The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1910-09-21

United States Department Of Agricul-
ture, Bureau Of Plant Industry,
Farmers Cooperative Demonstra-
tion Work.
WINTER COVER CROP.
A winter cover crop is one of the most
| important factors in Southern farming,
Especially hill farming. A system Of poor
farming has so greatly exhausted the
humus in the majority of the fields as to
make it we'll nigh impossible to prevent
their further depletion by the heavy rains
off much OF the valuable elements left, on
to the bottoms, and into the streams. Ma
ture, always resourceful, has furnished
certain plants which may be used to re-
store the depleted soils. These winter
cover crops will hold our loose soils in
place, and where sufficient growth is OBJ
tained can be turned under to add humus
to the soil. The sand hills and other loose
soils can largely be prevented from leach
ing II heavy cover crops are turned under
for 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 lnad
where run to pasture for series Of years
and brought back into cultivation. No
washing occurs here even after the heavi-
est rains. A good cover crop will not only
prevent washing and add humus to the
soil, but II clOvers or yetches 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 clover. Con-
ditions, Of course, must determine which
to use.
| Rye Is one OF the old standard winter
cover crops and has been used very extern
sively In some sections. 1t has the ad-
vantage In that 1t is generally known, is
easily planted, will grow almost at any
season, will grow on the poorest soils,
seed are usually cheap, and 1t does not
require extra care in the way Of inocula-
tion as is the case with the legumes. 1t
can be sown In the middles OF the corn or
cotton at last cultivation or II not convent
ent to SOW at this time it can be done a
little later in the fall. When sown early
! it gives 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. It Is also good plan where
the soil will grow 1t, to mix vetch with the
rye, about bushel Of rye to IA bushel OF
vetch, using o bushel Of the mixture, per
acre. It Is better to drill seed, especially
where planted in middles OF corn or cot
ton. It is claimed that the variety known
as Abrlizzes, which was imported by the
Agricultural Department, Is best suited to
South Carolina and adjacent States. There
are other good native varieties which can
be had at fair price.
Oats may be used instead OF rye in many
instances, and the same general rule for
preparation, planting, and after treat
ment, may be followed as for rye. 21-2
bushels and IA bushels OF vetch when
combined. Rust-proof oat seed gives the
best results In nearly every part OF the
South Unless the lands are fairly good,
1t will be necessary to fertilize the rye and
oat crop to get sufficient growth for the
most valuable cover crop. Stable manure
applied broadcast at time OF planting is
good for this. or the following per acre:
Acid phosphate $50 pounds; cotton seed
meal 150 pounds; and muriate Of potash 80
pounds thoroughly mixed and applied at
time Of planting.
| CLOvERS AND vETCH.
Until lands become more fertile and ad-
apted to these crops, the best satisfaction
with them can be obtained only by making
q good preparation and by giving some
special care in seeding and inoculating the
soil.
PREPARATION.
Turn a few inches deeper than it has
been previously plowed. II there Is no
rain, after this, before time Of planting, O
roller should be run to firm the seed bed.
These crops can be SOwn in both corn and
cotton middles where clean by scattering
seed broadcast and running sweep or cul
!, tivator lightly to cover. Entire success
however, need not be looked for by this
method Of seeding, though some splendid
results were reported from 1t last season
The corn lands can be put In fine condi
tion by using cut-away or disc harrow te
cut stalks and turn top soil. Sow seed
and cover with tooth harrow.
FERTILIZERS.
The clovers and vetch will need ferti
lizers to get satisfactory early growth
For this purpose stables manure stands
first as 1t not only adds fertility but carries
the bacterial incubation so essential on
soils first planted to these crops. An ap-
plication at time Of sowing Of 800 pounds
l6 per cent acid, 25 pounds muriate potash
and rs pounds cotton seed meal or dried
blood per acre will be good. The addition
OF the small amount Of nitrogenous ferti-
lizer will aid in giving the young plants a
vigorous start. When there happens to
be any acidity OF the soil, airslacked lime
at the rate of 1000 pounds per acre,
should be applied at time OF preparation.
| rr,,rp ,,on sor-r1yr,
The best time for sowing crimson clover
or bur clover is just as early In the fall as
danger of summer killing Of young plants
is past-not later than September first.
Vetch can be sown much later, though the
earlier planting does better.
AMOUNT OF SEED.
About 20 pounds Of crimson clover seed
per acre should be used; 80 pounds bur
clover in bur, or Is pounds cleaned seed;
Is pounds vetch seed when sown with l
bushel oats which plan Is always best II
the soil Is good enough to allow 1t, 80
pounds If sown alone. Bur clover will be
found to grow better as rule from the
seed planted without hulling. The inOcu-
lating germ appears to be carried with the
bur. All clover seed should be covered
lightly; use roller If the soil is dry at
planting time.
| NOCULAT1oN.
To get a satisfactory crop Of crimson
clover bur clover, or vetch the first year,
the soil must be inoculated. Stable
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