The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1910-05-24
(SOuthern Planter }

- the fact that the rainfall all over
the South was below the average very
considerably, whilst the temperature
average was greatly In excess OF the
normal These conditions. whilst
conducive TO the preparation of more
than an average area Of land for
planting. had in them much promise
Of 1ifirulty in securing good crops this
Year from the absence OF that mois-
ture in the land upon which mainly
depends successful growth. We ex-
pressed he hope that April would give
us 4 generous rainfall. and now we
are able to say that this hope has
been realized One days rain-that
Of the 18th of April-gave us in this
section nearly six inches Of water, and
over nearly the whole of the South
gave something like four inches on
the average. This has brought up
precipitation to the normal. and, with
average rains in May, we shall enter
theg rowing season with abundant
moisture if the same be only care
fully conserved by keeping the cult
vatOr running. This April rainfall
has been Of much more than the aver
age value, for crop production, seeing
that il did not come until a very large
part Of the land intended to be plant
ed was already broken and in a con-
dtlOn to absorb the water. AS show
ing how fully this was accomplished.
the abnormal downfall of the 17th
Of April caused little or no flooding of
the land. The rivers rose a few feet,
but mainly kept within their banks.
Had such a downpour occurred be-
before the land was piowed we should
have had serious flooding Of the hand
Since tho 18th of April to this
writing We have had light show
cry weather and now with normal
weather conditions the promise OF
crop growth is all that could be wished
for The average temperature of the
soil is above normal. and, on Well
prepared land, we can count upon
quick gernination of the seed We
would urge, however, that no undue
haste should be made in planting the
corn, as We usually have a cold spell
o. weather in the end OF April and
beginning Of May, and corn un-
planted at that time will have better
chances Of success than that got in
previously We had subscribers TO
call upon US and report corn planted
IL the last week in March in Middle
Virginia, and a considerable acreage
was planted over all the southern
part Of the State before the rain came
we shall expect to hear that much
Oh this has had to be repianted, ana
II not replanted. it will make but an
unsatisfactory crop. The cool weather
We have had since the rains COM
menced and which we expected to have
UP 10 the end Of the first week In
May will stunt and check the growth
Oi such as has terminated, and
7luhted corn crop, like a stunted
*"S' IL bad to start again. and rarely
makes the best yield. We have seen
Il" reason to change the advice we
nave 50 often given not to plant be-
lore the 10th of May. Instead Of
painting, rework the land and fit 1t
"e&'r for the crop. In the North,
"ner" the fall season closes in early,
d" early planting as possible Is to be
commented But here in the South
''f iong. late, open fall gives us am
P'9 ume to mature even long season
H. and crop matured late, if only
Hi''oughiy matured, is better than an
'"y matured crop, as the fodder is
'' 80 much wasted and the cool,
0Fy winds Of the late fall make a
''''e perfect cure Of the corn than
"amp. moist weather we often
early in the fall From the