Brenham weekly banner. [volume] (Brenham, Tex.) 1877-1907, 1886-12-02
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FALLPLow1EG AND sTUBBLE BURNING.

FALLPLowIEG AND sTUBBLE BURNING.
We have now arrived at the sea-
son when stubble blowing or burn
ing cannot be longer delayed with
out injury to next years crop. It
Is q vexed question with farmers
whether it is best 10 burn stubbles
or pillow it under, and much sound
argument can be advanced IN favor
of both practices. But, however,
such opinions about the wisdom of
early fall blowing. The sooner
land can be turned over after a
crop has been removed the better.
This maxim applies to every de-
scription of land, but particularly
to heavy or clayey soil, and the
failure of crops on such lands in
Texas are almost invariably due to
want OF proper preparation of the
soil. The richness of soil will help
the farmer very little, if he does
not make it available for the sus-
tenance of plant life by proper cul-
tlvation. And here let us say, that
false idea of cultivation fills the
brain of the average farmer. He
appears to think the success of the
crop depends upon the amount of
blowing or scratching he can do
during the growth of his crop.
Whereas nearly all should be done
before the seed enters the ground.
Let him pillow early, and as a
rule. deep, leave it in as rough
shape as possible so that the sun,
rain and frost can get their work
in. Then let him thoroughly pull
verize with harrow, or any of the
improved machines for that pur-
pose, and unless grass or weeds
have asserted themselves his land
is ready for planting. Should weeds
show a tendency TO grow after har-
rowing, the land should be plow-
ed again lightly and again thor
oughly narrowed. This latter
method will insure a beautiful
crop IN any average season with a
minimum of after cultivation, in
fact all that is needful after plant
ing is to keep down the weeds.
Much of the failure in the corn
crop of Texas this year is due TO
excessive and deep cultivation
during growth of crop. 1t has been
remarked that some of the best
yields have beer made by farmers
who are notorious for their fail.
ures in ordinary years. Too lazy
to work their land, they as usual
let nature do everything for them,
and this time hit it right; next
time they will probably be left.
Labor intelllgently applied cannot
fail.
Now as to blowing under or
burning stubble. Both are best
under certain conditions, and every
farmer must decide for himself
how his case stands. On heavy or
clay soils the subtle of all crops |
should be returned to the soil from
which they sprung, early in the
fall, SO as 10 give time to decay,
and the mechanical and chemical
conditions are thereby improved.
Butin the case of light sandy land
all stubble must be pIowed In very
early or should be burnt off, as the
presence of undecayed stubble
keeps open the already too porous
soil and prevents the retention OF
the needful moisture. Another
argument in favor OF stubble burn
ing is that noxious weeds and seeds
are destroyed. 1t is urged against
the cremation of stubble, that it is
a waste of fertilizers, whereas car
bon IS about the only property
lost, and as our black land contains
an excess OF it, the loss is not ap-
precisble.
If burning is to be done, then it
should be done over the whole
field, each weed falling where it
grew, and not in spots, as the gath
eITng together of weeds and trash,
threshes out noxious seeds and eff
fectually perpetuates what the fire
is expected to check. IS
We would lay it down as q sound
principle that wherever stubble
grass or weeds can be plowed un-
der before seeding and in time to
decay and become incorporated
with the soil before planting time
comes round, that should be done
and burning only resorted to on
light lands and when too late to
decay. Some oppose blowing un-
der on ground that 1t interiors with
after cultivation, the weeds, stub
BILE, ETC., clogging up the. pillow.
A good pillow should so complete
" bury everything, that no harrow
or cultivator will reach 1t. The
moral of all this is, cultivate the
land most thoroughly before plant
ing and during the season when
labor can be performed with most
comfort, and 1t will not be needed
when Sol is booming the mercury
away up above one hundred under
the shadIest shade.-Texas Farm
and Ranch.