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“DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
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TENNESSEE
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The Land of Great Farming Opportunities
Facts About Soil, Climate
and Rainfall
*
PUBLISHED BY THE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Seat” FE OF coe eNeN ES S72 E
H. K. BRYSON, COMMISSIONER
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE
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TENNESSEE
The Land of Great Farming Opportunities
Tennessee is one of the few states that contain within their
own boundaries everything essential to the welfare and happi-
ness of man. A wall could be erected on its boundary lines, and
communication with the outside world cut off, yet the human
family residing within its borders would find all essentials to
livelihood within the valleys and hills of this bountiful State.
It has minerals in abundance, and the soils will produce anything
grown in these United States, except tropical fruits; and live
stock thrives as in but few sections.
Great opportunities exist in this State for the farmer who is
willing to work and who has some capital to start with.
SOIES
In order that one may intelligently consider the opportunities
offered the new settler, we will try to state briefly and frankly the
character and fertility of the various soils located in Tennessee.
For ready reference, a soil map of the State is inserted.
The Tennessee River divides West Tennessee from Middle
and the Cumberland Mountains Middle Tennessee from East
Tennessee. Each area has different soils, and we will undertake
briefly to outline these:
WEsT TENNESSEE
The soils in this area were nearly all derived from geo-
logical deposits which were not consolidated into rock. The
lands lie better as a whole for cultivation and can be more
completely put under the plow than elsewhere in the State.
The majority of the soils are silt loams, which are adapted not
only to a great variety of general farm crops, including cotton
and tobacco, but to trucking crops, and to the production of both
large and small fruits. Over large areas they have become
greatly impoverished by constant corn and cotton cropping.
Although the country is only gently undulating, the soil is of
3
such a silty nature that it washes away easily and to a ruinous
extent, unless carefully protected.
Along the Mississippi River are very rich alluvial lands, sur-
passing in durability and productiveness any others in the State.
Tile drainage is often needed, and in at least one county, Obion,
it has been found necessary and highly profitable over large areas.
Chemical Analyses of West Tennessee Soils
Phos. Acid Lime Potash Nitrogen
County % % % % Remarks
Garrollsciaste<tertsicre .08 aal7f 22 -101 Old Jland—Good.
GarrollGen cece -05 ala 55%} .048 Subsoil to above.
Chesterae. sie ares sal .19 .20 .O87 Old land—Medium.
DV.ERS ss vaitetsrer te .09 ely 25 .059 Old land—Poor.
Gibson\.s294ecicts.s¢ .O7 .16 21 .099 Old land—Medium.
Gibsoneascercrche: .O7 pola 20) Nacncecres Subsoil to above.
Gibson: seeecc .09 .23 .23 .134 New land—Good.
Hardeman soca. .09 .23 5345) .09 Old land—Medium.
Henderson....... .08 paliz/ 24 .091 Old land—Poor.
laksatavemnn ni noo .08 sles) 23 .072 Old land—Poor.
IMGNA€inry sec. aa .06 sila aA .097 Old land—Poor.
@bioneeceerseniec .10 .40 .29 -132 Old land—Rich.
Weakley oo ci. <n .08 21 24 .120 Forest land—Good.
Wreakleyi5 oo0 0). cc .O7 Bala .30 .047 Subsoil to above.
Wrealsley:.ssrni oe. .09 2116 .28 .093 Old land—Good.
General Conclusions from Analyses
Phosphoric Acid: The soils should be considered as liable
to be deficient in this element.
Lime: Although not derived from limestone rock, the lime
content of these soils is even superior to that from some of the
limestone areas. They must be looked upon, however, as only
moderately well supplied, so that liming would be expected to
give beneficial results.
Nitrogen: Nitrogen percentages are medium for virgin soils,
but the worn lands have as a rule become decidedly deficient.
The Obion County soil, on account of its superior depth, is well
supplied with this and the other important constituents.
Potash: Experiments in this section warrant the use of lime
and nitrogen, but potash is much less required.
In order that the reader may intelligently consider the above
analyses, we give on page 6 average analyses of the soil classes
from Rich to Poor.
SCENES AT WEST TENNESSEE EXPERIMENT STATION, JACKSON
A TENNESSEE HOLSTEIN
TABLE I—A classification of soils based on chemical composition
according to Wohltmann
Constituents in air-dry fine earth (less than 2 mm.)
Lime (CaO)
and
Magnesia Phos. Acid
(MgO)
(Cold HCl)(Cold HCl)(Cold HCl)(Hot HCl)
Nitrogen
Character of Soil _ (N)
Potash (K,0)
(P1003) 0 =e
Very rich—may be cultivated with- % % % % %
out return of fertility removed..Over 0.3. Over 3.0 Over 0.25 Over 0.2 Over 0.5
Rich—requires partial return of Phos.
acidiremovedinas. cmon: 0.2-0.3 1.5 -3.0 b= 258) eol'5b=n2 4-.5
Good—requires return of Phos. acid
PEMOVECE chasis cheers eee eet eal ee 5-1.5 ~LO=sh5 .10-.15 .2 -.4
Medium—requires return of Phos.
acid and potash removed....... -06= .1 .25- .6 J07-.1 .06-.1 -12—.2
Poor—requires general increase in
fertilityan cast ireei cisco .03-— .06 .1 -— .25 .04-.07 03-.06 108= 212,
Very poor—very much in need of in-
crease in fertility or periodical
TEStimisreiccatac ve ae he i syereeeheee eaomeictre .02—- .038 .05- .10 .02-.04 .02-.03 .05-.08
Of little value for cultivation—best
suited to meadows and pastures .< .02 <.05 < 102 <.02 <.05
TABLE II—A classification of Tennessee soils based on
productiveness
Te VERS DOOIE crete ata reve tole eetee ebetae te ost c san rate Less than 15 bu. corn,
or less than 6 bu. wheat.
P Adie 20X05 oe ere irr ty ATR A rel Pe RIE ree es ot ARES Fs eRe ote 15-25 bu. corn.
or 6-10 bu. wheat.
Se Medilim susie ace Ghoniscrn een noe eon ree ee 25-35 bu. corn,
or 10-18 bu. wheat.
fe © 010s Way RO RA DCR ERS OT Eien GRC CECI ACG COMA SOAS 35—40 bu. corn,
or 18-25 bu. wheat.
De MRICH IAs taeery cove sree sete ore aie arte Eitri aes Over 50 bu. corn,
TABLE III—JInterpretation of the
Soils
Phos phoric
Acid Lime
(P20s) (CaO)
% %
1. Very poor .. Less than 0.05 Less than 0.08
22) SPOOtREA ec 0.05-0.10 0.08-0.12
3. Medium.... 0.10-0.15 0.12-0.20
4. Goods... 0.15-0.25 0.20-0.40
bye Uittengaoegdc Over 0.25 Over 0.40
6
or over 25 bu. wheat.
analyses of Tennessee
Potash Nitrogen
(K20) (N)
% %
Less than 0.10 Less than 0.07
0.10-0.15 0.07-0.10
0.15-0.25 0.10-0.14
0.25-0.40 0.14-0.20
Over 0.40 Over 0.20
MIppLE TENNESSEE
This geographical division of the State lies between the
Tennessee River on the west and the Cumberland Mountains
on the east. It has within its boundaries the Central Basin,
the Highland Rim, and the Cumberland Plateau. The soils
of these areas are entirely different, and will for that reason be
discussed separately.
The “Highland Rim” is the name given to a portion of Mid-
dle Tennessee which surrounds in a wide circle the Central Basin,
something like the rim of a dinner plate. It covers about 9,300
square miles, and may be divided into two sections: (1) an outer
circle formed by limestone; (2) an inner and wider circle formed
by the Tullahoma formation, chert, etc.
The Rim soils of limestone origin range in color from grey to
dark red, and have red clay subsoils. Silt and clay loams pre-
dominate and are well suited to the production of grain and
forage crops. The soils are quite well suited to fruit and dark-
leaved tobacco. All of these soils are recognized as decidedly
superior in both productiveness and durability to those of the
Tullahoma formation.
Below we give some analyses of the limestone soils of the
Highland Rim:
Phos. Acid Lime Potash Nitrogen
County % % % % Remarks
@otkeen senders .07 -23 .20 .115 Old land, color dark red—Good.
Biramkclisaieyeccelcre .09 2 co .125 Old land, dark red—Good (much
modified by manuring, etc.).
vam clini! arerere .10 .16 20 .120 Old land, dark red—Medium.
oranikliniesecsas .05 14 .34 .040 Subsoil to above.
Humphreys..... .06 ails} -23 .120 Old land, red—Poor.
Lawrence...... .08 .08 .16 .100 Forest land, red—Medium.
Lawrence...... .06 .08 .28 .06 Subsoil to above.
Montgomery... .06 15 .22 .074 Old land—grey.
Stewartemn siete .05 aly a alts) .115 Forest land— Good.
Stewart... ..4+< .05 Bales sles .105 Forest land—Good.
WIG eiciewicie <> .06 .14 .20 -085 Old land—Cragrock.
Wihites aceon a .07 sits} .22 .080 Old land—Cragrock.
Wihitess ice aes .07 .09 21 .09 Old land, sandy loam, grey—
Poor.
Wihitesy.rercie.cte .05 .14 .32 .057 Subsoil to above.
The above analyses should be considered in connection with
relative analyses shown on page 6, Tables I, II and III.
Conclusions from the Above Analyses
Phosphoric Acid: The phosphoric acid percentages are poor,
so that applications of this element would undoubtedly be of
7
value and should be considered necessary in at least some
instances.
Lime: The lime content is as a rule only medium, and indi-
cates that liming would be profitable.
Potash: The supply of potash is medium to good, requiring
less attention than the other important elements of plant food.
Nitrogen: The supplies of nitrogen run from medium to
poor, and require attention.
