Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-12-10

been grown, it has made phenomenal
yields and proved bonanza to the farm
eTs growing ii, but upon the whole, ii is
best adapted for growth in the western
country. In the east in some localities it
seems to die out rather badly and IL is
difficult to maintain a uniform stand on
that account. 1t can be grown in Geor-
gia on land that is prepared with the ut
most care and highly fortified. To at
tain success with alfalfa one would need
to begin the preparation of the soil a
couple of years I'm advance. At least two
green crops should be plowed under, say
hairy vetch sown in the fall and plowed
under in the spring, and cowpeas sown
after vetch and plowed under in the fall.
The best time to seed is in September.
You should use about Is pounds of extra
well selected seed. Fertilize the land be-
fore planting with 300 to 800 pounds of
high-grade acid phosphate 200 pounds of
cotton seed meal and 100 pounds of muri-
ate of potash Lining will also be highly
beneficial for this crop At least one ton
of caustic lime should be applied to the
acre The lime should be put on before
applying the fertilizer and at least two
weeks before seeding. When sown in the
fall the crop has better chance to be-
come established before crab grass, one
of its worst enemies has a chance to de-
velop. Alfalfa will grow we'll on red bot
tom lands, provided they are not subject
TO overflow for periods of more than AS to
Y hours. If the land is a heavy clay and
holds water. the alfalfa is not likely to
succeed well. We would suggest that you
experiment with a small patch of alfalfa
to commence with and after you have
learned how to handle the crop extend
your areas
We are certain that you can grow hay
crops advantageously on land such as
you describe. II the bottoms are moist
red top may be grown advantageously as
well as tall cat grass. These are two of
the best tame grasses to use for hay
making purposes i'm the south. Timothy
will do fairly we'll on rich bottom lands
but is probably not as hardy or reliable
as the two grasses suggested Grass. in
our opinion, should be planted on land
that has been previously sown in cow
peas, and is thus fairly free from weeds
and trash. The land should be heavily
fertilized. Bone is a good material to
use on grass, not less than 500 pounds
per acre. Lime will also be beneficial
we are certain you can make a success
OF growing hay after the following meth
%; In the late summer say in August
break up the land thoroughly and sow to
Iexas Rust Proof, Culberson or AppIer
oats and hairy vetch. Use at least 30
pounds of vetch seed with a bushel TO
bushel and peck of oats Seed in omen
burrows on we'll prepared land, and fertil-
ize with at least 300 to 500 pounds of a
fertilizer containing per cent Of nitro
gen, per cent Of phosphoric acid and
per cent of potash. Top dress with nj
trate Of soda in the spring if the crop
has not made a strong, vigorous growth
After the vetch and oats are cut for, hay.
follow with cowpeas, or you may plant
millet and peas together, though this
combination is harder on the land. In
case you use this combination. the peas
should be planted some time in advance
of the millet so the two may be cut when
the millet is I'm the early dough stage
Peavine hay can be cured successfully by
driving three stakes into the ground so as
to form a triangle or cone and pile the
peas over this when they are in semi
green condition. The top of the stack
may be protected with what are known
as hay caps. The peas should be fertil-
lied with at least 300 to 500 pounds of a
1O-4 fertilizer. By growing these two
crops in succession YOU can enrich your
land materially and produce hay almost
as valuable in feeding qualities as any
that can be purchased on the market.