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THE SOUTHERN WORLD, JUNE 15, 1882. 3 ^qrii[uUar L Hl gj^rtmeijL The Pea an a Renovator. In order to restore our wasted soils to their original productiveness and bring up our best lands to a high condition, we ure satisfied that the Southern farmer should rely chiefly on growing the manure on the luud itself. In other words he must resort to green manuring, and use it as the substan tial basis of ull improvement. It is well understood hy scientific agriculturists that neuriy all originally productive soils contain the inorganic elements of fertility in quan- titles more than sufficient to produce the twenty or thirty crops that usually result in apparent exhaustion. But these elements are not in an immediately soluhlu mid avail able form, and a large prn|wirtion of the whole lies so deep in the suli-soil that it is practically useless to ordinary crojis. The quantity of soluble phosphoric acid and pot ash in a given soil at any one time would not suflice to produce more than a very few crops—perhaps not more tlinu four or five— of grain; and were it not for the chemical action of the soil contents and the vitul ac tion of the roots of growing plants them selves in reducing the insoluble elements to a form available os plant-food, the crop would utterly fail after producing u short series of crops decreasing in rapid geomet ric ratio. Moreover, the organic elements of the soil—especially nitrogen—are very quickly exhausted under the system of hoed summer crops, as practiced in the South, and cannot be thereafter supplied directly from the crop itself, but must be stored up—chiefly by the agency of plants —from the atmosphere above. In the econ omy of nature certain plants have, iuspecial degree, the power to draw supplies of nitro gen front the atmosphere; and by the decay of these plants, the nitrogen is imparted to the soil. In the same way these plunts draw curbon from the air and convey it to the soil where it is found in the form of humus —decayed vegetable matter—which per forms un important office in dissolving the ' inorganic elements first mentioned. Such plants also send their roots deep down into the sub-soil and bring up the phosphoric acid, potash, lime, etc., that were beyond the reach of surface-rooted crops like corn, wheat and other grains, and many other crops, and leave these elements in the sur face soil where they can be reached by the roots of any crop that may be planted. These renovating plants belong generally to the class known os leguminous or pod- bearing plants. Among these the clovers, and especially, red clover, have been exten sively used in England and in the northern States of this country for enriching lands, and to some extent in the South. But the cow pea deservedly meets with more favor in the South because it is better suited to our soils and climate. The cow pea will grow almost any where, on the poorest sandy land, and with the greatest certainty. Two crops may be easily grown in one season if the short growing sort are planted. Tho following extract from the “Report of the North Carolina Experiment Station for 1881” shows what may be done in the way of in creasing the yield of wheat by the interven tion of repeated crops of peas: “The wisest method of growing wheat is (hat which brings nature’s own agencies in the soil into actiou, to increase the stock of nitrogen. We must fit tho soil to absorb combined nitrogen from the air by increas ing the amount of vegetable mutter in it, shading and keeping it moist. This is ac complished by growing green crops upon the land during the hot summer months and turning them under. No plant is so well adapted to this end in our section as the [tea. This plant, with all the legumes, has the power of gathering a far greater amount of nitrogen from the atmosphere than any other plant, all of which becomes available to the wheat when the pea vines decompose in the soil. Mr. W. K. Gibbs, of Davie, reports some experiments with peas and wheat extending over several years, which illustrates this. The soil was a dark gravelly one, with a yellow clay sub-soil, and was much worn. In 1870, 1871 and 1872 the land had been cultivated in tobacco, corn and oats success ively. In October 1873, Mr. Gibbs sowed the land in wheat In June, 1874, he har vested OH bushels of wheat to the acre. As soon as the wheat was cut he sowed whip poorwill peas and plowed them under; having picked enough peas to pay for the seed peas, seed wheat and plowing. In 1875 Mr. Gibbs harvested 14 bushels of wheat The season was better than the average, however. The same pea was sowed and plowed under again. The vines were so large this time that a harrow had to be run ahead of the plow in the same direction. Twenty bushels of peas per acre were gath ered this year which were sold for one dol lar per bushel the next summer. In June, 1878, 17H bushels of wheat per acre were hurvcBted, the season being an average one. Peas sown and turned under us usual. In 1877, twenty-three bushels of wheat per acre were harvested. The season an average one. In the spring of 1877 clover seed were sown on the wheat uml harrowed in with a light harrow. In 1878 the land was pustured until late summer. In the fall, the stand of clover not being sufficient to leave over, it was turned under and the land put in wheat. No manure was used all this time, except once u little stuhlc manure on u small plat that was much poorer than the rest. The increase seemed to be in the weight and length of tho heads and not in the straw. Mr. Gibbs prefers tho whipiioorwill pea, be cause it is earlier and matures more |ieas and vines before the time for plowing, and because the vinesgrow in a way to lie more easily turned under. If sowed in rows and cultivated the peas are just so much bet ter.” Now, to one accustomed only to mnuuriug the soil by lidding stable manure, commer cial fertilizers and other extraneous mutter to the laud, the above experiment seem ex- truvugant in its results. It looks like mak ing something out of