The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1889-10-29

L mentain that a cultivator, if
properly constructed, (the same as
used in the turnip and potato fields in
Scotland and England) will kill the
grass better than plough and do
twice as much work in day, besides
it stirs up the soil where a plough, as
is used here, merely turns over the
top soil and covers up the grass and
if it comes rain it grows again the
same as ever.
Drainage.-Any system of drainage
does good more or less, but the land
can never be drained in the proper
sense of the word by bitches, as is the
only system adopted in this country.
The only proper and paying way to
drain land is to lay tiles under ground.
The first thing to consider in tile
draining is to lay the pipes by the
natural lay of the land The drains
should be cut to depth of, say, 2 l2
feet for clay or stiff soils and 8 feet
for black soils, but the depth depends
great deal on the subsoil. The
drains should be about II yards apart
in the rows and the pipes from 2 to 3
inches in diameter. These small pipes
should be led into outfall pipes of
diameter according to the area that is
drained, and the outfal drains should
lead to canal or some proper outlet.
If this plan is adopted the land will
become porous and no surplus water
will lie.
The heavy and stiff lands (which [
consider the best) are rendered almost
useless for the want of the drainage.
A ditch will carry off the top surplus
water but it will not drain the land
The close tiles (which are made of
burnt clay) are porous and have
certain suction tina: an open ditch has
not which draws the water. When
the land is water ,sobbed it runs
together, and in dry weather turns
perfectly compact like stone. In
wet weather it is like mortar and the
roots of the plant rot for the want of
air. And even although they do not
rot e'soil is cold and the plant be !
comes yellow and sickly.
have seen lands produce double
the crop the first year after this sys-
tenn of drainage without any extra
manure. And | say that where it will
not not pay with drains it cannot pay
without them.
Farm Yard Manure.-The produc-
tion of farm yard manure is the great
est factor of all in the production of
crops.
After drainage and deep cultiva-
tion then if the manure is applied
then there is no fear of the result and
the damage from an excess of rain or
dry weather is almost nothing.
In order that farm yard manure
can be got we must have stock, and
in order to feed stock we must grow
food. So the first thing to consider is
what can best be grown in this climate
to feed stock. My opinion is that
almost anything can be grown here.
It is great mistake to think that
clover requires rich or highly ma
nured SOIL What clover requires is
new soil and the stronger clay the
better Lime should be applied and
it must be drained. Clover does not
like soft bed but the more compact
the soil is the better. After it is well
rooted heavy roller should be run
over it so as to press it well in. A
flock OF sheep run over it would
answer the same purpose. In sowing
down clover pastures, grasses should
also be sown. The grass will act as
shelter for the clover in the hot
weather.
Wnen hay is wanted the first crop
should be taken, and after it has
grown up bit again, cattle or sheep
should be turned on it. In order to
have the pastures fresh and clean the
field or enclosures should be made
small, not more than to 10 acres,
properly fenced, or more properly |
speaking, whatever quantity man
has he should divide it up in small
divisions so as to enable him to shift
the stock from one to the other, by |
this means he need never have his
pasture eaten too close which in very |
dry, warm weather, is in danger of
being burnt up.
Land left in pastures of this kind
will become richer every year besides
the stock will become in fine condition
and fit for the Northern markets
where good, paying prices can be OBJ
tanned. Peas, beans, turnips, sweet
potatoes, ensilage, ETC., can be grown
in any quantity and along with plenty
of oats, wheat, rice straw and hay will
enable a man to keep his stock all
the winter in pens. Those cattle
will make enough manure during the
winter sufficient to pay for their feed
and then you can apply, say, 20 tons
to every acre of cotton and If the /
increase does not pay then there is no
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