The patron of husbandry. (Columbus, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1880-11-27
COunteracGing Drought.

COunteracGing Drought.
Drought is the great drawback of
American farming, and there is no
prospect of its abatement, but rather
of an increase of aridity. To over
come it entirely is out of the ques-
ton, as this requires irrigation,
which is impracticable over the
whole country. We can only hope
to lessen its effects. Fortunately,
! this can be done to a considerable
extent, and in the regular course of
good farming-not the careless, in
discriminate tillage, which rather
invites than repels drought. 1t re-
quires not only an acquaintance
with the climate and the soil, but a
comprehensive knowledge of prac
teal agriculture, which carries far
ming to a point that may defy an
ordinary drought, and to certain
extent makes dry weather even an
advantage. This benefit applies to
all the branches of agriculture-to
some more than to others. Among
those most favored are the grains.
The main reliance here is in the
preparation of the soil. 1t is known
thatirich lands withstand the drought
better than poor; that barnvard ma
nure resists it more than concentra-
ted fertilizers, on account Of its veg
etable material. which, therefore, in
its various forms should be used,
and the more so as it also serves
good purpose in wet season, being
porous. But the fertilizing force of
manure in pushing forward the
growth aids the plant in establish
ing itself, its roots seeking moisture
in the depths, the plants shading the
surface and guarding it against sun
and wind.
BEST TIME TO sow GRAIN.
Among our worst droughts are
those that occur early, hurting and
thinning the crop in the start, when
it is least capable Of resistance, and
from which it will never recover.
Sometimes it is ruined, especially
when badly put in on poor ground.
making resolving necessary, and
compelling the plant to run the
gauntlet of miidew and summer
drought. The remedy is early sow
ing, preparing the land in the fall,
so that only narrowing is needed in
the spring, Much land can thus be
| sowed in a short time, the soil being
drained, thus fitting it all to be put
in; and if rich and in good condi-
ton, the winter moisture aided by
warm.weather will start it. If cold
and dry, the seed will remain in such
soil unhurt, and the first warm rain
will put it forward. You canno
well ruin spring grain in good soil
that has all the necessary require
ments. 1t is better still with winter
grain, only, however, with such
soil Even should a drought cause
a late start of the grain in the fall, it
will maintain itself in the good
ground in which it is put, getting
the benefit of the winter moisture in
the spring, which will establish the
crop, cool weather not preventing
its covering the ground. This last
is of importance, and applies more
or less to all crops. Secure a thick
covering, which implies proper
tionately good soil, and only an I'M
usually severe drouth will materially
lessen the yield. 1t is true that the
denser the growth the greater the
absorption of moisture; but this
alone is not serious, as the crop has
the moisture of the underground to
draw upon, the good growth in good
deep soil sending its roots well
down. The hot sun and drying
winds upon exposed ground do the
mischief, parching the scant vege-
J tation, which has small footing and
gets little support from the soil. Pro-
E tected, the ground not only ceases
lis exhalation, but the shaded cool
ness favors deposition of moisture
from the atmosphere, thick coat OF
| vegetation on rich ground showing
dew in its mass during the midday
heat in a drought This conserva-
ton of moisture in dry time gives
us our largest grain crops. Wher
. 0NCA = i<llll OS(AI put III ~ diiA
: we'll on rich soil adapted to it, es
! pecially if coat of barn manur,
was given it and mixed with tn,
soil when sown, the crop has PROVED
a good one, and better in dry thar
, wet season; in the last case lodg
!, ing, hurting the crop and the seed
, ing if seeded down.
Perhaps there is no grain so mucl
hurt by drought as buckwheat. be
cause tits sown at time when dr.
weather is apt to prevail, and it
period OF growth extends through
the heat and drought of the season
; j the drought is great the crop vii
be small; vet there are exceptions
yield, surprising the best corps, O
a year of great drought The berr'
is better, and there is no lodging
All such crops are on good sol
They may be few, but that is be
cause bnckwheat is usually givel
) the poorest soil, and of all grains
the worst put in. Within oedc rops