The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1910-08-30
WINTER COVER CROP.
Information by L. 5. Dept. Agriculture,
Bureau Plant Industry, Farmers
Demonstration Work.

Demonstration Work.
A winter cover crop is one of the
most important factors in Southern
farming, especially hill farming. A
system Of poor farming has so great
~ exhausted the humus in the major
ity of the fields as to make it we'll nigh
impossible to prevent their further de-
pletion by the heavy rains of winter
and early spring, which carry off much
of the valuable elements left, onto the
bottoms, and into the streams. Ma
ture, always resourceful, has furnish
ed certain plants which may be used
to restore the depleted soils. These
winter cover crops will hold our loose
soils in place, and where sufficient
growth is obtained, can be turned un-
der to add humus to the soil. The
sand hills and other loose soils can
largely be prevented from teaching II
heavy cover crops are turned under
for a few years. This statement may
be verified by taking new land where
the plant roots and vegetable mold are
still in it, or the same may be found
in sod land where run to pasture for
series Of years and brought back into
cultivation. No washing occurs here
even after the heaviest rains. A good
cover crop will not only prevent wash
ing and add humus to the soil, but II
clovers or vetches are used there will
be nitrogen collected from the air and
stored in the soil during winter, as
peas and beans do in summer. The
plants most suitable for cover crops
are rye, vetch, crimson and bur cloV-
er. Conditions Of course, must deter
mine which to use.
~~--.~ Rye.
Rye is one of the old standard win
ter crops and has been used very ex-
tensively in some sections. 1t has the
ADVANTAGE in that it is generally
known, is easily planted, will grow al
most at any season, will grow on the
poorest soils, seed are usually cheap,
and it does not require extra care in
the way of inoculation as is the case
with the legumes. 1t can be soWn IN
the middle of the corn or cotton at last
cultivation or if not convenient to SOW
at this time it can be done little lat
er in the fall. When sown early 1t
gives a better cover for the soil and
also some good grazing for the stock.
Where practicable, however, as would
be on the corn land, it is better to
turn under stalks and other growth
and plant rye on good seed bed. 1t is
also good plan where the soil will
GROW it. to mix vetch with the rye,
about ! bushel Of rye to one-fourth
bushel of vetch, using bushel OF the
mixture per acre. 1t is better to drill
seed, especially where planted in mid
dies Of corn or cotton. 1t is claimed
that the variety known as Abruzzess
which was imported by the agricul-
tural department, is best suited to
South Carolina and adjacent States.
There are other good native varieties
which can be had at fair price.
Oats.
Oats may be used instead Of rye in
many instances, and the same general
rule for preparation, planting, and af-
ter treatment, may be followed as for
rye. One and one-half to two and one
half bushels of seed should be used
per acre when planted alone; one and
one-half bushels and one-fourth bush
eli of vetch when combined. Rust
proof oat seed gives the best results
in nearly every part of the South. I'm
less the lands are fairly good it will be
necessary to fertilize the rye and oat
crop to get sufficient growth for the
most valuable cover crop. Stable ma
nure applied broadcast at time of
planting is good for this, or the fol-
lowing per acre: Acid phosphate $50
pounds; cotton seed meal, $50 pounds,
and muriate Of potash, 80 pounds,
thoroughly mixed and applied at time
Of planting.
ClOrers and Vetch.
Until lands become more fertile and
adapted to these crops the best salts
faction with them can be obtained on
ly by making good preparation and
by giving some special care in seed
ing and inoculating the soil.
Preparation.