The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1921-04-01

value. on this basis. the $4,000
acres. producing 100000 tons Of tor
aee. has an actual feeding value q
close to $4,000. OOO This means po''
tential value Of approximately 81,
900 900 for the velvet bean crop OF
the state last year
AS a matter of fact, a large part
Of the unharyested acreage IS not
grazed, being grown for its usefulness
as a cover crop, weed-killer, humus-
forming and nitrogen-gathering crop
which can be interplanted with corn,
or corn and peanuts, al. practically no
additional expense to these crops.
The velvet bean was developed only
10 or ~ years ago by the Florida TX
pertinent Station from crosses OF va
rious tropical beans. 1t is now third
largest in acreage of all Florida :
crops, being exceeded by only corn and
peanuts.
y {
Clip Your Work Animals
Work animals should be clipped in
spring as soon as danger of cold
weather is over. Otherwise they are
apt to take cold when stabbed for the
night with sweaty coats. Horses and
mules with long hair sweat profusely
on warm days. To put them in the
stable with thick, wet coat o. hair
has about the same effect as stabling
them in a wet blanket. Their skin is
open, they soon lose the heat of work,
and are apt to take cold at night.
OF course they should not be clipped
as long as there is danger of a cold
snap, unless good warm stables are
available. Every man who has several
work animals can afford to buy a clip
ping machine.
In case it is not advisable or possible
to clip animals, Fl. G. Clayton, district
agent Florida Agricultural Extension
Division, recommends that the animals
be fed ration that will help them get
rid of the surplus hair. A bran mask
once a week or little linseed meal
once week will start them to she'd
ding.
Grow Legumes With Corn
Over three million dollars was the
estimate of the velvet bean crop last.
year. That did not take into con-
tsideration the increase in fertility of
the soil, result of this crop of beans.
If this more fertile soil could be added
to the actual value of the beans and
hay, the sum would be much greater
than three million dollars.
But how much will this years vel
vet bean crop be worth? Certainly
as much as last years, and possibly
much more.
Florida farmers should not Gail to
take advantage of the velvet bean.
They should be planted on every farm.
It has become customary to plant
beans among th ecorn The Florida
Agricultural Extension Division rec
ommends this. At what time they
should be planted, or how thick they
should be planted, are questions which
vary with the circumstances.
Some farmers pasture their corn
and beans to hogs and cattle. In this
case the beans may be planted In ey-
cry row and at the same time the
corn is planted If it is desired to har-
vest the corn, plant the beans after
the corn has gained considerable head
wayfand in every second or third row
and the vines will not be so heavy as
to hinder the harvesting of the corn.
There are dozens of methods Of plant-
ing beans, and on every farm condi- |
lions are slightly different. Therefore,
no one method is suited to all condi- |
tions.
But one point stands out undoubt
able, velvet beans Cor any other lei
gume) improve the soil and no ro-
tation plan should exclude them.
Beans and peas are good feed and
money crops and in addition furnish
the most economical source of nitro
gen known. Their culture means
prosperity
Milk has its great value as a food
not because if its fuel value but ratl-
er because of its ability to repair
waste tissue, to supply material for
growth, and to keep the bodily ma
chinery in good working order and to
keep it running smoothly. Agricul-
tural News Service
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