The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1883-08-30
How to Guard Against the Effects of
Drought

|
Is 4 question Of the greatest practical
| Importance To the farmer Of Georgia. It
IL matter of frequent remark by men Of
forty and fifty years experience in farm.
ing, that the crops are more frequently
injured by dry weather than formerly
1t has even been asserted that the annu.
al rainfall is growing less and that
drouths are of more freimem! occurrence
during the past few years. The records
however do not sustain this assertion
1t is doubtless truc that drouths are more
hurtful and disastrous in their effects on
crops. The great drought of 1915 has
long been standard Of comparison, a
sort of epoch with old farmers when
speaking 0. the subject. That was n
drought Of long duration. extending
from the early spring until the middle
of July, and over tho whole country.
| We have had many equally damaging
though less extensive dry spells since
that time. Several correspondents in
their notes" remark that the present
drought has been more disastrous to
crops than any of equal duration within
their memory.
Forty years ago it was Of comparative.
ly rare occurrence for the cotton crop to
|
causalty was not ordinarily anticipated or
dreaded. These considerations aud facts
lmpcl to the conclusion that under the
! present condition of agriculture drouths
are more to be feared than formerly. They
are more damaging in proportion to du
ration. Theirs is but one solution which
will account for this difference in the
effects of dry weather now and a genera.
ton or more ago. 1t is undoubtedly due
to the steady and constant decrease in
the amount of humus or vegetable matter
in the soil. Not only is the depth of soil
reduced and therefore is volumetric ca.
paclty for moisture diminished, but ils
hydrometric character is changed, 80 that's
! given bulk of soil will absorb and retain
within its pores less moisture. The OBJ.
vious cure for this condition of tha soil
Ia the restoration, by some practical
means, of the humus and Mt the same
time to increase the depth and improve
the mechanical condition of the upper
soil. This may be done first by the use
OF large quantities of stable manure
properly composted. This process, how
ever, 's necessarily limited by the
amount of manure available, and in the
present condition of live stock husbandry
the limit il soon reached. The second
method, and the one that is most
promptly available, is the growing of
small grain more largely, the use of pea
vines, clover, and other similar removal.
ing crops. deep blowing in tho prcparu.
tion ot our lands and level culture The
first methnd, involving the increase Of
tie number of stock and more attention
I" stock feeding and dairying, will nec-
esSari'y be slow of results. 1t will be
l I'm f,,-n 81.
| t." are complimentary Of ench
)ur system Of fsrming-putting
,cr portion Of our lands in
crops (corn and cotton)
III ant stirring Of the soil and its
exp. 'ure TO the fierce summer heats and
the leaching rains Of winter and spring
has greatly accelerated The loss of humus
and soluble matters. and at the game
tinie prevented their restoration. The
iand, under such system, mas no time or
opportunity for self-recuperation. The
remedy, then. ~ q resort 10 q tifUTe diver:
sihed farming, and pspe ecially in the direc
ton OF stock growing and increasing the
areas in small grain, grasses, peas and
clover. The old saying, "Nu stock, no
manure no manure, no grass; no stock"
IL Just as true now h when first uttered.
| ECONOMY OF SUPPLIES.
In the present condition of farmers in
large portion Of the State, they hardly
need to be advised to practice a saving
economy in the use of the supplies on
| hand and make provision to anticipate
the dearth of grain and forage, which
will otherwise be likely to occur next
| spring. The first object should be To
save with care everything that can be
| made available IA food for man and
beast, while at all times the utmost
economy consistent with the health and
| thrift OF farm animals should be practic:
ed. The old corn and other grain and
| forage should be made to last az long NJ
possible, and by all means Tho data
upon the sufficient new crop should b,.
postponed to the lust moment. To do
this requires Judgment and discrmina.
ton. Fattening and growing animals
must on no account be neglected or
stinted. 1t is false economy to kill half
fattened pork, or to put on short allow
ance the growing animals and milch
cows. Pastures, as they spring into re-
newed growth from the rains which will
soon come, should be utilized to the ut
most: Waste places about the creeks
ana branches should be made to yield
their quota Of supplies in the form OF
"'NJ ~ w uSlp IuecG Tue Ofuer.
gency. II is yet timely to SOW peas, tur-
nips, millet and other quick growing for.
age crops for hay or for cnsilage.
1t is fortunate that we can at this
Juncture. rely with confidence upon the
nat crop and make it supplement the
short supplies. The large yield uf the
last crop gives al abundance Of seed for
inli sowing, and there is but little occa
sion to purchase cnrn next spring if a
liberal area of oats be sown with proper
care and at The right time. With proper
economy In the use OF supplies now on
hand, and prompt attention To sowing
small grain, there is no occasion for
gloom "r dependency among farmers
J"ly report Georgia Department If Ayri.
culture.
Kelly and ''The Old Ticket,