nothing to produce annually increasing crops of peas and wheat from the same soil while adding nothing except wlmt grew on the soil. We have nlready explained how it is done. Not only ure the phosphoric acid, potash aud other elements contained in the pea and wlieut removed |iermanently from tho soil, but the quantity thus removed increases unnuully with the increasing crop. This proceeds just what nature lias been carry ing on in the forests and plains for thou sands of years. It remains for man to fa cilitate and accelerate the natural process, by the substitution of quick-growing plants for the slow vegetation of tho forest, and by all the urtsof cultivation. It will be an easy matter for a farmer to test the practical benefits of the system of green manuring by devoting even a small field or plat of—say ten acres—to such an experiment, and we urge upon every farmer who reads the World to commence the tiial this summer. R. Oats after Oats. A Subscriber: I have a field of sixteen acres near the house and lot with a good spring of water running nearly all the way down on one side, which makes it a good pasture for stock. I sowed this field in oats lust November and they are fine. I want to sow this field again in oats this fall. Some farmers tell me that it went do, others say it will do, and some even say that the land will improve if the land is sown down in oats twenty years in succession. Now, will you please give me your experience and advice, and insist on your many able and experienced farmers and writers giving their views. This land is rather thin sandy land, somewhat hilly with a few sand or shell rocks. Answer: We have had but a limited ex perience is sowing oats on the same land for several years in succession. If the field be pastured for only a week or two, or no longer than necessary for stock to glean the grain that may be left, we see no reason why it may not be sown In oats for three or four years at least, without injury. The abund ant growth of weeds and grass that will fol low the oats and cover the land during the summer, will serve to keep up its fertility in a degree that would not be possible in the case of corn, cotton or other cultivated sum mer crops. Instances have been reported where a field has produced several crops of oats in succession without even plowing, the oats coming up volunteer,.but we incline to the opinion that such results are exception al and may not be reasonably expected, be cause of the uncertainty of securing a stand. Oats are* usually considered an exhausting crop, and this is certainly true when spring sown and the land is pastured, but the pas turing is uot a necessary incident and its injurious effect should not be charged to the oat crop. Odr correspondent requests our own views on the subject and that we insist on our able and experienced farmers giving their experience. The columns of the World are open for all such and we cordially invite them to avail themselves of the opportunity*. The oat question is one of the most impor-. taut and interesting subjects now before us, and we would leave no stone unturned that might furnish additional arguments in favor of making this grain the leading stock food-crop of tho country. Let us therefore liuve the experience of such as have practi cally investigated the subject. It. Bermuda vs. Nnt-Uraas. Grenada, Miss. En. Southern World—I see in the April number (15tli) of your puper, an inquiry from Mr. J. N. Cochran, of South Carolina: “Will Bermuda Uruss root out Nut-Grass?” For his benefit os well os that of your many readers, I answer, yes, beyoud question. I haven garden attached to my dwelling, about one-third of an acre, in which the coco gross had taken such a hold that 1 was forced to abandon it for garden puri>oses. 1 planted it in fruit trees some four or five years ago, and left them and the coco to fight the bat tle. The Bermuda grass gradually spread into the garden from tho sidewalks along the street, until it overrun tho garden, and now not a spear of coco is to be found ex cept in a few places rooted up by the hogs, and as yet not covered with Bermuda. My ex|>ericuce with this pest, demonstrates but two remedies ; one is to dig up the nuts (an almost endless job, and burn them,) the other is Bermuda grass. I also note what your correspondent A. G. G., of Clarksville, Tennessee, has to say about Bermuda grass in April 1st of your paper. He evidently knows nothing about the grass. It will grow'well on white sand, or on the poorest red cluy land, with not a particle of original soil, and 1 know from exfierience, whereof I speak, instead of a “curse,” it is agreat boon to the Southern farmer, particularly those who have washed and worn out lands. It will enrich them foster than clover or pens, and yield .more forage to the acre for stock, than any grass that grows. It is only allowed to spread in cultivated fields by careless, slovenly farmers, and turning it over shallow late in the fall, and thorough cultivation will destroy it in one year. It is the coming grass for the South, for both pas turage and hay, as well os the cheapest and best fertilizer. T. C. Buffington. More Bermuda—Lean Cotton. Editor Southern World.