The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1880-04-30
standard crops in we'll regulated system of
rotation in our country.

| IL must DC eVluent TO the MIND or any
thinking man, that we cannot continue the
present system Of clean crops, especially on
broken lands, with now and then sowing
down in grain, for many years to come
There must be some redeemiug and healing
crop to restore the continual waste and
drain that are going on from year to year.
1t is not sufficient to say that commercial
manures will fill up this gap. That they
are of great benefit would not deny but
it is being daily demonstrated before our
eyes that when they are used in conjunction
with even poor system of rotation they
prove to be of most benefit. May we not
sSs zSS SSEssSS gsHsl asta 81 s 5oss
perfume discovery aud development of the
phosphate beds than we are at present do
ing?
Manure benefits all crops, and the grasses
are no exception. We need not complain that
our land is too poor to grow Orchard Grass
or Clover when We not unusually expend
hundreds of dollars to grow cotton with COM
morcial manure. 1 believe it as easy TO
grow Clover and Orchard Grass with profit
as it is cotton, if we only give them the same
care aud manure.
Orchard Grass will grow on any soil out
side of a sand bank. Glover is perhaps a
little more choice. Both possess the remark
able quality of enriching the soil and at
tho same time producing profitable forage
or grazing crop. But we must remember
that, like all other crops, the better the land
and the manure, the larger yield, and he
who rills poor land must be content with
poor crops. :.
After an experience of ten years or more
with the grasses mentioned, am forced to
the conclusion that as rule, the best time
| of sowing the two last named is in the fall
cf the year, after danger from the summer
droughts has passed, and early enough to
get well rooted before the Winter freezes
commence. Drought and freezes are the
too great enemies to Glover, especially in its
tender stage. Orchard Grass is not so easily
affected
The proper method regard is to SOW as
separate crop, without any small grain,
as is usual. There may be exceptions to
this rule, both as to time and method. In
fact l have succeeded in Spring anG Fall
sowing, and have also as signally failed in
attaining good catch. IF sown in the
Spring, during the months of February or
March, it is subject to the dangers of the
constant thaw and freeze at the time it is
most tender, and if not entirely destroyed
we'll rooted before the Summer droughts
If sown with small grain, it undergoes the
additional danger Of sudden exposure to the
hot sun at the time the small grain is re-
moved.
In addition to this, I can see nothing
gained or advantage derived, except per-
haps light Fall grazing, as no crop gener-
ally can be obtained before the following
May or June.
If, on the other hand, you SOW in the
Fall, say from the middle of August to the
first of October, you procure a crop tie
following Summer, if you get catch, and
if damaged during the winter you can
avail yourself of the chances Of the SPRING
These remarks apply more particularly to
Red Clover than Orchard Grass.
have found stand of Orchard about
worth consists in being q most excellent graz
ing grass as we'll as good hay grass, and may
into general use on all the uplands of the come
country. On rich loam it grows vigor-
ously, from four to FIVE feet high. 1t does
not form sod as others, but grows more
in separate stools or tussocks, and should
be sown thick, to cover the entire surface.
| find it valuable on steep hill sides, along
branch bottoms. 1t prevents washing and
is more valuable decidedly than the bushes
and briars that shade the outer edges.
TO sow Orchard Grass, the land should
be in fine tilth, as free from the natives as
possible then mark off in narrow lands and
sow one and one-half bushels per acre as
early as the seed can be distributed, and
follow with roller, harrow, or pole. Stock
should then be kept off and the grass al
lowed undisputed sway. 1t will be in full
bloom about the first of June, and if desired
for hay, it should then be cut; but if for
seed, it must be allowed to mature at least
three-fourths of the heads. To make good
hay, cut in the morning after the dew is off,
and if the sun shines hot it should be put
into cocks in the evening and thrown out
next morning just enough to air, but not to
sun, and after an hour or two may be put
into the barn. 1t may be cut for seed, as
wheat or OATS and handled in the same
manner, but more carefully, as the best ma
turcd seed will waste. The choice seed are
obtained by thrashing the bundles over a
pole, and the inferior by passing the bun>
dies thus treated through an ordinary grain
thrasher. But by cutting the first crop and
not pasturing, the grass will be enabled to
overcome the natives, take possession of the
entire surfce, and will retain it for years,
under judicious after treatment.
Orchard Grass and Glover bloom and are
ready for hay about the same time, and make
a valuable combination. Glover is not SO
long lived as the grass, and gives way the
third year, leaving the grass in possession