The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1895-09-26
FARMERS COLUMNS.
TaE GEonGiA EXPERIMENT STATION
EXPERIMENT. GA.
Grass Culture.
lBY THE DIRECTOR.

sow grass seeds for permanent pasture
or meadow. In extreme North Geor.
Gla we would sow III September; i'll
Middle Georgia from the middle of Sep
TENDER to the last of October, and in
Southern Georgia from October 10 to
November 80. This long period well
illustrates the great range of climate in
Georgia, due to differences in latitude
magnified by differences in elevation
above the sea level-both causes oper-
ating il conjunction. Fall sowing is
especially desirable on all soils that are
foul, i. e., more OF less stocked with
seeds of weeds and summer grasses.
On such soils spring sown grass is
liable to be choked out by the rampant
growth OF the vigorous native grasses
and weeds before the young plants
from the seeds sown have had time to
establish themselves. On rich, clean
soils, such as have been in clean cotton
culture for several years. spring sowing
often succeeds perfectly. In North
Georgia, owing to the severe winter
freezes, fall sowing is rather risky; and
therefore spring sowing is generally
the rule.
| AASAO Az AV UClb0E lOT
grass than an Immediately preceding
crop of cow peas, of which the vines
shall have been mown for hay, or de.
pastured by cattle and hogs some weeks
in advance of the time for sowing.
1t should be borne in mind that it is
hardly worth while to sow poor, or
badly prepared land to grass. An old
worn out field, or soil capable Of pro-
ducing no more than a bale of cotton
to three or four acres, or 10 or 10 bush.
els OF corn per acre, will not produce a
good pasture or meadow of the culti-
/ waited grasses. unless well fertilized and
thoroughly and deeply plowed and pull.
| verified.
Among the large number Of grasses
there are several species that have been
found to be especially adapted to South
ern soils and climate. Among these, in
order of preference, are Orchard (Ddcty-
lis gl0merata), Tall Dat {Arena drrhepa-
theruml, Red Top (Agrostis vulgarel, Pc.
rennial Rye (Loltuns pereane). Italian
Rye (L0ltum Hdlicam). Kentucky Blue
| lP0d pratensis) and Timothy (PAleuln
pratense). Besides these true grasses,
there are Red clover, White clover,
Vetches, Burr clover and last, but not
least, Lucerne or Alfalfa (Medicago
| SdtiCdl
In general, mixture of several differ
ent kinds, or species, Of grass ia better
than any single one, whether for mead.
ow or pasture. When intended for o
meadow (for hay) such kinds as bloom
or mature nearly at the same time
should be selected If for pasture it is
| not material whether the different
kinds ripen at the same time or not; in
fact. it is better that they should bloom
successfully.
In a short article like this must be,
1t would be impracticable to give the
characteristics or peculiar merits o.
each kind of grass but we vkoulG EN-.
phasize the value Of mixtures of Orch
ard. Tall Oat, Red Top. Red Glover,
White Clover and Perennial rye.
AS already remarked, the preparation
Of the land should be thorough The
soil must be plowed aad narrowed re.
peatedly. until both surface and sub
soil are in 6ne condition. It should be
broken deeply, but the subsoil should
not be turned to the top. except, per
haps. in the ease of clover, when the
surface soil is very light and clay
subsoil is within reach Of the pillow
when it Is well to turn up some of the
clay and incorporate it with the surface
soil. The surface should be made fine
and smooth. II too light and spongy,
it would be we'll to roll the ground
with heavy roller. before sowing the
seed AS rule, the seed should not
be covered In, but left just as sown.
On rather loose, light soils, light
roller may sometimes be of advantage
but the best practice seems to be to SOW
the seeds on . freshly narrowed sur
face and let the next rain do the cover.
ing.
Is requires careful sowing to secure
an even. regular stand" Do not SOW
ON windy day, if avoidable. Always
go ovef the ground at least twice in
different directions, dividing the seed
into as many equal portions as the
number OF times it may be decided to
go over the land Where commercial
fertilizers are to be applied except cot.
ton meal. which Is always dangerous
when applied close to small seeds) it is
q good and convenient way. IA careful
hands, to mix together all the grass
seeds intended for one acre. or a given
small plat, wet them with water, let
the mass drain a little, and then stir in
the dose of fertilizers intended for the
same area. Then sow all together
When stable manure. or a fertilizer
containing cotton meal, is to be used
the fertilizer should be sown on the
land and narrowed in before sowing
the grass seeds
A general fertilizer. good for all the
true grasses should con tain phosphoric
acid, potash and nitrogen. A high
grade ammoniated potash. superphos.
phate. containing not less than 3 per
cent OF ammonia, 8 per cent of potash
and 10 per cant Of available phosphoric
acid, and 200 to 400 pounds per acre.
would answer very well. In the spring.
and after each moving. a topdressing
Of 30 TO 100 pounds of nitrate of soda
would be very beneficial
LUCERSE.
This crop is usually grown for soiling
purposes. 1. O.. cutting green and feed.
Ing to live stock Of all kinds in stalls
0e pens. When once well established
| on suitable soil lucerne wiR last for
10 or Is years- A sandy. loamy, we'll
drained and very rich clean soil ia in.
6ispsasabls. 10 10 almost useless to sow
tha seeds on q hard. stiff clay soil. or