Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-06-27

Mixed hay Is now selling at an exorbi-
tant price. and much OF it can hardly be
REGARDED as the most satisfactory food
for work stock as IL does not contain
the nutrltivs elements IN the proper pro-
portion to supply the needs OF the ami
NAL body. Enormous quantities OF II. how
ever, are being purchased and used in the
south. This destructive practice has been
golnx on for many years, and is appar-
entity destined 20 continue for some time
unless our farmers realize. as they
should. that Il is within their power 70
produce hay In almost inexhaustive guam
tidy OF equal, and In many instances
superior, value to that for which they
pay such an unreasonable price Il 10
simple matter In the south TO grow All
the hay needed for the maintenance Of
the live stock kept on the average plan
tarion at a surprisingly low cost for the
yields secured are large and the quality
OF the hay derived from many OF the
crops which can be grown with excellent
advantage IN the summer season Is very
satisfactory indeed.
Among the crops which may be utilized
for hay are miIlet. sorghum and cowpeas-
Several others might be added 70 the lsl.
hut these are standard crops adapted
naturally 10 a wide range OF soil and
climate and are among the hardest and
easiest 20 master. Surely another sea-
son viii not be permitted TO pass with
out an attempt being made on the aver
age plantation 70 grow all the hay that
Is needed. and now Is the time 10 pre-
pare the ground and make the necessary
arrangements for harvesting an abundant
crop
A thoroughly well prepared soil Is the
first essential OF course. IL Is an ad-
vantage II II is fairly rich, but good
crop OF hay may be secured from any
land that will yield three-uuarters OF a
hale OF cotton or from 8 TO s. bushels or
corn. and certainly there is an abundance
OF such land which Is not utilized for
any purpose. II IS wise and proper that
the land should be wen broken for these
crops as they are all deep feeders under
favorable conditions II Is essenual
that the seed bed be in good condition
and well supplied with moisture for II
f. important that the seed terminate
quickly and before thick crust has an
opDortunity to form on the surface OF
the ground. Where such crusts form they
frequently result in the destruction OF
from one-Quarter TO one-half OF the stand
and lessen both the quantity and quanty
OF the hay which might otherwise be Sc
cured Il Is better 10 SOW all OF these
crops IN drills For this purpose an or
dInarv grain drill viii be found satisfac-
tory. where such implements are not
available. the crops may be sown with
single stalk planter or they may even
be broadcasted This method Of plant
ing however, is 10 be discouraged, &C
cording to our observation The. great
difficulty in growing any OF these crops
for hay Is TO secure a good stand and
have them grow on with sufilclent Vlgo ,r
70 shade the ground quickly. Where this
Is accomplished but little uneasiness may
be felt as to the resulting yield
MfIret and cowpeas may be sown sepa-
ratarw or together. while sorghum and
rowreas also make an excellent combina-
tIon When mfIIet and peas are sown
together. a half bushel Of the former
and bushel OF the latter win be found
about the right admizture. The use Of q
rarron OF sorghum and a bushel OF peas
VIII answer very well These amounts
should be doubled where broadcasting
nv hand IS followed since more OF the
seed VIII fan to terminate when sown
broadcast. Comparatively thick plant
,rr fs desirable as Il keeps the stems
smaller and finer and the animals VIII
consume the hay with greater advantage
on that account
All OF these crops require liberal fer
tiliuzation. IL has been said. for instance,
that miIiet and sorghum are particularly
exhaustive 10 the soil These crops make
relatively large yields. but in proportion
10 Weld do not exhaust the soil more
rapidlv than other crops A good for-nu-
In to use viii be about an So on heavy
claw lands. and a 1913 on sander and
thinner soils. II mEIlet and sorghum be
seeded alone. the nitrogen In each IN
stance had better be raised to per cent
and on very sandy land 10 per cent.
vnfwnN with these CROPS
Il Is 10 be supposed that a part OF the
nitrogen viii be extracted from the air.
The fertilizer should be distributed when
the crop IS planted and not less than 800
10 500 pounds per acre should be used
Yields OF from two 70 FIVE tons per acre
may be anticipated depending much ON
the stands secured. the character OF the
land and the season
II has been urged by some that millet
is not satisfactory for hay because the
seeds when mature exert a stimulating
action on the kidneys OF horses which is
undesirable. and II miIIet IN this condi-
ton be fed persistenSE. serious injury
may result This trouble VIII be obviat-
ed n the millet Is cut for hay when just
coming into the dough stage and IL can
then be fed without danger for long peri
DDS OF time II any III results are OBJ
served from its use, however. II is a sim
pie matter TO discontinue feeding It for
few days OF mixing Il with other forms
OF roughness which may be available on
the farm. One need not hesitate TO use
nillet for hay IL they observe this one
rrecautfon as 10 the time OF cutting.
AfIIIet has the advantage OF being easy
70 cure and when mixed both crops can
he preserved for hay more easily than
cowpeas grown alone The combination