University of South Carolina Libraries
Growing of Asparagun In South Carolina illy (J, A* Cord we 11, Agricultural agent Atlanta Coast Line) The commercial acreage planted to asparagus in South Carolina is said to be <1,530. The industry centers around Barnwell, Klko, Trenton, and VVilliston, and a few other places in Aiken, Barnwell, and Kdgeficld Counties.". TJic maximum number of cars shipped duCng any one season, cover-, ing a period of 7 years, was 331 curs in 1027. Adverse weather conditions this year cut production and brought about a decrease in car loadings; only 23(1 < ars being shipped. Georgia with 5,(140 acres, and California with 37,400 acres in this crop are active competitors of South Carolina. It is said that California places three times as much fresh asparagus in eastern markets as do the Southern States, Hawever, this ruction bus certain advantages over California viz. I. A better product. 2. Cheaper freight rates. 3. Faster time in transit to markets by from Ave to seven days. Therefore, South Carolina should be able to and does successfully compete with (California growers. In a bulletin issued in May, last .year, by the Division of Market^, ' Massachusetts Department of Ag*l culture, it vyaa predicted that within i n few year* South (Carolina would win the Eastern markets and keep (.California shipment# west of the Mia* eianippi Hiver, if asparagus grades and puck were carefully looked after. I Asparagus ia a specialty crop, but we need some specialty crops as Well as feeds and livestock to supplement the old established order of farming in the South. It seems to the writer that commercial acreage in asparagus might safely be expanded in certain localities for shipment in carlots. It is hardly probable that over-expansion will take place in South Carolina, in the neur future, for comparatively few farmers are financially able to advance the first, second und third year per acre expenses amounting .to approximately $235.00, when they will not receive any income from tincrop until the third year. Then it is | estimated thut cuttings may amount to 33 crates, if conditions are favorable. At $3.00 per crate, -this would represent u gross income of $00.00 the t)ii.r<L year after planting of the crowns. . In addition to a reasonable commercial acreage expansion, which might naturally take place in that tier of counties bordering on the present South Carolina commercial district, viz. Orangeburg, where considerable acreage has already been planted, Calhoun, Sumter, Clarendon. Florence, Darlington, and Lee Counties, the crop seems also to offer a new source of income for market gardeners throughout ^irginia, and the Carolinas. Asparagus grows well in a varie^ of soils. However, a rich sandy loam, well drained, gives best results. Asparagus can be set any time during the dormant season which is December, January and ^February in this section. The crowns should be set by the time or before they begin to sprout. Some growers use 4,000 per acre, and some as little as 2,200.-"' T. R. Pender, Williston, S. C., who has for a number of years made a specialty of grow1 ing crowns and asparagus, advises the use of 3,000 crowns will plant an acre. With 4,000 crowns planted per acre more asparagus will be cut 1 for the first several years, but by J the time the asparagus is eight years old or more, a large number of small I shoots will begin to come up. A seven-foot row with crowns set from J 20 to 30 inches, is the general practice for setting asparagus in South I Carolina. It is said a field of asparagus set with 4,000 crowns per acre will not produce good asparagus for more than, 15 to 18 years, while if planted with 3,000 crowns per acre it should produce fairly good asparagus for as much as 20 years. In planting asparagus the land should be well broken and all vegetaI tion harrowed in. Lay off the rows with a medium size shovel plow, then take a two horse turn plow and make one round to each row, running in the edge of the shovel plow furJ row, leaving a balk about six inches | wide, then scatter about five tons of I compost and 1,000 pounds of highgrade fertilizer in the furrow made by the two-horse plow and on the balk; next, throw out the balk with a large middle buster, or round point II plow. This mixes the soil with the [j fertilizer and compost and the row is ready to be planted. Fertilizing asparagus is one of the I most important factors entering into the successful production of this crop. It is also one question ihat we know very little about. Due to the fact I that asparagus is not a one-year crop, 1 it is very hard to get an accurate check on the proper formula of 1 fertilizer to use, and the proper amount and the p:oper time to apply same. A survey recently made by Mr. Cowan County Agent in Aiken County, developed a variety of information with reference to fertilizing asparagus. Lack