Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-11-07

states. These results were obtained
without the use OF fertilizers and on
soils which had not been especially en-
riched in any way. 1t is self evident
that on we'll organized farms and where
the land has been built up through ;he
use Of natural and commercial fertilizers
that much larger yields may be OBJ
tanned.
The time OF seeding oats is another
important matter. Most farmers defer
the work until too late. 1t is very i'm
portant, especially in the Piedmont re-
giOn, that oats be sown in October;
further south they may be sown as
late as October Is with very good sue
cess. OF course, much later dates of
seeding than those indicated may be
practiced with considerable success, but
farmers who intend to lay emphasis on
the cultivation of these crops must re-
member that early seeding will prove
the most profitable. Sometimes there
is a dry season I'm the fall and the seed
ing on that account must be delayed
for a couple of weeks. When condi-
ton of this kind is met with late seed
ing. of course, becomes essential, and
even in north Georgia under extreme
conditions, the writer would not hesi-
tate to plant as late as November 10,
and in south Georgia. as late as De-
cember !.
The preparation of the seed bed for
oats is an important matter. On land
which is in fairly good condition and
on which corn has been grown, cross
discing will often answer very well.
Oats can be planted in between the cot
ton rows in sections which the boil
weevil has not infested, but where ii
has made it's appearance the cotton
plant should be turned under to depth
of four inches and good seed bed pre-
pared and the oats seeded with an or
binary grain drill. Smoothing the land
before seeding so as TO obtain a uni
form surface is very important. The
method of seeding will therefore depend
on seasonal and crop conditions. AS a
matter of fact. il may be an advantage
on some farms to pillow the land, but
the average of the tests made at the
college indicate that there is little to
choose between preparing the land by
means of the disc and turning it over.
Ii is important TO remember i'm this con-
nection that the soils on the college
farm are probably above the average
of the state in fertility, since they are
being built up by the use of a system
attic rotation of crops in which the turn
ing under of green manure is empha-
sized.
II will generally pay to fertilize oats.
Particularly is this true on the poorer
soils. An application of 800 pounds of
acid phosphate would be considered
good practice on sandy lands and 200
pounds on clay lands. II the land is I'm
fair condition. the use of organic nitro
gen in the fall may or may not be nee
essary. II is probably best, as rule,
10 top dress the oat crop with nitrate of
soda or sulphate of ammonia. The top
dressing should be applied i'm south
Georgia about the fifteenth of February
and in north Georgia about the first Of
March.
As to the method of seeding much de-
ponds on the soil AS an average of
fivs-year tests as large yields have been
obtained from putting in the crop with
the grain drill as by following the open
furroS method of planting. Broadcast
ing has not proven satisfactory. The
objection TO the open furrow method
lies solely in the added cost of planting
in this manner. IL is a good. safe meth
od. and of course should be followed on
soils which are thin or in poor condi-
ton. Where the land has been built up
to a reasonable degree the grain drill
can be used to advantage. In preparing
the seed for planting remember that il
should be treated for smut. FOrmalde-
hyde can be used for this purpose. Dis
solve one pound Of formalin in fifty gall
Ions. Place the oats after they have
been carefully cleaned in sacks and i'm
merse in the solution for thirty min
utes. spread out to dry and then seed
as soon as practicable. a saving OF
about ten per cent can be effected by
treating oats for smut This disease
causes loss of several million dollars
a year 10 southern farmers. There is
Of n rat a
Of seeding, but as a rule from six to
eight pecks should be used.
The rust proof group of oats have
been most satisfactory for seed pur-
poses The Appler, Bancroft. Texas
Rust Proof. Hundred-Bushel, Fulghum
and Culberson are all of this type. The
best results have been obtained at Ath-
ems with Appler oats as a result of five
years test the average being SOL BUSH
els: with Texas Rust Proof, $40 BUSH
els; with Bancroft, H.6 bushels, and
with Fulghum. 6i.9 bushels. The oat
crop is subject to Improvement the
same as other cereals. This is brought
about by the careful selection of the
seed. Farmers should give attention
10 this important matter because the
yield and quality of the crop can GER
tainly be improved by selection which
they can carry on in a simple and In
expensive manner. When ii is desired
TO use the oat crop for hay or pasture,
two bushels of oats should be mixed
with twenty pounds of hairy vetch.
This not only. makes a good grazing
crop for hogs and sheep. but very val
liable hay may be obtained for feeding
to the farm work stock and beef and
dairy cattle as well.
THE BEST TIME TO PLANT BUR
CLOVER