Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-11-03
SOME SEASONABLE NOTES

Now that the long drought mas ocen
broken by gentle rains throughout the
south. IL as important that the farmer 8
attention be directed TO the preparation
OF the land for fan seeding. The water
which falls as rain is either absorbed
BY the soil or runs away over the sur
face. When IL escapes by the latter
method IL carries away the very cream
OF the soil fertility. and constitutes
one OF the most deplorable and ineXcus-
able wastes Witnessed IN the SOUTH
This ann lal loss OF millions or dollars
worth OF plant food can and should be
prevented through the use OF winter COW
er crops AS soon as there is a season
In the ground. therefore. every effort
should be put forth TO break ana pre-.
pare for fall planting the largest posi-
bic area OF ground. There are few sea-
sons in which IL has been more impor-
tant 10 emphasize this matter than the
present. for the hay crop Of the south,
as well as the whole United States is
unusually short. Corn viii be high
priced, Therefore. II IL is possible 70
carry the live stock Of the farm 10
considerable extent on winter grazing
crops. IL is manifestly desirable 20 do so
The breaking OF the land for fail seed
ing need not be as deep as Tor spring
sown crops unless subsoiling is 10 be
pracuced- Eight inches deep viii be a
good depth 10 turn the soil for most
crops growing in the winter. IL is very
desirable that the turning be done some
time in advance OF planting. There are
several reasons for this: First, the soil
is allowed to settle and q firm though
porous seed bed is thus obtained. Rain
falling in gentle showers tends TO pull
verize the nand and fill II with moisture
It also sets in motion the movement
-. 70. - aurrQnA
which is very desirable at this season OF
me year. ana especially so after
drought OF such a protracted and ex-
tensive nature
AS soon as the land is broken IL
should be narrowed 10 break down any
clods and put the soil in as goou tilth
as POSSIBLE Sometimes the harrowins
may have TO be delayed several weeks
or until rain falls Breaking the ground
when III is somewhat cloddy. If done ear
II enough in the season. will not be OBJ
jectionabIe. but II Is absolutely neces-
sary that fine seed bed be secured be-
fore planting Is done. Should there De
but little rain during the autumn the
land should be rolled after every light
shower. and then narrowed This VIII
have a wonderful effect in bringing
moisture close 10 the surface OF the
ground and insuring quick germinatioA
after planting. II the crop Is success
ful in developing a fair root growth be-
fore cold weather sets in, II will with
stand the vicissitudes OF the winter
season Nursing a crop TO establish IL,
especially in a dry autumn. which Is
the rule and not the exception In the
south. Is an important and ess~<iaf
matter. The preparation OF the ground
will be more than half the battle. and
hence too much emphasis cannot be laid
on putting IL in proper condition TO re-
ceive the seed.
Where the land is devoted to cotton.
It viii not be possible 10 break IL This
should not be necessary IL the cotton
has been properly cared for. for the soil
should already he free OF weeds and In
a fairly friable condition II the cotton
be picked out close. there viii be no
difficulty in seeding the ground 10 oats.
wheat or barley by the open furrow
method The number Of rows win ne
determined BY the width OF planting the
cotton Three viii ordinarily Dy about
the right number on soil capable or
growing 40 10 so bushels Of corn per
acre. Strange as IL may seem. this
planting OF oats or other cereals in 10
rather than S-inch rows win result IN
the production of the same amount OF
grain The great advantage OF the open
furrow system is that the planting may
be done as late as the middle OF de-
cember. sometimes even TO the first OF
January, whereas. IL broadcasting or
drilling in S-inch rows be followed the
crop viii frequently be lost IL sown as
late as indicated AS q matter Of fact.
every acre OF cotton In the south tine
fan should be put into winter cover
crops, and IL this were done the neces-
sity for buying corn would forever dis
appear. as there would be an abundance
OF oats for the maintenance OF the worK
stock, and plenty OF flour 70 produce
bread for the family. We have fire.
ouentIy seeded oats In cotton before the
last picking without knocking OF any OF
the boIls or losing any OF the lint. This
can be done even in the northern para
OF the cotton belt with success. while
over the greater part OF the gulf states
the cotton has practically all been gain
cred before the time Of seeding oats
arrives
The best date for seeding viii depend
largely on when a season Is secured In
the ground. The writer has seldom II
ever seen too much top produced in the
autumn II too vigorous a growth
should be secured Il may be grazed on
which viii be an advantage TO the
crop. and 10 the animals thus permitted
10 secure an abundance OF green nutri-
tious heritage. Oats and wheat may be
sown any time after the 18th OF October
in the Piedmont section OF the cotton
belt, and as late as the 3oth Of Novem-