—Your corres pondent, J. N. C., and others, seem anxious to hear from me again on Bermuda grass, and if this article is too long you must blame those who have asked me to write again. * Why do I appreciate Bermuda grass so highly? I will try to answer this question by giving my experience with it. Having an idea that Bermuda grass .was invaluable as a pasture grass for our section, I determined to try and set a patch in it; how to do it, with me was the question. I made inquiries of several, every one said: "Pick up a sprig, throw it down, and if it falls on a rock, in five years it will be all over your place.” This was in 1860, it was not convenient for me to follow my own in- clinationsos to the way to set my patch, but it was quite convenient to follow the advice or suggestions of others, and I did it, only I dropped the sprig on the ground instead of a rock. I did this in March, 1860, built a little pen around it to protect it from stock. Two years ago I moved the pen on my two horse wagon, and the Bermuda grass in a cotton basket—so much for penning the gross in order to get a full supply to set out in a patch or lot. After watching my pen of gross for two years and not being impressed that it would avail me much I succeeded in getting a large lot of sprigs, and going to a lot of gullies in a patch where I wanted to start a patch I set out on the sides of the gullies the grass, taking special pains to cover well the roots at the joints. Some of those gullies were six and eight feet deep. This was in 1862; to-day those gullies are filled up and the Bermuda is luxurious and the sight lovely; in the patch of five or six acres I set here and there sprigs of tho grass two or three feet apart, in three years it was well set, and for seventeen years that patch has been a “green spot in my mem ory” and a most desirable resort for my hogs, cattle and mules, mares and colts, eight months out of the twelve, and often when the winters have been mild, it has furnished fine grazing nine months out of the twelve. Five years ago being satisfied it was the grass for me, I concluded to set eight or ten acres more of good land in it. I followed this plan; I planted the ground in cotton and just before laying it by I threw sprigs of grass all about in the cotton rows. The worms came and ate off the cotton leaves, so there was but little shade to prevent the growth of tho grass. The fall was late and damp and ray Bermuda did finely. The fol lowing year I planted the land in corn, by this means every time I ploughed the corn I spread the grass. The following year I planted in cotton, this is the patch I alluded to iu my other article. My old patch I shall plant this fall in oats or wheat. It has be come very rich. I have this year on part of my new patch wheat, it is good. When my neighbors plow-stock are stand ing in dry lots on Sunday and wet days, mine are luxuriating in Bermuda grass; while theirs are shut up in the stable in the pleasant spring and summer uights during plow season, mine are enjoying fresh air uml green grass. Mr.Editor, I could say much more for Ber muda grass, but I fear I am already too long and in closing will say the above is my ex perience, and with viy experience l am pre pared to sny, 1 know of no grass equal to it for our section. One man says it is all I claim for it, hut it cannot be gotten rid of, (this is a grand inistake)suppose you cannot get rid of it, this to my mind would be one of the greatest arguments iu favor of it, Would the Blue gross region of Kentucky get rid of Blue grass? No sir, ’tis the glory,— the life of their sect ion. My motto is, more Bermuda for our section and less cotton. Gold Hill, Ala., J. H. Harris. Preparing for Turnips, Ble., Kir. The practice so common all over the country, ol sowing turnips on land from which another crop bus just been cleared, leaving the soil full of roots and stems of grass and weeds, and very soft and open, is annually demonstrated to be wrong by re sults on some properly prepared patch, and yet few profit by the lesson. No crop, ex cept perhaps wheat, so delights iu soil which has been subjected to clean culture, as does the turnip family. Tho old-fashioned cow- pen, in which the cattle of the farm are kept during summer nights, if repeutedly plowed during spring and early summer, makes an udinirable turnip patch, but tho cow-pens are not always available. In the absence of these, therefore, the next best thing to be done is to select a plat of ground from which beans or potatoes have been gathered for early market and which was heavily manured for these crops. Plow and manure and ma nure and plow every week until time to sow the turnip seed; then distribute 206-pounds of good super-phosphate per acre, in small furrows opened for the purpose; bed on this and harrow or rake over the beds. If the land is free from stumps, roots and rocks, the small seed-sower which opens the furrow, sows the seed and covers them at a single operation, will give a more uniform stand than can be secured by hand-sowing, besides economising seed. The drill is pushed by band like a lawn-mower. It saves the labor of two hands and ahorse in sowing the seed. All who plant as much as half an acre in turnips, should have one. Rutabagas and flat Dutch should be sown early in July; we have seen excellent crops made by sowing in June. The white Globe, the handsomest turnip grown, should be sown early in August, and the Aberdeen by the middlo, in this latitude. These dates will varyas latitude Increases or diminishes. Further north, they will be sown earlier and later south. What is known as the soven top variety, is the most reliable for winter and springsalad, but make very small roots. They grow, however, deep in the ground and stand the winter well. The turnip crop is a profitable one in the vicinity of large cities, where a daily market is afforded, and on the farm it serves a good purpose for feeding stock; not on account of their nutritive value, which is very small in comiiarison with other roots, but on account of their appetizing effect; they supplement the dry food on which stock usually subsist in winter and contribute to their health. Turnips have a lower food value than Bweet potatoes and are not so well adapted to our climate, but are more cheaply produced and should have a place not only in every south ern garden, but en every farm or plantation. Most growers make the mistake of leaving the plants too thick in the drill, and even* it they are reduced to a proper stand, this is often deferred until the plants becoraespind- ling from being crowded, and as a result, never make so good plants as those which had ample room during their early growth. They should stand from six to ten inches apart in the drill. J. 8. N. Every farmer would promote his own in terest by appropriating from one to two acres at least to be sown in German millet to each horse or mule on the plantation.