The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1921-11-08
WINTER COVER CROPS.

Imatter in the soil the more one can
push up the yields by heavy applica
tons OF plant food, thus assuring the
greatest labor returns.
! Furthermore, the winter cover crop
| is not only a COnserver OF soil fertility,
but if it is a 1egume that is grown
! there will be an addition to the soils
store of nitrogen when the legume is
turned under.
Wheat oats and barley serve the
purpose of winter cover crops but win
ter cover crops for green manuring
embrace such crops as crimson clover,
| bur clover, vetch, rye or other crops
that will keep green and growing in
the winter, and be ready to contribute
considerable organic matter to the soil
when plowed under in late winter or
early spring.
The turning under of green manure
crops or plant residue of any kind will
not, however, solve the plant food
problem of soil If there is need of
lphosphoric acid in soil no amount of
turning under the crops will increase
the supply of that plant food element
in the soil. 1t is likewise true of pot
ash, lime and all the other minerals.
Only in the use of legume is it prob
able that the nitrogen content OF a soil
can be increased by the turning under
of vegetable matter.
Organic matter, in fact, finds its
greatest use in improving the soils
physical condition by increasing its
water holding capacity, and in promot-
ing the bacterial and chemical forces
Operating to release plant food from
the soils inso1uble compounds.
Some of the following crops should
find a place on every farm in the south
| this winter:
Crimson Clover.
| From August 1st to November LIST,
crimson clover may be sown at the
rate OF II to IS pounds per acre. 1t can
be seeded broadcast in cotton or corn,
or drilled in an unoccupied field, and
covered lightly, though farmers obtain
good results without covering the seed.
Crimson clover has short period OF
growth and should he fertilized with
an application Of 200 to 800 pounds OF
a 12-1-2 fertilizer.
AS legume it can take some OF its
nitrogen from the air and when turned
lunder it is the means of increasing the
Total nitrogen of the soil, as well as
the organic matter.
Vetch.
Vetch is winter legume OF general
adaptability to the south, but 1t is us
Eually grown as a companion crop OF
Ioats for spring hay. Hairy vetch is the
hardest and easiest grown. English or
Oregon vetCh grows more erect, ma
lures earlier and under favorable con-
ditions yields as heavily as hairy yetch,
! but it is easier winter-Nlled and does
not do so we'll on light soils as hairy
ivetch
For hav sow 20 to Is pounds OF
vetch seed with ? bushels of oats per
acre. If soWn alone from 80 to IS
pounds Of seed should be used.
AS in the case of crimson clover
vetch, or vetch with its companion
crop, has only a short time in which
to make its growth during the grow
ing period Of the spring, hence it
should be fertilized by an application
of $50 to 500 pounds of a l2-l-2 fer
tilizer. Lime is also helpful
Bur Clover.
One to one and a hall bushels OF
bur clover seed in the bur or to 10
pounds OF hulled seed broadcast per
acre before September 18th and dragg-
ing. The soil should have been lined
and 800 pounds OF a l2-l-2 fertilizer
may be applied.
As a legume bur clover gathers nj
trogen from the air and as a green
manure it will add to the total nitro
gen OF the soil and likewise provide
a supply OF organic matter 1t can be
seeded in growing cotton or corn and
affords an excellent growth for turning
uuder in early spring. Once it is es-
tablished it Is persistent and reliable
and for that reason is favorable pas
ture legume.
Rye.
Rye is hardy winter cover crop
and a good stand can be easily obtain
ed. 1t makes efficient use OF the soils
nitrogen when It becomes available
during the winter, and when turned
under rye carries into the soil not on
/ " the plant food it has taken up but
a comparatively large amount OF or
ganic matter Rye can be SOwn from
September lst to October 18th. If as
sociated with vetch or clover the
amount OF nitrogen added to the soil
when both are turned under, of course.
will be greater then where rye alone Is
fused.
Rye can do its best only when we'll
fortified. An application OF $50 to 200
pounds OF 1922 in the Piedmont reg
ion and 9-3-3 for the coastal plains
iraoiCr Of ,,f1 time =