Fertilizer experiments have shown the importance of phos-
phate, lime, and nitrogen. Through the keeping of live stock,
and by judicious management, aided only by moderate dressings
of bone meal, the soil from which the second analysis was ob-
tained, had in the course of a few years been brought up to a high
state of fertility, although previously it had been greatly impov-
erished by grain farming and by erosion.
The Siliceous Soils of the Rim
These soils originated chiefly from the decomposition of shale
and siliceous rock, which were poor in lime. They are generally
either grey or yellow colored and are characterized by a high con-
tent of silt, the ‘‘crawfishy”’ soil being of occasional occurrence.
The majority of the lands lie well for cultivation and are easily
tilled, but are only moderately productive. However, under
proper management, aided by liming and by liberal applications
of commercial fertilizers, they are capable of the profitable pro-
duction of a great variety of farm and garden crops.
Peanuts are grown extensively in some counties and trucking
crops and tobacco are being raised in others.
Below we give some analyses of the soils from the Tullahoma
formation, etc.
Phos. Acid Lime Potash Nitrogen
County % % % % Remarks
Wofeer marttecs .04 so 09 .077 Old land—Very poor.
DICKSON’ cscrereyee .04 .08 .16 .0O87 Forest land—Poor.
Dicksoniesien cae .03 .10 .10 .090 Old land—Very poor.
Dicksonk,..c e< .03 .02 sol .048 Subsoil—Dickson County,
14 mile from above.
Wewis icc crestaseue 03 06 .18 .050 Not cultivated—Very poor.
TE Wis eisiejee ore oie 04 .03 .25 .04 Subsoil to above.
Warren’: j..s/a) levers 04 .10 .14 .078 Old land—Poor.
Warren aeieristerer .02 07 .08 .O70 Old land—Very poor.
Wrarren serjecierae .02 07 pila .046 Subsoil to above.
(Compare with relative Tables I, II and III, page 6.)
8
JERSEY HERD IN MIDDLE TENNESSEE
NASHVILLE, CHATTANOOGA & St. LouIS RAILWAY PERCHERON FOUNDATION
Stup, JACKSON
General Conclusions from the Above Analyses
Phosphoric Acid: The phosphoric acid percentages are decid-
edly poor, indicating that applications of this element should be
looked upon as a necessity in any kind of farming.
Lime: The lime poverty is very marked in some cases, indi-
cating that liming would be required in addition to the phos-
phoric acid in order to get the best results.
Potash: The potash supplies are poor, so that at least the re-
turn of the potash removed by the crops would be required.
Nitrogen: The nitrogen contents are either poor or very poor
in all cases.
Below, in series one, are given the results obtained by W. N.
Rudd in field experiments on a very poor soil on his farm near
McMinnville, in Warren County. In series two, same farm,
but from another field which had been somewhat improved by
previous fertilizing, etc. (the analysis of this soil is shown as
first under Warren County, in preceding table).
Fertilizer Experiments on Fort Payne Chert Soil
Yields per Acre
Stover Grain
Plot Fertilizers per Acre Tons Bu.
CORN
Lo No fertilizers'cidesscteeiec ninety Conese aL Lt eieeas -ol 3.9
640\lbs--Acidi Phosphateticc.ciesiciete aa cieeleereieierseicier
2 { 128i lbs: Muniate Potash. s:21c\ocicencisreieiesereiers ete creietorersusie \ ie eee
640NbsvAcidwPhosphatesse- sear evenerocine ciel reieeete acer 7.
g { ZA MbSreNitrate: Soda crete ters cleo tale cate fansetoherersi teteker oreo \ iM 28
640i bs AcidsPhosphatesc ssa ceseces se icetreriniistere cienselererore
4 ZAOII DS Nitrate:Sod aici cxcis.) o csostene-sieieke-occvenerenclevonerebeeeters 91 24.9
LZ8ilibsseMiuriateyRotasheesc.tee coerce crcl ccaciotersione
240i bs; Nitrate!Sodacaans josie eilerecictecetreteretensnstem nei
: { L281 bs. MuriatesPotaghe ceietcts)iererete cherrkeeeiotereleaeterst- \ 34 =e
640'lbs:Acid’¢Phosphates a. cacies sce ccreenteir Payable datacets
6 240 ibs Nitrate: Sodas: ko crociersis we citnesteteeecorle sueteieraccol 1.01 29.3
2oGulbseMuriatesPotash te. cre cvetehs oereileteeke) stoeterreatore
Cow-PEAS
Te No fertilizers =. sscrc tee oj crctivccerercnticla rere crore tora eons ohare tene aie hetereianeral scores 13.0
2, sO0/IbsPAcid? Phosphate a7. 26 cre ciaie/cusleisicte over tenclotete oreterelaoMMieberensvelvelolerens 19.0
3 300 lbs. Acid Phosphate sane cvacrsrecloointeroteraeeroloraesiereione 22.0
SOUbssMuriatesPotashcscrecreyosieiere claieiersiateleveveteleterets
TOMATOES IN MIDDLE TENNESSEE
BEANS IN MIDDLE TENNESSEE
Conclusions for the Siliceous Soils of the Rim
The results of the chemical analyses and the fertilizer experi-
ments agree in demonstrating that the soils of the Tullahoma
formation are poor in the fundamentally important mineral
elements of plant food. Phosphoric acid and lime are indicated
as the foremost essentials. The nitrogen supplies are also low,
so that for cereal and other crops not legumes, this element
should be used along with the minerals.
CENTRAL BASIN
The Central Basin covers approximately 5,500 square miles
and has an average elevation above sea level of about 550 feet.
The major part of this section is covered by the Chickamauga
limestone, which is locally known as “blue limestone.’ Phos-
phate beds are found in numerous localities. The soils as a
whole are noted for their superior fertility and durability under
cropping, as compared with those from other parts of the State.
Continued cropping in corn and wheat has, however, greatly
reduced the natural productiveness of the majority of the
uplands, but the quickness with which they recover under proper
management is almost remarkable. The bottom lands are ex-
ceptionally fertile. The uplands generally lie well for cultiva-
tion, but steep and isolated hills 200 to 300 feet high are not
uncommon. They are, however, nearly always fertile. Scat-
tered throughout this Basin are ‘‘cedar glades,’”’ where the soil
is not deep enough for cultivation, but furnishes pasturage and
is the natural habitat of the red cedar. The prevailing soils are
brown-colored silt loams, adapted to a wide range of crops, but
especially well suited to the production of corn, wheat, grass
and forage crops. Potatoes are also grown extensively in some
of the counties. Kentucky blue grass thrives as nowhere else
in the State and is the common permanent pasture grass.
Below we give some analyses of Central Basin Soils.
Phos. Acid Lime Potash Nitrogen
No. County % % % % Remarks
I Bedfordiec. sci a5 .10 .29 .122 Old land—Good.
2) Bedford's... .09 .28 cali .112 Oldland—Good (bottom
second bench).
oP CUIOTG creieveieichs .08 . 26 re) .117 Old land—Good (bottom
grey soil).
AS Bedfordienece 12 .24 oe .130 Old land—Good.
5) Bedford\scieraceis) > .05 Aull -49 .04 Subsoil to 4.
12
A SECTION OF 70-ACRE APPLE ORCHARD, COLUMBIA, TENN.
SILAGE Crops, EXPERIMENT STATION, KNOXVILLE
No. County Phos.Acid Lime Potash Nitrogen Remarks
6)" Bedfordt=...-.- 19 =De .46 .15 Creek bottom land—Rich.
“ ‘Bedfordinnc.. sc .05 -05 .19 .09 Old land—-Very poor.
8) Bediord-ra.cn ae si .14 . 26 .148 Old land—Good.
9) Bedford... stil jilal so .068 Subsoil to 8.
10)" Bedford! 0c... . 26 .20 .32 .112 Old land—Good.
MD Beard cercicienctcre .18 .19 -43 077 Subsoil to 10.
12 Bedford’. ....... a5 50 .43 .212 Old meadow bottom land
: —Rich.
By sBedtordiein. cori alld .61 .43 212 Subsoil to 12.
14 Davidson...... .07 -46 aia -190 New land—Rich.
Sin COlnta cic terese oil. .32 45 .128 Old land—Good.
lGis Marshallisy-irr 32 .20 19 .102 Old land—Medium.
live Miarshallic/.7. cc's .26 18 .25 -116 Old land—Good.
13S Marshallin 73. 27 27 .33 -065 Subsoil to 17.
19 Rutherford .... .08 .22 .29 -116 Old land—Medium.
ZOER Smith seniie cere .22 .13 .22 .076 Old land—Poor.
Compare the above with relative analyses shown on page 6. TablesI,II and III.
General Conclusions from the Analyses
Phosphoric Acid: The majority of the analyses show the
presence of unusually large amounts of phosphoric acid, so that
many of the soils would be called rich in this element. A few,
however, Nos. 2, 3, 7, 14, and 19, are only moderately supplied.
Lime: The lime contents of these soils are as a rule good,
but by no means sufficiently high to warrant the neglect of
liming. Nos. 12, 13, 6, and 14 would be classed as rich in this
element, and only one, No. 7, is very poor.
Potash: The potash supplies are good on the average, but
Nos. 2, 3, 7, and 16 rank only as medium, so that at least mod-
erate applications of this element might be used to advantage
in grain growing and the like, where the crops are sold off the
farm.
Nitrogen: The nitrogen percentages are medium on the
average uplands, and good on the bottom lands. The uplands
have lost much of this element under cultivation, and its return
to the soil should be a matter of concern. In fact, it is decidedly
the most important element of plant food needed by the average
upland of this section.
No. 20 is an interesting example of a soil which, when judged
by actual production, would be classed as “‘poor’’ for crops
like corn or wheat, but “good,” or even “‘rich,” for clover. The
low nitrogen content, due to long continued grain farming,
would account for the small crops of the cereals, but did not inter-
14
A TENNESSEE FARM HOME
RESULTS OF CANNING CLUB WORK IN TENNESSEE
(This young lady purchased mule and sow out of money received for canned goods)
fere with the growth of a legume like clover, the soil supply of
the minerals being “good.”
