The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1900-11-22
A GREAT REVIVAL NEEDED on
TIE FARMS.

Inventors and manufacturers of
farm implements are exercising their
ingenuity in making labor-saving in-
plemcnts and machines for farmers.
Their advertisements are very attrac-
tive and the pictures OF many of the
riding plows, harrows and machines
indicate that preparation Of the soil
and the making and the harvesting OF
crop is only big picnic that lasts
most of the year. The wise farmer
will carefully consider what implements
are best suited TO his lands and then
buy them and let the others go.
Those who have been reading The
Spartan lately arc bound TO conclude
that thorough preparation of the land
is about thrcc-fourtlIs of the work
necessary to make a crop. That pre-
paration should begin as soon rs the
small grain has been sOwn. The turn
ing Of the land at this season, or any
season of the year may do good and it
may not. If there is nothing to turn
under it may cause certain soils 10 run
together and get very hard during the
winter. The object in plOwlrg clean
lands is to deepen tho soil ana prepare
the surface for the seed. All the land
Of this Piedmont section needs sub
soiling. That should be done by de-
grccs. With our shallow soils, three
to five inches deep, two inches of the
clay IS about enough to break and mix
with the top soil at one time. rhc
deeper the top soil, the more clay may
be lifted up. Bear in mind that this
clay should be brought very sparingly
to the surface. There it is apt to har-
den into clods.
Tho simplest way to subsoil land is
to use twistcr, or half shovel, and
follow with a small tongue plow, with
q flat set on foot that is set back
pretty straight. That takes two hands
and two horses, but the work when
we'll done is quite satisfactory. If
weeds or any other growth are very
rank, a two-hOrse turn plow may be
used, to be followed by the subsoil
plow. That also will be highly
satisfactory. by that plan the soil is
turned in on the clay and before the
next year that clay has been changed
into good, productive soil, and its
phosphoric acid and potash made avail
able. All this work requires the plow-
man to walk. All the power
of the animals is directed tc
the preparation Of the soil and not to
the hauling of heavy man and a
heavy machine.
! a better plan for clean land, or that
with an ordinary covering of weeds
grass or pea vines, is to use two
horse subsoil plow. Their construction
is simple and there are no wheels, lev
crs and cranks to get out of order
One, man and two good horses viii
burst up two to four inches of clay ant
mix it somewhat with the tor sol
without disturbing the surface. |
that plow ls used in the fall, or durin.
January, the weeds and grass on tn,
surface will serve as mulch and keo,
the clay lands from baking
After the rains have penetrated th
soil and the freezes nave done thei
work and the time for planting ap
proachcs, put in the cutaway harrow
Just day or two before planting har
row a@un. Then you will have see
bed that will give you great pleasur
in planting and cultivating and create
Joy when the harvest time comes
Now if you have no cutaway harro,
and do not feel able to buy one, tax
Mr.. Newman's advice, and go to tn