The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-08-03
The Forage Plants for the South.
FIELD PEASE.

FIELD PEASE.
E ANIMAL as it is, southern agriculture can
an dispense with this valuable plant. In
81 -sfarence to the custom of the country
still continue to write it pea" but
n or,nerlv it should be called "bean" For
Ir.c+ical purposes it matters not what we
81 ..llir for it is the same valuable plant un-
81 3s- either name. 1t will be a great many
rssrs doubtless before the majority Of
81 .r.hern farmers come to understand the
rone of the several perennial plants that
We have previously named and commended
% their adoption. For twenty-five years
q many able writers, in innumerable lectures
and articles, have been urging the farmers
of the south to adopt some of the perennial
,Iants that are so well suited to our climate
and RELY less on the use of annual plants.
If is hardly necessary to say that this ad-
vice has been generally unheeded, for we
have made very little Roadway in estab-
fishing these permanent pastures and
meadows that are the very foundation of
successful agriculture in European coun~
trie, and even in the older parts of this
country. A few only have taken this pro-
gressive step in our section of the country.
|. is very unfortunate for the farmers of
the south aud the country at large that this
is so.
The cotton grower of the south has
reached q point now, it seems to US, when
he should feel more inclined than ever be-
fore to take calm review OF the situation
and ask himself the question how the con-
IS hEaVn 20
him a prosperous condition of etfairss
With the enlarged area of foreign countries
devoted to cotton culture with a yearly in
creasing acreage in our own country, what
nrouise does cotton culture, hold out to the
farmer of the South Atlantic states whose
soil is deteriOrating yearly under clean Gull
ture. Is he prepared to suffer the conse-
duences that must follow the production of
80 pounds of lint cotton per acre that may
possibly bring him only or perhaps or
cents per pound! The evident tendency
Of cotton culture IS to over production and
lower prices
1t is time to call halt now before it is too
late. For many it may already be too late.
Is there any promise that the cotton and
corn" system will lead soon or later to other
than poverty and bankruptcy?
We would that we mad the audience of a
Talmage and the persuasive eloquence of
Moody that we might appeal TO the farmers
Of the South Atlantic states to stop and
give this matter the serious attention that it
deserves. More hay more pasturel more
stock more Of the necesSaries of life! we
would shout into their ears until they con-
sidered the matter as they should.
Returning TO the subject of pease as
forage crop, while it is not desirable crop
for hay, compared to that of number of
other plants, still in the present condition Of
much of our upland soils it is adapted to the
needs of a very large number Of small farm
ers that are not prepared to adopt other
plants of a superior character. The pea
viii grow on soils on which some other
plants would not thrive. 1t is a quickly
plant. For fallow purposes and
for temporary pasture it ID fine-requires
little care and cultivation. crop Of seed
can be gathered from the vines and then
leave very good pasture for getting stock
IN good order to enter upon winter. IL is
always in order to SOW pease among corn.
The majority of southern farmers have not
learned the proper way to cure pea vines for
hay. They must be treated like clover and
lucerne. The vines should be shocked soon
after cutting and allowed to heat" then
pulled apart and exposed to the sun and air
until the resulting moisture is expelled.
] en- the hay can be safely stored. When
cured it makes nice forage, other
wise not. 1t is arch food makes rich milk
and butter. 1t is not too late to SOW pease
now on any vacant land. 1t is a good
crop for the oats, wheat or
barley in October and November. Sow
pease. S. A. c.