THE CUMBERLAND PLATEAU
This section covers about 5,000 square miles and has an
average elevation above sea level of about 1,800 feet. The soils
are principally sandy loams, which support a fair forest growth,
but which are decidedly lacking in fertility under cropping.
On account of their loamy nature, they are easily tilled and are
well suited to the production of trucking and forage crops and
to both large and small fruits. The cultivated soils are shallow,
the depth of the underlying sandstone generally ranging from
one to four feet. They seldom suffer from dry weather, however,
and there is no reason why, under judicious management, which
would include the liberal use of fertilizers and lime, much of this
section should not become highly productive.
Below we give some chemical analyses of these soils.
Phos. Acid Lime Potash Nitrogen
No. County % % NG % Remarks.
1 Cumberland.... .06 .07 .19 .161 Uncleared pasture—Best
type plateau soils.
2 Cumberland.... .03 -10 .07 .279 A-sandy loam.
3 Cumberland.... .03 -05 .08 .085 Acreek bottom soil—
Very acid.
4 Cumberland.... .03 .05 .06 .069 Forest land—Average
very poor.
Comparison of these analyses is invited to those appearing on page 6, Tables I, II
and III.
General Conclusions
These soils can be classed in plant-food supply with those of
the Tullahoma formation, and must be considered very poor in
all mineral elements of plant food, so that it would not be ad-
visable to attempt any kind of farming without the aid of com-
mercial fertilizers, phosphate in particular. Lime in addition is
indicated as necessary, not only for plant-food purposes, but also
to correct acidity. Some of the average soil is poor in these con-
stituents. Fertilizer experiments bear out the results of the
chemical analyses in showing the great demand for increased
supplies of phosphoric acid, nitrogen and lime, but potash seems
to be of uncertain value.
16
DISKING PEAS FOR WINTER GRAIN, HIGHLAND RIM
East TENNESSEE Hay Crop
East TENNESSEE
This section, which lies between the Unaka or Great Smoky
Mountains on the east and the Cumberland Plateau on the
west, has an elevation of about 1,000 feet. The geological form-
ations, including ridges, etc., have northeast and southwest
courses parallel with the mountains on either side, and occur
repeatedly in long belts or strips.
The most important soils of this section may be placed under
the following heads:
1. Knox dolomite.
2. Shale.
3. Chickamauga limestone.
4. Miscellaneous marbles and limestones.
5. Tellico sandstone.
6. Alluvial.
THE DOLOMITE SOILS
The prevailing soils are loams and silt loams containing
more or less chert. The color of the soils ranges from gray to
dark red. All have retentive red clay subsoils. Valley lands
of this type are considered to be of good natural fertility, and
under judicious management are highly productive, but under
continued grain growing they soon become impoverished. The
soils of the rounded ridges which characterize this formation
contain as a rule much more chert and are recognized as natu-
rally much poorer and less durable than the valley lands.
The valley lands are well adapted to general farm crops,
such as corn, wheat, grass, etc., but when favorably located are
used for market garden and fruit growing purposes. The ridges
are adapted to the production of small fruits, grapes and general
orcharding; peaches and cherries in particular.
Below we give some chemical analyses of the Dolomite Soils—
Valley type:
Phos. Acid Lime Potash Nitrogen
No. County % % % % Remarks
ile Jamilton’ cisteist. .05 .16 .23 .095 Old land—Medium.
PD KETO Xs) ovate roneiess .09 Sf .28 .111 Old land—Good.
Sea Knoxae ae cwreiviete .06 ails} .38 .079 Old land—Poor.
4° Kn OXire a eyieeiel he .05 .12 .43 .051 Subsoil to 3.
The analyses of the valley soils show larger amounts of all
the mineral elements of plant food, potash and lime in particular,
than the ridge type. The phosphoric acid contents, however,
18
A HIGHLAND RIM ToBacco FIELD, N., C. & St. L. Ry., DEMONSTRATION FARM, TULLAHOMA
(The man standing is six feet tall)
JupGING Fat STocK, EXPERIMENT STATION FARM, KNOXVILLE
are poor, and this may account for the lack of durability under
grain farming. The supplies of lime are medium. The per-
centages of potash are good, probably ample under stock farm-
ing, but would not endure the constant drain of grain and hay
farming. In three out of four soils the nitrogen contents are
poor, and along with phosphoric / acid should receive much
attention. |
SHALE SOILS
Next to the Knox Dolomite, shale from various formations
covers the largest area in the East Tennessee Valley. These
soils are often shallow and have the general reputation of being
leachy and hard to handle. This type occurs frequently as low
lands, which when of sufficient depth, are well suited to the
production of both grain and grass.
Below we give a few analyses of the shale soils:
Phos. Acid Lime Potash Nitrogen
No. County % % % % Remarks
di Hamblen... ell 205) 28 .208 Old land—Good.
(Nolichucky shale)
2| Hamblen........ .02 .10 .08 .072 Old land—Crawfishy,
(Athens shale) ; very poor.
Sp VRNOX etree ears ses .09 eli .29 .09 Old land—Poor.
Al KNOX enerersierets ois .09 .12 .27 .10 New land—Medium.
(Sevier shale)
OM MKMNOX everson .03 .08 109) sasaekdies Forest—Crawfishy,
(Sevier shale) very poor.
General Conclusion
Phosphoric Acid: Nearly medium except for the “craw-
fishy’’ sorts, which are very deficient. The best of these soils
would be expected to require at least the return of this element
removed by the crops.
Lime: Must be considered poor—in particular, liming would
be required to bring soil No. 1 to a high state of productiveness.
Potash: Except in Nos. 2 and 5, the potash percentages are
good, but not sufficient to warrant the constant removal of this
element without any return, as in grain or hay farming.
Nitrogen: No. 1 is rich in nitrogen, but the others would be
considered poor.
Fertilizer experiments made on soils long under cultivation
have indicated a decided need of both phosphoric acid and
nitrogen.
20
SHEEP IN East TENNESSEE
A TENNESSEE SHEEP A TENNESSEE DurROc HoG
CHICKAMAUGA LIMESTONE
This formation covers probably less than one-twelfth of the
East Tennessee Valley, and is found in narrow belts. The
rock is easily recognized on account of its blue color, and its
structure, which is of such a nature that it is often spoken of as
rotten limestone.
The soils are high in both silt and clay, so that in working,
care is required to prevent the formation of clods. The subsoils
are heavy yellow-colored clays. General farm crops, especially
wheat and grass, thrive on this type.
Below we give you a few analyses of the Chickamauga lime-
stone soils:
Phos. Acid Lime Potash Nitrogen
No. County % % % % Remarks
ie eHamblentaec ee .10 .82 .86 .3808 Forest—Very rich.
2) Hamblentcenie .07 18 say .097 Old land—Poor.
Se USTIOM Se foyeserere eres .08 .22 43 .120 Creek bottom—Good.
Av MEnOX si cisioe sshele .09 .10 27 .094 Old land—Poor.
oP McMinn ea. c .07 sph .68 .183 Fertile pasture.
6p Roanese recente .07 .06 .18 .087 Old land—Poor.
7 Washington.... .07 .10 .18 -100 Old land—Poor.
General Conclusions
Phosphoric Acid: Phosphoric acid contents of these soils are
poor, requiring at least the return of the phosphoric acid removed
by crops. The uniformity in the percentages of this element in
soils from different localities is noteworthy.
Lime: The percentages of lime are variable to an unusual
extent. The virgin soils are well supplied, but those which have
been long cultivated are often deficient, so that liming would be
advisable.
Potash: In no instance is the potash content poor. Nos.
1,3 and 5arerich; No. 4is good; and Nos. 6 and 7 are medium.
Nitrogen: The nitrogen contents of the long cultivated
soils are a low medium, but at least one of the virgin soils,
No. 1, would be considered very rich in this element.
Fertilizer experiments show these soils to be only moderately
well supplied with phosphoric acid, so that applications of this
element are recommended, especially in grain farming. Long-
cultivated soils need in addition both nitrogen and lime. Lim-
ing is advised not only on account of its value as a plant food, but
especially as a corrective for acidity and for its favorable action
22
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A TENNESSEE JACK
on those soils which are heavy and troublesome to handle.
Little attention appears to be required for potash fertilization.
MARBLE AND MISCELLANEOUS LIMESTOYE SOILS
All these limestones form red or chocolate colored loams and
clay loams, which are recognized as naturally very fertile and
much more durable under cropping than the dolomite and shale
soils. They are especially well adapted to general farm crops,
but may be used to advantage for gardening, orcharding, and
the like. Their area is small.
Below we give some chemical analyses of these soils:
Phos. Acid Lime Potash Nitrogen
No. County % % % % Remarks
1 Anderson...... = kz .12 2 .123 Old land—Good.
2) Hamblen... «1 .08 12 .24 .079 Old land—Poor.
SD IKMNOXs ahieieereake« .16 .30 .36 .143 New land—Rich.
A IGN OXS Fete sii cts 19 .38 .42 .190 New land—Rich.
SE MSNOX=. peiteniee .10 .20 4 .100 Old land—Medium.
General Conclusions
Phosphoric Acid: In three out of five soils the phosphoric
acid content is good. In fact, they are the highest found in
any of the East Tennessee types. In strictly grain farming,
however, the phosphoric acid removed by the crops should be
returned, especially for Nos. 2 and 5.
Lime: The lime contents are better than the average, running
from medium to good, but beneficial results would be expected
to follow its application to Nos. 1 and 2.
Potash: The supplies of potash are good in three out of the
five soils, but analyses Nos. 1 and 2 show only medium amounts
of this element.
Nitrogen: The nitrogen supplies of the new lands are good,
but the long-cultivated soils have been heavy losers of this ele-
ment.
