The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1909-05-19

The tender green OF early spring is rapidly
changing TO the deeper shades Of summer. It
ia past The middle OF May, the last spring
growing. Oply in low bottoms is the corn
yet implanted. After these two crops the
next In importance are forage crops for the
live stock. Hay is being bonght yet from 9th.
by those farther north. This is not as It
should be. Why may not our home people
be as epterprising as these farmers? II Is too
late now to remedy the errors Of last year,
year. 30 that II will not be necessary to buy
any hay. From now until the end Of June is
the most favorable time for planting peas. II
ls on this plant that we should rely for a large
part OF the hay that Is necessary. This soil
improving legume finds Its natural home in
the South, with lis long warm summers, and
abundant summer rains. Whenever there
plow in the corn and cntton, then ia the time
to break the stubble after grain, for the pea
crop. Some, indeed many, are doing this al
| ready, while many others are not awake to
the possibilities just here. It Is particularly
for these that these lines are written, with
the hope that they, too, may become interest
ed In growing peas for soil Improvement and
for hay and peas. In the grain tields Is The
usual place 10 plant them but II Is all right
to put them 10 any unoccnpied land, and II
The soil needs something to cover 1t, and II
We do not keep IL covered with something
valuable, 1t will grow up In weeds. One OF
the surest ways OF keeping up the fertility OF
our fields is by keeping them covered as
much as possible with growing crops. Peas
will do this In the summer. and 1t would be
still better II something was planted in the
bare fields in the fall 10 keep them covered
during the winter. In the warm months the
peas will gather nitrogen for US, and from
September to April crimson clover or yetch
would do the same. Nitrogen Is one OF the
most expensive and easily lost OF the ele-
rnents Of fertility usually bought. II 1t is
possible by means Of peas and other kindred
plants, to get IL from the vast store OF the at
mosphere, we should surely set about doing
thiR.
This is a very busy time and whenever II Is
dry enough, II will be necessary 10 be at work
in the corn and cotton, but there will probe
bly, be heavy showers some time In May and
June, and always IL is possible to plow much
sooner after them In stubble land which has
not been broken than In the other cultivated
fields. These are the times TO get the peas
planted. Like other things. they respond 10
good preparation and manuring but will
stand more rough treatment than most
things. 1t would certainly be good plan a.
ways to harrow a field after the peas had been
plowed In. This will leave IL smooth and
even, so that the mower can be used easily.
II one would take the trouble TO throw out
the good sized rocks, and to get out the
bushes and stumps. so N uch the better.
For making peas for seed, plant In rows
three feet apart, like cotton, and cultivate
hoeing will be needed. II harrow and plow
are used as they should be. II there Is any
acid phosphate left over from the other crops,
II Will help the peas 10 put II under them.
They do not need nitrogen so much as other
crops do, but still theJ respond to liberal
treatment.
One other crop may be mentioned here. II
Ia sorghum. There is hardly any summer
forage crop the equal OF this for green feed
ing. A small rich spot will make q surpris-
Ing amount OF sorghum cane but II will grow
on quite thin soil. The richer the ground the
closer It can be planted. And II IL Is cut AM
corn ia good, but hardly so good az the cane.
Like the peas, cane seems to suit the South
especially, and we want to plant those things
that are hardy and sure.
Let us commence this spring 10 give more
attention TO the raising of forage and soil I'M
proving crops. The soil is the bank and We
can lot con tinue to draw on It's store OF plant
food Indefinitely without making some re-
turn. Peas and the clovers will Ill the gap
that needs closing. The lit Q wild clover
comes of itself. The other kinds have to be
planted. If in riding along the road you will
notice the banks on the road sides where
become plain 10 you that the soil there is
growing rich, due TO the clover and the
grasses. 1t has a dark color, shading of
gradually into the clay subsoil. Where there
Is no clover growing, the soil will be red quite
to the surface. This is q simple, easily read
object lesson In soil improvement. Just
what is being done for these banks, along the
| road sides, will be done all over our fields, II
we will give the peas and clovers a chance 10
work for us. But will we give them the
| chance? l hope 80. y