Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-09-29


ling beef cattle for some years indicates
that one should easily hope to secure so
per cent OF a calf crop; that is, succeed
in raising a calf from at least so per
cent of the cows bred. Calves dropped
in the early spring from grade ami
mails such as we have are worth $50 the
next fall, and Is Of them would be worth
SEQ. A year later they would be worth
nearly S2.0o0. This, looks like a good
revenue TO make on land such as has
been described, some of which may be
south.
There is another side to the proposition
which should not be lost sight OF. The
dairy business is laborious, requiring at
tention from o'clock in the morning I'M
til or at night for 365 days in the
year, but a beef proposition similar to
the one under discussion may be organic
ed at a comparatively small outlay to
begin with and the business managed
and directed from the saddle, if you
please. it only being necessary to salt
the animals, and examine them every
day or two to see that they are kept
free from ticks and that they have not
been injured or strayed away through
an accidental break in the fence. The
immensely to the western man because
OF the comparative ease with which IT
could be organized and managed. II will
appeal as strongly to the men of the
southeastern states once they familiarize
themselves with its possibilities. We
have been told many times that the
western range is disappearing, and the
price OF beef and other animal products
would indicate that this was the case,
but there are millions of acres of range
in the southeastern states just as good
as was ever found in the west, quite as
capable of carrying as much weight per
acre as the western land and more ac-
cessible to market. The time when the
eastern grazing area can compete with
the western range has come, so that one
who undertakes the business after prop
er1y informing himself and carries Il
on along systematic lines need not fear
that # VIII prove impracticable and a
source of loss and annoyance in place Of
increased revenue and profit.
TILE DRAINAGE OF LOW LANDS.
l. A. N. Jesup, Ca, writes: have Is
acres OF land i am puzzled to know what
to do with. II is rather too low and flat
weather and almost all fthe fruit falls
300 pounds of s-2-S fertilizer per acre. The
land is low and level. so much so that
water will hardly run, of of It. 1t is
sandy Do you think Bermuda grass
win thrive on it? II so, please tell me
how TO get it started.
The land to which you refer will hardly
prove satisfactory under cultivation in
any OF the staple crops unless it is I'M
derdrained. The fact that it contains
more, or less sand might lead you to
think that undertaking is unnecessary.
Possibly an examination will show, how
ever, that the lower layers of soil are of
a more tenacious character than the sur
face would indicate. Then, as you prob
ably know, low lying areas of land are
sometimes flooded. as 1t were, by the
surface water from outlying sections.
While both corn and cotton require
large quantities Of moisture to mature
them, they need it fairly well distributed.
They both-object to what may be termed
wet feet" On the other hand, you will
probably find this land will yield sur
prisingIy we'll il you were TO under
drain il with tile. say at the, depth Of
three feet, running your main lines
through the lowest section OF the field.
and putting in a sufficient number Of
Iaterals to thoroughly drain and -aerate
the soil. While the first cost of laying
til drain is considerable. the permanent
Improvement of the land and the in
creased yield in crops secured will more
than offset the initial outlay.
In our Judgment this land would prob
ably grow red top better than any Of
the grasses. You might seed it this fall
you have the land in good condition.
Early seeding is rather desirable. Use
about two bushels of recleaned seed per
acre. scattering it on the surface of
a well-prepared soil and working in with
a brush harrow. Seeding may some
times be done in the spring where con-
ditions are favorable. OF course, IL there
Is no moisture in the surface soil fall
seeding is hardly advisable as the grass
is not liable to terminate until the win
ter rains set in and may then be killed
by freeze before it has developed a
sufficient root to resist the cold weather.
We believe you will find red top a more
satisfactory grass to cultivate on land