The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1903-09-08
Work for the Month.
Continued from First Page.)

= r. 49,
from 80 to IS per cent. OF the available
plant food applied IN a fertilizer, 1t VIII
be seen how necessary 1t IS II the best
results are to be looked for 10 supply
plant food literally, unless the soil Is al
ready rich. Where a pea faIIoW or clover
sod is turned down, these viii supply
nearly all the nitrogen needed, but the
other elements must be supplied or be
made available, II IN the land, by the
Use OF lime. In all heavy clay or loan
lands IN the South potash is generally IN
abundance for the needs Of the wheat
crop, but needs TO be made available by
lime. Phosphoric acid, however, must be
supplied, and this can best be done by a
mixture of acid phosphate and raw bone
meal, say 200 pounds of acid phosphate
and $50 pounds Of raw bone meal to the
acre. Whore a pea falloW or clover SOD
is not turned down., then nitrogen should
be supplied, and this can be best be
done by su%pplementing that contained n
the raw bone, with a top dressing OF IL
trate of soda in the spring alter the
crop has commenced to grow freely. kN-
periment5 have demonstrated that wheat
accumulates most of the plant TODD need
ed for its successful growth during its
| early growth, and then utlllzes this &C
cumulated store during its 4ater growth
4 y DtIItIt LlIt 81 ShNA $500 A6N 49,
emphasizes the Importance of having the
seed bed III such a fine condition that
the roots can lay hold Of the plant food
quickly when they first start to grow.
Ii a pea tallow or clover sod Is turned
down this should be done very early, or
the seed bed can never be got firm enough
in the subsurtace to ensure the best re-
suits. Wherever the pea crop IS a heavy
one. we would advise cutting it tor hay,
leaving a long stubble rather than turn
ing it all under as a preparation LOT
wheat. In experiments made at the Ar
kansas Station, whore COW peas, soy
| beans and beggar-weed were sOWn on
light land, the yield of the following
!, wheat crop was increased So per cent.
The blowing down of the stubbie of these
! crops gave better results than when the
whole crop was plowed down Immediately
before sowing the wheat. Wheat grown
continuously on the same land tor three
years, and each crop preceded by a crop
OF COW peas, gave an increased yleld OF
46 per cent, as compared with break
ing the wheat stubble and not sowing
COW peas. Wheat soWn on a COW pea
stubble and fortified with 400 pounds OF
a complete fertilizer, gave an increased
yield Of "a and IS per cent. second year
over soil treated in the usual way. The
SoeOIuS C1 III ClOp SIoolu y
until after there has been frost to OBJ
viatc damage from fly. Meanwhile, put
in all the time that can be spared from
/ other work in making a good seed bed.
> As to the variety to be sOWn, this Is
T usually best settled by selecting a variety
t that has become acclimated to the section,
I and given good results there. OF course,
it is desirable to test new varieties OF
which good reports come from near by
States and sections, but this should be
f done IN a small and experimental way
/ until it IS seen what variety 50 tested
a is likely to be satisfactory. The result
e Of testings at numerous stations go to
show that there is practically no differ
t ence in the yield of bearded or smooth
wheats. In some sections one does best;
in others, the other. What IS Of more
Importance than the variety is that the
seed sown shall be plump, heavy grain.
and free from bli lighted, shrlvelled or
small grains, and from all weed seeds. 1t
: will almost invariably pay to reclean all
: seed grain. Soaking the seed in a solu-
y ton Of formalin, / pound to Is gallons
! Of water, viii destroy all smut germs IN
: either wheat or oats. Soak for twenty
minutes, then dry before sowing. From
T one to one and one-half bushels Of seed
per acre is usually sufficient. This de
Ponds largely on the fertility Of the
land.
All grass seeding not already done
G should receive attention ard be completed
as early this month as possible. In our
n last issue and in this will be found articles
G dealing with the subject to which we re
n fer our readers.
Continue the work of seeding crimson
. clover and hairy vetch, as advised IN oul
j August issue. The more land that can
be put into these crops the greater the
area that will be improved for other
crops next year. Seed always with a
mixture of wheat, oats or rye, and more
, or less pasture will be secured in win
ter and spring, besides the Improvement
. of the land. An abundance of these
crops to Craze or cut IN the spring will
help materially IN reducing the cost OF
carrying stock at a time when dry food
q often becomes scarce.
Rape may yet be seeded for fall and
IS spring feeding. Sow 3 or 4 pounds of seed
per acre broadcast, or 2 to 3 pounds in
d drills two feet apart. This makes an ex.
le cellent pasture for hogs, sheep and young
) cattle. It should be allowed to grow UP
o a foot high before turning stock on to it,
and not be grazed too closely. and vii.
then start out again and make good
= grazing In the spring.
Turnips may still be sowed, though il
is getting too late for them now to make
a heavy crop. They will, however, make
some feed, and will cover the land. Ii
our August issue Will be found full in
structlon on this crop.
Ie The work OF harvesting and saving the
ID various forage crops should receive atten.
ton as they mature. Do not allow then
by to stand too long and mature their seed
They make the best feed when cut IL
as bloom or when the seed is just forming
w Cow peas should be cut when the frs
r, pods are filled and turning yellow. o
course, If seed Is the object, and no
is long feed, then they must stand until j
< Is sufficiently matured to cure Withou
shrivelllng. In our August issue we wrot