The fertilizer experiments which have been made on these
soils have shown that they do not respond readily to phosphoric
acid like the other types described, but indicate that attention
should be given to this element in grain farming. Nitrogen
has been found to be needed after a few years of cropping in
corn and wheat, as is the custom.
24
TELLICO SANDSTONE SOILS
These soils are especially desirable for market garden pur-
poses, being sandy loams of good natural fertility. The area
covered by this formation is small, but long, narrow strips are
found scattered throughout the East Tennessee Valley. On ac-
count of the hardness of the parent rock, they are found on the
slopes and tops of high hills and sometimes on small elevated
plateaus which are excellently situated for the production of early
vegetables. On hillsides these soils wash ruinously, with rapid
deterioration in fertility, unless wisely handled.
Below we give some chemical analyses of these soils:
Phos. Acid Lime Potash Nitrogen
No. County % % % % Remarks
He KNnOX sare sree a er/ 19 18 .106 New land—Good.
Deno xe nea ce sala] .16 .18 .120 Old land—Good.
Sa PROANEZ 5. eter .10 .26 .30 .152 New land—Rich.
General Conclusions
Taking the texture into consideration, the percentages of all
the elements of plant food are good and justify the reputation
of these soils for being naturally fertile.
For market garden crops, the old lands need especially both
phosphoric acid and nitrogen, and to a less extent potash.
ALLUVIAL SOILS
These do not cover large areas, but are noted for their fertility
and durability under cropping. They are best adapted to corn,
grass and forage crops, and are decidedly the most productive
soils in the East Tennessee Valley. Their superior depth adds
greatly to the plant-food supplies indicated in the chemical
analyses, of which we give a few as follows:
Phos. Acid Lime Potash Nitrogen
No. County % % % % Remarks
[ee Blount s.saceiere .18 18 Oo .131 Old land—Good, occa-
sionally overflowed.
2 Hamilton...... .09 wld .91 .121 Old land—Medium.
Texture bad.
G4 iid S90) a a Sle 12 43 .45 .145 Old land—Rich, overflows.
ARO IRNOX cay terete erste .09 .42 42 -131 Old land—Rich, overflows.
OW KRNOK:earc2.6 sis hee .05 .41 .o2 .073 Old land—Rich, overflows.
General Conclusions
Phosphoric Acid: The per cent of phosphoric acid runs from
poor in the sandy soils to good, but the depth and texture of
these soils make them well supplied, though not rich in this
element.
Lime: With the exception of No. 1, these soils are rich in
lime, at least so far as plant-food requirements are concerned.
Potash: These lands are rich in potash.
Nitrogen: The nitrogen percentages are for the most part
only medium, but, as in the case of phosphoric acid, the depth
of the soil makes the supplies good.
Fertilizer Experiments
At the Tennessee Experiment Station farm, on soil No. 4
no profitable returns have been obtained from the use of fertili-
zer mixtures for either corn or wheat; the wheat generally grow-
ing too rank, so that it lodges. Alfalfa and clover, however,
respond to applications of both phosphoric acid and lime, but
the effects of the latter must be attributed to the slight acidity
of the soil. Grass responds to nitrogen in addition to the other
two elements.
TENNESSEE FARM POULTRY
26
CLIMATIC CONDITIONS
In the discussion of the soils, we have dealt frankly with the
conditions, giving the facts. Properly to understand the great
possibilities of improving these soils, and at the same time pro-
duce fair crops on these lands, it is necessary that the distribu-
tion of rainfall and duration of growing season be thoroughly
understood. By use of this information we can determine how
early in the spring we may plant without danger of frost, or
how late we can plant, expecting the crop to mature before killed
by frost. Further, the average rainfall by months will show the
dry periods, during which we must do our plowing, cultivating
and other farming operations which depend upon the dryness
of the atmosphere and soil. In order that the reader may readily
determine these facts, charts prepared by the College of Agri-
culture, University of Tennessee, with notation as to their char-
acter, are given.
CUMBERLAND PLATEAU POTATO EXHIBIT
27
Chart |—Latest Killing Frost in Spring
Chart I shows the latest date on which killing frost has
occurred in the spring since careful records were begun. The
crosses on this chart and on all following charts represent the
stations at which the observations were made. The curved
lines with dates at each end are drawn through all points that
have had their latest killing frost in spring on the same date, as
April 20, or April 30. The date of the latest killing frost for
points not on one of these lines may be determined as follows:
Take Haywood County, for example. On one side we have a
line dated April 10 and on the other side a line dated April 20,
and we see at once that the latest killing frost in that county
occurred between April 10 and April 20. Or look at Williamson
County. Here we have lines dated April 20 on all sides, but
looking outside the April 20 lines we find April 30 lines, which
are later. Therefore the latest frost in Williamson County,
which is inside the April 20 line, must have been earlier than April
20. In the same way the date of the latest killing frost in the
spring for any point in the State may be determined approxi-
mately by means of the chart.
All of our crops may be placed in one of two classes. One
class will withstand a given amount of frost, while the other
class will be destroyed by freezing temperature. Crops of the
first class may be planted or sown as early as the soil can be
properly prepared, but crops of the second class can not be
planted with absolute safety until after the date of the latest
killing frost in spring as shown, roughly, on this chart.
Chart 11i—Earliest Killing Frost in Fall
Chart II was made in the same manner as Chart I. The
lines in this case show the dates of earliest killing frosts in fall
since careful records were begun.
This chart will help us to decide the proper time to sow late
forage crops that are not able to resist the frost. Knowing the
length of time any crop needs to reach maturity, we can with the
assistance of this chart determine when to sow in order to be
perfectly safe from early frosts in the fall. A crop sown early
enough to get out of the way of the earliest frost on record will
be practically safe.
29
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Chart I11—Average Date of Latest Killing Frost in Spring
Chart III shows the average date of the latest killing frost in
the spring.
Many crops that will not endure frost are many times more
valuable if marketed early than if marketed only a week or two
later. This being true, we are willing to take chances of losing a
crop occasionally by frost in order to reach the market as early
as possible. Having before us the average date of the latest
killing frost in spring, and knowing the difference in the price
of our product that a few days will make, we can easily calculate
what will be the best time to plant. For example, a crop
starting on the average date of the latest killing frost will in the
long run be killed one year out of two. If, however, the crop
planted at that date will be worth more than twice as much in
the market s athe one planted a few days later we can afford
to take the risk. If the early crop is worth ten times as much as
the late one we can profitably plant still earlier, while if itis worth
but little more we must wait until danger from frost is prac-
tically past. Each farmer should know for his own locality what
is the average date of the latest killing frost in spring. If it has
not already been worked out he should begin keeping a record
at once and get an average as soon as possible.
Chart 1\V—Average Date of Earliest Killing Frost in Fall
Chart IV shows the average date of the earliest killing frost
in the fall and can be used in the same manner as Chart III.
If in a given locality the average date of the earliest killing
frost is October 20, and if also some crop, as green corn, peas, or
tomatoes, is much more valuable after that date than before it,
because of scarcity; we can afford to take chances and plant late
in order that, if a frost does not come, we may have a crop after
our neighbor’s crops are harvested.
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Chart V—Average Number of Days in Growing Season
Chart V is obtained from Charts III and IV and shows the
average number of days without killing frost, or the length of
the growing season. We naturally expect to find a longer grow-
ing season in the South than the North and the’chart shows this
to be true in a general way. There are, however, great irreg-
ularities in the lines as compared with lines of latitude. We
also expect the growing season to shorten with elevation above
sea level, and comparing Chart V with Chart VI we find this is
true and that most of the irregularities noted above are accounted
for by differences in elevation.
There is, however, still one important disagreement between
the lines on these two charts that must be accounted for in some
other way. The point of difference is this: Stations west of the
Cumberland Mountains having an elevation of 1,000 feet have
a growing season of about 180 days, while stations with a similar
elevation east of the Cumberland Mountains have a growing
season of over 200 days. The difference must be due to the
protection afforded to the eastern portion of the State by the
Cumberland Mountains.
Knowing the time it takes a given crop to mature, and the
average length of the growing season in a particular locality,
the farmer can see at once whether he ought to sow that crop or
not. For example, in the case of Irish potatoes the grower can
tell from this chart whether or not he can grow two crops in
one season, though it may never have been tried in his locality.
Chart VI—Elevation of Stations Above Sea Level
In Chart VI the lines represent elevation above sea level.
It is of interest to study this chart in connection with each of the
others, as it shows the effect which elevation has on the tem-
perature and rainfall of a place. Valleys are found to be warmer
than highlands, and valleys on the east of a mountain range are
less subject to late frosts than those on the west. Precipitation
is heavier on western than it is on eastern slopes.
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Chart ViI—Mean Annual Temperature
Chart VII, showing the mean annual temperature, is of value
to the farmer because it assists him in determining the sections
best suited for crops requiring high temperature, as cotton, or
those requiring lower temperature, as fall apples and cabbage.
This chart conforms much more closely to the chart showing
the elevations than any of the others. As would be expected,
we find the lowest temperatures at the highest altitudes, while the
highest temperatures are observed in the lowest portions.
Chart Vi111—Lowest Temperature in Thirteen Years
Chart VIII, showing the lowest temperature for thirteen
years, should be considered before locating an orchard or a crop
of any kind that is liable to be winterkilled. The orchardist
would not wish to plant a tender variety of peaches in a place
where a temperature of 20 degrees below zero is likely to occur.
Chart 1X—Number of Winters in Thirteen Years with
Zero or Below
Chart IX shows the number of times in thirteen years that
the temperature has been zero or below. It should be of value
to those who are trying to carry either animals or tender crops
through the winter, as from it a good general idea of the frequency
of winters with severe weather can be obtained.
