The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1911-06-23
II.


stated that in 1909 the acreage In
III hay in the nine strictly cotton
states was 2,2G1, 900 acres, the
crop 100000 tons, the average yield
per acre 1.29 tons and the value OF the
crop $26,174,00O.
1t was urged that there should be
concert of action this year to increase
the acreage and, most of all, TO In
crease the average yield per acre. In
haymaking, as in cotton production,
the thought and effort should be the
largest possible crop per acre at the
lowest reasonable cost.
In 1909 the states already designated
by name had an oat acreage of 2,G45,-
600 acres. The acreage for 1910 Is
somewhat larger, but as we have defi-
mite figures for 1909 let us take that
year as basis for suggestion.
If two-fifths, or 40 per cent, of that
acreage should be seeded to cowpeas
this year and the acreage in hay OF
1909 kept intact we would have an
acreage given to hay amounting to
3,259,O0O acres.
Bring the average yield per acre from
1.2S tons up to 1.50 tons-it was LA
tons in 1902-aId We would have
crop of 4,SSS,5OO tons of hay. which
at SIG per ton, the farm price in 1909.
would aggregate the snug sum of $751;
216,O00. Compared with 1909s $780,
l74,OOO, the increase would amount to
So, $4,000.
Those are not mere figures. They
are possibilities Of the easiest kind.
How may those figures, which are sup
ported by results achieved, be reduced
to writing-that Is to say, to actualityf
The answer is instant; BY each
farmer increasing his hay acreage for
1911 just 40 per cent as compared with
that Of 1909.
Will it be to his advantage to do
this? There can be no doubt about it.
A farmer looking to an abundant
hay crop need not depend wholly on
cowpeas. He may sow German mil
let and cowpeas, sorghum-Link's by
brid is the best-and cowpeas.
In following oats with cowpeas or
other hay producing seed fertilizer
adapted to the crop to be grown should
be intelligently and literally used. IT
peas be sown alone, then 400 pounds
per acre of high grade 1914 goods,
meaning 10 per cent phosphoric acid
and per cent potash, should be used;
IL German millet or any of the COM
binations suggested, then at least 400
pounds per acre of a well balanced,
high grade fertilizer should be APP
piled.
1t is understood, of course, that the
soil has been put In first class condi-
ton by blowing and by narrowing.
When the work of seeding has been
finished roll or drag each acre, thus
pressing the earth to the seed and has
tening termination. Rolling or drag
ging answers another important pur-
pose. 1t puts the surface in requisite
condition for the mower and the horse
rake.
In order to grow. a crop OF prime
hay, German millett should be cut
when in the milk, pea vines when in
full bloom. To cut pea vines at that
stage of growth will be to secure the
best results from either German millet
or sorghum sown with the peas.
Cowpeas in full bloom are in per-
feet condition for the mower. The
constituent elements are uniformly dis
trbuted through the plant. The vines
are easily cured, the leaves clinging
to the vines as a whole.
|, 1t may be asked. What varieties of
Cowpeas are preferable for haymak-
ing? The answer is, The Clay and the
Unknown.
Velvet beans make excellent hay In
great abundance. 1t Is not too late to
plant them. Prepare the ground thor
oughly, run the rows four feet apart,
drill in the burrows a liberal supply
of well rotted stable manure, follow
with 100 pounds of muriate Of potash
per acre, throw two burrows, knock
/ off with board, check two and u half
feet open furrow with bull tongue or
small shovel and at each check drop
three or four seed and cover with hoe
or foot. Cultivate as corn till the
plants begin to run, let them alone till
in full bloom, cut and cure.
Should the vines manifest DISPOSE
ton to trespass on the preserve Of
some other crop take stick and throw
them to the center They will quick
Iy respond and will speedily show you
a tangled mass such as has never be-
fore fallen under your Argus eye.
There is not more interesting or
more valuable crop than that of the
grasses.
There is princess as well as prince
among hay producers. l refer to COM
mon vetch and johnson grass. This
combination properly cared for on well
drained bottom land is a guarantee
| absolute of a fortune in a few years
from 100 acres. The fact is in essen
i tial particulars the combination is In
comparable. Common vetch and John
son grass are builders as well as
producers. All that is required to keep
! 100 acres seeded to the combination in
| good heart is an annual top dressing
of stable manure, but particularly Of
high grade 104 goods, 400 to 500
| pounds per acre.
| |
Used to II.
Tommy was visiting neighbours
| At dinner the hostess apologized to
him because the table linen was soiled
| at his plate.
"Oh. that's nothing" be assured her