The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1894-04-19
nent run just deep enough to break tn

ment run just deep enough to break tn
community of the pores of the soil and
to form an upper layer. Grass SHOULD
never be permitted, if possible to pre-
vent. to take possession of the field. The
use OF the hoe is expensive and in cotton
culture, as well as in other crops, 1t
should be used as little as possible. The
root system of the cotton plant, as we'll
as experience, testities that shallow cul-
| tivation should be the rule with this
plant, and through large series of ex-
periments conducted at the various
experiment farms, only on exceptional
occasions was deep cultivation given as
good results as shallow culture. The
time to plant will depend somewhat on
the character of the soil, which should
be warm enough to terminate the seed
usually in April. When late planting
is necessary the seed should be covered
rather deeply and lightly rolled to Sc
cure more rapid termination.
DISTANCE TO GIVE COTTON.
What is the proper distance to give
cotton? HI. A. NJ, Trickum.
Mr.. David Dickson, Georgia's great
cotton planter, was of the opinion that
cotton needed distance only one way. If
the rows were wide, it could be crowded
in the drill and vice versa. No uni
versal rule, however, can be given and
much depends upon the fertility of the
soil and the rain supply. Thin planting
can better withstand a drought. On
fairly rich land properly fertilized rows
four feet apart with plants from one to
two feet is about the proper distance.
When great distance is given early
planting is desirable, as the crop on &C
count of the large weed will fruit later
in the season and therefore be more sub
ject to damage from frost. The distance
will also on this account be found to
govern largely the yield from different
pickings. When the planting is thick
the yield from the first pickings will be
heavy and the late light, while the re-
verse is true when the planting is thin.
MUCK.
What does muck or swamp litter con-
tain? How should it be used?
j. A. B., Monroe.
Muck contains small percentages of
nitrogen, phosphoric acid and potash 1t
varies very greatly, but always contains
large per cent of organic matter. It
does well composted and alone is a
benefit to land.
ALFALFA.
Please tell me how to plant alfalfa. or
lucerne. What kind of soil is best, etc.
Is it legumini? N. G. F.,
Hartwell
Alfalfa is a leguminous plant, and,
like clover and peas, has the power of
collecting nitrogen from the air. It has
the power of withstanding the drouths
much better than common clover, and
for that reason is especially adapted to
dry climates. 1t fourishes best on a
light sandy or loamy soil, with subsoil
through which its long taproot can pen.
citrate. Once stand is secured the
character of the subsoil is of more i'm.
portance than the surface soil.
Thorough preparation should precede
sowing We prefer sowing in the drill,
! which requires about Is pounds of seell;
sown broadcast, twenty pounds is nee
! essary. While in the north spring seed.
( ing is advisable, in our climate the fall
is preferable, though spring sown will,
under favorable circumstances, do we'll.
BURR CLOVER.
What is your opinion of burr clover
and what is the proper time to plant?
II. T. L., Hampton.
Individually we have had no expert
ence sufficient to form an accurate judg-
ment of the merits of the plant. The
following from The Southern Cultivator
gives the esteem in which it is held by
others:
Burr clover is native of the Medi-
terranean region, which has been natu-
rallied in most warm climates. 1t is
widely distributed in California, where
it is considered of great value. 1t was
first introduced into the southern states
by the late Bishop George F. Pierce in
1867, and planted at his home in Han
cock county, Ga. In Mississippi it has
been grown by Mr.. Edwin c. Reed, of
Meridian, who states that it is all that
could be desired as a winter and spring
pasture. With stock it is an acquired
taste, and they will not eat it when
more palatable plants are offered. 1t is
good renovator, and while an annual,
reseeds itself, if not pastured too late
and too close. The burs make it very
Objectionable as pasture for sheep To
SOW, prepare as for common clover, and
SOW 90 pounds of clover seed to the acre
early in the autumn.
GRASS FOR SUMMER PASTURE
What grasses do you consider best for
SUMMER pasture?
L. 1. N, Hamilton county.