Chart X—Mean Annual Rainfall, in Inches
Chart X shows the annual precipitation for the entire
time of observation at each station. This chart also conforms
to a limited extent with the chart of elevation. The heavier
rainfall is found on the western slopes of the mountains and the
lighter rainfall on the eastern slopes. The heaviest rainfall for
the State (over 59 inches) was measured on the Cumberland
Plateau, while the lowest annual rainfall occurs at Bristol.
In considering the mean monthly or annual rainfall we must
bear in mind that the mean, or average, rainfall is not the rain-
fall which is most likely to occur. This we can easily see by con-
sidering that in a month in which the normal rainfall is 5 inches
the greatest possible deficiency is only 5 inches, while on the
other hand the excess may be 10 or 15 inches or more. Thus
one month having a rainfall of 15 inches would raise the normal
twice as far as one month with no rainfall would lower it.
TENNESSEE BEES
37
Distribution of rainfall is one of the most important factors
to successful farming. The rainfall of Tennessee, as shown by
the following charts, is admirably distributed, and the only
reason why Tennessee does not stand at the head as an agricul-
tural state is because our people have not taken advantage of
the climatic conditions as they are.
CHART 1—AVERAGE RAINFALL IN INCHES FOR THE SIX MONTHS
Marcu 1 to Aucust 31
The above chart shows that Tennessee is much better supplied
with rain during the corn-growing season than the section com-
monly known as the Corn-Belt.
Chart 2 shows Tennessee and other states south of Ken-
tucky and Virginia have an advantage of from twenty-five to
seventy-five days of growing season over those States north of |
the Ohio River. This not only gives more time for the crop to
grow, but gives more leeway at planting time and a better op-
portunity to get the seed bed in the best condition. Tennessee
has a growing season about twenty-five days longer than the
average for Illinois.
38
CHART 2—AVERAGE LENGTH OF GROWING SEASON, OR NUMBER OF DAYS BETWEEN THE LAST
KILLING FROST IN THE SPRING AND THE FirST KILLING FROST IN THE FALL
Chart 3 is a comparison between the corn crop and the
July rainfall in Tennessee. The solid line represents the aver-
age corn crop for the State for fifteen years, in bushels per acre,
as shown by the figures on the lefthand margin. It will at once
be noticed that there is great similarity between the two lines.
Examination of Chart 10 shows the average rainfall for the
month of July for fifteen years. Since July is the month when
most of the corn in Tennessee tassels, we may fairly conclude
that the amount of moisture available at tasseling time is one
of the principal factors controlling the size of the corn crop.
From Tennessee northward and westward the corn all tassels
during the months of July and August. Since the crop is
largely dependent upon the moisture available during tasseling
time, July and August are the critical months, and we must con-
sider the rainfall for that period in any comparison we make.
Charts 4 and 5 represent the average rainfall for July and August,
respectively, for the region under discussion. They show that
39
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CHART 5—AVERAGE RAINFALL FOR AUGUST IN INCHES
Tennessee has a greater rainfall in July (her critical period)
than the states north and west of her have in either July or
August. In this respect, then, her opportunity for producing
a large crop of corn is greater than that of those other states.
Another important factor upon which the amount of moisture
available for the crop at tasseling time depends, is the water
from the earlier rains that may be retained in the soil by proper
methods of cultivation. Chart 7 shows the average rainfall for
the three months, December, January, and February. Central
Mississippi and Alabama have the greatest amount, over fif-
teen inches, while the entire Southeast section has twelve
inches or more. Over the Ohio and upper Mississippi Valleys,
the rainfall for these three months is from three to nine inches
only. Here again Tennessee has a great opportunity for increas-
ing the amount of available moisture at tasseling time by con-
serving the heavy winter rainfall. King, in his “‘Irrigation and
Drainage,’’ describes some careful experiments made to deter-
mine the amount of rainfall necessary to produce a certain yield
of corn. In thirteen Northeastern and North Central States
having an average rainfall of about fifteen inches during the corn-
growing season, he estimates that after deducting a certain
amount for loss by percolation and from light showers, the aver-
age effective rainfall is about twelve inches. His experiments
show that this rainfall, if it came in the right amount and at
the right time for greatest efficiency, would be enough to supply
the necessary moisture for a crop of over seventy bushels per
acre. In actual practice the average yield for these thirteen
states is about thirty bushels per acre, or less than one-half of the
calculated amount. King rightly ascribes this great difference to
the fact that the rainfall is seldom or never properly distributed
for the greatest efficiency. He also shows by actual experiments
that by conservation in the soil of moisture from earlier rains
the bad effect of improper distribution may be overcome to a
considerable extent and the crop largely increased.
Looking at the subject from the standpoint of climatic condi-
tions, there is no good reason why Tennessee, or the states
southeast of Tennessee, should not be among out best corn-
growing states. The summers are as warm as in the valleys
of the Ohio, Missouri and upper Mississippi Rivers. The
growing season is longer; the summer rainfall is more abundant
42
and the winter rainfall with the opportunity for moisture conser-
vation is far greater. The fact, then, is that the yield of corn
per acre in Tennessee is comparatively small, not because of
climatic conditions, but because of failure to take advantage of
them. Neither is the soil responsible for the deficiency, for many
farmers scattered over all parts of the State have produced crops
of corn that can not be excelled anywhere. The trouble is that
most of us have not adapted our farming methods to our climatic
and soil conditions. What is needed is a system of farm manage-
ment and a rotation of crops that will utilize the abundant heat
and moisture that our land receives.
CHART 6—COMPARATIVE CHART OF HEAT AND RAINFALL
The radiating lines represent the 12 months of the year. The concentric circles represent
percentages counted from the center, which is zero. The irregular figure marked “‘Rainfall’’
represents the per cent of the annual rainfall that fallseach month. The figure marked“ Heat”’
represents the per cent of the year’s effective heat that is received each month.
43
rainfall
IZ (cn inches)
s Lec. Z
5 to
Febh27
Gea
CHART 7—AVERAGE RAINFALL IN INCHES FOR THE THREE MONTHS
DECEMBER 1 TO FEBRUARY 28
We must have a system that will increase the humus content
of the soil and a rotation that will maintain a cover on the ground
in the winter as well asin summer. The double-cropping system
as practiced by many of our progressive farmers is well adapted
for this purpose and should be used on all land not in meadow or
pasture. By this system the supply of humus in the soil is in-
creased, making it more receptive and retentive of moisture,
thus preventing erosion and storing up water for use when rain
is deficient. The necessary humus may be supplied in two ways
—the crop may be fed and the manure returned to the land, or
the crop may be turned under for green manure. The latter
method is quicker while the former is possibly the more eco-
nomical. Either is good and one or the other is absolutely neces-
sary. With this system, Tennessee may not only increase her
corn yield until it is second to none, but she may increase all
her other crops in proportion. And not only Tennessee, but
44
the whole region south and east of Tennessee may be benefited
by the use of the double-cropping system. North of Kentucky
the weather conditions will not admit of this method of increasing
soil fertility. This system of double-cropping permits the utili-
zation of the maximum amount of the abundant heat and rain-
fall with which this section is blessed.
Chart 6 graphically shows the relative distribution of heat
and rainfall through the year in percentages of the total amount
of each for each month.
The second climatic essential for the success of the double-
cropping system is sufficient rainfall properly distributed through-
out the year. Let us first consider the winter rainfall as shown
in Chart 7. Over the greater portion of the six states under
discussion the winter rainfall is twelve inches or more. This
amount of water falling on a bare soil in so short a time can not fail
to do considerable damage, both by washing and leaching. This is
especially true if the soil is deficient in humus. Under these
conditions a winter cover crop is a necessity for the sake of soil
conservation, and would be profitable if no other benefit were
received from it. Under the double-cropping system there is
always a crop on the ground during the winter to conserve the
soil and use the abundant rainfall.
We will next consider the annual distribution of rainfall—
first for Tennessee, and then for the whole district under dis-
cussion.
The rainfall for. Tennessee may be divided into four types ac-
cording to its distribution through the year as shown in Chart 8.
They differ chiefly in the relative heights of the winter and sum-
mer maxima. For the present, let us note the resemblance be-
tween these four types and the area covered by each as shown by
Chart 9.
These types resemble each other in that each has a winter and
a summer maximum and a May and October minimum. Type
1 occupies a narrow strip at the west end of the State, and Type
4 covers a still smaller area in the northeast corner. The re-
mainder of the State, which is over ninety per cent, is covered
by Types 2 and 3.
45
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CHART 8
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CHART 9
Areas covered by four CY PCS
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CHART 10—DISTRIBUTION OF RAINFALL FOR TENNESSEE, SHOWING WET PERIODS IN WINTER
AND SUMMER WITH DRIER PERIODS IN SPRING AND FALL
Chart 10 represents the average distribution of rainfall
throughout the year for the whole State. Type 1, Chart 9,
is the only one of the four types that differs materially from
Chart 10, and as this type occupies less than one-tenth of the
State, any conclusions based on Chart 10 may be applied with
reasonable fairness to the State as a whole.
Chart 11 is identical with Chart 10, except that the heavy
lines representing rainfall, instead of arising from a common
base line, are arranged to radiate from a common center. This
shows clearly the rain cycle for the year and enables us to locate
the various operations of the double-cropping system in their
relation to rainfall. As practiced by progressive farmers and
the Tennessee Experiment Station, the winter cover crop is
sown during the comparatively dry months of September and
October and occupies the ground through the wet months of
47
CHART 11—DIstTRIBUTION OF RAINFALL FOR TENNESSEE ARRANGED IN CIRCULAR FORM TO
SHOW More CLEARLY THE ANNUAL CYCLE OF RAINFALL WITH WET PERIODS
IN WINTER AND SUMMER AND DRIER PERIODS IN SPRING AND FALL
winter and early spring. It is ready to be turned under for green
manure in March or April, or to be cut for forage during May,
which is drier than the months either before or after it, and
offers the most favorable opportunity for harvesting one crop and
putting in another. This second crop p!anted in May covers
the ground during the wet summer months and protects it from
washing rains when they are most frequent, and is ready to har-
vest during the drier months of fall.
