The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1894-06-18


The severe drought of the past TWO
months has revived the above question,
an old and still unsettled one. 1t would
seem that it might and ought TO nave Deeh
kettled long ago by actual experiment. LII
our own practice we have experienced no
trouble at this point-after the llrSt Ae"
years of farming, and yet we DO not ho"
recall the terms of any speclai eApe.
rnent made to determine the question. An
old idea once prevailed, and is still enter,
tanned by many that the ploWs shoulu
ba ssI1eDt going during the continuance vi
dry weather 1t was urged even 10 ploW
deem in order to bring up the moisture.
Doubtless this idea was based on the on
served fact that the next morning after so
nIoving the very bottom of the furroW was
observed to show a degree OF moisture
~-be presence Of this moisture was held to
h nroof that the blowing had in some way
caused the moisture from below to rise
TO the surface of the bottom OF the 1ur-
row. This theory, however, is not ten
able The correct explanation seems TO re
that the furrow in which the moisture was
observed was laid down to the line OF
moisture. or so nearly to it that the mois-
+ura was brought to view by the power of
capiIIarity and being below the
general surface and protected some
what from the moving air, it
had remained there until evaporated by
the heat OF the sun in +he course of the
eqr1v morning. In most cases of blowing
more thsn two inches deep, even in very
div weather. If will be found that the
point Of the pIow will bring moist soil to
the surface. and this moist soil will then
T., pxuosed to the direct rays of the sun
and 10 the drying winds, and thus be dis
einate5 and lost in the atmosphere. Would
Il not be better 10 leave the moisture two
h four inches below the surface, where it
VIII be protected from too rapid evapora-
ton and yet be within the reach of the
roots of the plant? We think so, and we
are confident that if blowing during dry
weather be of any advantage at all it
must be shallow. Perhaps it would be
more correct to say that if the plowing
Is to be harmless it must be shallow. Or
course where there is grass to be destroyed
or q crust to be broken We admit that
pIowine is desirable, in fact it is necessary.
The conditions to which our question APP
plies is whore the soil has been stirred and
the crust thoroughly broken and puiverized
since tbe last rainfall. Under such condi-
lions we cannot see that any good can be
done by p,owins. The inch or two Of dry,
pulyerizeJ soil lying above the spreading
-oo1 system of the growing plants serves
Rvactlv rs n mulch, the office of which is
a. protect the layer Of soil in which the
roots are found from evaporation and too
great heat. II this upper layer is thor
ou1hlv puiVnrZed and loose we do not see
how blowing it or stirring it while already
~ ami fine can do any good. Therefore
we would devote the time during a long
continued drought 10 more effective work,
az which q aood farmer can always find
plenty Bushes and briars may be taken
Irom around stumps, the fence corners
cleaned out wet places can be made dry
By ditchiuS. etc.
Sowing Peas.
Just now, when the crop has been plowed
over once or twice since last rainfall, and
there are no grass or weeds 10 call for hoe
work. and we are waiting patiently for
vatery d0Wnpour from the heavens, We
should determine just what to do when it
& -es rafn-after the rain is over. We say
start the pows in the grain stubble and
get in the peas as fast a possible. The
s-ubbla land can be plowed without injury
almost as soon as the rain clouds have
cleared away. The time is short, it will
soon be too late to SOW peas; in middle
Georgia and northward they should all be
IN the ground by the LIST Of July. Don't
forget or neglect to sow the corn fields In
peas at the last plowins. 1t costs nothing
btlt the seed and Two cents worth of labor
Of sowing per acre. one bushcl of peas
made and gathered from each acre Will
more than repay the outlay.
r. j. REDDING.