Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1888-08-18
GOOD MOVING LANDS.
The Application of Top-Dresslng in Sum
mer or Early Fall.

value OF some of the principal so-called
cultivated grasses for hay, it is very
doubtful If any hay is superior to that
which comes from an old, well-estab-
lished moving lot. Observation teaches
that different grasses are adapted to
different soils, and that there are many
OF the so-called natural grasses, or
those that will establish themselves,
even without the seed being sown, that
for nutritive qualities and for feeding
purposes are fully as valuable as those
first named, dependence upon which
requires occasional seeding, or extra
care of the stubble after the cutting of
the crop.
1t is by no means probable that the
use OF ensilage will become so extern
sively adopted as to supersede the use
of good hay, and for that reason farm
ers will still be required to give due
attention to this crop in order to meet
the demand that is always likely to ex-
list so long as animal creation exists.
Moving lands are as subject to
deterioration from being contin-
ually cropped, as are fields subject
to the harvest of other farm crops, and
therefore If permanence without TAX
ing up is desired, this must be secured
by other means than an application of
manure to cultivated crops, which are
supposed to leave portion for the sup
port OF the grass crop when it is
brought under Seeding. Renewal by
cultivation may BIZ satisfactory and de-
sirable where the soil is easy of tillage
and free from all small stones or
boulders; but unfortunately this favor
able condition does not always exist,
and notably so in New England, where
the soil of hundreds of farms is literally
filled with small stones that are brought
to the surface by each successive effort
at cultivation, involving an amount of
labor in their removal proportionate to
their number.
In such cases there is, therefore,
good reason for desiring permanent
maintenance of moving lands, so far
as relates to those requiring the great
est amount of labor, to bring into a
condition desirable for the use of the
machines necessary for harvesting.
Moving lands may be maintained in
excellent condition, so far as crop pro-
duction is concerned, by means of top
dressing and the avoidance of close
grazing. There is probably no cause
more productive of injury to moving
lands than the practice that some adopt
of close grazing both in spring and fall.
Great injury comes to hay crop if,
after moving either the first crop or
the aftermath, cattle are allowed to
Craze the stubble so closely as to leave
little or no protection at all to the
roots OF the grass. If all farmers
would resort to some other means of
experimenting fall feed than by the
grazing of their moving lands, they
would be surprised at the effect that
would be produced. ..I.r. .. ..!.
In top-dressing, well-pulverized ma,
nure serves an excellent purpose, and
with a fair prospect of rainfall soon
after spreading may we'll be applied
as soon after the removal of the first
hay crop as convenient. If yearly
application is to be made, which is by
no means necessary, it may be quite
light, but should be spread as evenly
as possible. A, very satisfactory course
is to make heavier application every
few years. 1t is much better to apply
in the summer or early fall than in the
spring because of less danger of break
ing the sward when dry than when
soft with rains. If fine manure is not
ut hand, that of coarser character
may be employed that may require be-
ing gone over with, with bush drag or
harrow to aid in the pulverization. In.
case of want of ordinary farm manure
to be used for top dressing land COM
mercial manures may be used, but
their efficiency is more doubtful than
with good manure. ....
The best substitute for manure is I'M
leached wood ashes. These, If applied
literally in the early spring or late
fall will secure very satisfactory re-
suits in the great increase of the crop
and the nourishment of clovers, which,
by their deep-rooting tendencies, bring.
up nutriment from the deeper soils.
Fine results have been secured by
the use of ashes alone, the principal
advantage in the use of which arises
from the durability of effects where.
literally applied. Regarding the fod-
der obtained from permanent moving
lands it appears to possess great value
for feeding purposes, and is greedily
devoured by animals, which is very
satisfactory test of its desirableness.-
VIM. II. YeOmafas, IN N. Y. Observer.
-S-N-b-
Ill,