The leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1895-1905, 1897-10-13

from eight to ten inches deep. The
advantages to be derived from deep
plowing, is, that it enables the Garth
to absorb more moisture during the
rainy seasons, aud that the roots Of
crops can penetrate deeper during a
drought. 1t is q well established fact
that plants seek the elements necessa-
ry to their existence, aud with clay
subsoil alike imperyious to water
aud vegetable growth, during our
seasons the moisture contained in the
upper strata becomes exhausted, aud
as q consequence the plant ceases to-
thrive and frequently pcrislcs.
Ofalmost equal Importance to plow-
ing, is the pulverizing of the soil.
This can best be accomplished by
thorough harrowings. The condi-
tion Of the ground after blowing will
suggest the necessary implement.
The disc harrow stands in the front
rank, while the Acme and lrags have
their particular sphere. The one
thing absolutely necessary, is to pHl-
rerise tie surface. When plowins is
necessarily deferred until near the
planting season, the work must br
pushed as rapidly as possible. Aside
from the plOwing and narrowing, it
uay be found advisable to firm the
soil by using roller. 4 perfectly loose
soil IS not proper seed bed.
No amount of blowing and culti-
waiting can make naturally poor or
worn out lands produce profitable
crops, without the aid of fertilizers.
While land can he stimulated to do its
best under the influence of CONNER
cial fertilizers, we must ever bear in
mind that we are only supplying
plant food, and not an enricher of the
soil, and just in proportion as we by
the use of such agents increase the
strength of the plant, in the same
ratio will we decrease the natural
prOductivcness of the soil Our best
efforts should be directed to the per-
manent Improvement OF the land, and
know of no better or surcr method
than IL proper rotation of crops, to-
gether with green's soillng, and for this
latter, there is no vegetable matter
that will on our pine lands exceed i'll
value the Southern COW pea. Aside
from being valuable, as food plant,
for man and beast, it possesses the
valuable property of being able
to gather from the atmosphere and
convey to the soil, the chemical prop
critics in which our lands are very
deficient. | am an earnest advocate
of chemical fertilizers, but recognize
the necessity of their being combined
with vegetable matter. OF course it
is expected that every farmer will
recognize the Importance and value of
barn yard manures and will sec to
their preservation and application to
the land.
l wish to emphasize the fact that if
we succeed as farmers and truck
growers we must combine plowing
and fertilizing in IL manner to not
only derive present income, but at
the same time enrich our lands. This
can be done only by an unsparing use
of the means at our hands. We must
be liberal in giving to our lands if we
expect them to make lis Il generous
return. The idea that has prevailed
SO long of 200 pounds of superphos-
phate to the acre, "only this and
nothing MORE" will never even
point the way to prosperity, much
less reach it. The present low price
of cotton is sufficient argument that
we will have to about face and seek Il
more profitable field for our industry.
We cannot expect to succeed without
energetic effort, intelllgently directed.
The first step to progress is thorough
preparation of the soil, aided 10y an
unstinted use of fertilizers. Fewer
acres, thorough cultivation, and
liberal use of fertilizer should be our
motto.
s u OLIVER