The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-09-07
PLANT COVER CROPS NOW
ny William Hurt Harrison.

itoN - ~ IN Your section. green ana
/ flourishing helds in winter. or bare and
dcsolatc loolSipe ones" Tile prorres-
sivc or PROSPEROUS farmer is the one
who grows cover crops year after year.
not allowing amy field to be left bare
during the winter months. Corn. to-
bacco, cotton and peanuts arc the prin-
cipal crops Of tho Southern states. cs-
pccially from tho area or acreage
planted. and these crops. after Il
( thorough cultivation and iooscning OF
the soil during the summer. lcnvcS the
ground in fine condition for Washing
The most effective method of prevent
inE this great damage to our lands is
by never allowing these cultivated
fields To bc left open aud exposed to
the heavy washing rains of late fall
and winter, which can so easily be pre-
vented by providing some growing
crop TO cover the land during these
seasons.
For a good many wears | have been
/ trying To impress upon my ncighhors
tho advantage Of the cover crop" sys-
tenn. showing thar ii is impossible for
their soils To he kept or brought up TO
III" proper state Of fertilization rs long
as allowed to lie left bare during the
winter months. In more Northern
states. whore the ground Is kept Gov
cred with snow most Of the entire win
! ter, this 10 4 certain extent acts as
u covering, and. it is claimed. adds to
soil fertility
firmly believe that winter exposure
Injuries land much more than the crop
grown during the summer. and let me
tell YOU right now. brother farmer.
that Just ms long as we farmers raise
corn. cotton, peanuts and tobacco. and
continue 10 leave such ground exposed
IN winter to be washed ~ the heavy
rams which causcs the plant food 70
! be leachcd out OF the soil. such fields
Will continue To decrease in fertility
- a
hcult TASK to make such land produce
AN average crop.
70 have l;rocn fields during The
winter is a worry wise rule Ia araciicn
ana means good farming and pros
p"rity, When farmers once realize
This fact and act upon il. they viii soon
ma that ii is q wonderful aid to
their soil. The soil always needs these
cover crops. and more so thi. wear
than usual, due tosthc high price ana
scarcity OF hay from dr"ughty conoi-
ions IN most sections OF the country
the past three seasons OF course. IL
I ts now too late TO SOW the SIMMER
growing lcSumcs, but stiu there is
ample time FOR IA ia make good prov-
rcss towards getting in Soodly
acreage 81 winter cover crops. NOT only
FOR the lands sake, but for the henc.
III OF our stock also, and il Will bc
/ very WiSc plan for us 10 cci in
rs many acres 90 Understanding cover
crops ~ possible the season now at
| hand.
While growing these crops !, is also
! a wise plan for us 10 try and select
Z = crop which viii furnish some winter
snd early saring grazing, crop to
cut for nay If necessary. and ono which
! IN ~ growth adds fertility TO the soil
at the same time.
From experience prefer crimson
clover, and believe II Win mos, sal !
! isfaciorily meet an Of tic above re-
Guiremcnts than amy other. This lie
Sumc crop is one of the greatest soil
/ builders or improvers ever tried. and
Il "1it also furnish some wintcr ANA cariy
spring grazing for cattle and sheen.
and may also be fcd safely To horses
: when cut IN proper tlfnc and cured
properly The old fashioned rcd clover
VII! also furnish good 5priuG pa&tur-
age. In Virginia crimGon clover can
I hc safely Suwn all OF Scptou. her and
up to October 10. Get the land in good
/ condition, and SOW about twenty
pounds Of seed per acre, covering very
shallow with Z hay rake OF pea wccdcr.
MI OF tho grain crops, snch as
/ wheat. oats, ryo and barley. sovn early
! enough. viii act as cove crop dur
/ ing the winter Plant or SOW AMY
thing that VIII give your fields a green
winter coyerinE and prcVoni yiSh;ntr.
la some sections rye Is eXtensivriy
grown as q cover crop for several
reasons. First. tho seed is mos; ~
I ways cheap. Second. the iutauess AZ
which il can be sown with the satisfac-
! ton OF securing a stand aud getting
I good results. Third. II is worry hard
standing freezing ana thawinp, mud
adapted 10 most any climate and soil
isyo may be sowu any time from the
lst Of September TO December l. tho
earlier seeding often furnishing good
late fan ana winter pasture.
In section where NE ana green fields