The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1886-09-24
We have faith in the possibility of devel-
oping, by proper selection and cultivation,

We have faith in the possibility of devel-
op!ng, by proper selection and cultivation,
winter oat capable of resisting extreme
cold. What is known in Middle Georgia
as "wiuser grazing oat" does certainly re-
sist cold better than other varieties. In
this locality, the past winter, the mercury
descended to zero aud the cold was long
continued, and yet good deal of this oat
survived, and by its abundant tillering
made from one-fourth to one.third of o
crop. In most fields of rust-proof oats
sown in autumn scattering stools could also
be found, and that too in positions not
specially sheltered. Now if, without sss.
lestion and from indiscriminate sowings of
seed, individual plants spring up with
power to withstand intense cold. why, with
proper care, could aot hardy variety be
propagated and established from these cold
resisting plants We have faith that it
can bo done, and our faith is based on
facts like these, related by Darwin in his
work on Animals and Plants under domes-
tication: "Wheat quickly assumes new
habits of life. The summer and winter
kinds we're classed by Linnaous as distinct
species; but M. Monnier has proved that
tho difference between them is only tenn
porary. He sowed winter wheat in spring,
and out of one hundred plants four alone
produced ripe seed these were sown and
resown, and in three years plants were
reared which ripeued all their seed. Con-
versely, nearly all tho plants raised from
summer wheat, which was sown in autumn,
perished from frost; but few were saved
and produced seed, and in three years this
summer variety was converted into winter
variety" Our habit has been to sow indis-
criminately, as chance or convenience might
decide, spring grown oats in tho fall and
fall grown oats in the spring. Is it any
wonder that VIC have no fixed varieties
adapted to either season? Some time ago we
urged the careful saving Of all rust-proof
oats that survived the past winter. We
hope it has been done and that they will
be sown this month, and the same thing
repeated for at least three years.
The present crop covers all of our expe-
rience with the winter grazing oat. 1t was
mot readyto cst until the 10th of July,
though sown Oh the 30th Of October last.
Possibly ito having L,;n '!inned out by the
cold, and the tlllering cup> ~, ut thereon,
may have retarded its ripcning. But al
though June was very wet month aud
punches of rye distributed through these
oats were badly rustcd, the oats had no rust
whatever. We shall sow it again and
watch results.
Neither barley nor rye we're killed by the
extreme cold of the past winter. TO some
extent, therefore, these can be made to
take the place Of fall oats-barley on the
richer and rye on the poorer lands. With
these cover the bare cotton fields during the
winter and save them from washing and leach.
ing. Simply harrow in the seed don't break
up the land and increase the facilities for
for washing. When green, these crops can
be cut and fed to horses and COWS when
matured, they can be harvested, threshed
and ground and make most excellent stock
feed. Rye straw commands ready sale for
filling in horse collars and other purposes,
but the stalls and stock yards may we'll dis
pose Of it all. Our soils cry aloud for hu-
mus--let US take every opportunity to sup
ply it. Some one has suggested that oats
and rye might be sown togethsr-if the
oats should be killed tho rye would not and
the land would still be occupied with a
desirable crop. We sec no objection except
the unequal ripeniDg of the two crops, but
as rye will remain standing without waste
for some time after it ripens it could wait
on the oats. Upon the whole the sugges-
tion strikes US as a, good one, worthy Of
being tested by trial
A friend has recently called our atten.
ton to the successful culture, in this vicin-
ity, of grass variously called "Schraders
grass" . Australian oats" Rescue grass,
etc., Bror,us unioloides or Sohraderi being
its technical name. He spoke very highly
of it as winter grazing grass, growing
very rapidly in early spring and producing
q large quantity of broad, nutritious leaves.
Though sometimes called "rcsoue" and re-
se,nbliny grass generally known by that
name, it is said to be much larger and more
luxuriant in its growth and decidedly more
valuable. Our seedsmen hero in
form US that there is considerable
demand for the seed in Louisiana
/ and Texas where IL IL hinhlu o.