The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1902-1905, 1904-03-04
ANA>NANN>N%N%%N%%%%1
!, Che Farm and Grove. )
CobUigAled6 BY RWR Press Syndicate.
n. E. STOcKBRIDGE, Phi. D., Editor. 4
GROWING CAssAVA

WHY PLANT CASsAVA.
There are many reasons why every
farmer should plant cassaya this
season.
1t is a ready money crop, which
may actually be sold ut fixed price
before it is planted, and is not sub
iect tn changes in the condition OF
the market.
2. twill pay better than anv other
crop you can grow in large quaint
ties, giving double the profit you can
obtain from cotton even at present
prices.
3. is perfectly adapted to our
soils and climate.
/. 1t can he grown in rotation with
other crops, and thus keep up the
fertility of the soil.
D., 1t is n simple and easy crop to
grow, requiring no new tools or i'm
plements.
6. In growing the crop, you
will help to establish great perna-
nent industry, which will greatly in
huence the development of our sec
ton, and make its farmers prosper
Gus and Independent.
I. Cassava is among the most
economical and desirable Of all food
Stntfs for all kinds of farm animals,
MS we'll as human beings, and should
be grown in greater quantities even
without the new incentive of ready
C ash demand.
soIIs-The crop does best on high
pine lands. Our drier soils are per
fectly adapted to it. Wet "fiat
woods" lands will not produce good
crops, except in dry seasons. Land
which white buds must not be
planted to cassaVa.
SEED-Cassava stalks have eyes
like sugar cane. These are cut into
pieces for planting. These pieces
should be cut four or five inches long,
each such cutting will have several
eyes. and is planted like Irish pota-
toes, except the hills are made much
farther apart.
= Seed can be procured by writing to
the Gulf States Refining Co., Lake
City, Fla, who will furnish it to
planters at Il minimum charge OF
$4.GO per thousand feet. that amount
being sufficient to plant an acre. If
. the planting of large acreage ena.
bles the company to secure reduced
price, the planters will be given the
benefit of the reduction. The COM
= plny will also contract with the
= planter to buy his entire crop at $500
per ton AS seed is comparatively
scarce, it will he well to file IN early
} application. 1t is important that
| seed should be planted us soon as
: received, for if left exposed to the
= air very long it dries out and loses
its vitality.
pREPARATION--BrC the ground
2 thoroughly, the earlier the better.
: All stubb'e, grass and trash should
= be completely turned under. A two
horse pillow is best. Plow as deep as
: you dare, never less than five inches.
f The more mellow and well prepared
the land the better the crop. Harrow
q if possible just before planting.
Never delay breaking out the middle
till after planting.
pLANTIN G--Rum burrows, with turn
pillow or scooter, four and II half or
five feet apart. and five inches deep.
Cut the seed canes into pieces four or
five inches long. A hand saw and
saw-horSe are the best and quickest
means for this purpose. \ half dozen
canes can be cut ut once, with the
least possible waste.
Drop one piece every three or three
and IL half feet in the furr0w. Cover
one inch deep with hoe, and step on
every hill. Never cover by pillow or
board. Work the crop toward the
luIIbN' Inc GuiOulll vi sui " NOl N
into the furrow will depend on the
, season. If dry fill the furrow full, if
wet two inches of soil on top of the
seed will be enough.
CULTIvATION-The first blowing
may be deep. All other cultivation
must be shallow, the shallOwer the
better. This will make Il better crop
which will also harvest easier. Use
the sweep exclusively. Hand hoeing
once or twice, to keep the plants free
from grass, will be necessary. Stop
working the soil when it becomes
well shaded by the crop.
FERTiLIZING-About three hun
dred pounds of any good fertilizer
will make II good crop. The best fer
tilizer should contain about six per
cent. of phosphoric acid, three of nj
trogen and eight of potash. 1t may
be sown broad cast before blowing, or
sown in the furrOw and mixed with
the soil by use of scooter before
planting.
HARVEsTING--After the crop is
thoroughly ripe, as shown by yellow
and falling leaves, the stalks are cut
off about six inches above the grOuHd
it'll Il hoe. These are bedded for
seed. After frost comes the roots
pull easily by hand. using the butts