The Wilmington morning star., 1940-09-09
SmallG Good
In Coastal Plain Sector

~ III PSI hSlO 10
) pecks.
The best time to sow rye for grain
early it may form stalks or even
heads in December, and freezing
weather will ruin it when in this
stage of growth. However, rye may
be sown in September, grazsd close.
ly during November, and early De.
cember, then allowed to make grain.
One bushel of rye should be sown
per acre.
Barley should be sown between
October 20 and November 10. Sow
two bushels per acre.
Seed Bed: 1t is better to have the
soil finely pulverized four inches deep
and left undisturbed below that
depth. The reason for this is that
deep blowing so loosens the soil that
the crop may be injured by freezing.
When it is necessary to pillow the
land in order to cover grass Or
weeds, the blowing should be done
about four weeks before sowing the
grain. This permits the seed bed
to settle. Discing and rolling the
plowed grown will also help to make
it firm.
Most fields, however, can be put
into excellent condition, with a disc
harrow, followed by a section har-
row. Where row crops have been
planted on ridges. first level each
ridge with the disc, then double disc
and harrow the field.
In the tidewater section the water
table is often so near the surface
that small grain has to be sown on
beds. These beds are made by back
furrowing with a pillow, the depres-
sions between the beds serving for
drainage . The beds should be made
ten to fifteen feet wide for convsn-
fence in sowing and harvesting.
They should be built long enough
before planting. to give them time
to settle before the seed is soWn.
Fertilizers: Most small grain crops
in the Coastal Plain receive no fer
t%ilizer; except a top-dressing OF
nitrate of soda, or similar material
in the spring. This practice is us.
ually satisfactory after heavily ferti-
LIKED crops, like Tobacco. But after
other crops, especially exhaustive
crops like corn, hay crops and pea
nuts, it pays to fertilize as follows:
300 to 400 lbs. - 4-S.4 or 2-8-6 at
planting.
100 to $50 lbs.-nitrate of soda Tor
similar materially when growth starts
in the spring. (about March ~
Many farmers fail to get the full
benefit of their top-dresser because
they wait too late to apply it.
Lime is not necessary for small
gains on most Coastal Plain soils.
Where needed the amount indicated
by the soil test should be narrowed
il before planting.
Sowing the Seed-The grain drill
is by far the best method of sowing
small grains. With this implement
the seeds are distributed more uni
formly than is possible by hand.
They are also covered deep enough
Il to 1 IL inches) to allow the roots
to take firm hold in the soil below
the prepared seed bed. These roots
hold the plants in place when freez-
ing "heaves" the topsoil. The plants
are also at the bottom Of a furrow,
which helps to protect them from
cold. Less seed is required with the
grain drill, and a better yield may
be expected. The drill can also be
used for sowing lespedeza, soybeans,
cowpeas, crimson clover, vetch, Aus
trian winter peas, pasture grasses,
and other seeds. 1t should be equip
ped for distributing fertilizer, then
it may be also used for distributing
in~oculating soil for legumes.
The ore-horse open furrow drill is
used to sow small grains or other
seeds between row crops, without
other preparation of the seed bed,
This method is a good lie, if the
field has been kept clear of grass
and weeds.
Where no drill is available, the
grain may be soWn by hand, sowing
half of it at right angles to the
other half, and covered with a sec.
ton harrow.
Small Grain and Lespedeza: Les
pedeza fits in so we'll with small
grains thai a world about it is not
out of place here. The lespedeza
seed is sown on fall grain in Feb.
ruary or early March. 1t is usually
broadcasted; and should be covered
with a weeder or section harrow
to prevent its being washed to the
low places in the field.
A still better way is to use the
grain drill, %loosening the pressure
springs and raising the gear lever
a notch, so the discs run about one
half inch deep. This peration may
appear to be running the grain, but
the grain will quickly and
be better for having been cultivated.
Lespedeza may be sown immedl-
ately after sowing spring oats with
out covering.
(To Be Continued
NyC ANN U1C