The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1886-09-24
FARM WORK FOR SEPTEMBER.


raj and best seeding time for grasses, clover
lucerne, oats rye and barley. We say nat,
ural seeding time, because the seeds of the
various plants cnum Grated are matured in
tho summer when it is hot and dry, and
even if the heads are shattered and the
seed scattered on the ground, the latter
do not find proper conditions for germinat
ing till the later rains set in and cool nights
and heavy dews prevail. The earlier in the
month I'D 2fdi:ious are present the bet
ter it is, because ample time is furnish ed
the young plants to establish themselves
well and firmly in the soil before the
freezes of winter. In a wild or unculti-
waited state these plants begin their growth
at time indicated this is natures appoint
ment, therefore, and is best suited to the
wants of the plants. Iu northern ATTITUDES,
where hardest freezes prevail, snow protects
the young pants during winter; in the
South longer and stronger Autumn growth
must take the place of the snow covering.
AS winter grasses abound moro in north
crn than in southern ATTITUDES, the conclu
sion seemed natural that the heat Of South
crn climates was pref judicial TO these plants;
and one step further IN the same direction
seemed reasonable, to wit, that they needed
sLade in the South. Hence the practice
OF seeding grass and clover with small
grains to get the benefit of their shade
Doubtless some shade is desirable during
periods of intense heat aud drought, but
can it be procured in the manner spoken
of, without incurring other injury greater
than the good received when grass is sown
with grain? Our observation ia that more is
lost than gained. In the first place the
projecting shade is taken away jus. when
most needed grain is harvested in June
and July when the greatest heat and Sc
vcrcst droughts prevail. Plants accustomed
to partial shade are then suddenly exposed
to intcnscst heat. But this is not all. In
the case of grasses proper, the grain crops
make demand upon the soil for exactly the
same tfod the grasses need Being larger
and more vigorous a: the start, the former
over hIas-cr the grass at the beginning and
get : - lion 5 share O. the food At har-
vest, therefore, the grass is suddenly cx-
posed to the fcrccst rays Of the sun when
it is comparatively sta;vcd aud weak from
the unequal struggle. On exceedingly rich
soils where there is ample food for both,
this objection does not hold so strongly,
but such soils arc not generally found.
This difficulty may in part be obvated by
top-dressing in the Spring. But where
land is SO abundant, amply enough for every
crop farmer could wish to cultivate, as
rule, it is better to SOW the grasses by them
selves and not in conjunction with grain
crops. This gives them an opportunity of
getting strong during the carly stages OF
growth, when they are naturally weak, and
puts them on vantage ground whom the
struggle with heat and drought begins.
These remarks apply with greater
force to tho annual winter grasses and
clovcrs which complete their growth in
early spring These of necessity Must be
sown by themselves or with some crop
which follows after them, but does not grow
simultaneously with them.
Wo cannot urge too frequently upon
beginners the Importance Of heavy seeding,
be sure to SOW enough for the plants to oc-
cupy all of the land--lcavc no place for
int7udcrs. Sow enough to allow for defect
i've sccd-for adultcratcd seed, and for the
dying out OF weak plants. After one has
taken all the trouble of thorough prepare
ton and heavy mauuring-such as grass
rcquires-it is folly to fail from insufficient
seeding.
Very light covering Of the seed is of the
first Importance deep covering will GER
tainIy bring failure. Bat when lightly
covered, seeds will not gcrminatc well il
tho weather is dry, unless they are firmly
pressed into the soil Hence the import
ancc Of the roller 1t is almost indispcn-
sable "a Grass culture it smooths and levels
the ground for the mower, presses small
rocks below the surface, hastcns the ger
animation of seeds, and imparts vigor to the
young plants. Heavy, impacting rains
may do some OF the work of the roller,
but in their absence the surface soil is toe
loose ana too easily dried off for the little
plant to establish itself in it. Remember
that at first It's roots start at or very near
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