The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1913-10-06
RAINS DAMAGE
SWEET POTATO
CROP INCOUNTY
AGRICULTURAL ADVISER RE-
PORTS THAT POTATOES ARE
RoTTING IN GROUND AS RE-.
suLT OF HEAVY RAINS.

Rainy weather prevailing during the
first days OF the week, visitation to
farmers in the northern part of the
county was somewhat interfered with.
l found conditions among the sweet
potato growers somewhat unsatisfac-
tory. owing to excessive rains cover
ing the ground with several inches OF
water and causing the crop to rot to
a large extent. This is brought about
a good deal by the slip shods of MAX
rainfall. but where the ridges were
properly made so as to allow the wa
ter to run of the water furrow, no
damage resulted from the excessive
rainfall, but wheer the ridges were
low and of q sort of make believe in
their character, the water covered the
entire ground. flooding the crop with
the resulting damage by rot We
have been urging these farmers all
summer long to make preparation for
rainy weather by ridging the land in
the proper way Those that took the
advice are now reaping the benefit,
while those who followed fathers
methods are blaming the ways of
providence.
Winter Crops.
All farmers should make a special
effort to plant winter crops 10 cover
tility during the winter months
When heavy rainfall occurs and if
there is no crop roots in the soil to
utilize 1t, it will run off into creeks
and branches, carrying considerable
fertility with it. We have such a
wide range of suitable winter crops
that there is no excuse whatever for
not having some one Of them growing
on the farm. For soil building pur-
poses, we have crimson clover, hairy
vetch and for very early spring plant
Ing, Canadian field peas; for cattle
and hog feed, rape is an excellent
feed. Can either be grazed or cut and
Ted In the stall. For winter grazing
the most satisfactory is barley and
turf oats; for grain to mature in the
spring or early summer red rust proof
oats are the most satisfactory, but of
late years inferior seed has been on
the market and the crops have not
been satisfactory In yield We are
going to get guaranteed seed this
year, so that the farmer will do well
TO consult US before buying Liberal
seeding Is recommended; at least one
and one-half bushels should be used
for seed. and If the land is deeply
ploWed and full of humus, a couple
or bushels per acre is none too much. |
livery spring the oat crop suffers for |
lack of attention during the growing |
period Most farmers think al lthey
have to do with this crop is to sow
the seed, pay no more attention to ii |
until harvesting time. This is a mis-
taken idea; the oat crop should be |
cultivated at regular intervals like
All other crops, the tools to be used |
being weeder or light harrow with
the teeth set to a backward slant. l
After every rainy spell this should be
zone, so as to break the crust that
was formed by the rain and let fresh
air into the roots of the crop. And
when the crop shows sign of booting
Apply a top dressing of nitrate of soda.
This should be applied at the rate of
zOo pounds per acre and mixed with
the soil by either weeder or harrow.
The winter vegetables recommended
last week can still all be planted.
Next week / expect to visit:
s. Cottage Hill. Tuesday, October 7.
Bradt, Wednesday, October 8.
Kondyke Thursday, October 9.
Beilview, Friday. October 10.
C. X. MQUARRIE.
A Agricultural Adviser, Escambia Coun-
ty Crop Improvement Association.
and U. s. Demonstration Agent.