The southern sentinel. (Winnfield, La.) 1883-1910, 1903-05-29
PLANTER
FOR A FORAGE CROP.
the Most Important md Prof
kble Forage Crops for the
south IL Peas.

time has come when the south
rmer must grow large supplies
tie food. The very high: prices
eft and butter, pork and, lard
it very important part of our
ess to see what we can do to get
art of the millions that are to
ade in raising cattle and hogs
dickens.
en- we begin to study this ques-
we feel that one of the most
|tant crops is peas.
" grow readily all over the
They make such large yield
rage or hay that it pays to grow
as single crop. But such is
rapidity of development that
can be grown as a second crop
the small grain has been har-
a. In this way they come in as
ktra crop and thus greatly lessen
lost.
ain. they grow with other crops,
as corn and sorghum, without
injury to them. They do not,
ever. stop at this, but while they
making good paying crop they
hlso enriching the soil for other
which are to follow.
is gives them new and wonder
Ealue. They not only add plant
to the soil, but they greatly i'm
e the mechanical condition of the
lis is a very important point in
south. Our farms are suffering
from want of pulverization than
j anIother cause. We have work
N oE farms so much when the
was wet that we have made count
millions of sun-dried brickbats.
Sc little clods seriously interfere
the growth of all crops. This is
erious question. Again, we have
ktched so shallow that we have no
kh of soil in our fields.
eas correct both of these condi-
hs. They help to pulverize the top
and they penetrate the clay with
Dir roots, thus deepening the soil.
IS, then, can be truly called great
-improvers.
lie first call attention to the use
waste of seed in the usual way
planting peas. If your object is
get the largest possible yield OF
| 5 or hay, or to get the greatest
hefit to the soil, or both, or all. you
not need to have them very thick.
few large, vigorous vines will yield
Ire peas, make more hay and do the
I'd more good than a number OF
|wAed, puny vines. If properly put
you will rarely need more than a
Tx to the acre. We prefer drilling
all cases except when laying by
IA and sowing in combination with
tghum for hay. We are not sure
at drilling would not be best then.
70 rows of peas between each corn
" would give fine results. One
W of peas and one of sorghum IL
ehes apart would be a good way to
ant for hay.
After wheat and oats we always get
st results by breaking the land,
nv the stubble with two-horse turn
er and sow peas with planter or
i'll. 1t is generally best to have
VS. wide enough ga to 80 inches)
run a furrow between and to pillow
EN- once or twice.
Different varieties seem to do best
different localities. For gathering
as we like the bush or more rum
ne varieties. For making hay we
3 the runners. As general rule
Z running peas require more time
a must be planted earlier.
Where wilt and other diseases have
peared the best thing to do is to
mt the most resistant varieties you
q get. The United States govern
mt is doing a good work in develop
|, these resistant or immune varie-
s. The iron pea is thought to be
tireiy free from disease.
White table varieties must be plant
early and cultivated to insure good
ops. There are several improved
rieties of these. Some make three
ops season.
As the pea so greatly helps the soil
gathering nitrogen from the air,
seems superfluous to manure the
q. But it is not. Manure or fertil-
T will pay as large a per cent OF
oft on peas as on any crop we
ow. As already stated, the more
yorous the vine the more nitrogen
can gather. Give them room and
rtilize them well with stable man.
Z or acid and kainit.
There are thousands of acres OF
"a land that will not yield paying
ops in the present condition. These
ads should be plowed very deep so
to- hold all the water, and terraced
as to prevent washing, and planted
peas. BY this treatment these fields
II very soon be in condition to yield
wing crops of any kind.
On such lands the peas should be
and cultivated. Then follow
E peas with oats or wheat, and then
low these grain crops with peas.
this method these lands will soon
very fertile. Pillow deep every
ne between the crops Always cut
ur peavines for hay. 1t is great
lste to leave them on the land.
ley are worth something as manure,