The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-03-19

so, then we VIII nave 10 aullllI Iiial
millions have heretofore been wasted
in manuring corn with stable manure,
cotton seed and cotton seed meal, Pc
ruvian guano, etc., because the chief
value of all of those is due to the fact
that they contain more or less nitrogen.
We are not inclined to reverse our
opinion OH this point, all at once, but
will leave the question open, and Judg-
mcnt suspended, until more light is
afforded from the most exact expert
ments. In passing, however. we Will
say that in our neXperience we have
uniformly got better results from the
use Of rotten cotton seed, even when
rotted without any precaution against
loss of nitrogen, than from green cot
ton seed, when applied to corn, which
would appear to favor the view that
corn does not require q nitrogenous
fertilizer.
If but a small amount of fertilizer
is to be applied to corn, say less than
ten bushels, of cotton seed, or its
equivalent, it is probably best to make
but one application, and that at the
time of planting, taking care to some
what scatter the manure around the
seed, instead of dropping in in lump
in one spot. But if liberal manuring
is contemplated we advise two or
more applications. This advise is not
based on the theory that the plant will
take up the manure before it is need
ed, and that the supply will be eX-
hausted before caring time. On the
contrary it is quite probable that the
plant cannot and will not appropriate
all the applied plant food until needed.
Even if the idea were correct that the
plant will exhaust the manure during
the early stages of its growth, it is also
true that the roots. stem and blades
are safer repository than the soil it.
self. Whatever Of plant food is taken
into the plant system will inevitably
60 into the grain when the latter re-
quires it. twill not be exhaled into
the air and lost. Plants eXhale very
little, if any, nitrogen, and not par
ticle of the mineral elements. 1t is
true, however, that large stalk re-
quires more to form its tissues and will
therefore withhold large proportion
of the plant food taken up from the
soil, than smaller stalk ; and it is
certainly true that liberal, all at once,
dose of manure, at planting or shortly
after, tends to produce large stalk.
There is something, also, in the idea
that repeated applications gives sue
cessive stimulations to the plant and
induces successive reactions on the
inert plant food i'm the soil. Actual eX-
pertinent, however, is the crucial test {;
and experience seems TO confirm the
view we have suggested.
BERMUDA GRASS.
Roots, or more properly, the surface,
jointed stems of Bermuda grass may
be set during any Of The springer early
summer months, but March is the best
time. The new seasons growth is now
just starting, and sets planted now in
plowed land will take possession be-
fore the next winter. 1t is gratifying
to note the increasing favor that is be-
ing justly bestowed on this grass. 1t
is difficult, but by no means impractic-
able, to subdue it on ordinary uplands.
But who wants to get rid of a good
thing, unless better can be substi.
tuted: TO get a good set of Bermuda,
plow the land broadcast lay off shall
low furrows, or mere marks, as may
be rapidly made with marker-three
rows at time-drop pieces Of the
jointed surface stems, or of the sod,
every two or three feet and press into
the soil by stepping on them.
STOCK AND GRASS.
The cotton States are slowly, but
certainly, developing their capacity
for growing grass and stock We do
not fear to reassert that there can be NO
permanent and increasing prosperity
in agriculture if the system be not to
a large extent, on grass and live stock,
We are strong in appreciation of com.
mercial or concentrated fertilizers we
endorse fully the claims of clover and
peas and other renovating crops to 8
most important place in successful.
system of restoration and improve
ment of the soil; but the growing and
feeding of live stock must be O neces.
sary adjunct to and extensive system
1t will not do for the South to grow
. cotton by the seven millions of bales
per annum and import from abroad
at O loss, compared with the cost o1
home production, aggregating greater
than the entire profits on the entire
product of cotton. The man who
raises plenty Of grain and forage,
full supply Of pork, beef, butter and
milk for his family is the one who
prospers-nott the one who makes big
crops of cotton and has big bills to pay
for the very things he ought to con.
slider his first duty TO produce. And ii
is not because the first can produce
cotton at less cost, but mainly be-
cause there is more satisfaction, solid
comfort, happiness and real profit in
producing the things we need, and
must have, and Of which we care to
sell only the surplus, than in produ-
cling o crop which ,Oe cannot use, 6At
must sell, and often at al actual loss.
HoGs.AGAIN.
We cannot forbcar to urge that more
attention be given to hogs. Now is
the time the pigs should have unre-
mitting attention and plenty of food.
What if cholera does occasionally kill
out your hogs; you must, and will
have bacon and lard, whatever it cost,
and the western farmers hogs have
cholera also. Give plenty of green
food, clean water, clean sleeping quar-
ters, and some simple tonics OCCASION
ly, and cholera will not be frequent
visitor. February and March pigs
make the cheapest bacon. The cheap
est bacon is made from hogs that have
never seen Christmas day.