The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-02-10
FARM WORK FOR FEBRUARY.

| EARM WURk FUR FhBRUAKI. j
THE TIME FOR PITCHING THE CROP is
MOST IMPORTANT.
The Negro and His BObtail Steer
May Make four or five Bales, But
the Intelligent White Man Ought
to be Ashamed to do no Better.
Southern Cultivator.
In our Thoughts for the Month for January,
we dwelt at some length on the Cotton area
Question, to the exclusion OF matters OF ue-
tail which usually occupy attention during
the first month Of "a new year. We VIII not
have labored IN vain II even small percenks,
age of farmers shall be encouraged or induced
to adup, q better system of farming. In whlch
the first step must be the contraction Oh area
and the concentration Of effort.
Within the last month IL mas oeen suggest
ed that dealers in supplies most largely pur-
chased by farmers, will take caution OF tnelr
fears in the future, and decline 10 extend
credit for such supplies to farmers VINO pnr-
tenn of the past. 1t would, indeed, be an
anomalous condition OF trade II the mer'
chants who have heretofore EXTENDED cIeult
on the basis OF a cotton crop TO oe pianteu; ol
that may have just been planted, should all
at once change from the cotton basis TO one Oh
homemade provisions. We can hardlS De-
Iieve that the sellers OF corn. bacon, hour,
lard, ETC.. will conclude TO destroy tneT tfaue on
the agreement or assurance oi farmers, lhat
the latter will adopt course that VIII leao 10
the production Of a plentiful home supply ol
these necesSarieS. ,
Deolers i'm other lines of goods that are moi
within the range of home-prodnction, ana
vet are largely consumed by farmers, may
very properly make 1t condltlon OF circuit,
that the farmer must produce on his own
farm the everyday food necessarles such as
we have above detailed.
CASH AND CREDIT.
We have repeatedly urged upon farmers the
policy of buying only for cash. we oeileVe
that the universal extension OF the credit sys-
tenn ~ largely the cause Of agricultural ue-
nression and failure. The condition In which
the farmers were left at the close OF me war
between the States, seemed 10 demand ano 10
Justify the extension OF credit, 10 enaole
them 10 get on their feet again. But the re-
sultof the policy has been 10 fasten upon lar
mers the habit Of buying on credit. IL was
given at first as q stimulous 10 their exhaust
ed strength and energies.
How often has IL occurred that patient,
suffering from paint disease. has contract
ed the morphine habit, or the whis6ey haDlt,
as u consequence of the prescribed use OF
these remedies for the purpose OF allaylns
ter the war TO recuperate his fortunes, and IN
many caes from absolute necessity, began 10
buy ON O credit. The real necessity ior such
indulgence soon passed away, but the haoiI OF
buying on credit becomes nXea one. i ne
Young men of the country grow up 10 man
hood strangers 10 any other than tne creulI
system. We verify believe that, aside from
hostile and uufavorable financial legislation,
the greatest curse upon the farmers bae has Is s
tened itself on the farmers OF the country.
The farmers themselves as individuals ana AS
d class are mainly responsible Tor lts exist
ence Fortunately 1t Is a habit which each
farmer can cou troll and cure In his own case.
Hei is not compelled TO invoke and await The
cooperation Of others Choose ye This day
whom We will serve," was the appeal OF old
serve the Lord" was his own declaration.
Let the appeal be now made to the farmers
TO choose This day whether they Will serve
under cash or credit
PITCHING THE CROPS.
It Is high time that the crops should be
pitched, SO that the needed preparatory work
plant I'm each field. We trust that our ap-
peal has been needed, and that not one acre
will be planted that will not, With reason
able application o. fertilizers, proper cultiva-
tion and average seasons, produce one-thlrd
OF u bale of cotton, or fifteen bushels oil corn.
We ought rapidly TO bring up our average
prod uction TO one-half bale OF cotton, or
twenty bushels Of corn per acre, instead OF
less than one-thlrd of bale, and less than
twelve bushels OF corn per acre.
ROTATION.
Every farmer understands that land which
WAS last planted In cotton Is in better condl.
ton for any crop than corn land or small
grain stubDIe, because IL Is cleaner and Will
he easier to cultivate. But we cannot plant
everything after cotton, and moreover, regard
ior the land Itself should be had. Many far
ners follow no defuite system OF rotation
Take an average Iarin In Georgia, for illustra-
tion. OF the open land, one-Lhiru was In cot
ton last year, one fourth in corn, one NTH IN
small grain, and the remainder, hlch would
be little more than one.filth. lying IDLE, or
Now suppose the farmer concludes
to adopt soin ethiDg like system OF rotation.
The first thing u determine Wouid DO now
much land Is TO be planted In provision crops.
This will depend upon the size Of his family,
and the nunl Der OF live stock. The area will
also be modified by The character oil the land
and the amount OF fertilizers he can apply to
it. No rule can be given, but we wouio select
the best portions of the land that was In cot
ton last year for this years corn crop. Then
from last years corn land, set of Us much
land for cotton as you can bring up to produce
an average OF not less than one-nall Daie per
acre. II you have been heretofore producing
Dnly one-third OF u bale per acre, this rule
wi II not down your cotton area probably one
hal compared with what 1t was last year.
No matter for that, IL will not cut your COTTON
production probably more than one-tnlrd'
While II may reduce the cost per pound one
fourth.
Now for small grain. II you have not al
ready a good area In fal-sOwn oats, or oatS
and wheat, say ab area equal to your contein-
plated cotton area, proceed TO sow oats during
his month, until such area Is attained.
After this Is done there will still be consid-
era Bile area undsposed of. This part might
,e allowed to remain idle for the present; or
r. rNy
body, IL would be well to take steps TO convert
Il into permanent Beymuda grass pasture.
0f course 1t will be understood that II liberal
area OF convenient land Is to be devoted 10
such side crops US sweet potatoes. orchards
md gardens, and such soiling and forage
.rops rs sorghum, millet. etc.
We have said nothing about pea stubble, or
sowing peas. but have had in view farm on
" lich DO systematic effort has been made
10 renovate and enrich the soil by growing
peas or course, where there Is q considerable
area that was in "solid" peas last year, 1t
should be put In cotton.
SOWING OATS.
The oats to be sown should be well fertilized
with a mixture of cotton seed meal, acld
phosphate and kainit, or muriate OF potash.
rhe following would be a good preparation
for average old lands:
FOR ONE ACRE.
AclQ fnOSplh -oo PNo,o
Cotton Seed Meal 400 pounds.
Nitrate of Potash, ........... 50 pounds.
Or Kainit .......................r.. 200 pounds.
Plow the land close and deep with turn
piow. Sow the fertilizers, and not less than
two bushels of oats, all together, and cover
with cutaway harrow, or scooter plow, or
anything that will cover the seed well, and
smooth Oft with q smoothing harrow, or q
heavy brush.
: After harvesting the oats. and also the
wheat. If any was sown, the land should be