The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1891-12-08


Let us see wherein my plan hath
wronged him. x x If it but do
him right, when. he hath wronged him
self.
Stand forth and unfold y~ourselfr
Me. EDITOR:-The following is quoted
from a communication in the July
Southern Planter, 1891, Over the
signature of w. f. Massey: "Perma-
nent pasture in the South means either
Bermuda or Broom Straw, Or usually
both, no matter what sort of mixture
is sOwn. In fact, permanent pastures
are in my opinion far from being de-
sirable except i'll a good dairy region.
1. When natural grass lands are
formed Of such a rocky and steep
character, that a permanent pasture is
about all can be made of it. Our
mountain farmers can, and must have
permanent pastures, but in all the
plain country of the South no attempt
should be made to keep land in grass
for any lengthy period on a farm,
while the money crop Is gram or cotton.
2. = x x x Southern farmers should
grow grass and plenty of it, but do not
expect permanent meadow or pasture
in this climate, of grasses which do
well at the North. 3. Bermuda and
Broom Sedge will get there every
time"
On the above we wrote in TAE Pro
GRESsIYE FARMER, Oct. 6, as follows:
1--WE honestly believe the Professor is
just as far wrong in his advice to the
farmers of middle Virginia and North
grassing the rolling lands in these
States 90 ho iC on +ho tCoo1 1i0+rih11-
ton and gave it as our opinion that
~terracing and grassing VI rolling hill
sides is the sheet anchor of correct
farm management for us in middle
Virginia and North Carolina"
The English language is meaningless,
if Mr.. Massey did not advise against
making permanent pastures of grass on
our rolling hlllsides. Even if no better
could be found than Bermuda and
broom sedge, for they are infinitely
better than none, as they will asSuredly
hold the soil without terracing and
prevent gullies and gals.
Professor Massey occupied Over a
half column in THE PROGRESSIVE
FARMER of Oct. goth in denying my
criticism of his article in the Southern
Planter, Let Thereafter make the COM
parisOn and see how the case stands.
~ Z I1C1 S1u IClSI I1OIS CL1bACd11J
to the Professors first published views:
1. Permanent pastures are desirable
on our rolling lands South, and neces
sary to preserve the soil from washing
away.
2, Efforts should be made on farms
where the money crop is grain, cotton
or tobacco, to keep the rolling lands in
grass for permanent pasture, and
grasses suited for such purpose ought
to be sOwn. And if from any cause
there are lands on which the cultivated
grasses cannot be made to take hold,
then til is better to encOurage the growth
thereon of Bermuda or broom sedge, or
both. rather than let the lands lie bare
for the scant soil thereon to wash away.
8. There are scant areas, If any, in
middle Virginia and North Carolina
where Red Top-Herd Grass-will not
grow and make good permanent pas
ture, for it bears close cropping, makes
q close mating where there is soil
enough, and besides furnishing good
grazing for stock, holds the fort against
broom straw for long years, as fields
have done for thirty years or more.
Should broom sedge Overrun the Red
Top, the first can be readily killed by
following the cropping and the land
again re seeded in grass. And if such
is not done, where is the farmer but
prefers Bermuda, broom straw, Les
pideza or even poverty grass to quilted,
CALLED, abraded, unsightly, worthless,
useless fields?
The writer, whose teachings we
quote, is evidently afflicted with a
treacherous memory or shows himself
to be Oblivious concerning the virtues
of one of our best Culvated grasses.
DoI To~ 10oo w0n South 90 uyoll 90
North, for it makes a close sod of nu
tricious grass-just what is need to
preserve our light rolling lands and at
the same time furnish pasturage that
is much relished by stock.
The fact is, the Southern farmer cul
tivates too much surface, and nature is
coming to his rescue in Bermuda, Les
pideza, Johnson grass and wen broom
straw, that are fast taking possession
of our crOp-worn lands, furnishing per
manent pasturage and enabling the
owners to utilize them in greatly in
Creasing the numbers of and profit from
their herds, putting more money i'll the
farmers pockets, besides providing
them with a better table and living
than when such fields were in cultiva-
ton.
Scores of the best farmers in Vir-
ginia and North Carolina know where
of and can bear testimony to what we
write-men capable of teaching the
man who advises to the contrary many
a lesson IN farm economy. Such men
are practical and have no hobbies to
ride @
This communication was written not
only to retute the reckless assertions
OF a false teacher of agriculture, who
positively denies in October what he
wrote IN July, but to vindicate nv
criticism in ChOuu, LIT ~