The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1894-08-23
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE,

The long deferred rains, which came
in June and July, at first confined to
favored localities, finally became gen.
eral, and though in the southern part of
the state, the corn was too far advanced
to be materially benefited, in the more
northern section the marvellous recupera-
ton of the crop is almost beyond belief.
In that locality, plants which were
twisted and almost lifeless, have taken
on new growth, and the prospect for
fine yield is now most encouraging
The advanced paintings in the southern
part OF the state suffered in greater
degree because the drouth came just at
the critical period of tasseling and ear
ing, and was SO long continued that the
stunted ears. or rather ''nubbins, were
formed before the reviving rains de-
scended to fill them with plump, healthy
grains.
With cotton, exactly the opposite con-
dltlons exist. In southern Georgia this
crop suffered comparatively little from
the April and May cold snaps, and
the drouth of May and June found it in
been able to maintain even during the
dry weather. But in northern Georgia.
from frost and continued chilly weather,
succeeded by parching winds and a
dronth, in some localities lasting over
two months, the prospect seemed almost
hopeless In many fields the little stalks
had lost every leaf, only the tender bud
at the top holding out hope against an
utter destruction of the crop. But the life
giving moisture has infused new strength
the dropping plants, and fields, in which
month ago one could scarcely detect
the presence of any living plant, are to-
day striped with broad rows of vivid
green, indicating an almost perfect
stand OF healthy, vigorous stalks. Nee
essarlly the development is somewhat
different from the usual condition at
this season, but cotton has exceptional
power of recuperation, and the album
dant rains here literally doomed the
crop. The main drawback to full
yield is the rapid leaf development of
the stalk, which is not now taking on
fruit to its full capacity.
THE CULTIVATION OF COTTON
will perhaps extend beyond the usual
period this year, on account of the re-
tarded growth. But cultivation encour-
ages greater plant development, and
when that is checked the tendency is
then to take on more fruit. Ordinarily,
squares that form after the middle of
August have not time to fully develop
before frost comes to check their growth,
therefore our plan should be to continue
the cultivation up to reasonable period
and then turn the crop loose to form
and mature all the fruit possible in the
given time. All work in cultivatine
after that time is but a waste of energy.
For the last working, one wide furroW
in the middle is all that is necessary,
the plow being adjusted so as to cut
evenly throughout, and at depth OF
not more than l inch. Deep blowing
now is ruinous. | have often seen at
this season promising fields in one week
after deep blowing, with most of the
bolls and forms ON the ground, instead
of on the stalk.
In the southern part of the state this
crop is "laid by" but in the northern
part there is perhaps some upland and
more bottom corn still to receive it's
last blowing Where possible, put in
peas at this plowing-in the drill or
broadcast according to the number of
burrows, and see that the pillow is adj
justed, SO that, if possible, not one feed
ing root is disturbed. l have witnessed
lately an apt illustration of the disas-
trous effects of deep blowing, even when
only one furrow is put in the middle.
This field of corn, very promising one,
had been entirely plowed out, except a
few rows, which for some reason the
owner had failed to finish, the middles
being left unplowed. After the rains
commenced, the grass and weeds, al
ready started in these middles, began to
grow apace. For several days there was
was no perceptible difference between
the corn in these rows and that in the
rest of the field. All was vigorous, and
to the eye of the experienced farmer the
CLASSY, dark colored blades spoke of fu-
ture full ears But gradual, and final
~, marked change occurred in the
unworked rows.
The weeds, by this time rank and
hungry, were robbing the corn of its
necessary food, the corn blades were
losing their healthy color, and only a
cursory glance was needed to mark the
difference between these rows and the
remainder of the field Too late, the
plow was started
In order to tear up the heavy growth
of weeds, the plowshare had to go in
deep, and what was at one time prom.
ising prospect is almost destroyed. The
stalks appeared hard and round, the up.
per blades dropping, and the bottom ones
yellow.
Had the farmer intended to furnish
an illustration of the dire effects of deep
blowing at this season, he could not
have given more perfect one The in.
jured rows, just now in the critical stage
of caring NAV make something but the
crop materially cut off, will never re-
cover its former tone. The rest of the
field plowed earlier, and before it was
necessary to resort to the "heroic treat
ment," is picture of agricultural
beauty, the abundant ears and vivid
color attesting it's vigorous condition.
Perhaps not one Georgia farmer in
100 has followed the experiments in corr
culture, which are being carefully con
Quoted at our station, running through
a series of years Because of this toe