The Orangeburg democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1879-1881, 1879-07-04
Peavine Hay.
Editor Orangebnrg Democrat:

1'efto' NfHHJeo!!'3 bG"!GC;Gt
In my last letter, l promised to
write on the cultivation of corn, which
l will postpone in order to answer
"Nemo" and 81. w. S." fully, on the
subject of "Pea-vinc Hay" In his
reply to mine, on "Pea as Fertii-
zer," lie merely mentioned an inaccu-
racy in the analysis 1 gave, which l
willingly acknowledge. l referred
to the chemist, and the first that met
my eye was the Pea, by German
chemist, not thinking there was any
difference between the German pea
and our common corn field pea. i
wish 81. w. S." had given the analy-
sis of our pea in his letter. If there
is any difference, the advantage is in
favor Of our pea-ours containing
ing some less nitrogen and lime but
much more potash and phosphoric
acid-at all events it suits my theory.
We might find difference in many va.
rietics of our pea and even in the pea
Of the same kind. The analysis will
depend much on the amount of plant
food contained in the soil. / would
state here fact of practical impor-
tance: That the pea to be selected
for fertilizer, is the large tap root
ed pea resembling bean. That the
pea receives its nitrogen through its
leaves, which is incorrect, is the gen.
eral opinion as we'll as that of"J. w.
S." Recent experiments have proven
that it cannot but that it receives it
by its roots. We know the pea
thriyes well in porous soil.
We seated ourself to write about
Peavine Hay-the propriety Of max
ing it. Our friend Memo advised US
to try it. We have and we endorse
all you and 81. w. S." say about it
as food for cattle and mules. But,
when we reflect upon the value of the
plant food abstracted from our i'm
poverished soil, we most positively
refuse to take the advice. Friend Ne
mo, if you have ever had the trouble
and expense, rs we have had, of re-
suscitating dead land you would not
give such advice.
According to Our theory, we con-
slider that you and 81. w. S." fertil-
izc your old cows hugely. Let me
advise you and my brother farmers
a better plan, which I have tested for
the last two years. Make bounti-
fnl crop of pea vines aud just let
them remain where they grow. My
cattle eat them readily from the fields
rs when cured and housed. The but
ter make has the goshen flavor and
when turned from the fields, they are
sleek too like 81. w. SIS"
Not for argument nor consistency's
sake do we advise our farmers TO
cease from pulling up pea vines, eth
cr to gather or to cure for food, but
for the sake OF the future crop to be
grown.
DR.. Ravencl told us, in our Agri-
cultural Society, that by using SO
worth Of the famous ash clement, we
might make four tons OF pcavine hay
per aero, two years in succession,
want $50 per ton net TO attempt the
third year, for we would fail. Friends
''Nemo" and 81. w. ST." meet this
question squarely. Does it pay to
make pea vine hay2 Estimate the
market value Of ammonia. phosphoric
acid, potash, magnesia, lime, and sui
phur, contained in the pea vine, and
the labor of cutting, carrying, hous-
ing and feeding, and you will find
it to turn out like the Indians gun,
cost more than it comes to.
TO "Nemo" I would say, am not
cool for ! iluvc hccn fighting General
Green, still pugnaciously. You are
living between the rivers, water
abundant, please add ice and pour
on me. j. C.. II.
Fork OF EDIsTo.