The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-01-18

III the more tnlckly settled portions OF
the country, where the tendency is yearly
toward reduction in the size of farms. il
becomes part of improved methods in
farming to pay more regard to the es-
tab1shing of better pastures. And when
such pastures are once obtained more care
is given to the proper economizing of
them. The old system of southern farm
ing, Of which cotton was the foundation
and corn the superstructure with little
hligree work in the shape of some small
grain), included no special attention TO
to provide the necessary pasturage for the
cattle and hogs for two or three months
at the close of the year, and the cattle
were allowed the range of the cotton fields
after picking was finished. After January
the reliance was upon the grazing afford
ed by the woods, and in many cases farm
ers were so fortunate as to possess good
cane brakes to help them out. Then
there were old sedge fields discarded for
some time as unfit for cotton or corn.
These in favorable years afforded a con-
sidera BILE amount of roughness, inferior.
it is true, but still very helpful in keeping
stock in healthy condition, though it did
not make them roll in fat
But, as remarked, it was very rare
established, and maintained pastures with
any of the valuable plants specially adapt
ed to the purpose. By degrees nature
forced upon him areas of Bermuda grass
which he accepted rather with a curse
upon 1t than with a grateful blessing; but
as time wore on he was led to regard with
some complacency the possession of a field
or two of this valuable grass, and he
would actually violate the traditions of
the past by wishing he had more of it and
could obtain 1t as easily as the first Some
regarded it this way, but to this day wage
an unrelenting warfare upon Bermuda
Gods grass and have never yielded a
square rod to it until forced to do it. It
has, however, conquered a considera BILE
area, though the sheer force of its own
valor, and, like many a good thing that
has had to force it's way in spite of obsta-
Gle. and malediction, many an acre is vet
to be surrendered to it's benign and helm
ful influence, and not gudgingly done.
either. 1t will be done in the most grace
full and conciliatory manner possible
For summer and fall pasture there is no
grass superior to Bermuda for this lati-
tude, and when once well set on the land
no act could be more injudicious or waste
full than the one that attempts to DESTROY
1t. Instead of destroying 1t, it should he
coaxed to do its best by top4dressipes of
suitable manure in the spring or early
suHuihSf' anu occaslonal harroWingS or
plowings as may appear to be needed. A
mixture of one hundred pounds of nitrate
of soda Tor in lieu of it rs or 50 pounds of
sulphate of ammonia), and 200 pounds of
acid phosphate is a good application to
begin with to establish a first-class pas
ture. Every year or two couple of hun
dred pounds of ground bone should be
applied as top dressing in the spring,
giving thorough narrowing at the same
time with a sharp-tooth harrow. In a
few years it is possible to make on the
poorest Of land as fine pasture as exists
anywhere on earth. The only thing is to
appreciate the value of such a pasture.
and it can be secured without any uues-
ton. Before many years we confidently
expect to hear of many thousands of acres
of Bermuda pasture and meadow In the
south that will vie with anything of the
kind to be seen in this country or any
where else.