The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1878-05-03
KILLING GRASS NOT CULTIVATION.

KILLING GRASS NOT CULTIVATION.
Many farmers in this section plant as
many acres as they possibly can keep the
grass down on, under the mistaken notion
that if the grass is kept down tho crop is
all right. They ought to be called "grass
Killers If there is no grass, there is no
cultivation, for they let the field of corn or
cotton stand until the grass springs up,
though otherwise much in need of the plow.
The number of acres they can keep clear of
grass is assumed to be the number thcy can
cultivate with their force, and thus over
planting goes on from year to year, while
poor cultivation cripples tho land, reduces
the yield and disheartens the farmer.
-.-l&D~- it-thAt ktssA s.a4
Eit'intc Atircir- kcads- cultivation means
stirring the soil as well as killing the grass?
They argue that in killing grass of course
they stir the soil and so they co, after
fashion, but they forget in this argument
that In most cases the implements they use
are designed not for the best cultivation, but
for the best grass killing. Let them reverse
this object, and we think the result will be
satisfactory. Have your plows made for
the very best cultivation, aud let the grass
killing be incidental There will not be
much grass il the field is we'll cultivated :;
but in order to do this your calculation Of
thirty to forty acres to the horse must be
upset. One horse or mule cannot cultivate
so much land well, and if he seems to have
done so on former occasion, reduce it now
to twenty or twenty-five; cultivate better,
stir the soil oftcner, and you will be con-
vinced by the difference in the yield that you
Aara heen -nrnrworked for no corresponding
profit. Twenty acres of land we'll cutiva.
ted will certainly yield more than thirty
acres poorly cultivated. Many of these
grass farmers" if not all of them, by
thorough cultivation could dispense with
one,third of their horses, plows and hoes,
and produce better crops. 1t is difficult to
bacak off old habits, we know, but it is bet
ter to break bad habits than never.
Good cultivation requires watchfulness
over the crops aud frequent close inspections
as to their true condition AMI needs, and
when it is perceived that the earth has been
rcpacked from heavy rains or long standing,
or the surface baked or crusted from the
same causes, as so often happens in our eli
mate, be assured the plow is needed, and
every day 1t Is delayed brings loss to the
and avoid turning it over as much as pos
sibe. Stirring the soil don't mean turning
1t bottom up. In dry seasons, especially,
your crop will need all the moisture in the
soil, and if you turn it mp you release the
moisture to the sunshine and winds We
use too many turn plows in summer. In
fact, they should be used only in winter in
breaking up when moisture is ABUNDANT
If you do not use patent cultivators, long,
narrow scooters arc best to side with when
the crops arc young, and also to keep the
mddles loose; to make time, two, three and
even four Of them may be attached to a
single stock, while shallow running sweeps
are Incompatible for skimming tho surface
to destroy grass.-L. G. b. IN ,Sauannah
Necs.