of space prevents a discussion of this. Some successful growers recommend 1,200 pounds of 7-5-5, or preferably 7-5-7. applied I broadcast and harrowed in in February. Three hundred pounds per . acre of Nitrate of Soda just before cutting begins, which ia about March 15th, and 1,200 pounds of 7-5-5 or 7-5-7 about May 10th, broadcast and harrowed in, and 600 pounds per acre of manure salts applied the laat ol June. It should be remembered thai different soils may require a different fertilizer. When large quantities cd asparagus are produced per acre th? grade is much better and the returnt per crate much higher. For thai reason it is advisable to use heav> applications pf fertiliser. Some outstanding asparagus breeding work has been earried on by th? >Coker Pedigreed Seed Company Hartsville, S. C., under the directiot -efjdr. L B. Nerfe&jm of the lee* ing plant breeders and aaparague experts in Americu. Additional information about a*purugus, its car* and cultivation, c?fe be Itad, upon application, from Mr. X, K Pender, Williston, 8. C., Cokera Pedigreed Seed Company, Hartsville, H. or from the wsiter of thia article. - - -W WILL BE TOUGH ON VILLAGE GOSSIPS ' r4 Apparatus Prevents Eavesdreppxy on Talk. - * \N iisliington. ?Television, mechanical ineii and urtiliciul larynxes wens forgot(ci) ruomentuilly when Serglua P. CI race, engineer of the Bell Telephone laboratories, demonstrated to un audience la the City club an electrical "ear" and "brain" which enables radio broadcaster# to converse without fear of eavesdropping, '! he demonstration was carried on wllb the aid of a phonograph reci ord of natural speech, which had been so distorted by transforming highfrequency tones into low frequencies that the language emanating from It sounded like a mixture of oriental and monkey gibberish. _ . Whllu tlie unintelligible speech was issuing forth Grace held in front of the horn an electrical "ear" or pickup transmitter, similar to the transmitters used In broadcasting studios. The current from this transmitter was carried Into an electrical "translating brain," amplified and connected with several loud speakers. Immediately these horns, in tones much louder than the phonograph, burst forth with the speech lu clear, understandable English. When the electrical "ear" was removed the loud' speakers stopped speaking and. the audience aguln heard the synthetically manufactured lungunge Issue from the phonograph. Gruce snld the Instruments had "added to the marvels of science on electrlcul machine that can understapd a language unintelligible to ordinary human beings." Giants of California Imperiled by Tourists Yo?pmltc National Park, Calif.? Ancient mythologists tell of gods slain by their worshipers; and something of the kind Is happening hi the Big Tree grove of Mariposa county, where thousands of tourists are unconsciously destroying that which they come hundreds of miles to admire. At the request of tlie National. Pari; service,- Dr. E. P. MelneeUe. raited States forest service plant pathologist, has investigated the present status of the cherished sequoias and has reached the conclusion thai long continued and heavy trampling of J human feet has destroyed tlm n?.i endings and liner roots of many o: the frees. Without these of course the trees are unable to absorb water and mineral nutrients from the soil. The rescue of Gristly Giant, one of the finest big trees In existence, from a similar fate about twenty-five years ago, Is recalled. Trampling had destroyed Its endings, and friends of the trees were at a loss to know what to do. Finally it was suggested by George T. Harlow, at that time guard Inn of the grove, that the soil mir rounding the tree he loosened somewhat and thnt additional soil he ! placed around the tree and over the. Yoots to a height of three or fout feet. The experiment, though ridiculed at the tlnie, proved entirety successful, *md the old tree was restored to heulth. Find Masterpiece Muenster, Germany.?Estimated to be worth at lenst $300,(XX), a well preserved Raphael painting on wood "Madonna Incarnatus," has been diss covered In a private collection !?> Prof. Johanr I'lenge of Muenster uni versify. * Feat at Chess Budnprsd.?The feat credited to Jose Capnhlancn, Cuban chess master, of playing 103 chess games slmulta. noously was bettered by Stephen Abonyl, Hungarian expert, who played 103 games simultaneously. { : The list of damage suits against j ihe city of Shelby, its building offi| vers, and the contractor, for damage i by the buildings falling last summer, wn.s enlaiged this week by the action in the superior court brought'by Mrs. llayter-widr-w; -ami tor of Alex. Hoyle, the young bank toller killed in the crash. She asks for $50,000. ' Governor Richards, after the ex| periences and charges sent former hunting .parties growing out of his attempts to dispose sheriffs, took a ' minister with Mm this week when he went HWftting on Ihe game preserve of a New \ ork man neartGeorgetown, ' The preMrher is Rev. Dr. S. K. Phillipa, of a Columbia Presbyterian church, and the party includes a num1 bef of state officers and John T ' Roddey, of Roclc ffift ? ' -~-r??