Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-05-26
Growing Hay Crops on Bermuda
Sod

Sod
T. J. J., Adrian, Ga, writes:
have eight acres Of land which
has some Bermuda grass in it,
and I want to sow it in peas or
soy beans or something to cut
for hay. What would you ad-
wise planting for this purpose?
Either cowpeas or soy beans will
make an excellent hay. 1t is impor-
tant that you seek the right variety
to plant The Brabham is an excel
lent sort of cowpea to use for the
purpose in mind. OF the soy beans,
we would recommend the O-too-tan
and the Laredo for hay production.
These varieties are finestemmed,
and we regard them with more favor
for hay-making on that account than
We do even cowpeas. They are rela
lively easy to cut and cure. They
make a large Yield on soils of fair
fertility. The eight acres in ques-
ton should be thoroughly plowed as
soon as practicable. Then cultivate
and harrow so as to minimize the
growth of Bermuda grass as much
as possible. Sow either the cow
peas or soy beans Immediately. You
may broadcast the crop, if you de-
sire. We prefer to plant in drills
two and one-half feet apart and cul-
tivate a few times until a vigorous
growth is evidenced Cultivation
may then cease. If you handle the
land properly, the peas or beans will
soon shade it sufficiently to minimize
the growth of the Bermuda grass.
Making Syrup From Sugar Cane
X. G., Commerce, Ga, writes:
I am trying to grow some sugar
cane on my farm. and would like
10 know just how long to boil the
syrlD for the best results?
A thermometer can be used to
some advantage in making sugar
cane syrup. Water, as you doubtless
know, boils at 212 degrees, Fahren-
heit. Your elevation at Commerce is
about 1000 to 1900 feet. Water may
boil, therefore, at little lower tenn
perature, say around 210 degrees,
Fahrenheit. A sugar solution con-
tanning 20 per cent of solids boils at
22S.7 degrees Fahrenheit. Secure a
good thermometer and place it in the
boiling syrup. You can then roughly
judge the density of your product.
You should test the thermometer to
be sure that it is reasonably accu
rate. This may be done by placing
it in boiling water and noting the
boiling point. Syrup should be fin
ished at II to Is degrees higher
than the boiling point of water. For
every 500 feet above sea level the
boiling point is lowered about 1 de-
gree, Fahrenheit. We are of the
opinion, therefore, that the finishing
should be done at your elevation at
220 to 222 degrees, Fahrenheit. You
might find it desirable in making
syrup to also buy a hydrometer.
This will show the density of the
liquid. A full description relative to
the method of using will accompany
the instrument. You should follow
these suggestions carefully.
nControlling the Rot in Tomatoes
j. n. B., Decatur, Ga, writes:
I have great trouble with my
tomatoes, turning black and rot
ting, and would like to know if
there is anything I can do to
prevent this. What would be best
fertilizer to use?
We judge that the trouble with
your tomatoes resulted from what is
known as Blossom End Rot" This
Is very serious disease and one
extremely difficult to control. When
the fruit is forming, the blossom end
of the tomato shows evidences of
injury. Casually looked at, it would
appear as though the tomato had
been bruised. This condition con-
tinues to become exaggerated until
finally the whole fruit becomes SOIL
and rotten. If the skin is touched,
it breaks Immediately. and a very
unpleasant odor is emitted The only
thing which 70 In
control this condition is to remove
the rotting fruit as soon as it is OBJ
served. Fruit thus gathered should
be brunei. Do not throw on the
trash-heap or scatter around over
the ground when pulled from the
vines. Occasionally, this trouble
ruins the whole crop. Recent in
vestigations indicate that this disease
10 due to Pathological troubls, of
sincerely hope that an adequate
remedy may be found for this dis
ease in the not distant future. Fer
tilization would not control this
trouble, though it might be of some
aid in accomplishing this erd.
A formula to use for garden crops
of the truck variety is one contain
ing 4 per cent nitrogen. to 10 per
cent phosphoric acid and to per
cent potash. 1t does not make any
difference from what source you OBJ
tain these materials The important
thing is to have a carrier of nitrogen
that is quickly available. You will
of course have to use high grade ma
terials in order to prepare so con-
centrated a formula. Cottonseed meal
and acid phosphate would not exert
an undesirable effect on your tomato
crop. The use of these, in other
words, did not cause your tomatoes
to decay.
1t Is Mistake Not to InOculate
Alfalfa
r. S. c.. Conner, Ca, writes:
Il have a field of alfalfa planted
last fall which I lined and
MANFRED. The land was previ-
ously in crimson clover and
peas. I applied 400 pounds Of
acid phosphate per acre but did
not use any culture. i am
sending a sample of the plants.