The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1886-04-15
Green NlauuriOy,

a discussion has recently arisen IN
England respecting the economy Of plow-
my under green crops, in which Sir j.
i. Lawes. while readily admitting that
green crop possesses more fertility than
one that is applied after being fed, makes
the assertion that wherever there is de.
nand for meat it is much more profit
able 10 feed green crops than to plow
them under. He has. however, often
advocated this practice in districts Of the
United States where there is little or no
demand for meat, as being u much cheap
er method of fertilizng the soil than can
be effected by the application of nitro
genous manures. Although command
ing SO little attention among our farm.
era, it cannot be claimed that the system
of green manure Is new, or even mod
ern. 1t is known to have been practiced
among the Romans many centuries ago,
and long time ago the Belgians, who,
had loose and sandy soil, porous and
unproductive, resorted to this experl.
ment, which resulted in bringing up
their lands to high state of fertility and
productiveness. Assuming that only
under such condition as that laid down
Il Nv OH u. ID. Law % SIloutu SlNNh
ing be practiced among Us, there are
still many farmers who need to act on
the advice of this eminent scientist. The
4 crops that are grown year after year on
our farms take away large amount OF
Il plant food, and this can be easily return.
ell by occasionally blowing in the prop
ker crops. The judicious selection of such
Ecrope in n matter of great Importance,
can be decided by considering the
Zcxact amount of each element OF food
Removed by different plants. In Eng
land turnips have, been rated high as a
green crop, but it must be borne in mind
that there is a marked difference be.
tween the turnips produced in that coun-
try aud those produced in onr own hot
/ ter and drier climate. Clover Is highly
priced for this purpose, its richness in
nitrogenpacing it far ahead ,ofothercrops
for a soil specially deficient in that
'scarcest and dearest OF manural ele-
] ments." 1t sends its roots far down into
the ground. and thus draws up near to
the surface rich plant food which has
been slowed away in the subsoil. Buck
Wheat has been successfully used in New
England. 1t contains large proportion
of phosphoric acid, and othar elements
are found in its straw which are essen
Il tal to its growth 1t Is hardy and rap.
j ii grower, readily adapting itself to a
j variety of soils. Its comparatively free
| from insect attack. and possesses the
hygienic property Of purifying the air
| The value of the pea as manurial plan
is established. 1t is rich in fertilizinl
elements. /. good weed destroyer, anC
puts the soil in good condition after be
ing retarned to it. The best time TO
blowing under green crops appears to be
at the stage Of growth when they ar
coming into flower, as at this time tn
plant will decay readily. As prepara
iion for plowing, run roller over th'
crop before the dew is of, in the sam
direction it is intended to furrow. Car
is necessary that the crop should b
thoroughly turned into the. soil. As
precaution against the land 'souring
when there is an abundant crop and th
weather is wet and hot, broadcast wit
lime just before putting the plow in tn
ground.