Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-12-16

ing more attention to stock husbandry
than has been accorded it in the past.
It Is interesting to note in this con-
nection that while the same variety Of
cotton was seeded on every plat that
where no fertilizer was used the yield
of lint was at the rate of 81 per cent,
and IT took 100 bolls to make a pound Of
seed cotton. On the last plat where the
green crops and manure was used in
conjunction with high-grade complete
fertilizer the yield OF lint Jumped up to
20 per cent. and II required only 70 hollis
to make a pound of seed cotton. These
results are certainly astonishing but
they are In line with many other tests
which we have made. all demonstrating
the marvellous benefits which will follow
the proper use OF yard manures in con-
junction with fertilizer for the upbuilding
and regeneration of our southern soils.
THE CULTIVATION OF ALFALFA.
L. G. X, Cuthbert, Ca, writes: When
is the best time for sowing alfalfa?
Where can the seed be purchased? What
soil does It thrive best in? Does II reseed
itself. and does II resist the cold? I want
to make pasture on the farm and want
to find what will give the best results
for mules and pigs.
The best time for sowing alfalfa is in
the fall of the year. any time from Sep
TENDER Is to November /, according to
the season. The earlier 1t is seeded the
better, because this will give the alfalfa
an opportunity to establish itself before
cold weather sets in. The seed can be pur-
chased through any frst-class scotsman.
You should be sure to secure American
seed as they are more likely to grow
and give satisfaction In your climate
than that imported. They are also more
likely to be free from undesirable weeds
and trash. Alfalfa gives its best results
on a deep. moist. alIuvial soil. and one
which is naturally we'll drained. Where
the subsoil Ii more or less gravelly and
the roots can penetrate deeply into the
ground the best results may be anticipa-
ted. Some success has attended the Gull
tivation OF alfalfa on our red upland soils,
but IL has been necessary to put them
through a course of preparation, occupy
ing a period in most instances of two
years before satisfactory results have
been secured.
Lime is very important to alfalfa, and
one must use not less than one ton of
caustic line or two to FIVE tons Of finely
ground limestone rock on any soil intend
ed for alfalfa. In a few limited areas
of the state where the limestone out
crops good success has been attained
with alfalfa without the use of a large
amount of lime, but this is the exception
and not the rule. Alfalfa does not re-
seed itself from year to year, but being
perennial in character will often remain
on the land where II becomes well es-
Ftablished for a period of to 20 years. AS
a rule 1t is necessary. to reseed 1t at the
end of Ave years. When we'll established
II resists cold very well. 1t would not be
the best type of crop. however 20 use for
pasture in this section of the state, being
more valuable for hay where 1T cam be
successfully grown. When preparing land
for alfalfa you must remember that deep
breaking and enrichment with vegetable
matter obtained through the blowing I'M
der of green crops is a most important
and essential matter.
HOW TO GROW LARGE CROPS OF
COTTON.
w. d. NJ, Atlanta, Ca, writes: I
would like detailed instructions on how
to raise cotton and corn. My land is
good and well terraced. and am anxious
to secure good seed.
In growing corn and cotton and other
farm crops the first consideration is the
thorough preparation of the soil. This
can only be obtained by very deep break
ing. The work had best be done in the
fall with not less than a two-horse
pillow. Subsoiling is often advisable on
very heavy red clay lands. II nothing
better is available a bull-tongue will
prove helpful. The next efforts should
be directed to dividing the land on the
farm and to instituting a rotation Of
crops which will enable you to grow le-
gumes twice in three years. This can be
done and enable you to secure a full
crop from the land since two crops a
year can be raised successfully in Geor-