The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-08-19
rHs RICHMOND v1RG1NIAN-MoNDAY, AUGUST 10. 1912

J u u ) i ~, 1912.
why deep blowing is essential to sue
cess and also the cost of every thing
in connection.
Start With Peas.
! His FIRST crop should be peas as 1t
Is an improver of the soil preventing
some outlay. II is necessary that the
cost of production be as limited as pos
sibie In order to give him an idea of
economy. Peas must be seeded broad
cast. which should not, counting labor.
fertilizer, seed and harvesting, amount
10 more than $40 per acre. IL condi-
lions are favorable he should get two
tons OF cured hay, which could be
sold for $780, making a net gain OF $40
He should be allowed to see and handle
this money, pay expenses incurred, etc.
and he should fully understand he can
not expect a fortune at once, and
money should not be spent except as an
investment for future results. The
land Is to be disked in September and
300 pounds of 10 per cent acid phos-
plate applied, and seeded to crimson
clover at a cost Of $3.50, leaving a bal
ance OF $l490. About the first of the
following May this green cover crop
/
add at least $50 worth OF vegetable
matter TO his acre. OF course this I'M
seen advantage should be plainly ex-
planned to him. Ii there is acidity
In the soil he should be impressed
with the necessity of lime, and that
/ two tons of ground limestone to the
acre will remedy that trouble at cost
Of 50; 800 pounds of pure raw bone,
S4.de, and 800 pounds of Is per cent
acid phosphate, $3.50. should be APP
Piled The land should be GOTTEN into
thorough order, disked 10 a fine seed
bed. About May a5th everything
should be in readiness for the corn
planting. The corn should be worked
level and often enough, always after
every rain, to keep dust mulch
thereby preserving moisture. The mere
fact of being the owner Of that small
crop will inspire him TO love nature
and country life. Sleep viii not hold
him spell-bound in the morning when
the air Is pure and bracing when the
birds are singing and all nature Is
glad and giving praise to the Maker
| OF all things. but with one bound he
viii be up and Off to the fields with
q glad heart to measure the growth In
one night. His appetite sharpened and
his strength increased for the time
when he can take charge unassisted,
A conservative estimate from hun
dreds Of crop reports from our Corn
club boys in Virginia. will make the
| cost of production. labor included.
s21.20. The corn yield II weather
conditions have been favorable,
should be at least. eighty-five bushels,
worth 81 per bushel and the pro-
vender at s15 should make his sales
| ~ L.
ing net gain Of $3.50. with addition
of s14.ao left for the pea hay crop,
he has to his credit 1880 At the
last working OF the corn in July. one
| bushel of winter oats, ten pounds Of
! white german clover and FIVE pounds
of alfalfa should be seeded to the acre.
1t has been demonstrated by one OF
! our farmer boys that three tons $50
pounds OF dry hay was housed May
18th from following the above meth
DDS. This crop could have been sold
NNor s6S.80 within q few miles of his
/ h%me. The cost of production WAS
$40, leaving n net profit Of $3.50.
This AIDED TO the amount made fr ,ln
| pea vine hay and corn crop, made
total OF 1852 40,
Should Grow Alfalfa.
The Importance of rotation of crops
now should be uppermoat in his mind
and the king OF all grasses, alfalfa
| should be seeded and take possession
of his acre when labor, except has
vesting, can be dispensed with for
the next five years and If taken care of
much longer.
For alfalfa the land must be plow-
ed deep In June or July and two tons
more Of ground limestone. 500 pounds
| pure raw bone and 800 pounds lG
per cent acid phosphate applied to
the acre and all well disked into the
soil, making a deep fine seed bed.
From tho list to the 10th OF August
seed % pounds alfalfa seed to the
acre. run light smoothing harrow
| both ways to get seed in and foIiow
| with heavy roller going over the
land both ways. In November or De
| cemher apply six spreader loads of
| manure TO the acre. This serves to
take care OF the young alfalfa sools
during the freezing and thawing Pc
Rod. Alfalfa should be ready to hat-
vest from May LIST to the 10th Rec
nrds from reports submitted 10 date
; from similar plats in Virginia show
n Yield Of an average Of four and one
| half tons to the acre, worth to day on
the market s112.5o. Less expenses OF
$40, leaving a balance Of sS2. so. From
the three years work our fame boy
should have bank account Of $235.90
and his alfalfa needs no attention, ex-
cept topdressng with manure during
each winter and harvesting.
OF course expenses will not be Ms
heavy when a boy is old enough TO
do all the work himself. and coma
dence and interest Is greater when his
own hands have held the pillow, AS his
knowledge OF the. soil and its post
bilties increases he will naturally
expand and learn to increase his acre
age and the advantage OF pure bred
stock as well as general home inn
provement and as age advances W.
have our boy d lover of the tlSfl1e Ire
has improved, successful farmer
staff on which his mother and father
can lean, and an honor to his country.
/ c,hT0 ANSWERED.