_ A Gaffnay negro boy ten years old, loot hia left hand when ha put ? i lighted natch to ? piece of unexfd?dod ft reworks he found on tha kir grounds to ees Winter Feed for Farm Work Horse ?*yi Idle Animals Do Well on Roughages Supplemented With Grain. ? il'i?|i*rc<l by (ha Unltfrt Htttta* Department of Aurltuliura ) The Ideal method of wintering Idle >r light working fu run horses to "tie that will bring them through to spring with normal weight, renewed vitality, ijnd Increased energy. Obviously the winter ration should be dlfferent front that for the other seasons. The liberal una of roughage, supplemented with the right umounts and kinds of other nutritious feeds, will maintain a horse properly during the winter. Idle farm horses, except brood mares and growing stock, ordinarily do weil on a ration composed largely of the coarser hays, straws and corn fodder. Cornstalk. Ilelds, gralnstubhle Ilelds, or pastures which have not been closely grazed during the summer are very desirable sources of a large part of the winter maintenance feed for such stork. It is often advisable to supplement the coarser roughage with a moderate supply of legume such us alfalfa, clover, vetch, sorghum, soy-bean, or cowpeu hay. These hays are not only rich In protein and mineral matter, hut, being somewhat laxative In effect, they also help to keep the digestive tract In good condition They are especially valuable when fed with straw and similar feeds, for when so used a supplemental ration of grain Is unnecessary. The drinking of an abundance of pure water by the horse will tend to Increase the utilization of dry roughage. If Impracticable to feed u legume hay, a small quantity of grain, preferably oats, or, If more economical, corn or barley, will serve to maintain the horse in thrifty condition. One or two bran mashes a week or a little Unseed meal each day will help to keep the system In good condition nnd prevent Impaction resulting from consumption of large amounts of coarse roughage Improperly supplemented. Salt for Horse*. An average of about three-fourth ounce of salt dally Is sufficient for most horses, except those doing heavy work or when on dry feed. The etmditlon of the horse that has been properly eared for in the open through the winter Is usually better than that of the stnble horse. In some sections of the country, however, weather conditions do not permit wintering horses outdoors. Where the animals nlust be kept In stables, these should he made us sanitary und comfortable us possible. An abundance of light and proper ventilation of the stnble throughout the entire year are essential for complete sanitation and the hc.nlth of the horse. A system of ventilation with lloor-outlet ventilators w ill tend to carry off foul air and regulate the temperature, especially In colder climates. It is important that the horse be protected from direct drafts. Where windows are relied upon for both light and ventilation they should be high up from the tioor, and open inwardly from the top. Stalls must be bedded, and cleaned daily, In order to keep them dry and sanitary. Clay floors are doubtless the best If correctly built and properly attended to. They must be kept smooth, with slightly more slope for drainage than is required for other types of floors, however. Grass Paddock Helps. In connection wth the stable, a large paddock or Inclosure. especially a sodded one, helps considerably to keep horses thut are worked Irregularly In flt condition. The exercise and grass thus made available ate both beneficial,. This exercise In the open will help to guard against filled hocks, azoturin (so-called Morfday morning sickness) and other troubles. A further aid to (lie health consists In thorough grooming. As spring approaches the horse must? be put Into condition for the $eavy Work ahead. This fitting period varies with tlie condition of the aninml, ordinarily lasting from two to four weeks. A young horse, especially one Just broken, requires longer than the" mature animal. At this time the winter ration, consisting largely of coarse roughages, should gradually give way to a smaller feed of finer-quality hay and n small quantity of grain three times dally. This ration should be slowly Increased until, with the be ginning of light work, a 1.400-pound 'horse will receive daily about fourteen or t.fteen |>ounds of fine-quality hay. This gradual change front coarse - if* good quality Joed will.have prepared the digestive tract for handling eighteen to nineteen pounds ?of grain and sixteen to eighteen pounds of hay. which the horse will-need when doing heavy work. Along with the more nourishing ration the work of ,, the horse must he Increased bv de green until he can. without overexertjon, do a full day's work. \ -Waste of Plant Food by ; Management of Manure 10n farms n,?ch nt ,hp ^ mfinur* wasted bv careless ^agKhod* Of handling. Not every CM afford a covered manure shld hm manor,. -rom hBni, ln ?? piles ?hers Oirlotics from I sorbins : r.rss.