The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1907-1917, 1911-07-20
FARW PAGE

" hACAe1CO vi 0OOI o1lo OOO pOuAOH
of sulphate of potash-500 to 1000
pounds per acre, the happy mean be-
ing 1000 pounds. The su1phate OF
potash is preferred to the muriate
because it is said to contribute to the
development of a higher percentum,
than usual, of starch in the tubers-
making potato which properly
cooked, can not be taken up with a
fork, it is so "mealy."
Some of the best and largest crops
Of Irish potatoes l have seen produced
were "mulched," that is, the soil
was carefully prepared, the fertili-
ger applied in furrow-sometime
broadcast-th potatoes planted and
covered, then the entire area dragged
level, and covered to a depth of six
inches with pine or oat straw. The
plants grew apace. At the proper
time, the tubers were at command:
They were easily harvested, being
quite on the surface Of the area. The
mulch contributed to a retention Of
soil moisture, and was generally ben
eficial to the crop.
A word as to marketing the crop:
Time and again, l have ventured the
suggestion that too little care is eX-
ercised in preparing for market pO-
tatoes, onions, fruit, eggs, butter, etc.
Much of this is chargeable to mex
perience and to a lack of observa-
ton. A man may have bushels of the
finest potatoes-potatOe that would
meet ready sale if selected, but if,
as is SO often the case, the smaller
tubers are put ina barrel or sack
with the larger ones the presence of
the former will discount the whole
lot. Send the merchantable potatoes
to market; keep the little ones at
home.
Apply this rule to shipment of fruit,
poultry, butter, vegetables, etc. You
will receive much better returns from
your commission merchant The pro-
ducts of your farm, orchard, dairy,
poultry yard, as the case may be, will
be in high favor with the commission
merchant and the purchasing public.
You have been long anxious to test
the value Of cover crop-one that
will cover the soil all winter, and, at
the same time, be enriching it. Grim
son clover is the plant you should
subject to the test. 1t will respond
literally and beautifully to good
treatment. You may SOW it between
your corn rows now. Use fifteen
pounds per acre. Broad cast the seed
then run a harrow or cultivatOr over
the ground, cutting not exceeding two
inches in depth. If the seed be good
they will sprout within a few days
and tho n1antc will
every inch of the acre or acreage thus
treated. You many cut the crop fo1
hay or turn it under. You may SOW
it broadcast among your pea-vines
1t will have begun it's growth when
the vines are ready for harvest as hay
in May. The plants attain a height
of two to two and a half feet. 1t will
yield on thin land one to two tons per
acre Of the best hay. AS a crop, il
may be followed by cotton, corn, veg
etables, etc. Sweet potatoes delight
to follow Crimson clover. 1t is help.
full in many ways to that dispensable
crop.
L very much wish that a greater
number of people could become inter.
ested in the clovers adapted to the
0OuCH-dllOW themselves 10 become
interested in these soil-enriching
crops.
In the government blue Book
better known, perhaps, as the yeal
book Of the National Department OF
Agriculture, for 1910, appears an ar
ticle on The Game Market of Today
which wish could be read by every
advocate of protection to wild game
in Georgia and in each of the South.
ern States. 1t is as meaty as an egg
it is brimfu1 Of valuable information