The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1890-04-10
SOUTHERN AGRICULTURAL.
FEBRUARY FACTS.

and Grasses.
While it is true that only one month
has come and gone, yet the time for
planning the operations of the new year
is rapidly passing away, and the farmer
is now to put into execution the first
steps in the programme he has mapped
out for his guidance. Soon it will be
too late to correct errors. A years
work on farm is similar in many re-
spects to military campaign. AS a
skillful and experienced commander
coneeives beforehand the general plan
of his proposed military movements,
wisely calculating all the probable and
possible counter-movements of his an
tagonist and providing accordingly, so a
wise farmer will look ahead and make
his dispositions so as to meet the ext
gencies that may arise. Neither can
well afford to change front" in the
presence of an enemy, or materially
alter his plans when the campaign IS
half over.
We would have the Southern farmer
to seek first to produce, in abundance,
the food necessary for man and beast;
to go about his purpose as il it were, as
it really is, the main business of farm
ing. AS well might lawyer hire some
one to prepare and study and manage
his law business; or a preacher employ
another to fill his pulpit; sheep
breeder buy all his sheep and wool; a
fruit-grower to buy fruit instead of
growing it, as for farmer to habitually
buy such articles as corn, oats, bacon,
lard, butter, beef, mules and horses,
etc.-the very things it is the peculiar
business of a farmer to grow from his
soil. But we will not pursue the SUBJ
iect further at this time.
FLOWING CORN LAND.
The pillow must be started at once, if
not already in action; not that we favor
breaking land long in advance of the
time for planting, but that the work of
preparation of the soil may not be
crowded into too short period just be-
fore that time. The weather during
the latter part of the month and
early in March may not be suitable
for blowing. On level and espe-
cially on close, undrained soils, we
are decidedly in favor of throwing the
land into beds as final preparation for
planting in corn or cotton. The best re-
suits in corn culture have almost invaria-
bly, been obtained when planted on broad
beds, with well opened water fur
rows between the rows, these fur
rows serving temporarily as drains
in the absence of a more permanent
system. This leads to the suggestion
that the low-lying, moist lands of the
country should be generally appropriate
ed to the corn crop. Corn is much more
liable to injury from drought than cot
ton, and is less affected by wet More
over, corn seems to respond less CRATE
fully to manure than cotton, and to
prefer the naturally rich and moist soil.
Do not be in too big hurry to COM
mence planting. Too early planting is
a much more frequent mistake than too
late planting. A narrow strip Of hun
dred miles along the Gulf Coast may do
better planted in February; but March
is early enough for the next belt of one
hundred miles or more.
SPRING OATS.
Oats are more economical and relia-
bic crop than corn, taking a series of
years together. Winter-killing of the
fall-sown, or drought-killing of the
spring-sown are the only causes of fail
ure, both Of which may be pretty well
guarded against. Oats sown in spring
do best in February, and should be sown
on rich or well-manured land, and the
ground should be put in the best condi- |
ton by deep, close blowing. The ten
dency is to sow rather too thickly. We
doubt If grain more is made by SOW
ing more than three bushels of oats on
the very best prepared and richest soils.
On ordinary soils, capable of producing
ten to fifteen bushels of corn per acre.
one to one and half bushels of seed
per acre are enough.
The absolute loss which is the result |
of winter-killing of oats is apt to be |
greatly exaggerated. One of the CHIEF |
practical precautions against winter
killing is to provide an abundance of
home-raised seed, so that the land NAV
be re-sown in February if the oats shall |
have been killed in January. If killed |
too late for Resolving, the land is irst
right for corn, or other summer crop. |
But in fact it is extremely rare for oats
to be killed after the middle of Feb.
ruary, while they often succeed well
sown in March.
GRASS.
1t is gratifying to note the growth of
interest in the subject of grass culture.
which is evidenced by reports
from various sections of the
South. We here include in
the general designation the num-
Der of larger species that are usually
called forage crops, viz, the various
millets, sorghums, lucern, ETC., with
which our list has been so enriched
within the present generation. It would
seem that SO apparently spontaneous
growth as the grasses would not present
. serious problem in the selection
Of the best for the purposes Of
The farmer. But it is a fact, with few
exceptions, that the most valuable of
BUR cultivated grasses are not now
found fiourishing in a wild state. In
Iced, few, even of the thoroughly in