The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1893-08-17
COMMISSIONER NESBITT.
HIS MONTHLY TALK WITH THE
GEOlGIA FARMERS
On Subjects of General Interest Per-
tanning to the Farm and
Garden Good Advice.
DEPARTMENT OF .AGRICULTURE.
ATLANTA. August 1898

=
lull OF disappointment and hope de-
ferred, The cotton, over a very large
territory, embracing l may say fully
two-thirds of the cotton belt. has had
TO contend against almost overwhelm-
ing disadvantages. First, the cold
spring retarded the planting and when
That was at last accomplished, heavy
rams set IN. which so packed the lands
that the seed terminated but imper-
fectly In consequences the "stand"
was generally defective and was farther
injured by the very high winds and
cool nights, which followed each rain.
Ihen, as II to put the final Obstructive
touch to the already suffering plants,
lice, which always flourish during a
cool spring, have done their utmost.
Such however, is the recuperative
power of the cotton plant, that as soon
as the warm, growing weather of June
set in, the crop bounded forward. But
we are now in .the latter part of July
confronted by the anomalous condition
OF too much rain in the southern and
southwestern portions of the state, and
stubborn drouth in the higher lati-
tudes. The general crop has been SO
much injured by all these adverse in
fiuences, that its condition is most IN
satisfactory. In exceptionally favored
localities, where the seasons have been
propltlous the crop is most promising
but IN other sections its condition is
most unpromising, and my deliberate
opinion. after personal observation in
different sections, and careful com
parlson OF the reports of correspondents,
is that the yield will be greatly re-
dpced, unless we have unprecently ia
vorable seasons from this time forth.
CORN.
In the southern part of the state the
crop is fine, but in the more northern
portions, the yield has been fearfully
cut off. AS it is too late now to expect
apy favorable change, the crop, even in
the mere northern counties being too
far advanced to be affected by even
most favorable seasons it behooves us
to turn our attention to other food
crops, which it is not yet too late to
provide for
FORAGE CROPS.
In those sections of the state that
have been spared the protracted drouth,
and where it is yet possible to save such
crops, the farmers would do we'll to
save every blade of grass, cultivated
or otherwise, of fodder, of pea vines,
in short, everything, which can be
cured for hay. The pulling of the foo
der may inJure the corn to certain ex-
tent, but at The south. we have not vet
learned to substitute other crops. When
the farmers nave learned to sow, cult
vate, and harvest other crops, which
can take its place, they will find them
more profitable, and we shall see corn
fodder relegated to the rear. But until
then would advise the saving of the
fodder, although when we consider
the amount of manual labor evolved
and the small return, it seems grave
agricultural mistake. pulling fodder"
is laborious, hot, and tedious work. In
a given time one good hand, with pa
OF mules and good mower, will so f..
outstrip the fodder pulling process, in
the amount and value of the hay
gathered, as to leave no reasonable
doubt of it's superior advantages. The
time for planting grass and clover
should be early in September, and lest
this should Re carelessly or hastily done
the best pl; 4 is to begin in July and
have everything in readiness. Tho
failures in these crops are often due to
the want Oh care in putting out the
manure and preparing the land. Re-
muneratve rops need not be expected
without thorough preparation and heavy
manuring. Clover, grass, turnips all
require thoroughly pulverized soil
The first two should be seeded heavily
and covered lightly.
WHEAT
In the inquiry column will be found
full reply to the questions in regSrd
to the fertilization, preparation for
wheat as well as time for sowing, etc.
would not advise the sowing of
TURNIPs
to any very Large extent, but it is a
desirable crop for the table in winter
and spring. l have always found it
best to sow in the drill the land being
rich and well-prepared. AS protec-
tion against cold weather, furrow can
be thrown UP each side with turn
plow and this will answer until the
very heavy freezes of December, when
they should he taken up and banked.
SWEET POTATOES
should never be ''laid by" fire. See
that the crop is clean, and after the
last working, 60 over it with fork and
loosen the vines that have taken root
in the middles. Any potatoes which
form here will be small and worthless,
and will only take away that much ma
terial from the main crop.
OATS.
Ny experience has been th@S if oats
are sown early enough there is little
danger of winter killing. If the land
is thin the sooner they are sowed the
better, in that they may more success
fully resist the cold. But 1t is bad
policy to SOW oats on poor land. Sow
winter raised seed. Sow on good land
or manure literally. Sow early and
the evidence is that where the crop
succeeds, and if these conditions exist,
II is almost certain to succeed, it will
be worth two spring sown crops.
RYE AND BARLEY.
AS far as possible all fields not sown
in oats OF wheat should be sown in rye.
It is one of the hardest winter grains
and may be sown from the 1st OF Sep
TENDER to the 1st of December. 1t Will
sr~H@,, ~, moor land and If turned under,