Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1920-07-20
The Hay Problem in the South

Hay has been very extensively i'm
ported into many sections of Georgia
the last spring and summer. A good
part of it has come from the middle
west. 1t represents a part of the an
nual tribute which that section gar
ners from the land of King Cotton"
1t represents a certain proportion of
our cotton crop. Hence, all of the
cotton we raise does not belong to
us. If it did, we would shortly be-
United States. 1t is naturally pre-
sumed under these conditions that
we cannot grow hay crops to advan-
tage or profit. Those who are &C
quainted with the soil and climatic
I conditions of the southeastern states
know that this is not true. There
must be other causes, therefore, to
which this defect in the economic
situation of our agriculture is
chargeable.
The real trouble lies in the fact
that we have not thought 1T worth
while to devote our energies to the
cultivation of hay crops. There has
been an impression extant entirely
too long to the effect that we could
buy hay for less than we could raise
it. There are no facts which justify
the drawing of any such conclusion.
So, we must attribute the existing
condition to other causes. Custom is
regal monarch, and holds and en-
slaves her subjects with a rigorous
hand We have bought hay so long
that it seems hard to make a change
in our farm practice. We have listen
ed to the suggestion that it was not
profitable to grow hay crops until
have become so used to the cultiva-
ton of comparatively few crops that
the taking on of new enterprises ap-
pears to be a difficult and trying task.
This, I think, accounts for our fail
ure to produce hay on the basis
which our economic situation both
justifes and demands.
Let us reflect on the present stu
alton for few minutes and see
what we can do to help ourselves
solve this situation, permanently
and effectively. 1t is not more diff
many hay crops than for planting
to corn, cotton or peanuts. We are
growing them on very extensive
areas with great success. Why not
add some of the long list of hay
crops to the rotation and thus pro-
essential arm needed to make us
self-sustaining and independent in
the matter of raising and maintain
ing all the live stock we need. Let
us see what crops may be used for
this purpose at the present time.
1t will not be too late tossed mil
let in most parts of Georgia until
August Is. We are almost certain IN
that time to have plenty of rain
to insure it's rapid termination. II
SoWn at the rate of peck per acre,
a good stand should be secured ana
a hay yielding from one and one
half to three tons per acre obtained
in the course of from sixty to ninety
days. If this crop is cut in the early
dough stage, it may be fed with sat
isfaction and impunfty to all classes
of live stock. When allowed to prac-
ttcally mature seed, the hay is not
so satisfactory for horses and mules
as it over-stimulates the action Of
the kidneys. Millet is an easy crop
to establish, harvest and cure as hay.
1t. has a very fine adaptability and
makes a good yield. 1t is a crop, the
seed of which is not difficult to op-
tain as a rule In some sections Of
the south it constitutes the chief hay
crop. 1t is q good drouth resister,
and will take good care of itself
once a stand has been secured. In
favorable seasons two cuttings may
be secured. In many others there will
be a considerable aftermath suited
for grazing down after the first cut
ting. Millet also combines with eX-
cellent advantage with various leg
umes. 1t is especially well adapted
for growing in combination with
carly NdI1cIlcS VI COWpc Ut SOy
beans. When planted with peas, about
a bushel should be seeded with Z:
peck of sorghum. The crop may be
broadcasted, though this calls fer
the use of increased and the stand is
not so likely to be as uniform as
where the grain is drilled in. The
combination crop mentioned produces
a superior hay to either 3millet or
peas by themselves. The millet helps
to hold up the peavines and makes
the harvesting of the crop more east
ly accomplished. The combination OF
the protein value of the. resulting
hay as we'll as adding to it's variety
and palata bility. Anyone who has not
experimental with mil1et as hay
crop is losing a golden opportunity
to provide his farm with an essential
foodstuff at a reasonable cost. If we
will just shake off the lethargy
which has possessed us as cotton
farmers, we will find millet a most
profitable and desirable crop to in,
clude in our farm cropping systems
Cowpeas and sorghum can, OF
with very good results. A relatively
large yield will be secured from
this combination. The seeding OF
carly maturing varieties of peas an6
sorghum can be continued through.
out this month. Sorghum, of course
if seeded very thickly. rather
fine stemmed and palatable hay car
be secured. This plan calls for the
use Of a large amount of seed which
makes the practice expensive. More
over, larger yields will, as a rule
and one-half to four and one-hal1
foot rows and cultivating once :
sorghum u has beceme 5afficien 1IS
large to shade the land effectively.
Sudan grass may, also be planted
makes a very good quality of hay
not dissimilar in character to thai
obtained from sorghum which ha:
been planted very thickly. Sudar
harvest than the, sorghum because
it dries out more readily. There is
no reason why Sudan grass should
not be sown in combination witt
cowpeas. This, I believe, would i'm
prove the quality of the hay for feed
ties of Soy beans can be substituted
for cowpeas with success. The SOY
bean hay has a larger and coarsel
stem than the cowpea hay, and it is
not eaten up so readily or complete
" on that account 1t is a valuable
for growth north of~the fall line II
Georgia.
Another crop which will make &
better quality of hay than it i:
given credit for is corn. 1t may b.
seeded until the first of August. L
should be sown. very thickly either
with a drill or broadcasted. 1t will
take less seed if it is drilled and {
better stand is almost certain to b,
secured. It is quite surprising wha
a large yield of very good qualit!
hay may be secured from this meth
cd of planting corn. AS rule, i
will not grow to any great height.
have frequently seen it when thu
stalks would not measure ovel
three to four feet in length. 1t i!
surprising what large yield i!
often obtained, and, if short of hay
I would not hesitate to plant anC
cultivate corn in the manner indicat
ed. A cleaner. and brighter. hay car
be made in this way very often thar
| is secured in the combination O.
sorghum or cowpease, and it's nutri
I tive value is very good indeed
DO not make the mistake of losint
| TINA If MD al