Carolina watchman. [volume] (Salisbury, N.C.) 1871-1937, 1911-08-02
WINTER COVER CROP.

WtWlEh GUvEh UhvIs
Preparation, Fertilizers, Kinks. Time lnd
Other Valuable Suggestions.
A winter cover crop 10 one of
the most important factors in
southern farming. especially hill
farming. A system Of poor farm
ing has SO greatly exhausted the
humus III tho majority OF the
fields a. to make it we'll nigh inn
possible to prevent their further
depletion by the heavy rains of
winter and early spring, which
carry off much of the valuable
elements left, onto the bottom,
aud into the streams. Nature,
always resouroeful, has furnished
certain plants which may be used
to restore the depleted soils These
winter cover crops will hold our
loose soils in place. and whom suf-
ticient growth is obtained, can be
turned undsr to add humus to the
soil. The sand hills and other
loose soils can largely be prevent
ed from teaching if heavy cover
crops are turned for few years.
This statements may be verified by
taking new land where the plant
roots and vegetable mold are still
in is. or the same may be found
in sod land where run to pasture
for series of years aud brought
back into cultivation. No wash
ing occurs here even after the
heaviest rains. A good cover
crop will not only prevent wash.
ing and add humus to the soil,
but if clovers or vetches are. used
there will be nitrogen collected
from the air anantofads siaGfhe soil
!: !: !: !:
vetch, cril *er.
mine which to use.
RYE.-Rys is one of the old
standard winter cover crops and
has been used very extensively in
some sections. It has the advsnt-
age in that 1t is generally known,
il easily planted, will grow almost
1t any season, will grow on the
poorest soils, seed are usually
cheap, and it does not require OK.
ira care in the way of incubation
as is the case with the legumss.
1t can be sown in the middle of
the corn or cotton ct last cultiva-
tion or If not convenient to SOW at
this time it can be done . little
later in the fall. When sown ear.
ly it gives . bstter cover for the
soil and also some good grasing
for the stock. Where practicable,
however, IS would be on the corn
land, it 10 better to tuen under
stalks and other growth and plant
rye on good seed beds. It 10 also
a good plan whore the soil will
grow it, to mix vetoh with the rye,
about / bushel of rye to / bushsl
of vetch, using a bushel of the
mixture per acre. 1t il better to
drill seed, especially where plant
cd in middles of corn or cotton.
Il 10 claimed that the variety
known as Abruzzes, which was
imported by the Agricultural De.
partment, is best suited to South
Oarolins and adjacent states.
There are other good native varie.
ties which can be had st q far
price.
OATs.-Oats may be used in.
stead of rye IN many instances,
and the same general rule for pre-.
paration, planting, and after
treatment, may be followed -
fer rye. II to q bushels of seed
should be used per acre when
planted alone; II bushels and i
bushel 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, it 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 il good for this. or the
following per acre: Acid phos
phate $50 pounds; cotton seed