The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-02-21
FARMS AND FARMERS.
Short Talks with the Men Who
Guide the PlOW.
OF GENERAL INTEREST TO FARMERS
EDITED BY DR.. W. L. JONES.

EDITED BY DIR. W. L. JONES.
Preparation of Land, and Sowing Grass Seeds.
Last week the kinds of lands available for
grass growing were discussed. Steep hill
aides, rocky fields and wet bottoms were point
ed out. If hillside is just cleared of timber,
how should it be set in grass. If not previous
ly tramped by stock, the soil Of fresh land is
sufficiently loose, and does not need blowing.
If the brush and trash be scattered uniformly
over the surface and burnt, good seed bed
will be formed, much as tobacco seed bed, or
cabbage seed bed, are frequently made.
Grass seed sown on such a surface, will sink
down in the earth sufficiently from the first
rainfall to insure termination, and the ashes
will stimulate the growth of the young grass If
the burning off of land is ever justifiable, it is
in this case, Tor the soil OF fresh land is filled
with humus, and the grass will soon add more
to it. An old hillside will require different
treatment, the soil must be broken and while
loose and not yet filled with grass roots is very
liable to wash. To meet this diff
Guilty, run lines of level, at
short distances apart, and leave
strip eighteen inches wide unbroken along
these lines to act as breakwaters and hold the
soil. Ii the soil is poor, sow in peas in May
in July plow under vines, sowing peas again
before the plows. In September, if rains
abound, pillow under vines again; give dress
ing of one hundred pounds each of acid phos-
phate, kainit and cotton seed meal; harrow in
and SOW seed, and brush in just as lightly as
you can. If September is dry let the land
alone until theslast of,February, then proceed
as above. On rocky land the same mode of
procedure is in order. In the case of wet
bottoms clean up at a convenient season, and
during the hottest, dryest time and in late
summer break up well, if practicable If too
wet for thorough breaking scarify the sur
face with deep cutting harrow, and after brush
ing and smoothing the surface SOW seed early
in September and brush again very lightly.
Grass seed will not bear deep coverings half
inch is full deep.
So far we have written to urge the utilizing
OF land which ordinarily yield the farmer little
or no profit. But grass culture need not be
limited to these. Rich grass and clover lots
near the barn are of inestimable value to a
farmer.
They contribute greatly to the health of
stock, and decrease very much the drafts on
the grain crib. Two such lots are desirable
one for summer grazing, and one for fall and
early spring. The first should be set in ber-
muda; the prejudice against this grass must
give way before its extraordinary value. 1t
Will support StocN WITHOUT grain when not at
work, and with one-third the usual quantity of
grain when at work 1t is.the very first thing
that should be established on every farm. The
second lot should be set in mixture of blue,
orchard, and tall oat grass Such manuring as
is usually given to barley lots will insure a
good growth of these grasses. Break well,
then roll and harrow until in finest tieth );
fine filth is if anything more important than
deep breaking After securing this filth, roll
the land, then harrow or break very lightly,
SOW seed and roll again. Sow two bushels of
orchard and one each of blue and tall oat to
the acre. Towards the Gulf, Schraders rescue
grass may be substituted for those mentioned
above. 1t must be sown in autumn.
W. L. j.