Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-06-18
FOR GEORGIA TYPE SOILS


crease the percentages of all the avail
able plant food materials applied.
IL would appear from this review of
the situation that cotton seed meal
may be used as the basis or source Of
organic nitrogen with entire satisfac-
ton on all the leading and pronounc-
ed soil areas Of the state.
- NEW INVESTOR SEEKS AID.
z. L. G.. Ochlocknee, Ga, writes:
have returned to Georgia and purchased
farm. There are six acres Of cowpeas
about six inches high. 1t is my inten-
ton 10 pillow them under later and plant
10 Irish potatoes. Do you think the
soil. already sandy. would become too
loose. or that the vines would interfere
with tillage? What is the best time to
turn the peas under? l intend to sow
the same field to alfalfa this fall. Do
you know OF any book on the subject that
would be useful?
1t is pleasing to know that you have
located in Georgia and that you are
gratified with the opportunities which
the state offers along agricultural lines.
The cowpeas to which you refer may
be turned under with safety when the
lower leaves begin to turn yellow and
the pods show a tinge OF the same color
on the lower ends. AS fast as you turn
them under you should roll the ground
to set in motion the capillary movement
OF the soil water toward the surface. At
ter rolling. harrow Immediately to pre-
serve a dust mulch. and thus prevent
the escape OF moisture directly into the
air. The blowing under of cowpeas for
Irish potatoes is all right. provided you
can get the land plowed early enough TO
let II lay out for two or three weeks be-
fore planting the potatoes. We believe
II you can put the potatoes in about
the middle of July to the first of August,
that you will find the crop will mature
easily before frost In planting second
crop Irish potatoes, IT is best TO use
medium-sized uncut seed. The great diff
fculty with the second crop is to secure
a good stand. Cowpeas would tend to
tighten sandy soil becase of the large
amount OF carbonic acid gas which is
supposed 10 be generated and freed in
the soil by the life activities of this
plant, but II you compact the soil with
a roller. we think you will overcome
any difficulty In this direction.
Alfalfa is best seeded in Georgia in
the fall OF the year on land which has
been made unusually rich by applications
of yard manure or green luguminous
crops ployed under You should apply
per acre. Use the finely ground rock.
OF course. you may use the caustic lime
II you can secure 1t cheaper. Only half
as much caustic lime need be used as
the finely ground rock. You should put
the lime on at least two weeks before
seeding the alfalfa. and use 1t as a top
application, spreading IL uniformly over
the soil and working In with a harrow.
Apply not less than 1000 pounds of
1857 fertilizer, and SOW 20 pounds of re-
cleaned American seed about October / to
Is. The best book on cultivation Of alfal-
IA with which we are familiar is Alfalfa
In America" by Wing.
sL Ca
SEEDING HAIRY VETCH ON SANDY
LAND.
]. ]. l., louisville. S. c., writes: l
have bought a sandy land farm, and
want some information in regard to
sowing hairy vetch. have some seed
left over from last season. 1t is safe
10 SOW them?
It is problematicaI as to what the
outcome OF seeding hairy vetch at this
season Of the year in Georgia would
be. We have not made any expert
ments along this line, because we have
found the cowpea and the soy bean and
other crops Of that character much
more desirable TO grow in the summer.
You can plant cowpeas in this state as
late as the 18th Of July to the LIST Of
August and still make a fair crop in
the average year. Early maturing varie-
ties of soy beans could easily be plant
ed as late as July IS, though prob
ably this crop would be better planted
not later than the hrst of July. Soy
beans may be planted rather late in the
season where one only desires to dwell
op a large crop for the Improvement
OF the soil and not for grain. This
crop does not make grain to any appre-
ciable extent in north Georgia, but In
your locality would mature a consider
able amount Of grain If planted early
in the season
The hairy vetch can be carried over
and sowed. next fall, provided you keep
them free from weevil or injury by
any other class of insects We are
inauguratlng some experiments in the
seeding OF one Of the native vetches
and me Oregon and hairy vetsch. apd
burr clover and crimson clover here
on the college farm this summer. W
intend TO make seedlings several times
during the year TO determine Just what
results may be anticipated from thes
various crops We do not think there
Is any considerable amount of infor-
nation available along this line at
the present time. and from what expert.
ence we have had with the hairy vetch
are rather disposed to advise against
seeding IL until late August or early
September.
MONTY rxpOnC uzOu crEonnra