The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1898-02-10

tairty of being able TO sell surplus Of
any other crop, has tempted the large
body of farmers TO continue to plant big
crops of cotton. and 10 take the chances
OF selling them fer enough to buy
needed supplies, imp enents. etc. The
cheapness 1T which we can produce all
Tood crops should forever set at rest
this question of home supplies. Our
mistaken policy on this point and the
crowulng OF the cotton market has re-
uuceG our income from that source mil
lions and millions of dollars, and when
TO this Is added short food supplies our
condition is deplorable indeed.
WORK FOE THE MONTH
Bad weather has somewhat delayed
farm work, although i'll many sections
farmers have taken advantage of the
bright days to push forward prepare
lions for another crop. February is the
pest average month for sowing spring
oats. If the soil is thin make it rich by
manures or fertilizers Oats will not
do we'll Oh poor land any more than
other crops, but, with the same care and
plant food that we give other crops, they
often make far better returns, and there
Is no better stock food known to south
ern farmers. Whenever the ground is
dry enough the regular field blowing
should go on. Don't plow when the
land'is too wet This is a mistake which
1t often requires years to repair. Use a
subsoller wherever possible, it's good
effects will be noticeabls when our
long summer drouth sets i'll. Glover
and grass may be sown. Both require
thorough preparation and high ma
nuring. In the southern part of the
state all the earlier vegetables may be
planted, and it is i'll this month that the
general Irish potato cropi is planted. For
various reasons the eastern crop was q
failure last year. Prices are ruling high
and will no doubt continue fair For
this reason southern crop, which can
be forced on the market early, would
pay. 1t would be well, however, to
study the markets, and not wait until
the crop is ready before making any ar
rangements to dispose Of 1t. Complete
your arrangements before hand, dom
leave anything to chance. Many of our
farmers know how to raise potatoes sue
cessfully, but not all of these know how
to market them proftably. JEFF We'll
born says we can grow them much
cheaper here than they do at the north.
and If the seed used are from the fall
grown crop they will come on much
earlier He has raised eight crops. fall
and spring, in four years, on the same
land, without change of seed, aud
each year the potatoes have improved i'll
quality and quantity. After the spring
crop is taken off he sows the land III
early maturing peas When these arc
taken off, the land is in fine condition
for the fall crop, and thus he gets three
crops off the same area The land, after
the peas, is thoroughly prepared, and he
gets about 100 bushels of potatoes with.
out any other fertilizer than the peas.
II the ground has been we'll broken and
the planting properly managed, very
shallow cultivation is all that is neces.
sary. In field crops, just as the plants
begin to break the ground. it is we'll to
run harrow across the rows to break
the crust Do not run deep furrow
| near the rows. Keep the patch free
from weeds. For the northern markets
ship in I1-peck potato barrels instead OF
sacks. they keep better and are more
Attractive in appearance-both of which
! add to the price
r. Il. NESBITT, Commissioner.