Chart 12 represents the average monthly rainfall for Tennes-
see, the Carolinas, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia. Com-
parison to Chart 15 is invited, showing that the rainfall in
48
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ea es aes Gee (SS Ee) ES eae,
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SE a a es
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Ee ES GS (ee ee Ge
CHART 12—AVERAGE DISTRIBUTION OF RAINFALL FOR THE SIX STATES OF TENNESSEE, THE
CAROLINAS, MIssissippI, ALABAMA, AND GEORGIA, SHOWING WET WINTER
AND SUMMER AND DRIER SPRING AND FALL
these southern states is greater and better distributed than in
the five central northern states named in Chart 15.
Chart 13 represents the average monthly rainfall for five
selected stations, which are situated on a line extending across
the section from west to east and passing very near its center.
This chart is introduced to show that the rainfall distribution
at different points over the section corresponds very closely to
the general average as shown in Chart 12.
Chart 14 is a circular arrangement of the lines on Chart 12,
and shows the average yearly cycle of rainfall for the whole
49
Savannah
SMacon
S072 tgomery
MMeritdian
Vicksburg
S|] SS SS SS SS
<a
= SSS SSS SSS
SS SS SS SS SS SSS
pon
g% NY NO RN
CHART 13—AVERAGE DISTRIBUTION OF RAINFALL AT FIVE SELECTED STATIONS, SHOWING SIMILARITY
TO THE AVERAGE FOR THE WHOLE REGION AS SEEN IN CHART 12
CHART 14—AVERAGE DISTRIBUTION OF RAINFALL FOR SIX STATES AS SHOWN IN CHART 12
ARRANGED IN CIRCULAR FORM TO SHOW ANNUAL CYCLE OF RAINFALL WITH
WET WINTER AND SUMMER AND DRIER SPRING AND FALL
region. Here, as in the State of Tennessee, the distribution of
rainfall is ideal for the double-cropping system. The old plan
of growing only one crop a year, which is practiced throughout
the country, is a great success in the North, but is a glaring mis-
fit in the South. This is due to the great difference in climatic
conditions. First, the growing season north of Tennessee is
generally too short for two crops in one year. Second, the
ground is usually frozen in the winter and the winter rainfall is
small and usually in the form of snow, so that there is no impera-
tive demand for a winter cover crop to prevent washing. Third,
the annual distribution of rainfall is entirely different from that
of the Southern States, as is shown by Charts 15 and 16, which
represent the five states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri,
and Iowa.
ol
REESE ee
Wi | | | ec.
CHART 15—AVERAGE DISTRIBUTION OF RAINFALL FOR THE FIVE STATES OF OHIO, INDIANA
ILLINOIS, MISSOURI, AND IOWA
Instead of two wet seasons, we find only one, and that is in
the late spring and summer.
SVo¥:
CHART 16—CIRCULAR ARRANGEMENT OF DATA IN CHART 15, SHOWING ANNUAL CYCLE OF
RAINFALL WITH WET SUMMER AND Dry FALL, WINTER, AND SPRING
There is only one dry season, which includes fall, winter and
early spring. Crops put into the ground in the fall or spring
occupy it during the wet summer season and are harvested in
the late summer or fall. Here the conditions are just suited to
the single-cropping system, and this system is suited to the
conditions because it was developed under and for these condi-
tions. It would be absurd for an Iowa farmer with his short
growing season and his light winter rainfall to attempt to use
the double-cropping system. But it would be no more absurd
than for the Southern farmer to stick to a system developed to
fit conditions entirely different from those under which he is
working. He must have a system that fits his conditions if he
is to get the most out of farming, and when he realizes that his
conditions are almost perfectly adapted to the growing of two
crops each year instead of one he will be in position to live up to
his opportunity.
In discussion of the soils, the showing made from a produc-
tion standpoint is comparatively poor, but this has been caused
by failure to take advantage of the abundant rainfall and long
growing season—to produce two crops each year, turning under
or pasturing the winter crop so as to increase the humus content
and fertility of the soil, The use of ground limestone, which
can be secured at reasonable cost, makes the growing of red
clover easy, and when red clover can be grown, we can soon re-
store the original fertility of the soil.
CROPS
Any crop produced in the United States can be grown in this
section, with the exception of tropical fruits. West Tennessee
grows as her principal crops, cotton and tobacco, both of which
are readily convertible into cash; in addition, corn, wheat,
oats and in fact all the cereal crops are produced. In addition,
this section is the natural home of Bermuda, a heavy producing
summer pasture and hay grass. After this grass starts growth
in the spring, it will support two head of cattle or horses to the
acre. By the use of bur clover with Bermuda, the pastures are
green throughout the year. Again, Bermuda planted in gullies
will quickly stop washing, and soon the sides of the gullies are
covered and furnish a considerable pasture during the summer.
Japan clover (Lespedeza) is a great soil builder, particularly
53
in West Tennessee, where it will soon cover any abandoned land.
It is a legume that furnishes a considerable pasture during the
summer, and fields left in Japan clover are soon restored to their
natural fertility. Hay made from this plant has a feeding value
about equal to alfalfa and it produces from one to three tons per
acre where it is planted on good land. If allowed to grow until
late September or early October before cutting, it reseeds itself
from year to year. Many abandoned fields in Tennessee grow-
ing only broom sedge, have been restored to cultivation by it,
and Lespedeza pastures are unsurpassed for all kinds of stock.
Grasses for hay and pastures are produced in abundance in
West Tennessee, and more attention should be given to their
planting.
This section is one of the most favored for the economical
growing of stock, but this has been sadly neglected. Any
farmer in West Tennessee who will take advantage of the nat-
ural conditions, and raise stock, will soon have a fertile farm
and be in position to make good returns on his investment.
Too little attention has been given to this class of farming in
this portion of the State.
Alfalfa can be readily grown in West Tennessee. All soils
require liming and most of them respond to phosphorus. Three
and four cuttings are made each year. It is not necessary to
enter into any discussion of the merits of alfalfa, as it is too
well known by farmers of all sections.
Sweet clover, crimson clover, bur clover, and hairy vetch
may be grown to perfection in this section.
Soy beans and cowpeas furnish good crops when planted
after a small winter grain crop has been harvested. Both are
soil improvers of great importance, if fed and the manure return-
ed to the soil.
Sorghum, both sweet and non-saccharine, makes splendid
growth, and the sweet sorghum is used for making molasses
and as a forage crop. In fact, West Tennessee soils will grow
any crops that can be grown in the Temperate Zone, and in
addition, has the important crops of cotton and tobacco as cash
crops.
Experiments at the West Tennessee Station have shown con-
clusively that the soils of that section are easily restored. The
main need of most of the soils is lime and humus, although in
54
growing alfalfa and other clovers and legumes, phosphoric acid
has shown good results. The principal need is a winter cover crop
to prevent washing and loss of plant food from the soil, which
occur in this section because of the mild winters, with alternate
freezing and thawing of the soil. Crimson clover is our best
winter cover crop because of the fact that it is a winter-growing
legume and furnishes cover for the ground and pasture for hogs,
cattle, horses and sheep. If turned under in the late spring,
besides supplying much needed humus to the soil, it materially
increases its nitrogen content. Wheat, oats, rye, and barley
all furnish excellent winter cover crops, but unquestionably
crimson clover, if the land can be prepared and the seed planted
under the proper conditions, far outclasses these.
The College of Agriculture, University of Tennessee, after
experimenting, suggests the following rotations which are de-
sirable for West Tennessee conditions:
Five-Year Live Stock Rotation.
lst year—Soy beans or cow peas.
2d year—Wheat.
3d year—Clover and grass.
4th year—Clover and grass.
5th year—Corn, followed by winter cover crop for pasture
and green manure.
Five-Year General Farm Rotation.
1st year—Soy beans and cowpeas.
2d year—Wheat.
3d year—Clover.
4th year—Cotton, followed by cover crop.
5th year—Corn, followed by cover crop.
Three-Year Cotton Planter’s Rotation.
lst year—Oats, cowpeas, cover crop.
2d year—Cotton.
3d year—Corn and cowpeas.
Four-Year Cotton Planter’s Rotation.
lst year—Cotton, followed by cover crop.
2d year—Corn and cowpeas.
3d year—Oats and Japan clover.
4th year—Japan clover.
Liming is often necessary in order to get a satisfactory crop
of clover.
55
GUIDE IN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A ROTATION
The table on page 61 was prepared with a view to furnishing
a practical guide during the establishment of the five-year gen-
eral farming rotation. The spring of the year 1914 is taken as
the commencement of the project and it is assumed that the
land is in an ordinary state of fertility. According to this plan
the rotation will not be in full operation until 1916, at least two
years being required to accomplish this result.
It will be seen that after the establishment of the rotation
—1916 and later—a change is made in the commercial fertilizers,
both for corn and for the small-grain crop. This change consists
in the omission of both the cottonseed meal and the muriate of
potash. In the case of the rye, the manure would much more
than replace these two ingredients and the residues from the
clover and grass would be expected to furnish an appreciable
supply of nitrogen for the corn which follows. Also in case of
freshly cleared land neither meal nor potash salt is advised from
the outset. Also, attention is called to the fact that in the
experiments at the Jackson Station little or no increase has been
obtained from phosphates of any kind.
MIpDDLE TENNESSEE
Middle Tennessee has the Central Limestone Basin, the blue-
grass area, where all the crops can be successfullly grown. Here
are the phosphate beds of Tennessee, and a great deal of the soil
has this important plant food in abundance, and in addition it
has an abundance of potash. Long-continued croppings have
exhausted the soil supply of lime, but practically the entire area
has outcroppings of high-grade limestone, and this can be had
at a low cost. This section is devoted to growing the small
grains, corn, sorghum, grasses, and clover. Much attention
is devoted to stock raising for the markets, and more attention
is being paid to this important class of farming each year. Both
cotton and tobacco can be grown, but experience has shown that
farmers can make better returns from other kinds of farming.
