Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-10-12
HANDLING THE VELVET BEAN
CROP

According to our experience and OBJ
servation, we would advise the combi-
nation of velvet beans in corn. This is
the simplest way of handling the crop.
1t has the advantage of increasing the
yield of forage per acre. does not reduce
the yield of corn under proper condi-
tions, the vines and pods can be grazed
until after frost, the cost per acre is
small, the soil can be built up by this
practice and the seeds are free from in
sect attacks by reason of their hardness.
Some of the varieties we suggest as
best adapted for use in Georgia are
those known as the 90-Day Running,
To-day, the Medium Early and the Ex-
ira Early. The extra early varieties
should, of course. be grown in north
Georgia. The late varieties will mature
satisfactorily in south Georgia. In ad-
dition, the Chinese and Osceola can be
cultivated to advantage in south Geor-
gia The velvet bean, while best adapted
to sandy soil, grows we'll in clay lands.
AS a rule, Ii is best to plant velvet
beans by dropping one by every hill Of
corn A bushel of seed will usually plant
four to five acres.
The soy bean, of course. does fairly
we'll in this section of the country and
makes very good yields. 1t produces a
very good bean for use as human FOOD.
1t is best grown by itself 1t should
be planted in drills about 1-2 to feet
apart The land should be well fertil-
lied with phosphoric acid and under nor
NAL conditioner with potash as we'll. 1t
will take from two to three pecks to
plant an acre. depending a good deal on
the size and variety selected. The Mann
moth Yellow is one of the best varieties
to plant for general cultivation. Soy
beans can be cut with corn harvester
or an ordinary binder.
The most important thing in curing
sweet potatoes is to dry out the surplus
moisture they contain when first dug.
They should not be harvested until ma
ture. The maturity may be ascertained
by breaking the potato and exposing 1T
to the light for few minutes. Ii water
arises to the surface when broken and
stands they are not sufficiently matured.
If the exposed part dries off. the potato
is mature. After digging, II the weather
is fair ii is good practice to let the
potatoes stand in the sunshine for a rev
days so as to thoroughly dry them out.
Then nut them in a hill where the
ground is we'll drained. They should be
piled up in a V-shaped heap. Cover with
straw for a few days, then as the po-
tatoes dry out and the weather gets
cooler cover WIN edTlHb bho SONOA Aho
being increased as the season advances
Leave a ventilated space at the top
where the potatoes are covered only
with straw. 1t is best to build a shelter
over the top of the heap. This is the
cheapest and best way for the average
home. This is not the very best way
for the loss by decay is quite great but
Unless one is able to build storage
house II is the best method.
Weevils may be destroyed by treating
with carbon-bisulphide One pound or
carbon-bisulphide should be used to
ton of grain. The beans or peas should
be put in relatively alright boxes and
a proportion Of the material placed In
shallow dishes on top Of the grain. This
should be left for few hours. Since
the carbon-bisulphide is heavier than
air IL will penetrate to the bottom OF the
box. This treatment should be repeated
in the course of a few days. Remember
that this material is readily intiammaoIe
so do not handle in the presence or
lights. The offensive odor caused there
from can be destroyed by allowing the
beans or peas to air for several days.