Carolina watchman. [volume] (Salisbury, N.C.) 1871-1937, 1917-07-11
GRAIN HARVEST. IS
ABOUT COMPLETED
INDICATIONS ARE THAT WHEAT
WILL PASS TEN MILLION
BUSHEL MARK.
DISPATCHES FROM RALEIGH
Doings and Happenings That Mark
the Progress of North Carolina Peo-
pie, Gathered Around the State
Capital.
Raleigh.

Raleigh.
Reports from all sections of North
Carolina are that the harvesting OF
the grain crop of the state has been
practically completed. Despite the
fact that the wheat crop was damag-
ed during the winter by the unpre-
cedented freeze, indications are that
as much as it was last yea while it
may pass the 10, 900, 900 bushel mark.
The increase in the wheat acreage was
especially noticeable in eastern North
Carolina where it has been popularity
thought that wheat would not grow
satisfactorily. In a few instances the
estimated yields, as high as 40 BUSH
els per acre, have been reported from
that section.
The production of rye will also
equal last years crop. The oat crop
is reported as a failure in practically
all parts of the state because of the
winter killing. Mr.. w. c. Crosby,
chief of the bureau of community ser.
vice, who has just returned from a
trip through the Piedmont section of
the state, expressed the belief that the
campaign of the Food Conservation
Commission for an increase in the
acreage of stubble lands planted in
food and feed crops will meet a
hearty response throughout the sec.
ton he visited. Said Mr.. Crosby:
The grain has all been harvested and
the fields are ready for preparation
for other crops. In fact, many farm
ers already planting corn, peas, pota-
toes, soy beans, sorghum and other
crops on land which has already this
year produced a grain crop. | notice
in many places that the grain has been
shocked in one corner of the field so
as to leave the greater part of the
field open for the pillow or disc. 1t is
especially fortunate that in practically
every county I visited the farmers are
up with their work in their cotton and
corn fields. These crops are clean and
the farmer should not be delayed in
getting their stubble land prepared
and planted"
Executive Secretary Lucas of the
Food Conservation Commission esti-
mates that if the farmers should not
plant more than the usual acreage of
stubble land in second crops that there
will be at least so per cent more than
it was last year, while the increase
may be considerably more than that.
North Carolina last year produced
little more than half a million tons Of
hay; it purchased hay by the thou
sands of tons. Mr.. Lucas makes the
following suggestions for the utiliza-
ton of stubble land:
Prepare the land as oon as possible
after the grain is removed. Break it
with a one-horse pillow if you have
time; double disc or crossdisc only
if time is short and the land is in
good condition.
Corn, soy beans, COW peas, Irish
potatoes and sorghum and suitable
crops to follow grain. Corn and soy
beans planted for grain should be got
ten in Immediately.
NoW peas, ooy UCollo In 1Shu1h
are the most satisfactory forage crops
that can be grown; they may be plant
ed by themselves or in mixtures. Half
q, bushel of sorghum seed to a bushel
Of cowpeas makes an excellent hay
mixture, either for broadcasting or
planting in drills.
Because of high prices of all seed
the planting of all of these crops in
drills, even for forage, is recommend
ed. Peas and sorghum planted in
three-foot rows are given two or
three. civilizations will yield as much
per acre as it would if broadcastei,
and only half the seed are required,
half a bushel of peas or beans or a
mixture of peas and sorghum being
sufficient.
On fair land 50 worth of seed should
make $40 worth of hay, and on good
land should make much more.