The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1888-05-01
IFor THE PROGRESSIVE FARMER
FALL FLOWING AGAIN.

Mr.. ED1roR:-T. D. B., writing un-
der date of March 22d, asks if fall
blowing pays; says that it is a debatable
question, and asks information from
more experienced farmers. | am a
young man, but have had some expe-
rience in the matter of fall blowing.
This is what farmers need-the re-
suits of actual experiments, and not
empty speculation. T. D. B. calls at
tention to an article which appeared
in the Charlotte Democrat written by
Mr.. George Allen, in which he made
the unqualified assertion that fall
blowing does not pay. Now [ think
that, when a mans opinion is worthy
of consideration, as I have no doubt
Mr.. Aliens is, and likely to influence
the practice of others, he should be
very careful not 10 arrive at his con-
clusions too hastily; it may be mis-
leading.
A man should not take a particular,
circumstance and from it deduce a
general law. He proves to his own
satisfaction that fall blowing does not
pay, from the circumstance of a
neighbours blowing under a slip of
grass and weeds in November, and
the fall -plowedground did not produce
as well as other parts Of the same field
which were not, plowed. In regard to
the matter, l have this to say: that it
is agreeable to reason and not contrary
to experience, that fall blowing should
pay. A man is acting ~agreeably with
common sense when he turns under
his stubble in the fall, for obvious
reasons; among others, that the stubble
and weeds may rot and be reduced to
that state in which they will be avail
able; that they may be turned down
on the sub soil, thereby deepening the
soil; that the sub-soil be turned up at
the only time hat it may be done to
advantage, exposing it to the pulveriz-
ing action of the winter SHOWS and
freezes, thereby steering clear of clods,
getting rid of weeds and sprouts and
the first crop of crab grass.
Another important consideration is
that fall-plowed ground will sustain a
crop longer in drought than ground
not broken till spring. [ usually pillow
from five to eight inches, varying with
depth of soil and exposing from one
half to an inch of sub-soil. Now any
nan c%onversant with agriculture
knows that there is a vast depository
"a huge reservoir of water for the
growing of a crop. [ will give an
instance in support of what I say. A
few years ago I bought a three-horse
sulky pillow. When the winter rains
set in and compelled me to stop, I was
blowing on a piece Of land in the
shape of a triangle. [ finished the
land the next spring with smallsplows
and the three lines were SO strongly
marked that the most careless observer
could not fail to note the difference,
the cotton on the fall-plowed ground
being larger, greener and better de-
veloped, and while the ground worked
much better all the year, was freer
from grass and weeds.
. My reason for writing, is to show up
the other side. Here is the result of
two experiments: both are proof con-,
elusive; both are equal to a demon
stration. The inference, I think, is
plain; certain kinds of land, as sandy
lands or lands having a pfpe-clay sub
soil, are not benefited by fall blowing,
while all mulatto lands and lands hav-
ing a red clay sub-sol undoubtedly
are. Very respectfully,
SHARON ALLIANCE.