The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1921-02-11

make long-necked draws. II we cover
deep at first, growth Isl retarded, and
time is what counts when once the
season for planting has come.
Ordinarily one bushel of seed po-
tatoes is sufficient from which to get
draws and vines for one acre Of pota-
toes, cutting vines from the first set
ting Of draws for the last setting in
early June.
New is the Time to Plant kudzu
(By ]. B. Thompson. forage crops
specialist Agricultural Extension Di-
vision.)
Kudzu is rank growing perennial
legume. On the light sandy soils
of Florida it has not returned large
yields, but on the heavier soils it has
produced satisfactorily. The crops
on the Experiment Station farm or
1912 and 1914, as published in the
annual reports for those years, show
ed an average yield of little more
than one and one-fourth tons scured
hay an acre, and this on land that
would have returned SIMILARLY light
yields of other crops. On good lands.
and especially on the clay soils Of the
northern and western part of the
state, three, four, or more tons of
cured hay an acre have been report
ed.
Kudzu hay IS highly nutritious,
comparing favorably in composition
with alfalfa, clover, cowpeas and beg
garweed. Compared with other le-
gumes, kuduz is comparatively easy
to cure and the leaves have little ten
dency to shed during the curing pro-
cess.
There is considerable expense in
volved in the planting of extensive
areas, but it would be desirable for
everyone who is especially interested
in the crop to make a small expert
mental planting at this time. There
seems to be no question as to the
value kuduz on certain types of
soils; and the planting thruout the
state of large number OF plots, how
ever small, would furnish valuable
data bearing on its adaptabilitys to
various soils.
Best success usually follows plant
ing it during the dormant season.
hence the plant should be set in
February, if possible, or otherwise
early in March. The plants are often
set at distances of eight or ten feet
in both directions. For small areas
closer distances, say four feet both
ways. is more desirable. BY this sec
ond method the ground is quickly
covered with a dense growth that
helps suppress weeds. One hundred
plants set four by four feet would
occupy plot 40 feet square.
There are number of growers in
Florida who can supply the roots for
Eransplanting. The names and adj |
dresses of most of these growers can
be found in the advertising columns
Of Florida farm papers, or a list may
be had upon application to the Ex-
pertinent Station. Gainesville, Florida.
Sugar Cane Culture
(By K. E. Bragdon, county agent Bre-
yard county,
Before planting sugar cane is the
time to make plans. Some farmers
plant cane direct from the preceding
crop, while others bed it for a number
of weeks. Without attempting to adj
wise whether or not it should be plant
ed in fall or spring, the following
benefit of all:
Drainage-Land should be thoroly
drained until the water table is at
least two feet below the surface of
the ground, even deeper in the rase
of muck lands. If certain, plot can
not be drained to this extent, it may
be bedded upsinto lands wide enough
for two or three rows.
Soil Preparation-The soil should
be well plowed and pulverized. If it'll
is very acid. which is seldom the case,
an application Of lime should be given
two or three weeks before planting.
Seed Great care should be used in
selecting canes for planting that have
not been frosted. If the buds are
dark brown or black when cut open,
the seed stock should be rejected.
Canes should be cut into pieces con-
tanning three or four joints. It should
not be exposed to sun or wind longer
than necessary.
Planting Burrows five feet apart
and ah0lff Siy iuobnS deem rt<.,15 -