The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-08-05
SHOULD GROW WINTER LEGUMEs
Department Of Agriculture, Through
Conyresman Lever, Offers Advice
and Assistance to south Carolina
Farmers.

CUrulcrSs
Lexington. July 2S.-Congressman
Lever Is In receipt Of a letter from
the department Of agriculture. which
should be of particular interest to far
mers. 1t Is from DR.. B. T. Galloway,
chief Of the bureau. and follows:
I'VE are endeavoring to bring about
the greatest use Of the winter legumes
In the South, especially the vetches
and crimson clover. We are sure
mat hese crops. wherever, they can
be grown successfully. viii be Of enor-
nous benefit. both on account Of their
value for hay or pasturage. and be-
cause Of their ability TO add nitrogen
to the soil. One method that we find
very satisfactory Is to conduct demon
stration acre plots with reliable
farmers. The success OF such a plot
usually encourages him to plant more
and his neighbors to follow suit.
I'VE would be glad II you
would recommend fifty farmers
In your district to conduct
such experimental plots, each
of one acre, the department to
furnish both the seed and the inocul-
alton material. 1t Is preferable that
these co-operators be farmers who
are not already growing the crop.
Also that they be located in easily ac-
ces5ible places so that our field men
can visit as many as possible in the
spring. We can furnish either the
vetch or the crimson clover alone for
one acre. or one-hak acre Of each.
Where vetch alone In sent. we shall
usually send both hairy vetch and
commomn vetch, For most Of the
South the present evidence is that
vetch IL more widely adapted than
crimson clover. vetch may be sown
any time from septemberto December
Crimson clover should not be sown
later than September Is.
"A common source of failure.
both with vetch and crimson clover,
IL due to lack Of incubation. We are
finding much difiiculty in the South in
inoculating vetch and crimson clover
with pure cultures. and are. there
fore. recommending that soil be used.
W. hope to complete arrangement
with the experiment station. 80 that
inoculated soil can be sent to each
co-operator.
Kindly let us hear promptly from
you In regard to this matter. 30 that
we can make the necessary reserva.
ton Of seed. 1t IL desirable to have
the names Of the co-operators at an
early date. and We should prefer TO
have the whole list by september /.
We shall write fully to each co-operat-
or indicating In the letter. that it be
sent upon your recommendation.
"F. +. Galloway"
Speaking Of the matter. Mr.. Lever
says: II regard this IL q most import
ant undertaking. perhaps the most
important ever set on foot by the de-
partment Of agriculture in the South.
To the practical and observant farm
er 1t II apparent that winter clover
crop Ia an absolute necessity, both to
save the land from washing and to
give the land nitrogen and humus.
The one crop system has extracted
practically all Of the humus from the
soil. while the necessity for nitrogen,
~ an element Of crop life. means a
charge upon the South Carolina farm
er OF nearly four million dollars each
year. 1t is the opinion of scientists
that the brunt Of this burden may be
saved to the farmer through the
growing Of legumes. and especially
the winter legumes. This movement
looks to this end and is in line with
the other work being undertaken by
the department here In the State
through the activities Of the States
representatives In congress. The main
lesson that We want to teach is that
we can grow something besides cot
ton. and the second lesson that we
want to teach is that diversification
In agriculture really helps the cot
ton grower to make his cotton crop a
profit, and that It increases the Yield
per acre planted in cotton"