In this section rational rotations, with winter cover crops, are
being generally adopted by the farmers. More attention is
being paid each year to stock raising and dairying, and the use of
stable manure and winter-growing legumes for green manure is
56
rapidly restoring the original fertility. This soil, with its red clay
subsoil, is readily responsive to kind treatment. Some of the
soils need acid phosphate, and practically all need lime, but the
potash content is ample for many generations.
HIGHLAND RIM
Parts of the Highland Rim section of Middle Tennessee have
long been regarded as too poor for profitable farming, and only
in the last few years has a plan of rotation and fertilization been
worked out which will make them among the best farm invest-
ments in the State. The section, as a whole, is admirably
adapted to the growing of tobacco, producing yields not ex-
ceeded by those of any other section. Other crops, such as corn,
small grains, clovers, soy beans and cowpeas, can be produced
in paying quantities when attention is paid to fertilizing and lim-
ing these soils.
These soils are divided into practically two classes. One is a
dark-red, or chocolate-colored, soil with red clay subsoil. This
has an ample supply of potash, and with the liming of the soil
and use of acid phosphate to fertilize the clovers, either to be
turned under or fed and the manure saved and spread, is
rapidly restored to its original fertility and produces large crops
of corn, the small grains, grasses and clovers. It is well
adapted to alfalfa, and several thousand acres are growing in
this section, producing 3 to 5 tons per acre each year. When
properly handled, there are few more productive lands anywhere
than these dark-red lands of the Highland Rim.
The gray soil is not so good, but responds to good treatment.
Lime, with an application of 200 pounds of 16% acid phos-
phate and about 20 pounds muriate of potash per acre to fertilize
for the legumes, which should either be fed and the manure
spread on the ground, or turned under as a green-manure crop,
rapidly brings these soils to a profitable producing basis.
A system of crop rotations has been worked out, which if
followed will prove profitable and at the same time improve the
fertility of the soil.
57
List of Rotations
A—General Farming—Five- Year Rotation
lst year—Corn, followed by winter cover crop for pasture and
green manure. .
2d year—Cowpeas or soy beans.
3d year—Wheat or other small grain.
4th year—Clover and grass.
5th year—Clover and grass.
B—Green Manure and Grain—Three- Year Rotation
lst year—Corn, followed by winter cover crop for pasture and
green manure.
2d year—Cowpeas or soy beans.
3d year—Wheat, followed by crimson clover for green ma-
nure.
NOTE—A most excellent rotation wherever crimson clover does well.
C—General Farming—Three- Year Rotation (or Longer if
Desired)
Ist year—Corn.
2d year—Wheat.
3d year—Clover, or clover and grass for one or more years.
NOTE—This is a well-known rotation, which has been followed successfully in many in
stances, but under average conditions Rotation A is considered to be decidedly preferable.
D—FPasture for Hogs—Two-Year Rotation
lst year—Corn and cowpeas.
2d year—Rye, sown in fall, and alsike or red clover, sown in
spring.
E—Pasture for Hogs—Two-Year Rotation
Ist year—Red or alsike clover and barley.
2d year—Soy beans or cowpeas.
58
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Guide in the Establishment of a Rotation
A table has been prepared with a view to furnishing a
practical guide during the establishment of the five-year general
farming rotation. The spring of the year 1914 is taken as the
commencement of the project and it is assumed that the land is
in an ordinary state of fertility. According to this plan the ro-
tation will not be in full operation until 1916, at least two years
being required to accomplish this result.
It may be noted that after the establishment of the rotation
—1916 and later—a change is made in the commercial fertilizers,
both for corn and for the small-grain crop. This change consists
in the omission of both the cottonseed meal and the muriate of
potash. In the case of the rye, the manure would much more
than replace these two ingredients and the residues from the
clover and grass would be expected to furnish an appreciable
supply of nitrogen for the corn which follows. Also, in case of
freshly cleared land, neither meal nor potash salt is advised from
the outset.
Notes on Table
1. The liming may be done earlier than directed in the table.
In fact, although especially beneficial to clover, liming is apt to
increase the yield of any of the crops to an appreciable extent.
According to experimental evidence, two tons of ground lime-
stone will be ample for at least five years, and possibly for
twice that length of time.
2. The acid phosphate and muriate of potash should always
be applied before planting the crop for which they are especially
intended, and give best results when applied in the row for crops
planted in rows. For broadcast-sown crops these materials may
be applied broadcast before the land is turned, or may either be
drilled in afterward or scattered broadcast and well harrowed
into the soil.
3. As a cover crop after corn, to prevent loss during the win-
ter, choice may be had of wheat, rye, crimson clover, and hairy
vetch. Crimson clover is an ideal crop in some respects, but
requires a fairly fertile soil in order to thrive. Even then, when
sown in corn at the last working, it is apt to be killed before
60
winter by dry, hot weather. Rye would help to hold the crim-
son clover from freezing out during the winter, and the mixture
may be sown considerably later than crimson clover alone.
Hairy vetch can be sown later than crimson clover and any
time during September is favorable, provided the soil-moisture
supply is good. If sown in early October it is apt to go through
the winter. Like crimson clover, it may be sown with either rye
or wheat. Rye can be sown later than wheat and makes the
earliest spring growth.
The cover crop should be turned under at an early stage
of growth—in the case of rye and wheat not later than when in
boot; but for crimson clover and vetch when in early bloom.
Attention is called to the fact that vetch makes only a small
growth during the fall, winter, and early spring, and is a vigorous
grower only after warm weather comes in the spring; so that to
get the most good out of this crop for green-manure purposes it
must remain on the land later by several weeks than either of
the others, or until about the middle of May. This would not,
however, be a serious objection, as either cowpeas or soy beans
can be planted to advantage after this date.
4. The manure is advised as a top-dressing on the wheat for
the special purpose of getting a good stand of clover and grass
from a spring seeding. If the land is of such quality that the
manure is not needed for this purpose it may well be applied for
the corn crop, which offers a greater possible increase in grain
than the wheat.
In the absence of manure an extra amount of both the phos-
phate and potash is advised.
5. Either red or alsike clover may be used, and a mixture of
the two is sometimes advisable. Alsike when sown in late
summer or early fall would be expected to produce an appreciable
part of the hay crop of the next two years, but red clover is apt
to disappear after the first year. When spring-sown, one lasts
about as long as the other, provided the red clover disease, which
does not affect the alsike, is not serious.
In the case of a failure of clover, in the spring following the
seeding, an application of 100 pounds per acre of nitrate of soda
may be made to advantage for the grass, and should be applied
as early in March as the spring growth begins.
61
In case of a poor stand of both clover and grass at the begin-
ning of the second year, a seeding of 25 pounds per acre of Japan
clover (Lespedeza) about the first of April is recommended.
6. For the red-colored soils of limestone origin the same fer-
tilizers, etc., may be used, except that the potash can be reduced
by one-half.
CUMBERLAND PLATEAU
The Cumberland Plateau is the least developed of all; yet
with the addition of liberal applications of lime and phosphate
these can be made to yield good crops. The soils of the Cum-
berland Plateau are mainly fine sandy loams. This kind of soil
is easily cultivated, allows an excess of water to escape readily,
is adapted to a great variety of crops, and contains enough clay
to make it retentive of manure and fertilizer. This section is
well adapted to fruits, forage crops, and Irish and sweet potatoes.
This is considered the best section in Tennessee for the growing
of Irish potatoes.
Analyses of these soils show a deficiency of phosphoric acid
and nitrogen, the phosphorus can be cheaply supplied and the
nitrogen produced by growing legumes and turning them under
or feeding and returning the manure to the soil.
Most of the plateau section remains to be cleared, and there
appears no reason why the new lands should not be put at once
under a rotation that, with the aid of liming, phosphating and
the careful saving and use of farmyard manure, will maintain a
high state of productiveness. Generally speaking, a long
rotation, covering a period of five or more years, is better than a
short two- or three-year rotation. The first rotation given below
is the best adapted for the Cumberland Plateau.
List of Rotations
1. General Farming—Five- Year Rotation
lst year—Corn, followed by winter cover crop of rye for pas-
ture and green manure.
2d year—Cowpeas or soy beans.
3d year—Rye or other small grain.
4th year—Clover and grass.
5th year—Clover and grass.
Note—Potatoes could be introduced the 5th year after clover
instead of clover and grass.
62
2. General Farming— Four-Year Rotation
Ist year—Corn—rye cover crop.
2d year—Sorghum and peas sown broadcast.
3d year—Clover and grass.
4th year—Clover and grass.
3. Potato Grower's Four-Year Rotation
1st year—Potatoes, followed by cowpeas and millet for hay.
Note—The hay crop is sown at last working of the potatoes
and is harvested before the potatoes are dug.
2d year—Spring oats and Canadian field peas, followed by
buckwheat, with which clover and grass are seeded.
3d year—Clover and grass.
4th year—Clover and grass.
This is a rotation practiced by Mr. O. H. Overdell on recently
cleared land near Crossville.
4. Potato Grower's Three-Year Rotation
Ist year—Cowpeas, hogged off and followed by rye cover
crop for pasture.
2d year—Potatoes, followed by rye cover crop for pasture.
3d year—Corn, with cowpeas and rye sown at last cultivation.
Guide in the Establishment of a Rotation
A table has been prepared with a view to furnishing a
practical guide during the establishment of the five-year general
farming rotation. The spring of the year 1914 is taken as the
commencement of the project and it is assumed that the land is
in an ordinary state of fertility. According to this plan the ro-
tation will not be in full operation until 1916, at least two years
being required to accomplish this result.
