Wc SOW our lands 10
grass1ths ssass grows without cultivation
its root3Are ever rotting and enriching
the soil whiA our stock by their rich drop
pings of manure add still more to its fertil.
ity, enlarging the capacity Of ><he field for
production. Thus by grass culture we are
ever improving our land and providing more
food for our stock-enhgncing the value of
our farms as also reapiua better profits from
our stock. No food for stock can be pro.
duccd near soHheaply as grass, and hence
he who only Dps few stock should take
advantage aFthis truth apd lightserthe cost
of keeping his Animals, MS a dollar saved is
5 a dollar made. Our section of country for
the capacity and adaptabiiity for the culti
walton Of the largest and greatest variety of
grasses and forage plants is unequalled.-
We conceive that the greatest drawback to
successful grass culture in the South sine.
the war by those who have experimental,
to have been caused from bad preparation
OF the land and light seeding, in connection
with the disposition of the farmer to allow
the young and tender grass to be tramped
too severely and grazed too constantly and
close, ere the roots arc sufficiently strong
and vigorous to seoare q good hold in the
soil. SKA.
OF the many kinds of grasses and clo-
vers which have been tested and pronounced
congenial to southern climate aud profit.
able for cultivation; we will endeavor, to
enumerate and Foniment upon a'few
-.,x.s RED cL0vER,
for fnrtiissSxg pnspsa aSsEtremelyA valuable.
either when turned under green, or from
the decay of its long tap-roots 1t produ-
ces fine hay and can be graEed for either
or both purposes it is most admirable 1t
grows and makes good yield up,n land of
moderate fertility-clay soil is best suited
to it. Any land that produces good wheat
is said to be adapted to clover. TO guard
against drought the land to be seeded should
be ploughod deep and the seed brushed in
or rolled, the surface being level and the
soil finely pulverized. One gallon or little
over is enough per acre.
LUCERNE.
This forage plant is now attracting unu-
sual interest in the South. 1t will not admit
of pasturage except very lightly. The nu.
tritive qualities of this plant are extremely
: great, and stock eat the hay with avidity,
: and thrive wonderfully upon it. Luccrne
is not untrcquently used by farmers alone
for soiling purposes, for which it is invau-
able. The yield is enormous. 1t is per-
cnnial makes its appearance early in April
and dies down the middle of November or
earlier, if the fall is unusually severe. Cul-
tivation: Mako the ground as free from
clo1s as possible-let the land be such as
was cultivated in hoed crop, aay cotton.
Break deep and thoroughly-a subsoil fol-
lowing after q two-horse plough is recon-
meuded. At all events, tn. land must be
ploughed deep, that the tap-roots may easily
penetrate through the soil, down deep
enough to prevent the scorching rays of a
MONDAY sun parching and sapping their life
The first year lucerne is delicate and easily
destroyed, and every attention is necessary
to prevent its destruction from weeds and
grass. Sow only upon rich land, (any soil
will do, so it is rich), in drills from IL to
18 inches apart Cover lightly, putting
ten pounds seed to the acre.
WHITE CLOVER
does well on sandy soil, and should be sown
with other grass at the rate of 2 quarts of
seed per acre.
MEADOW DAT GRASS.
Among the list of grasses none is attract
ing more universal attention, and creating
more satisfactory results in the South than
the above named. Its cultivation seems, at
this period, to have been quits limited
This is undoubtedly one of the best winter
grasses, and when its merits are bettor un-
derstood will be highly appreciated through.
out the Southern States Tho want has
long been felt in the South for grass that
would grow upon sandy lands and furnish
nm abundance Of winter grazing, and from