The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1886-04-22
Crab Grass.
ILArKA NEws:

around US, into the production of what
we need or wish to have. In other
words, to make the constant forces
around us work for our benefit.
Since the creation our brooks and riv-
ers have flowed in their wonted course,
until the skill and art of man by the in
vention of machinery. has harnessed
them for his use and set them to work
i'm our various mills and factories.
So iron, water and fire, what had they
in common until within the last hundred
years:
Now we have the rail car, the steam
boat. and machinery of every kind pro-
PEELED by the wOndrous power Of steam.
There is scarcely step forward in the
advance Of improvement and civilization
that is not new victory over some OF
the forces of being. Forces that we can
not control, we must turn aside or des-
troy; those we can control, reduce to our
servitude and compel them to do our bid
ding.
When the crab grass was first pre-
scented to me it was introduced rs an en-.
envy. thought my sole duty to the
plant was to destroy il. smiled when
was told Of the man who, on his return
home after the war. grieved lest the
Grabbing grass had been lost from his
old fields for want of cultivation.
So resolved it should not grow on my
place. would keep it out Of my grove.
Every plant saw would destroy, and
rs far as possible avoid the introduction
OF seed. But in gathering fertilizers
from the commons, and chiefly in using
horses that had been kept by my neigh
bors in their old fields, found the grass
increasing rapidly upon me.
After gathering crop Of Strawberries
on patch of ground that did not exceed
six square rods, let the grass grow.
The ground had been well fertiized; the
grass grew thick and high. moved it
and made hay Of it. 1t made two cart
loads, not less than 800 lbs. This was the
first paying crop raised in Florida.
and believe crab grass has been the best
paying crop have ever raised in the
State.
We pay $50 ton, and more, for hay
brought from the north. One acre of
our pine land may be made to produce
two tons of Just as good hay from one
cutting. One ton to the acre would be
but an ordinary crop. and the grass may
he cut two or three times in season.
But as grow crab grass for forage,
and in the meantime would not exhaust
the soil, would suggest, as the most
Profitable method, to raise two crops in
one season-one Of corn, the other Of
hay.
As crab grass does not start with any
vigor until late in the spring, the corn
will b.' well under way before the grass
would grow. The richer the grOunl is
made the better it will be for both crops.
One ton of good fertilizer to the acre, on
ground in good condition. will enable it
to produce 40 bushels Of corn. And
two tons Of hay would be worth $40
and the fodder at least S20.
But let it be One.half or twO.thirds
this estimate and it will pay better than
ordinary farming in the north.
The process | would recommend is as
follows:
Have the land plowed as early as the
LIST. Of February. Then at planting time.
. from the middle of March to the end of
April. when the ground is sufficiently
moist from recent rains, SOW broadcast
the greater part Of the fertilizer and har-
row or lightly cultivate il in. Mark oil
thu ground in check.rows and plant
about three inches deep. Scatter in the
hills on planting the corn the balance OF
the fertilizer A small handful to each
Hill.
Work the corn early and it will be but
little trouble to keep the grass in subjec.
ton. When the corn begins to tassel
make the ground as nearly level rs pos
sible
The old process of killing up the corn
has been given up for years in the west,
aud uron trial find level culture an
swers Just as well in Florida.
IL the grass becomes SO rank as to en-
danger the crop of corn, some Of the
largest lunches may be picked out with
the hoe. But remember, you are work
ing for grass as well as for corn.
When the corn begins to glaze or
harden, make the first gathering Of fod-
der. DO this by cutting the stock close
above the ear and binding in small bun
dies or hands, and standing against the
hill Of corn. In one or two weeks after
strip the leaves or fodder from the re-
mains OF the corn, and hand and hangit
upon the ear of corn for drying. The first
gathering will require more drying than
the second and should he well cured he.
fore it is packed away. -.
It may be thought that the topping
of the corn, as described, will injure the
yield in bushels of grain. This may be
SO. And so may the ordinary stripping,
but what is lost in corn Is gained in for
age.
When the corn is thoroughly dry on
the stall; 90 through the field with
sharp hoe and cut the stalk close to or
into the ground. This will take the
stubblc out of the way of the scythe. IL
the field has been kept quite level the
ground is sufficiently so for the scytle
in the hands of skilled mower.
The grass will now come on rapidly,
and may be mown once or twice. l pre-
fer only once. would plow in the sec
ond crop early il another will grow so
as to cover the field. If not, leave It to
die and shield the field from the drying
winter winds and sun. until time to plow
for another crop. This is one step in a
rotation of crops that have found en-
tirey successful. Who will show us a
better? RUSTIC.
A Suggestion.
Editor Palatka News:
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