The Savannah morning news., 1904-08-22

TiIlage or CuItivntion-why:

TfiIaEe Cult1Vutton-Mhys
If there were no natural or spon-
laneous growth of plants of one kind
Or another tiling the soil would be
4 much simpler and easier a matter
then it is, still we know that it is
wise provision Of providence that there
should be this ma tural growth: Just
as nature abhors a vacuum, so does
she equally abhor uncovered soil-soil
tree from all growth. The moment
we leave soil untitled at once there
springs up whatever of growth is ma
tural to that soil 1t soon becomes
covered with verdure Of some kind and
In time with trees. From the earliest
time this natural or spontaneous
growth has been progressive. The
first plant growth was of the most
Inferior quality, only such as were
capable of developing their growth in
the freshly disintegrating rock. These
inferior plants in their decay began
hhe formation of soil, gradually quail
flying it to sustain better plants. Age
after age this continued until the final
development consisted of the giant
pines or oaks or hickorys, with various
lesser groWths beneath capable of
sustaining animal life. The soil was
thus perfected for the use of man.
Cut away one growth and at once
another takes its place. 1t is utter
ly impossible to so clear this perfect
ed soil, that there will be no spontan-
eous growth. So sure as it is left
to itself il will grow something. The
cleanest culture that man has yet
been able TO practice has not succeed
ed in bringing good soil into the con-
dition OF being free from spontaneous
growth of something. If some do
INVESTIGATED or valuable plant is not
grown upon the soil il will of itself
grow a covering of weeds" AS re-
marked ii would make farming or
filling the soil, tree culture etc,
very simple matter if there were no
spontaneous growth to contend with.
On any good soil we could then grow
many valuable plants successfully
without the trouble or expense of
tillage: not that tillage Is only valu-
able for the single purpose of keeping
natural or spontaneous growth in
check. so that it will not share the
soil with or choke out the more val
liable cultivated crop. 1t has a value
beyond that purpose, especially on
soil not completely rich, such as the
pampas of South America, or the
great hardwood forests of our own
country.
On perfectly rich soil free from all
spontaneous growth. we could grow
just as readily without tillage, corn,
cotton, tobacco, etc, as we now grow
the small grain, wheat, rye. barley and
oats, and the richest meadows and
pastures without IL and despite more
or less spontaneous growth that shares
the soil with these crops.
Now as none of these crops more
than another would require tillage on
rich soil. free from spontaneous growth
so may il not be offered as a fair
proposition that tilage or cultivation
is as necessary TO best results for one
class of these plants. named as an
other.
If on land infested with spontaneous
growth (weeds say), tillage is good,
is necessary, for corn is it not also
good for wheat and other grains?
The truth of the question is easily
demonstrated.
In time past the writer has grown
corn, sorghum and cotton broadcast
and has grown wheat and the other
small grains in 24-inch drills. and Gull
tivated them and the practical proof
of the question warrants the faith
that is in him that what is good for
one is good for the other-that II II
pays to till or cultivate corn, IL pays
TO cultivate wheat or barley, and on
the small farm 1t pays TO cultivate
rye and oats. The small farmer in
heriting his fathers opinions and prac-
tices, will most likely marvel or boot
at this proposition. Mores the pity!
SLOW indeed is the growth of what
IS excellent" The progress of South
ern agriculture, (farming). must OF
necessity be with baby steps. The
great bulk of Southern farming is
still done with the one-mule pillow,
the scooter. turnshovel and sweep.
There are few grain drills, harrows
and rollers yet in the land of cotton.
The future of intensive culture is
ahead of Us