Southern cultivator. (Augusta, Ga.) 1843-188?, March 01, 1869, Image 1

Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

4 -■ % Ijpratiind anh Js-twiiifit Utaga^rae, FOR THE PLANTATION, THE GARDEN AND CIRCLE VOL XXV!!, See Cover for Terms, &c. WM. & W. L. JONES, Editors and Proprietors. «* B. REDMOND, Arcola, La., Corresponding Editor Agricultural department. WORK FOR THE MONTH. Where the face of the country, soil and climate vary as much as they do in different parts of the South, it is impossible to indicate a line of procedure equally appli cable to all. The time for planting corn, for instance, varies from the Ist of March, or even earlier along the Gulf, to the latter part of May, in the vallies of the hill country. Again, upon the flat lands of the Atlantic and Gulf border, and bottom lands elsewhere, which are not thoroughly drained, it is nececsary to put the corn upon a ridge, to prevent “drowning out” in wet weather; whereas, in rolling and hilly country, the best fart.lers recommend planting on a level with the surface, or even several inches below. Again, as to distance: This may ’ certainly be less on flat and valley lands, particularly when rich, than in high and dry localities. Climate also comes in as a disturbing the plant naturally takes on a dwarfish habit, it may with* out injury, be cro’wded much more than in warmer zones, where the tendency is to produce a tall, luxuriant stalk. Hence, at the North, corn is planted much thickertlian at the South. We’ beg each of our readers, therefore, to canvass all these different circumstances, as bearing on his own locality, and be sure if he errs, to err on the side of giving plenty of distance to his corn—especially if he plants high rolling lands. tegln common with some of our correspondents, we have already expressed our doubts as to corn being the cheap est grain crop we can raise. The large amount of work necessary to make a corn crop, is one very serious objec tion to it, but this difficulty, to a certain extent, at least, is within our control. Manure, plow and drain one acre so as to make ft produce as much as 2,3 or 4~ that is the true policy. Therein lies, also, the solution of the labor ATHENS, GA., MARCH, Wl question ; for,-unless we are greatly mistaken; the indi cations point-very clearly to deficiency , no less than ineffi ciency of Tibgro labor at the South. If so, all es our ar rangements must be adjusted to a minimum amount of "ta bor. We would not be understood, however, ns advising our readers to plant small crops of corn the present yea”, unless they have made abundant arrangements for a full supply of provisions, from small grains, clover, &c. On the contrary, our earnest advice, as heretofore proffered, is, give ample scope and verge to a "provision crop, and then plant what is left in cotton. We do not propose to argue the question of how much cotton should be planted. We take it for granted every th dy will plant all they can tend, and some a good deal more. Whenever the plows can be spared from the pre paration for and the planting of corn, they should be bu sy now in bedding cotton land. In very sandy soils, as along the coast, it is best to have the heduing finished some time in advance of the plant ing, so that a rain may settle the ground—the cotton will come up better, and be less likely to die out when young. On stiff land, we should prefer the bedding done as short a tiruo before planting as possible. The young plants will then have both a mellow at xC'filean bed. Make the beds low, as the only objects desired, are to put the seed ling above water in wet weather, and to prevent its being covered up at first working. Prepare at once some good scrapers for first working. Bed out a plenty of Sweet Potatoes. Don’t forget that where the seasons are short, the first slips set out make the finest potatees. To have early slips, proceed as if you were going to make a hot bed —dig out a foot or so of ground ; pew .in a mixture of fresh stable manure and leaves, and a layer oi good earth upon this, in which last place the potatoes—end next to vine slightly raised. The heat of the fermenting manure them forward rap idly. Bed outsat least five bushels of potatoes for every acre to be planted. We would earnestly urge upon our readers increased attention to this valuable crop. For a general crop, and for winter and spring use, no variety equals the old fashioned yellow yam. For early fall use, the Red variety or Spanish and Hayti Yam may be planted. NO, S,