The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1890-05-22


nurOw should be run Mt time (at
one plOwing) in rows under four feet
wide. That ~ to say, get Us wide an
Implement us practicable and do not
puttw burrows III middle il they
overlap moro than than three or four
inches. The three OF four inches or
more, thus overlapping, is pra ;Cically
labor lost.
During this month the battle
against grass and weeds is practical
ly won or lost, especially III the cot
ton field. 1t is indispensable that
the early grass, that which comes up
with the plants, be effectually de-
stroyed before it has reached n stage
Of vigorous growth. This early crop
of grass generally gives more tr ouble
than succeeding examinations, because
the cotton is small and it is imprac-
tic@blo to cultivate it as effectively.
The young cotton, on thin, light soils
especially, is apt to bo infested by
lice, and tho stand is sometimes al-
most destroyed. Science, which has
furnished many valuable insecticides
has SO far offered no practical RENE
dy for the cotton plant louise. Good,
or well fertilized land, is the best
guarantee Of exemption, the plant on
such land being pushed forward with
moro vigor. Good ultivation-keep-
ing the surface in good. mellow con
oitlon-is the only practical remedy,
and it often fails when tho weather
is unfavorably cool.
LATE CROPS.
On low lying lands-too cold and
wet to plant III March and April
corn may now be planted, and will
be more likely to escape the dreaded
budworm than ifplanted earlier. Sev-
eral years since practical farmer
gave the following as his treatment OF
corn on lands subject to the dcprc-
dations of tho budworm, or bill bug,
"a we have heard it called: AS soon
as com IS we'll up scrupe away the
sol from around the stem o. cacl
plant. Our informant stated that hc
used for the purpose OF removing thc
surface soil al orlinarv steel or iYo,
garden rake.
Successive paintings Of forage crops
such as drilled corn. millets, etc.
should be made every two or three
weeks until midsummer. Wa mover
saw on any farm too much green
food, If Oi Sool quality Every cror
that is i'll for green food, can be con,
yorted INTO hay, OF cusilagc.
SWEET POTATOES
MAJ ~ tho month TO plant out the
main crop uf draws from the bed
AOrI paintings rarely do as well, and
are Nover 50 easily cultivated as those
put out i'll May or June. Ono of the
most essential points to be regarded
Ia securing good setting Of vigor
GUS plants, is to have good, we'll
rooted, and somewhat hardened slips.
and to plant them only on fresh plow
ed beds. The practice of having the
beds already made in anticipation OF
a rain, and then planting tho slips III
the sodden soil, is not to be commend,
od. We would greatly prefer not to
wait for rain, but to mako the beds
afresh by bedding. or rebedding, sci
the plants in the fresh, moist soil
than to plant just after heavy rain
or without re-plowing the land. The
beds should not be less than 81 feet
from crown to crown, rather fiat
than sharp and high, and tho plants
set not closer than 1S inches in any
case. We prefer two feet, as fewer
vines and less time for planting are
required, and better potatoes vii
result where tho creator distance is
given.
OTHER CROPS.
In all tho region north OF tho tropi
cal sugarcane belt, MI acre or two ir
Sorgum for syrup, should be planted
on every farm. While not as palnta
bic as the syrup made from tho truo
cane, yet, if made with proper care
on one of tho many cvaporators now
available, ltcomeS III 'mighty handy
IN midsummer to help out the rations
Of bacon. 1t is probable that sor
gum syrup costs loss than half as
much to produce it us cane syrllp
since very rich land, nor very higl
manuring is necessary to produce q
fair yield. AS forage crop the Min
ncsOta Amber is considered by MANY
good farmers as equal to any. Fol
this purpose it may be planted in sue
cesslon until July1, and will AFFORD
two or moro cuttings of excellent food
for horses and cattle.
In conclusion we congratulate the
farmers Of the South on their steadi
~ improving condition and the
frightening prospects before them
The thoroughly organized farmers OF
the country arc a mighty power il
the land. Let organization and CO.
operation continue and be perfected
to the uplifting of our calling, the
general advancement Ct our indus
trial claascs-tho real alwcalth,crcators
of the cOuntry-and the reformation
OF Legislative abuses that have result
eel III well nigh cnslaying -tcnths
of the population of THIS Nation tC
the remaining tenth. Farmers, Us
individuals, and as Il class, ought tC
take an active interest in the indus
trial and economic questions OF the
day, and make the will of the toiline
masses the law of thcland. Let unjust
determinations in favor Of one class,
let legislation to make fow rich mon
still richer while the great majority
are staggering under the weight OF
insidiOus and disguised taxation, be
abolished. BY thus interesting them