The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1886-10-14


ness.
In sections where grains and grasse
constitute the prevailing crops thes
difficulties do not confront farmers w,
scarcely ever see on allusion to the wash
ing away Of soils in Northern or We sterr
agricultural journals. At the South, tho
trouble lies at the door of cotton and
Observation-Disclosures, g,labor-demand.
ing crops-how they have cursed and
how they still curse our agriculture!
Strange paradOXes; where the labor
problem is most difficult and embarrass-
ing, we raise crops which call for most
labor; where summer droughts arc most
disastrous, we rely chiefly on summer
crops; where winter rains are most
coplous and destructive, we keep our
lands bare through the winter that they
may be washed away and their fertility
destroyed by teaching; in climate ad-
mlttln8 the greatest variety of produc-
ton, our crops are few in number and
we are buyers of almost everything
when we ought to purchase almost moth
ing.
Recently we have taken advantage of
the comparative leisure on the farm to
DO something towards stopping washes.
In many places we found little washes
started on the upper side Of bitches. Our
practice for some years has been to leave
an mplowcd strip three or four feet
wide along the upper margin of bitches
to stop washes and filter out the dirt
coming down from above. It works ad-
mlrably, but sometimes, Notwithstanding
this prccaution, little washes have start
ed. We Ind hand with n wagon load
OF leaves follow each ditch on stubble
land and throw leaves in each wash, and
Were rocks were convenient, put some
OF them ut lower end of wash to hold the
leaves III place. In the absence of rocks
a few stobs may be driven across the
mouth. Leaves not only catch and hold
dlrt, but enrich the spot, and next year
grass and weeds will spring up in the
wash and filter out the dirt passing
through them. A very little work of
tins KIND every summer will keep q farm
IN excellent condition. It should be
done IN summer or autumn SO as to be
ready for the winter rains; not in spring
after those rains have done their de-
structivc work.
we have also been constructing some
Darncades across branch bottom, hay
ing considerable fall, to prevent the
securing effects of heavy freshets. The
narroWest points between conYerging
hills were selected for their sites. At
one point where a. wagon road was de-
sired broad dam OF rocks was built
across from two points Of equal altitude
on each side Of the branch and high
bridge butt across the latter. At other
points two rows OF stakes, some three
feet apart, were firmly driven in the
ground, and the space between them
c,,1 l.
is, next spring, 20 drive willow stobs
along the line of these barricades, and
let them grow up to trees, and thus form
llVlng and permanent barricadcs to catch
and hold trash and dirt. Work of this
kind must be we'll done; the power of
water IS very great, and unless the stakes
are strong and driven deeply in the
ground, the whole is liable to be swept
away. 1t is well to have small crow
bar and prepare deep holes to receive
the stakes, which is easily done by job
blng the bar down, shaking it backwards
and forwards, and repeating this few
times. In connection with this matter
OF preserving the soil, we venture to re-
peat suggestion made in the Cultivator
several years ago: That fields be laid off
IN strips (horizontaD from twenty to
nifty yards in width, and these alternate
~ soWn down and cultivated Washes
started III cultivated strip would be
promptly arrested by the uncultivated
strip below it. A vast deal could be ac-
compliShcd by this simple arrangement
toward the preservation of the soil, and
now that the pasturing of grain fields is
beng largely abandoned, there is no OBJ
lection to adopting it. We cannot too
often or too emphatically stress the
point, that clean culture is the main
cause of the red, quilted hills south of
the Potomac.
VIII our readers pardon us for again
urging the great Importance of seeding
down our bare fields? If they have no
ialth III their ability to raise grass, or
nave no special use for that crop, they
can SOW rye, and it is not yet too late to
q" that. On average land and for the
purpose now III view, half bushel of
seed to the acre Will suffice, and the
Snall outlay will be returned manifold
III the Improvement Of the land. With
peas as summer renOvating crop, and
rye as winter one, we have the best of
1acliltles Tor bringing up our worn and
wasted soils.
Towards the last Of the month wheat
sowing will be in order in the northern
sections of the cotton belt. It is well to
realize the fact that our climate is not
the best for wheat, and that it should
not therefore be made leading crop.
But while this is true, by iudicious sc.
lection OF varieties, and Of suitable soils,
with proper preparation and manuring,
enough wheat for home supply can be
raised. First as to varieties. We must
discard the handsome but tender white
wheats, and take those Of the Mcditer-
rancan typG-red, bearded kinds, which
seem at home in warm climates. The
good housewife will have to yield q lit
tic on the score Of white flour; it will be
none the less nutritious or palatable. In
the next place, the highest and dryest
knobs and knOlls should be selected.
No matter if poor; mako up for that by
manure. There is very little land ricl
enough to bring wheat without manure
anyway. If it has been sown in peas, s:
much the bettor; there is no better crol
to preccde wheat than peas, unless it be
clover; Turn the pcavines under not
very deep, and then harrow the lane
several times. Get the finest tilth yOl