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

Southern farmers, is n 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.
derstand the grasses best adapted to our eli
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 sidsle sea-
son, and by hundreds of farmers whoshave
heretofore kept aloof from grass expert
ments.
by judicious cultivation Of clover sud
grass, with the aid of sheep and cattle, any
country, ,bp%evcr impoverished and worn,
may be lR'S&lc in the course OF few years
n land of fertility. We sow our lands 10
grass-tbe svass grows without cultivation
its rootsArc ever rotting and enriching
the soil w6iA our stock by their rich drop,
pings of manure add still more to its fertil-
ity, enlarsing the capacity Of >the field for
production. Thus by grass culture We are
ever improving our land and providing more
food for our stock-enh9ncing the value of
our farms as also reapiua better profits from
our stock. No food for stock can be pro-
duccd near soAheaply as grass, and hence
he who only Dps few stock should take
advantage eFthis truth apd lightoerthe cost
= OF keeping has Animals, rs dollar saved is
"A dollar made. Our section of country for
the capacity and adaptability for the cult.
walton of the largest and greatest variety of
grasses and forage plants is uncqualled.-
We conceive that the greatest drawback to
successful grass culture in the South since
tho 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 secure a good hold in the
soil.
OF the many kinds of grasses and clo-
vcrs which have been tested and pronounced
congenia to southern climate and profit
able for CIVILIZATIONS, we will cndeavor to
enumerate and comment upon few:
RED GLOVER,
for fertiiissnS purposes Sssise.tremely valuable
either when turned under green, or from
the decay of its long tap-roots 1t produ-
ces fine hay and can be grazcd for either
or both purposes it is most admirable. 1t
grows and makes good yield upon land of
Il 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 ploughcd deep and the seed brushed in
or rolled, the surface being level and the
soil finely pulvcrizcd. 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 cat the hay with avdi'y,
and thrive wonderfully upon it. Luccrne
is not untrcquently used by farmers alone
for soiling purposes, for which it is invalu
able. The yield is enormous. 1t is a 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: Make the ground as free from
clo!s as possiblc-lct the land be such as
was cultivated in hoed crop, say cotton.
Break deep and thoroughly-a subsoil fol-
lowing after two-horse plough is recon-
mcnded. At all events the land must be
ploughcd deep, that the tap,roots may easily
penetrate through the soil, down deep
enough to prevent the scorchng rays Of
monday sun parching and sappng their life.
The first year luccrnc is delicate and easily
destroyed, and every attention is necessary
to prevent it's destruction from weeds and
grass. Sow only upon rich land, (any soil
will do so it is rich), in drills from ~ to
Is 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 quit, limited
This is undoubtedly one of the best winter
grasses, and when its merits are better un-
derstood will be highly appreciated through
out the Southern States The want has