The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-07-10
For the Month OF July.

For the Month of July.
We would be glad If 1t were practicable for
US to review the weather and general condi-
tions Of the proceeding month In these
"Thoughts," but the exlgencies of the press
room deny US the privilege. as "oopy" is ur-
gently called for before the 10th Of the month
Up to May the 9th the conditions were al
most uni niversal.y unfavOrable TO the vigorous
growth of most Of the farm crops, especially
cotton. The Commissioner Of Agriculture OF
Georgia, In his June crop report, says that the
prospect OF the cotton crop on tae me, nrst ~ day g OF
past. During the last few days Of May. how
ever, pretty general rains ocenrred In Georgia
and Tennesse and the Gulf States, leaving the
South Atlantic States still needing rain. AS
Stunning that the drought will have every
where Terminated before the first Of July, It
will be safe to assume that the crops even at
that date will be in rather backward condi-
to encourage, by every means IN his power,
the vigorous and continuous growth OF the
plants.
CORN CULTURE.
All farmers are aware that corn will not
wait either on man or on seasons. When q
stalk of corn reaches or approximates GER
tain age. varying according to variety. 1t tas.
sells shoots and silks, and what cultivation IT
receives must he given before II has reached
the stage Of Towering. Late corn, however,
lngs which alone should be given at this time
COTTON.
1t is safe to assume that cotton is small
much behind the usual stage Of Development
especially In point OF size. 1t is all impor
tant, therefore, that the crop should receive
regular and careful attention. Adopt the one
iurrow system, now, II not already adopted
and approved. What the crop needs is that
no crust be permitted to form on the surface.
To prevent this, let the plows with wide ex
fon lt,,or hno nr ar
good cultivator, 60 over the crop rs often as
once every week or ten days. II We could
order the rains, that Is, have them TO fall al
will. we would have good rain OF not less than
one inch to fall every Saturday night during
the month Of July; start the plows Monday
morning and go over the crop In three days, one
time to the row. But az no man may control
oP 70 ADAPT
forts to the circumstances. A on the sur
face, however, should never be permitted to
form and remain, II practicable to prevent It.
Mr jeff We,born gave en,has some good Ideas on
The question has often been debated wheth-
er plowing should be repeated In dry weather
without rain intervening. Some farmers
drought. We think the moisture in such a
time had better remain where 1t is down
among and below the roots Of the CROP
bringing up' the moist soil from below w VIII II
It's moisture. Better cover up the surface OF
the land and the subjacent roots of the plants
with something that will protect them from
too fervent heat OF the sun, and prevent evap-
cover Irish potatoes, and other crops covering
but a small area, with straw or leaves from
the forest. This expedIent Is manifestly i'm
cab On extensive t fields bos Sos is Te Se Sah
more cheapIy applied II not altogether so ef
fscsa' feet Of surface culture Of the crop in dry
weather. In crop Of any Kind, the SURFACE
as may be safely done. The roots should be
forced. II necessary, to remain in the substra-
tum Of the surface soil.
PLANTING POTATOES.
Up to June |, the area planted In potatoes
was very limited, owing to- the extreme dry
weather in May. Even If the June rains have
been abundant 1t is probable that the area
planted Is yet small. While June is the best
month for planting the cut vines, yet the
work may be done In July, II necessary. For
such late paintings the ground should % l,e ne OF
tion should be at short intervals.sA failure 10
make plenty OF sweet potatoes is almost IN
the nature OF a calamity. With the average
very few would buy, even If they were ayaila-
BILE and within reach. ..,
PEANUTS AND CHUFAs, ETC.
Several farmers have insisted that the best
time and place to plant Spanish peanuts, or
chufas, is after small grain harvest on stubble
land we have no doubt s shat IL II rsv IL s gEGa
ly on q crop Of field peas, peanuts, or any
thing else to be planted on stubble land. 1t is
good policy to have always surplus OF SEED
of these crops as well as OF sorghum, DUCK
circumstances. it Is frequently the case that
stubble laud cannot be got Into condition 70
plant anything until too late. Chufas and
peanuts (Spanishl may be planted until July
oil ,,pos a little later flor fOrQReo
JULY PLANTING.
Excepting rutabaga turnips and some gar
den vegetables, July Is not q favorable time
TO plant any original crops. It is between the
two seasons. 1t Is time TO talk and write
about sowing turnips but except on q small
scale, and chiefly for table use, we 90 not ad,
wise turnips. We have tried rutabagas and
other turnips, and beets for stock, and the re.
sult of our experiments is that for a period OF
ten years together 1t will cost more TO pro
duce busheI OF turnips than bushel OF po-
tatoes, and the latter are worth twice as
much. Still. 1t is very we'll to have plenty OF
turnips for the table and some for the cows.
Prepare the land by repeated deep and close
sow In two-foot drills about July Goth to Au:
gust LIST, Precisely the same character and
richness of soil and preparation necessary for
rutabagas suits lucerne also. II the rutaDagas
fall, sow in lucerne In September OF october.
us as teaching heterodoXy-departing rom
the faith-in writing so dlsparaglngy about
turnips as stock food crop In the Sonth:
Our reply Is that II Is one OF those imported
English ideas that will not stand our climate.
THE ERUTT CROP.
Farmers as we'll as professional orchardists
ought TO make preparations to get the greatest
yaiue possible ou of the abundant fruit crop
The means of utilizing the surplus fruit most
available to the farm is feeding TO stock and
driving or evaporating. or course every wide
awake farmer will give his hogs all the fallen,
partly decayed and otherwise worthless fruit.
But after mark citing 10 the extent that may
he practicable the fresh, ripe fruit, drying or
eyaporating must be reBorted 10. Evaporated
fruit always commands higher prices than the
ordinary sun-dried, and every one should pro-
cure or make cheap evaporator II possible.
We would Impress upon those VINO may De
convenient to shipping points to ship none
but choice fruit and In the very best condition
The peach crop, especially, is universally:
good from North to South. The markets Will
be easily glutted unless only the pest fruit be
shipped If over crowded with all sorts OF
fruit the returnS even from that Of the best
quality, will he comparatively unsatisfacto'
ry.
TAKE A REST.
A farmer who works early and late, plants,
plows hoes and reaps through sun and show
er. until his wheat and oats are In the barn.
the corr is spreading Its golden banners and
silken streamers 10 the breezes, and the cot
ton ia we'll on Its way to successful harvest,
hos we'll earned O few days Of rest, Jollifca-