The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-06-11


and explain the subject fully. In in
PRODUCING Mr.. Smith. he said that the
alfalfa which had just been inspected
had been planted under the direction
of Mr.. Smith and that the success that
had attended the experiment spoke
for itself. Mr. Smith, he said, was an
authority on alfalfa, that ne came TO
South Carolina from an alfalfa coun-
try and that so highly did the Off
cials of the Department OF Agricul-
ture esteem his knowledge of the
subject that he was assigned the duty
OF writing the department bulletin on
alfalfa culture. In his Introductory
remarks Mr.. Smith gave a brief out
line of the history of the alfalfa ex-
perimental plot on the Cooper farm,
stating the facts relative to yield
quoted above.
He said that efforts had been made
to grow alfalfa in this State for at
least thirty or forty years, but that
there had been an average Of three
complete failures to one success, and
that when the census of 1910 was TAX
en- there were only 139 acres of alfalfa
growing in the whole of South Caro-
lima The failures were not due to
any fault of the plant. but to the fact
that those who had attempted to grow
1t did not know how.
Anybody can grow alfalfa with
proper care. but no one can succeed
with slip-shod methods. 1t is not a
question of whether alfalfa will grow,
but whether II Is planted by the
proper people who will give 1t the in
telligent care that is essential. 1t
should be planted on good, we'll drain
ed land, having an open, porous sub
soil. A porous subsoil Is preferable
because the roots will penetrate to a
depth of six to ten feet and the
growth of the plant will be more
vigorous. A soil with wet, pipe
clay subsoil will not do, and land
with a water level Of less than three
feet should be avoided. A sandy soil
with deep sandy subsoil is not suit
able. On this type Of land vetch, fol-
lowed by peavines. Is recommended, :,
and experience proves that better
and more profitable results are obtain
ed than with alfalfa
The best land for alfalfa is a well
drained sandy loan. with a porous
clay subsoil. Select land that Is in a
good state Of cultivation and free of
noxious weds. Do not plant on land
that is in Bermuda grass. nut grass
and Johnson grass are not as objec-
tionable as Bermuda, in fact do not
interfere seriously with alfalfa. Hav-
Ing selected the right land 1t should
be planted in oats, followed by cow
peas. Before planting the peas ap-
ply barnyard manure and lime. Get
the peas of In September. for that is
the best time to plant alfalfa. Plant
ing later than October 10th, Is not
advised and after November 1st the
chances Of obtaining a good stand are
not more than fifty per cent. Pre-
pare the land well, plowing deep
where the land has been plowed
deeply heretofore, but plow shallow
where the land has heretofore been
plowed shallow. and follow with a
sub-soiler. For alfalfa 1t is neces-
sary to keep the fertile soil, contain
ing organic matter. on the surface.
The best time to apply the lime. If It
was not put down with the peas, Is af-
ter plowing, then work it in. But re-
member that lime Is an absolute ne
cessity. as much SO as incubation.
Apply not less than two tons of
ground limestone, but not more than
five, since more than five tons would
not be profitable. Ground limestone
Is better than burnt lime, the latter
costing more, and. unless great care
Is exercised, will burn the humus out
Of the soil. Ground limestone should
cost laid down at Wisacky. about SO per
ton, If bought In quantity by cooper
alton among the farmers. At York
Vile 1t costs s23O in bulk and $3.50
per ton in sacks. Too much emphasis
cannot be placed upon the need of
lime, lands here need lime more than
ordinary fertilizer. Lime also pays
well when used with general crops.
On poor. sandy land near Columbia
two tons OF lime to the acre brought
an increase of 10s pounds Of cotton
per acre and 500 pounds of pea vine
hay. Additional fertilizer to be ap-
piled should be 1000 pounds of basic
Stag. 1000 pounds of kainit and 400