The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-04-20
Farm and Garden Notes.

1t is not an uncommon thlnS TOT FARMERS
and gardeners to be greatly set back in
their work by proracted dry weather in
the early spring. 1t is frequently the case
that a regular drouth prevails in April.
the result of which Is much poorly pre-
pared land. considerable delay in the
planting of the principal crops and the
termination of such as are planted are
so delayed as TO cause more or less anx-
iety. The uncertainty growing out
no nc means mean pleasant. OF course, i
not too protracted, dry weather is very
desirable feature of seeding time, with
nearly all crops. "A dry seed bed is the
harbinger of good, crop" and sow your
mitted to us from the experience of Eng
lish farmers. A crop started in the mud,
or in other words, planted when the soil
is very wet, is quite likely TO be an un-
satisfactory one. OF one thing we are
abundantly assured. If our farmers and
gardeners, one and all properly recognized
the principle involved and appreciated the
great value derived from the use of the
Toller. we would rarely hear any complaint
as to the difficulties of starting of a crop
in this climate, either in the spring or IN
the fall. We are in no need of further
demonstrate of this fact, but the oppor-
tunty recurring again to prove the cor
rectness of previous conclusion as TO the
value Of frming the soil in dry weather IN
and about the seed, we not only TOOK due
advantage of it, but determined TO
'harp" upon il whenever a favorable OPP
portunity presented itself. We have time
and again made the assertion that we
would not attempt to garden at all without
the use of this indispensable implement.
March was fairly seasonable as TO rain
fall but after a shower on the first OF
April no further rain has fallen up TO TINS
date. With temperature rising 10 81 IN
the shade, with much wind prevailing,
she surface soil had become quite dry by
the 10th of the month. Garden vegetation
came to a complete standstil apparently,
where there was no stirring of the soil.
Merely for the satisfaction OF the thlng
and with no need OF further PROOF, as
stated, in planting beans every other hill
was trodden firmly on with number
shoe, pressing the four seeds down INTO the
dry and yielding SOIL, the alterndte mis- ME,
We're covered with the hoe, as is usually
done, giving no pressure to the one TO three
inches of light soil drawn over the seed
What was the result? Dry as II was, IN
four to five days there was perfect stand
in the hills trodden with the foot, while
in the others only here ana there was
'sfc<ly young plant to be seen emerging
from the soil. There is no stand yet, and
there will not be. The time was at hand
should be sci out Our neighbors, most of
whom said they would wait until IL ralned
We proceeded as follows; Inc SOL pelhg
freshly plowed mere lines were lald on
and at the proper distance, the soil was
tramped down firmly, partly with the roll
er and partly with the feet; In TINS ilrmed
soil the plant was set the earth being
pressed firmly to the roots. Tne dlbDle
left little depression about the plant
when soaked in, was covered with loose
soil. and this pressed firmly about the
Dlant. Three days later the plants were
a-growing and had no appearance of hav-
ing been moved. And so on
through the whole list Of sow
cess was followed and there was no de-
Law in starting the crops.
In hill planted cropsIpeans. corn 20 Okla I
vented or to be invented that Will sur
pass or even equal the very simple ana
natural device of dropping the seeds,
and the dropper placing his foot on ana
pressing them down into the yielding SOIL;
This for dry soil of course. III the son
is very dry give the seed the beneht OIL
pressure from both feet For seeds soWed
Continuously in the row-carrots, turnlps,
sorghum and the like--a, roller sufhclently
heavy does the work OF hrming more
sDeedily Where beans, peas, corn ana
the like are planted on the level on
slightly raised beds the roller can also
he used for hrming, but We CONFESS 70
a partiality for the root m the case OF
these crops. Tedious? Not at an. The
planter can drop and tread On on tne SEED
at a gait as fast as he can walk
We can easily -c0rrobOrate the state
qnent recently made by an onion grower
that there is no plant, not even except
ing a collard easier of transplanting than
an onion plant. out OF a thousand, ana
set out in dry weather, not dozen 1aal-
ed to live and grow. Simply set o I1 rlght.
Have THE soil fairly nrmed. Make a
suitable hole with a dtbble ana insert,
ing but a little more tnan tne ROOFS am, anu
press the soil firmly to them. II Will
mot be arniss to go along afterWard ana
press the soil firmly with the toot. DO
not attempt to set out IN Iresh!y plVw 1tSt
soil unless it has been firmed; II set out
in very dry weather apply little water
Fxce5t to the extent of row or two
for seasoning. or use in a green state,
we should make no further use OF onfon
sets" Neither will you when you ma
ions from the seed, the black seed. Did
you ever see any white ones
it may be a little more tedious Gus
10 establish a crop, but you VIII
Ta well renaid for any apparent diSad-
vantages attending upon the metnod OF US
ing home-raised plants. You WI t Ire no 40
half or quarter-grown plants snootlns "
seed under this method. :. -
Corroborating our own experience IN re-
gard to this desirable ana prontaDle SaI-
den vegetable, ID. L. Hill, IN AMERICAN
Agriculturist of last week, writes as loi-
Onion plants are hardy and win stand
considerable abuse, yet 1t is best to use
care in handling them In taking up the
plants, the long, threatdlike roots are so
bed Should be wet until the soil about the
roots is quite soft; then in setting out,
care should be exercised in getting these
We're where they grew 1 take up a few
hundred at a time in pans, and moisten
them well, then take them 70 the heid ana
set out Immediately. About four inches
apart is the right distance for plants in
the row. The holes are made with a
sharp fiat stick. or dibble, held in the
right hand. With the left hand the plant
IS inserted and held in place. Then. the
dlpble is thrust into the soil an inch or
more distant from the plant, ana about the
same depth as before and the soil is
pressed close about the plant, down to the
very tips of its roots. | have not tried the
method of transplating with a Planet.
Jr.' implement, as described in this maga~
zine March H. but that plan looks feasi-
BILE.
The condition OF the soil when setting
out plants makes all the difference In the
world, both in the matter OF good work
ana Of speed. II the surface soil Is dry
and dusty. IL Is dificult to make suita-
PIE holes In II. AS soon as the dibble q
dfawn out the dry soil falls IN and fila
The hole then II the plant IS put IN. its
roots VIII coil up into "A knot and rest in
1ty dust. ana viii De much too near the
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