The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1886-07-21

indirectly by depriving them of needed
moisture. One need never fear keeping
the soil too cool in July and there is
equally little danger of it's ever being too
wet.
The last beneficial result from stirring
tile surface, which will be mentioned
now, is the admission of air into the soil.
The presence of air is Indispensable to
the health of roots and their proper
working. Plants languish in wet soils
because water shuts off air from their
roots. A tight, hard crust at the surface
does the same thing to considerable
degree. In addition to promoting the
health and proper working of roots, the
presence of mir in the soil is essential to
nitritication, the process by which the
unavailable nitrogen Of the soil is chang
ed into that which is available. Also to
those changes in the minerals in the soil
by which their valuable contents are
brought within the reach of plants.
From very many points Of view, there
fore, frequent surface STRINGS of the
soil arc shown to be beneficial to say
nothing OF the killing of grass and weeds.
We repeat, therefore, keep the plows
moving with all diligence.
In addition to peas, already consider
cd rs humus supplying crop, late
forage crops of all kinds should now
claim attention. Drilled corn may still
be sown. Taking it all in all, this is
perhaps the best forage crop we have.
The later sowings of it should not be
altogether as thick as the earlier, rs the
cool weather of autumn is not SO favora-
bic for maturing and developing starch
and sugar as the warm weather of mid
summer; tho late grown plants should
have more light and air. Make drills mt
least three feet apart and SOW seed so
that there shall he q stalk every four to
six inches in the row. Cultivate well and
cut when cars begin to form. Corn does
not develop it's full nutritive value before
that period. From desire to minify
the stalk, the mistake is made sometimes
of sowing too thickly, and the result is
imperfect development and forage not
rclishcd by stock because it is not really
nutritious. All have doubtless noticed
that stock arc not fond of young corn
plants, those, for instance, that are re-
moved i'll thinning crop. Sorghum
does not devclopc its sweetness until the
seeds arc formed, and the same is true
with corn.
Early amber cane planted from the 1st
to the 10Th of this month will be ready
to cut by frost, and piled in bulk can be
kept green and succulcnt for q couple of
months. 1t makes better forage in its
green state than when cured and dry.
For mules and COWS it may be made to
cover the months of October, November
and December, and as it is easily raised,
a supply for that purpose should be
found on every farm. We have fed it to
horses also, but they do not relish it rs
much rs mules, nor does it agree with
them us well if fed exclusively. A little
of it mixed with other forage is we'll
rolishcd and doubtless healthy food. OF
q number of varieties tried by us the
past season, the amber is decidedly the
best rs forage plant. 1t is one Of the
sweetest, and the stalks being small arc
easily cut np and moro readily masticated
by animals. GIVE it trial, if YOU have
not done so.
German milict may still be sown on
good land. Like all rapidly maturing
crops, it makes heavy demands on the
soil, and this should be met by heavy
manuring. But it sometimes helps one
to fill ont n short supply of forage when
II long drought Or other circumstance al
lows only short time to do it in. A
farmer caught with empty barns on the
first of August might still fill them with
German millet. Gut Just rs the seeds
are forming, it makes one of the strong
est and most nutritious fora9cs we have
Because it is so good, animals are some
times Qyor-fed with it to their injury and
a bad reputation is then unjustly given
the millet. Glover and pcavines arc
liable TO tho samo charge.
1t is none too early TO commonlo pro.
pairing land for tunips. There is no
better preparation than cow-pcnning and
plowing the land at intervals of two or
three weeks. Ia the absence of cattle,
broadcast manure and plow it in when
breaking tho land. Lot manure, well
rotted, Is suitable, 9pd for turnips is
much improved by liberal addition of
acid phosphate. Any form of phosphate
is good ECr turnips. But potash and
nitrogen are aiR0 needed by this gross
feeding plant, and may hc supplied by
keiaet and cotton seed meal. Yory fine
tilth Is almost rs important for this crop
rs manure; therefore repeated plowings
and harrowings are recommended Sc
loct rather sandy soil for this crop. Be
gin @owings of rutabagas after tile m;l.
die of the laQnth, all continue at inter
walls, whenever dc soil is moist and in
good condition, to the middle of August
or first of September latest cowings
OF early maturing varieties like red top
and fiat Dutch. IL land is well broken
at first and narrowed after every rain,
it will remain moist enough to bring up
seed even in long spells of dry weather
Those yho begin early and pursue right
methods geGemlly succeed in getting
good stands when qlp weather is very
unfGyorable. Those who w&it to the
last minute. and begin preparation wheq
the time for planting arrives, are very
apt to fail unless the Yestber is unusual
ly favorable.
The above remarks apply With equal
force to preparations for clover and glass
to be sown in September. They should
begin by the last of the month and fol.
low the same course marked out for
turntpS. Liberal manuring and fine
tiith are the jtwG main points. All of
these plants have small seeds, and the
little delicate seedlings demapd food
easily found, and fine seed.bea to fix
a, I.