It may be noted that after the establishment of the rotation
—1916 and later—a change is made in the use of commercial ferti-
lizers, both for corn and for the small-grain crop. This change
consists in the omission of both the cottonseed meal and the
muriate of potash. In the case of the rye, the mahure would
much more than replace these two ingredients and the residues
from the clover and grass would be expected to furnish an appre-
ciable supply of nitrogen for the corn which follows. Also, in
case of freshly cleared land neither meal or potash salt is advised
from the outset.
63
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East TENNESSEE
East Tennessee, with its varied soils, is especially adapted to
general farming and stock raising, but truck crops, strawberries
in particular, have proven profitable. Peaches, early apples,
etc., can be raised to advantage on the ridges and higher hills.
These lands nearly all respond to phosphate and lime. All the
farm crops, such as corn, small grains, grasses, clover and alfalfa,
do well under favorable conditions. Considerable attention is
given to cattle raising. In the vicinity of the mountains the free
grazing lands which are accessible during the summer months
-can be utilized to great advantage, the cattle being carried
through the winter on corn fodder and winter pasture. Most
of the cattle are sold to be finished at other points, but some of
the more progressive farmers have built silos and finish their
beef cattle ready for the markets.
A great many strawberries are produced each year in East
Tennessee, besides considerable quantities of the various garden
crops.
Proper crop rotations, with the use of phosphate and lime
for the legumes, will readily build up most of the East Tennessee
soils to a high state of productiveness. Any of the general farm
crop rotations recommended for the Highland Rim are good for
East Tennessee conditions. As a matter of fact, better farm
practice prevails generally over East Tennessee than in other
sections of the State.
FRUITS
Tennessee offers all the conditions necessary to successful
fruit culture—proper soil, climate, drainage and altitude. These,
combined with scientific methods, produce as fine fruit as can
be grown in any part of the world. Apples, peaches, pears,
plums, grapes, strawberries, are grown in great abundance,
though there is no reason why the production can not be largely
increased. Tennessee is the real home of the grape. They are
found in large quantities in their wild state, while the varieties
usually grown in the Temperate Zone are very prolific. Vine-
yards demand no more attention here than elsewhere, while the
yield is all that could be desired. In West Tennessee is what is
known as the strawberry belt, and the growers place the crop
65
on the Northern markets at the least possible cost. Strawberries
of superior quality are also grown in Middle and East Tennessee.
Berries of every variety are successfully grown. Wild black-
berries and dewberries are plentiful. Ample transportation
facilities enable the shipments to compete in point of time with
the most favored localities. Tennessee is also known as a great
peach State, and it is seldom indeed that there is a complete
failure of this crop. Growers are turning their attention to ap-
ples in all divisions of the State. A yield of twenty to thirty-
five bushels of apples to the tree is by no means unusual.
ADVANTAGES TO THE SETTER
Tennessee to-day offers many advantages to the prospective
settler, in the way of reasonably priced lands, good climate,
ample rainfall and long growing season.
The information in this pamphlet is compiled from official
bulletins issued by the College of Agriculture, University of
Tennessee, and can be depended upon. The farmers of this
State have at their command the services of this College, and in
addition, under the Division of Extension, a majority of the
counties have county agents who are educated and trained to
give the farmers in the section where located the benefit of accu-
rate information as to agricultural questions.
Tennessee will welcome the settler who desires to make
his home within her borders. She needs young men to assist
in developing her natural resources. Opportunity is here, and
awaits the ambitious farmer who is seeking a location.
The following data compiled from the United States Depart-
ment of Agriculture Yearbook for 1914 give some very interest-
ing information. They show that of the main crops grown in
Tennessee the values per acre equal those in most of the states,
and on some commodities, such as barley and hay, they are higher
than any. By good farming, the yield per acre in Tennessee can
be brought to the top, and on account of her closeness to the good
markets her farm products will always command a good price:
66
Corn, Bushels | Tenn.| Ky. Till. | Ind. | Iowa | Neb. ich Kas. | Wis.
10 yr. aver., per acre..... PAPO EATAOM OLE on ote Mitot-O51|| 2oL3) Noort | 1929 "3623
1914 average... sc. se 24. PAY 29. 33}, 38. 24.5 | 36 18.5 | 40.5
5-yr. aver. val. per acre. . .}/$15.82/$16 .00/$16.82/$18.57/$17.17/$10.49|$20.91/$ 8.21|$21.50
Value per acre, 1914......| 16.32] 16.00) 17.69} 19.14] 20.90} 12.98] 24.12} 11.66] 26.32
Wheat, Bushels
10-yr. aver., per acre..... ee | pe Oe lG 16. fc) V6.4. | aa Te ad
NOMA aAVETAZE oa )clwis sac LOROM LOM ON Seon ili +e lecO. | Wecou | £9) 205] 619i
5-yr. aver. val. per acre. . ./$12.21/$12.71/$13 .90/$13 .66|$16.25|$13 .43/$15.07|$12 .76/$16.55
Value per acre, 1914......] 16.28] 17.00} 18.68] 17.92] 17.86) 17.67) 20.29) 19.48) 19.10
Oats, Bushels
10-yr. aver., per acre..... PERL || PA ses || cele toy |p eA 8) SO | 2553: Ns0e8s | 2459) |) 32.5
NOTA TAVeTACEE o Sc.cicte aco 23% 21. 2923" (528-0) | ooe 32). Soe elesoroml tote
5-yr. aver. val. per acre... .|$10,77/$10.74/$11 .68/$11 .15/$11.57/$ 8.80)$12.67/$10.42/$12 12
Value per acre, 1914...... 12.19} 11.13] 12.89] 12.26) 13.53] 12.80] 15.08} 14.07] 11.61
a
Barley, Bushels
10-yr. aver., per acre....| 24.3 | 25.8 | 29. 25k | 26e20| 2he3) |) 2522) V2 2765
1914 average. . 2.5.0... es 27. QS nO 29 Ok eo. 26. 23-5) | 26). 2475 [R2t3
5-yr. aver. val. per acre. . ./$20.81]$20.09/$18 .44/$16 .39/$16.21|$ 8.61/$16.88/$ 7 .48)$17.98
Value per acre, 1914......] 22.14] 21.94) 18.00] 16.75] 14.30} 11.04] 16.90) 11.52] 16.93
Hay, Tons
10-yr. aver., per acre..... Silla 2Ole 20h 241) 39) 139 129) 1228} «1.49
NOWASAVEFAZE Ms cece cere os = 1.20 .95 .90| 1.00) 1.38) 1.69) 1.28) 1.51) 21.75
5-yr. aver. val. per acre.. .|$19.20]$15 .95}$14.47/$15 .02/$12 .31/$10.36/$16 .68/$10.24/$17 .49
Value per acre, 1914......} 20.40] 15.20] 12.24] 14.10) 13.94] 11.66} 15.36] 11.17] 16.28
Constructive live stock breeding is being carried on all over
Tennessee. Herds of pure-bred cattle, both milk and beef, are
being established, and the value of farm animals is rapidly in-
creasing. Foundation studs of Percherons have been established
for the purpose of furnishing stallions to Tennessee farmers at
reasonable prices, to be used in producing a heavier type of farm
horses and mares. A foundation herd of milking Shorthorns has
been started by the College of Agriculture, and the bull calves
from this herd will be available to communities interested in
improved cattle.
Below is a statement secured from the United States Depart-
ment of Agriculture, showing number and value of farm animals
in Tennessee in 1914:
Number Value
LOT SEG Sy eteveNe tees eich ievelle oie suakole oes ise w lvachevahbis fal el ete or slieveneneds 346,000 $40,136,000
UMirtle seemepet meet heres sictalos lolens favs legenareiove lovee teiskealeieiers vere, «vapors 270,000 34,290,000
IMCL COW SH ei teks terme elclisteroeeks a ethers winiarslavel shaves e,avevecs vas 355,000 14,555,000
OCH eriCatclemctac erences Suetave rea, statersiey sicuctate steeisenave. aisle 503,000 11,267,000
SHEE Deeeetatte meet omen cere ea tesier ata te ioke sare (ol are) nie: 6 cavers auayaheus,@uereuavavens 674,000 2,494,000
LO 2 Sem repeater tk Pa ot aetatoucnshete ccretene: olaneha © letey shes, suits sivetoyepsoaevel 1,501,000 ~=11,708,000
The spirit of co6peration between the railroads, banks, busi-
ness men, and the College of Agriculture, Division of Extension,
67
Department of Agriculture and the farmers is well developed
and all are working hand in hand for the agricultural development
of the State.
The Department of Agriculture will gladly give any informa-
tion it has as to localities, prices of land, or other data.
Acknowledgment is hereby made for courtesies shown by
members of faculty, College of Agriculture, University of Ten-
nessee, and to Mr. A. D. Knox, Assistant Agricultural Agent
of the Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis Railway.
If interested, write
H. K. Bryson,
Commissioner of Agriculture.
Nashville, Tenn.
A Tennessean’s Creed
I BELIEVE IN TENNESSEE
—the home of more than two million people, through
whose veins flow the purest of Anglo-Saxon blood,
and whose ancestors, by deeds of valor, made a glo-
rious history.
—a State where capital and labor work side by side in
harmonious relation; where every home is a king-
dom, and each child a priceless jewel.
—where the cold breeze of the north meets the warm
zephyrs of the south, making a salubrious climate
in which it is a pleasure to live.
—with her hills studded with giant forests, beneath
whose roots are found an inexhaustible store of
minerals and valuable ores.
—on whose blue grass hills graze live stock in lordly
herds and unnumbered flocks, and whose fertile
fields contribute liberally to the markets of the
world.
—I love the music of her industries, where the buzz
of the saw, the hum of the spindle, the roar of the
furnace, blend in wonderful harmony.
To me, citizenship in Tennessee is a privilege, and
during the years to come I shall co-operate in mak-
ing the State bigger and better by being a true,
loyal and enthusiastic Tennessean.
69
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