The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1910-04-20
ing is necessity confronting the

farmers will find 1t profitable to keep
mules; the colts must pay for the ex-
pense of using more horse power In
this connection, the more economical
feeding Of work stock on the farm is
OF primary Importance. Feeding a
horse or a mule on pulled corn fod-
der and corn Is so expensive and out
OF date that 1t Is surprising to find
anyone doing it. Farmers have fully
proved that pasture for summer and
well-cured hay for winter should be
the main reliance. By a pasture Is
not meant brush patch or a field of
weeds, but a tract Of land we'll set in
nutritious grasses and we'll located so
as to be usable at all times.
The best results are obtained by
providing two pastures, in order TO
alternate in their use. and especially
to allow one to have quite a growth
Of grass for late fall feeding. Some
farmers use one pasture for late fall
and spring, and the other during the
summer and early fall months; Others
believe that the best results are OBJ
tanned by alternating the use Of these
pastures every month. 1t is Just as
Injurious to the rapid growth Of grass
to keep it closely grazed as it would
be to bush to cut 1t off every morn
ing. 1t is estimated that three or
four times as many animals can be
kept on a given number Of acres by
dividing the land into two pastures
and using them alternately for graz
Ing. 1t Is certain that the stock does
better under such conditions.
THE HAY CROP.
The permanent meadow, where it
can be secured, is one Of the most
economical sources of food for ami
mails known. In the extreme South,
where the soil is adapted to them,
alfalfa, Japan clover. and Bermuda
grass rank high. Farther north there
are standard grasses which produce
we'll. But If farmer does not have
permanent meadow of any kind he
can easily supply substitute from
the following assortment Of forage
crops. He can select only one or two
of these crops for his needs, but
where 1t is possible it Is best to grow
patches Of all of them, as it will give
variety, and the ration can be more
easily balanced.
COWPEAS.
The cowpea Is the most generally
grown and most valuable hay and
forage plant in the South. 1t can be
grown anywhere, and covers a longer
season of growth than any other. It
furnishes large quantities of nutrit
ious feed stuff and, besides, builds up
the soil rapidly by furnishing nitro
gen and humus.
The soil should be we'll prepared
as for any other farm crop. Poor
preparation is the cause Of most Of
the apparent failures with this crop.
For very early use the Whippoor-
will or the New Era variety can be
sown early in April in rows 80 inches
apart with corn planter, one-half
bushel Of seed per acre. Cultivate
we'll, and where land Is not fertile
use 200 pounds of acid phosphate and
90 pounds of cotton-seed meal per
acre to give vigorous growth. Plant
ed in this way cowpeas will give a
heavy crop of grain and vines for hay
in early summer.
For later crops, and where a very
heavy yield is desired, the Clay, Tn
known, or some other well-known va
riety may be used.
Hay made from pea vines planted
in this way supplies ordinary work
stock with complete rations at a sea
son when most needed.
COWPEAS AND SORGHUM.
Where preferred and when it is not
specially desirable to have very early
hay surghum and cowpeas may b
Sown together broadcast, one-hal
hushel of surghum to one and one
half bushels of cowpeas per acre
Amber sorghum and some early vari
ETY. OF cowpeas will mature quickly,
hut Tor heavy yields Orange sorghum
ana a running variety of cowpeas
should be used.
The land should be well broken and
thoroughly prepared before sowing
the seed. This point must be observ-
cd in all cases
SOY BEANS.
In some localities the soy bean has
proved most desirable hay and for
age plant The beans are very rich
I'm protein and the stalk is equal to
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