Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1878-09-12
CHE farm aud fireside*
From the Southern Cultivator for September
THOUGHTS FOR THE MONTH.

THOUGHTS FOR THE MONTH.
This and the next month constitute the
proper period for planting what are usually
termed "fall crops" and we desire to impress
again upon the reader the exceeding great
Importance of having the land devoted to
those crops very rich. Fertility is protec'
ton against cold-it gives vitality to plants
which severe cold cannot destroy-it will
make them grow in cold weather, when plants
on poor land do we'll even to hold their own
and when spring opens, gives them start a
long ways in advance of the latter. Coarse
bulky manures, such as stable, cow'lot, and
leaf and muck composts, may be safely and
advantageously applied to these crops. There
is little danger of losing their valuable con-
stituents by teaching, and the long winter
with its abounding moisture, affords ample
for them to rot, to be dittused
through the soil, and become available tc
plants. The more concentrated and soluble
commercial fertilizers may also be applied
but it is better to divide them, using only q
part in the autumn, and the other portion as
a top-dressing in spring Danger from droug hi
not being probable, the manures should be
placed near the surface, the rains will take
care of them and distribute them sufficiently
for the convenience of plants.
WINTER GRAZING LOTS.
The value of these can hardly be over-es
timated. Waving entirely the saving o.
corn and forage, whose place they may take
in considerable quantity, they pay most hand
souely in promoting the health of stock. NJ
one who has seen the eager avidity with which
animals feed upon green food in the spring
can doubt that their health imperatively de-
mands tit cannot be simply matter o.
the palate.
These lots also pay in flowing milk and
golden butter, and thus indirectly promote
the health of the household as we'll as that ot
the stock. Every house.keeper is entitled to
a good supply of these articles, and he can
not be called noble farmer who does not re-
cognize this fact, and what is more, supply
them bountifully. In addition, these lots, il
placed in easy view of the dwelling, break
the dreary monotony of the winters land
scape, and relieve the sense of universal
death. Is that not worth something? But
the adornment of our homes is too great a
subject to be developed here in passing, and
we leave il for another time.
The mistake usually made, is in not having
these lots numerous and large enough. The
consequence is, they are grazed too closely
the plants become weakened, and furnish but
a moiety of what they would have done un'
der proper treatment Not less than one
acre to each animal should be the rule. The
lots should be subdivided, that a part may be
grazed for awhile, and the animals then trans
ferred to another part
The best plant for such lots is barley. Hav.
ing enriched and thoroughly prepared the
land, SOW four bushels of seed per acre. Sow
half the seed in one direction, and the other
half across the first; this will insure more
regular distribution, then plough in and drag
or harrow and roll. Do not begin to Craze
until the plants have become strong and we'll
set. The next best plant is rye-more hardy
than barley, and less affected by cold, but
less relished by stock If possible SOW seed
raised in your own locality-Western seed
will fail to give satisfactory results. To Sc
cure still greater variety Of food, the Calfor
MIA or bur clover, or crimson clover, may be
sown. These are both annual plants, and fur
oish good grazing in the very early spring.
For soiling purposes, eithet of the above
plants may be used, but perhaps the best OF
Ill for that purpose is lucerne. A good deal
mas been published by US recently on its cul
;ivation, and we will not repeat here-remem
Der, deep loan, rather sandy and excess
vely rich, suits it best.
Having disposed of the grazing lots, the
oat crop next demands attention. Georgia
farmers 80 thoroughly recognize the great
value of this crop, it is useless to urge its
claims upon them. They have learned to re.
y upon it as the cheapest and best food for
work stock. The red rust proof has pretty
we'll superseded all other varieties, and when
,own in the fall on good land, constitutes one
If the surest crops grown-certainly not more
liable to be cut off by winter-freezing, than
he corn crop is by summer droughts. Whilst
good crops are often made by simply harrow.
ng in the seed in the cotton fields during the
present month, the prevailing opinion is in
favor of ploughing them in-picking over
The cotton, then running furrow as close as
possible on each side of the cotton, sowing
seed and covering by ploughing out the mid
lles. In the northern parts of the cotton
belt, this should be done by the 1st of Octo
ber-in the lower cotton belt by the 18th or
10th. Some winters they may be sown still
ater but as that cannot be known in ad
vance, it is best to be on the safe side and
SOW early. If they should come forward too
early, Craze moderately before frost; but our
experience is, the less they are grazed in win
ter the better. Sow not less than t,uo bushels
per acre, on very rich land. Some SOW four
to FIVE bushels, and we begin to hear of l4O
bushels or upwards per acre being made un
der such conditions. In these cases, however,
the measurements have not been made in q
manner to satisfy every one. Oats may also
be sown on corn and stubble land. 1t is not
uncommon to grow two or three successive
oat crops on the same land, sowing the seed
and turning them under with the weeds and
stubble. Cotton seed and phosphate, 25
bushels of the former to 100 lbs. of the latter
is excellent manure for the crop-ploughed
in with the oats. The cotton seed must be
killed when used at these early sowngs-else
they will come up and contribute little to the
growth of the oats.
CLOVER AND GRASS.
September has proved with US the best
month for sowing clover and grass on up.
lands-on bottom lands they will do as we'll
if sown in early spring. For graes, make the
land rich with nitrogenous manures especial.
ly-for clover, with phosphate and mineral
manures. Never stint seed-overdo rather
than underdo the matter-failure often begins
just here.
TURNIPS.
Where turnips have been drilled, thin out
to a stand as soon as possible, and give good
cultivation with deep running plough,