-si-rss ; ~ r-srsi rs S r.'u "-s Fumigate Stored Seed Against Insect Pests o Clemson College, Dec. 17.?Stored corn and cowpea seed may be markedly damaged by insects if the proper precaution are not exercised. The germinating quality of the seed may be materially reduced by the immature stages of the stored grain in<^ sects feeding inside the. seeds. This damage is very unnecessary and can be . easily prevented by properly fur J migating, says M. H. Brunson, extension entomologist. "Grain to be fumigated sho\ild be ! placed in a water-tight barrel, or in a very tight room if large amounts are to be treated. For 'smaller amounts of grain, use two ounces olfj carbon bisulphide for each bushel, { | placing the chemical in a shallow pan on top of the seed in the barrel or box used for fumigation. Cover the grain receptical with several blankets, papers or any material to hold in the fumes of the carbon bisulphide. Allow the fumigation to continue for 24 to .'*6 hours. "Larger amounts of grain may be treated in a tight room with eight pounds of carbon bisulphide to each 1000 cubic feet of space. Place the chemical in pans on top the grain; cover the entire surface of the grain with blankets. "The grain should be treated on some mild day when the prevailing temperature is 70 degrees or more. "Caution: keep all flames and sparks from the carbon bisulphide, as it is highly explosive," warns the entomologist. . ... . - " ' C. L. Sprouse, of Gaffney, ha! Spartanburg county for $26,0<)! the dfeath of his 'son, Ed SpM who was killed with a young la! Chimney Rock, October28, 1 their automobile plunged in! washout near Mayo, where a! had been over Island-creek, an! warning signs were displayed, J Notice to Debtors and Credit! AH parties indebted to the el of Cleveland Outlaw, deceased! hereby notified to make paymel the undersigned, and all parti! any, having claims against the! estate will present them duly at! within the time prescribed by l! ELIZABETH E. MAHAFM AdministratrB Bethune, S. Camden, S. C., December 13th, Famous Cough I Prescripfij Contains No Chloroform I Other Harmful Drugsfl The use of medicines conta! chloroform or dope to TeKeve coB ing is dangerous, and unnecet! Now anyone, can get quick sur<B lief with a famous prescription cB Thoxine, which contains no ,cnB form or other harmful drugt?aiB safe and pleasant to take. . Thoxine is thoroughly efficient* cause it has a double action??ooj the irritation?goes direct to the* ternal cause, and stops the most instantly. Far superior to cog syrups and patent medicines. * excellent for sore throat, (toick f? guaranteed or your money back, g 60c., and $1.00. .Sold by W. RJ ZempVi^and^al^ THE CLOISTEfl Sea Island .Beach Saint Simons Island (Just across the Causeway-at Brunswick, Ga.) A New and Delightful^ Hotel I Every room with bath, service and cuisine unexcelled American plan, reasonable rates, Music, Dancing, gd ' tertainment every evening. . \:< Hunting, Golf, Tennis, Yachting, I Fishing, Archery, Horseback Ridinfl 60,000-Acre private hunting preserve, with lodgX horses, dogs, guides. Write for illustrated literature. Advance reservations advised THE CLOISTER SA4NT SIMONS ISLAND, GAI The name you know . " The FLO&SHBIM Sh**" ... is (kf^ite OBunnce of value, ?i ad style . . . money's <Mtth and ntorc, LOMANSKY BROTHERS Camden, S. C. i V 1 IB L.A.Campbell and COMPANY GARAGE All Work Guaranteed DAY, NIGHT AND SUNDAY SERVICE We have the equipment and mechanics to give you a first class job. If it's not right we make it right. I Day Phone 138?Night 348 ! j i?ni?HI? ai?men mm I COLUMBIA LUMBER & I | MANUFACTURING CO. 6 MILL WORK 8 SASH, DOORS. BLINDS ? AND LUMBER I E PLAIN & HL'.F.R STS. Phono 71 8 H COLUMBIA. S. C. Automobile Repairing We are now prepared to do all kinds of automobile repairing. Good workmanship and moderate prices. DEMPSTER'S GARAGE Fanaarly Uttla'a Oarage . ^ ^ i--. - . . rf I Auto License Plates! In Twenty-Four Hours! i AT THE SMALL COST OF 50 CENTS I YOU ARE RELIEVED OF ALL ANI NOYANCE AND DELAY. 1 WE ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY AND WE I GUARANTEE DELIVERY. I APPLY AT NEAREST OFFICE? I I CAMDEN?Welsh Motor Company | ' SUMTER?H. C. Bland Motor Conjpany LAKE CITY?McClam-Price Motor Contpaw I FLORENCE?Southern Motor Comlpany DARLINGTON?Stek Motorf Company HARTSVILLE?Hartsville Motor Company I 1 O - - a I License Courier Service I Operating with Sanction and Full Cooperation of I STATE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT