The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1892-04-20
GIVE THE GRASS A CHANCE.
Why Kill What Is More Valuable Than
Cotton or Corn:

To the Editor Of the News and Cou-
rier: Most men have some hobby.
Mine has always been crops and live
stock. In my younger days, when L
did not know that crops could I've grown
proftably here, I moved to the pine
lands of Cass County, now Barlow, Ga.,
to raise stock, and succeeded very well.
After the war I came back to my ma
tive city to learn that l had made a
great mistake, that I could have done
about as well here, if l had half known
how to avail myself of the facilities
provided by Providence.
At that time Bermuda grass was
scarcely known here, and when known
was considered an unmitigatcd curse,
but now our people are beginning to
put proper estimate on its value es-
pecially for grazing. I doubt whether
it has a superior on the face OF the
earth, and on good lowlands and fer
tile uplands it grows hay to perfection.
Its 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 it on
their farms, but it car be set back with
care so as not to interfere with s. crop
for year or two, when if set alone it
will gradually take its former hold on
the land, but if desired it can be kept
back and destroyed. When its value
is known you will not want to get clear
of it, as it is the best tenant you can
procure. Now is the time to plant the
roots, and if our farmers know their
interest they will plant plenty of it.
Just after the war the Lespadeza
Stlialla began to spread over this coun-
try, and in few years had entire pos
session of all the old fields and open
woods in this county, the broom sedge,
which had had possession for genera
tions, giving way to it, until it was
rare to see it; but within the last year
the broom sedge is getting hold again,
and it seems to me that the Lespadeza
is giving way. A friend suggested that
this broom sedge was of different va
riety, but it looks to me to be the same,
but it looks strange that it should re-
turn to whip out its old enemy and re-
gain possession. 1t made good pasture
and I regret the change.
There are indications Of an improve
ment in our system OF agriculture.
| We will have more grass and stock and
less cotton, but such changes cannot
be made in year, though [ believe a
few years will show quite-an improve
ment in this section. Every farmer
ought to prepare the land well by
ploughing and narrowing in May, and
leave it alone and the grass will come
and fill your barn with very good hay II
properly cured.
I think there is more in the mode Of
curing fodder and hay than there is in
the different grasses. Nearly all are
good if properly cured, and none good
unless well cured and cut in proper
condition. Our principal feed this
winter is and has been ragweed, on
which our work stock are doing finely,
assisted by small ration Of corn. The
r&weed, if cut in time and cured with
but very little summing makes as good
hay as I want, and everything, horses
mules, COWS, sheep and goats. eat ii
with avidity.
Our farmers are moving ahead with
a good deal of spirit in preparing fol
the crops; some have planted corn.
think they will shorten off the cotton
considerably. The small grain crop;
are looking we'll. We realize that we
must make our own family supplies.
J. WASHINGTON WATTS.
Laurens, April 8.