The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1894-07-23

Grape Growing and Wine-Making," for the
chapter on wine-making Published by Or
arge Judd Company, New York city. (See
also reply to B. H., Omaha, Ala.)
w: T. G., Orchard Hill, Gavin you be
Kind enough to inform me how it would do
to SOW bermuda grass seed with oats in the
1all, and how many to the acre?
We have no experience of sowing bermuda
grass seed in the fall but are of the opin-
ION that the young grass would be killed by
the first sharp freeze, if 1t should come up
before spring. Bermuda grass is only half
hardy plant, and as rule the young seed
ling plant of this class will not survive
even a moderate freeze. There is way,
however, to get a stand of bermuda grass in
oat field, follows: Immediately after
sowing the oats lay off the field in rows
three feet apart with a scooter pillow. The
effect of this will be to throw out of the fur
rows most of the oat seed. Let 1t stand UNI
til next March and then prig in a joint or
two of the bermuda stems every step
along in the burrows. We have seen this
plan very successfully tried in Thomas
county. Possibly you might get stand by
sowing four to six pounds of bermuda
seed per acre in the oalt field In March or
April, but we would not risk many pounds
of seed in that way. The young grass is
very delicate and would not be apt to live
among the oats, especially If it should be
very dry in April and May. as it was last
spring.
]. H. G.. Ruston, La. have a pasture
that is infested with bitter weed, and l
want to get rid of 1t, and at the same time
set the pasture in bermuda. grass and Japan
clover. The clover Is well set now, but I
fear will lose all of it in killing the bitter
weed. Could l sow oats in the fall and then
follow with the grass and clover?
2. Which is the cheaper, bermuda sets or
the seed? You will greatly oblge by giving
the quickest and most effectual way to kill
ic tfnry aro1
pasture. Most of the land is billy Can you
pasture?
/. Bitter weed, of Hellenium tennifoli,lm,
Is an annual. and may be destroyed by sim
ply preventing it from maturing seed This
may be done by blowing up the land in
April or May, after all the seed have germ
mated, or still better by cultvating in corn
or cotton one year. If a permanent pas
ture, and You do not wish to pillow it up
then go over the field at least once a week
during the summer and pull up NOW off
the weeds SO long as the blooms appear
which will be until late in the fall, unless
every weed be pulled up.
The seed that ripen and will be scattered
next month will not come up until next
spring. UnceaSing vigilance in destroying
every plant in the pasture and lands ad-
joining is necessary to get rid of this vile
pest. If you had plowed up the lad in
April you would have destroyed the bitter
weed but you would have lost the Japan
clover also. If you SOW in oats in the fan,
in the meantime the land Will become nlled
with the weed seeds.
2. If the sets convenient and abun-
dant we would prefer relying upon them.
Bermuda grass alone is as good a summer
grass as could be desired. Add to II req
clover and burr clover and these will fur
nish a winter pasture. Sow four to six
bushels of burr clover burrs in July per
acre, and eight pounds of red clover IN Sep
TENDER. Run cut-a-way harrow over the
bermuda sod, or pillow closely with small
scooters, SOW the burrs and harrow smooth
". Sow the red clover seed at the same
time.
w. NJ. D., Jackson, Ca! send you a
few queries for The Constitution, anu
information will be cheerfully received.
/. Win it improve land and will 1t pay
10 SOW poor spots in rye, anu not cut H.,
let it get ripe and fall down on ''ie
2. Have the most of my land terraced.
and would like to know how TO ma s,aGs
them to prevent briarS. bushes, WeeuS
and grass from growing on them and dam
aging the crops on either side. The weeds
on mine have been considerably III the
way sowing grain this year. that IS, weeds
that grew last year. How TO preak s,uppie
and plow in again on land that Is Ter
raced A. 800
red clay hillside that has been in clover
three years. The poorer spots hau a paH
stand
some of the clover on all of the patches
died This year it is thin and weeds ana
broom-sedge seem to be taxing possession,
and is not being cut, but old clover IS gone
to seed. This clover was SoWn with Two Oh
iects IN view, making feed, and retaining
the land 1t is doing both ana wish to
reset it and keep it in clover as long as
practical.
l. Yes especially If you will fertilize the
rye with cotton seed meal. But peas
will improve the land more rapidly.
9 Clean OFF the terrace banks nicely in
September, harrow the surface smooth
and sow on them a mixture of orchard
grass, fall meadow grass and blue grass.
Keep the briars and other weeds moved
down. Also NOW the grass as often as 1t
gets q foot or so in height. Another way
is to SOW the terrace banks in sorghum and
cut for cattle when mature; or if rich soil,
SOW in lucerne in September or December.
To break stubble or terrace land, you
should have a hillside or reversible plow
SO as to throw all the burrows down the
hill commencing on the lower edge of
the terrace level and finishing at the up
per side.
g. Plow up the clover sod In September,
harrow smooth and SOW again in clover,
using about 200 pounds of good fertilizer per
acre Mark the spots that are bare of clo-
yer and reseed them. When the clover
n atures abundant seed it will not be nee
eSSary to TeSeed.
B. H, Omaha, Ala contemplate plant
ing about four or five acres in grapes, and
write you with the hope that you Will help
me in the way of advice.
1. The land ! want to plant is an old
field now in broom straw with a north
east slope. and IT is very poor. What shall
| fertiliZe with for best results?
2. How to prepare land and plant, and
what time to plant?
g. Will prunngs from other vineyards
do to plant my land with?
A. What is dried blood and bone dust
worth per hundred pounds?
5. How far must plant my vines apart?
6. What is the price of wine and grape
brandy per gallon? Any information you
will give me on the planting and the Gull
ture of grapes VIII be appreciated About
how much would vineyard pay per acre
with good attention? And how long after
planting before it would begin to take on
fruit?
/. BY all means, the brOomsedge land
should be cultivated this year. Even now
you may turn it over and SOW in COW peas,
as a preparation.
?. In the fall, or about the first of Novem-
Der, turn over and subSoil thoroughly,
keeping on a level, and harrow until In
ic no fO