The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1892-04-21
Give the Grass a Chance.

To the Editor Of the NcicS 01ld Courier:
Most mon have some hobby. Mine has
always been crops and live stock. In my
Younger days, when / did not know that
crops could be grown proftably here, 1
moved to the pine lands OF Cass County,
now Barlow, Ga, to rai.e stock, and sue
ceeded very well. After the war / came
back to my native city 10 learn that had
made great mistake, that could have
done about as we'll here, if | had hall
known how to avail myself of the facili-
ties provided by Providence.
At that time Bermuda grass vas scarce
" known here, and when known was
considered IN unmitigated curse. but now
our people are beginning to put proper
estimate on it's value, especially for graz
ing. T doubt whether it has superior on
the face Of the earth, and on good low
lands and fertile uplands it grows hay to
perfection. It's ability to hold its own
against all sorts of bad treatment makes
it the more valuable, but this trait causes
many farmers TO be afraid to put 1t on
their farms, but it can be set back with
care so as not to interfere with Il crop for
year or two, when if let alone 1t will
gradually tako it's former hold on the
land, but if desired it can bo kept back
and destroyed When its value is known
you will not want to get clear OF 1t, as 1t
is the best tenant you can procure: NO"
is the time to plant the roots, and IL our
farmers know their interest they will
plant plenty of it.
Just after the war tho LespadeZa Strial-
la began to spread over this country, and
in few years had entire possession of all
the old fields and open woods III tins
County, the broom sedge, which had had
possession for generations, giving way TO
it, until it was rare TO see it; but within
the last year the broom sedgc IS getting
hold again, and it seems to me that the
Lespsdeza j; giving way. y friend sug-
gested that this broom sedge was OF dli-
ferent variety, but it looks to me to be the
same, but H looks strange TO me that it
should return 20 whip out its old enemy
and regain possession. 1t made good pas
ture and regret tfis change.
There are indications of an improve
ment in our system Of agriculture. we
will have more grass and stock anu less
cotton, but such changes Cannot be made
in a year, though believe few years
will show quito an improvement in this
section. Every farmer ought to prepare
five acres to each horse or mule. For
crab grass prepare the land we'll by
ploughing and narrowing in May, and
leave it alone and the grass will come and
fill your barn with very good hay if prop
erly cured.
i think there is moro in the mode of
curing fodder and hay than there is IN the
different grasses. Nearly all arc good If
properly cured, and none good unless
we'll cured and cat in proper condition.
Our principal feed this winter is and has
been ragweed, Oh wlIictr our work stock
are doing finely, assisted by small !. ri, ra,
and cured with but very little summing,
makes as good hay as want, and every,
thing, horses, mules, COWS, sheep and
goats, eat it with avidity.
Our farmers are moving ahead With
good deal of spirit in preparing sor the
crops; some havo planted corn. ! shlnk
they will shorten off the cotton CONSIDER
ably. The small grain crops arc looking
we'll. We realize that we must make our
own family supplies.
j. WASHINGTON WATTS.
z.,,,o,,o t,,.;J 1900