The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1878-10-18
THE sEEZS.
BEL AIR, FRIDAY, OCTOBER IS, 1878.
Deer creek Farmers Club.
PASTURING WHEAT.

PASTURING WHEAT.
The club met at the residence of Mr.. William
Munnikhuysen, on Saturday, October 5th-
There were present besides members, Dr. w. W.
Hopkins and Mr.. James Glasgow. Messrs. Rog-
ers, Webster and Glasgow, who were appointed
n committee of inspection, reported everything
about the premises in credtable condition. The
stock cattle looked remarkably well. The sheep
were equal to any they had ever seen of the same
age. They noticed stalks of corn IA feet inches
in height, of the Runners White variety, seed of
which was sent TO the club from the United States
Agricultural Department last year.
The question for discussion was
PAsTURlNG WHEAT.
MIR. Munnikhuysen said he had but little eX.
perience in pasturiDg wheat until last fall One
corner of his wheat field is cut Off by branch
from The rest of the field. He turned his sheep
on about the last of December, and they remained
there until the latter part of March. They dis
liked crossing the stream and ate the three-cor-
hsEss 6 ri i 70 ei5seS tf afSa appeared
to DC no wheat left on it, After the sheep were
turned off the wheat started directly and grew off
rapidly. The wheat was heavier on that piece of
ground than on the rest of the field. Would not
recommend pasuring wheat unless it was very
rank, and would not pasture with heavy stock,
on account of their packing the ground. Pas
turing wheat may retard its ripening, but his
wheat ripened early as any in the neighborhood
James Lee never pastures wheat and does not
think the practice of any advantage to the wheat
although it may help the stock.
s. b. Silver has pastured wheat during the
winter, with sheep, and does not think it an in
jury, unless they are kept on after the middle Of
March. Is satisfied, however, that it will retard
the wheat two or three weeks. Has never pas
tured with cattle.
John Moores said that occasionally, when his
wheat was strong, he had pastured it, but was
satisfied it did not benefit the cattle, as it secured
them too freely Does not know, either, that it
is any advantage to the wheat. Many farmers
favor the practice aud even pasture oats. Does
not think il rctards ripening, unless stock are
kept on too long. They might safely remain on
until the LIST of April. Has tried sheep on wheat,
and believed it made the ewes give more milk
Was not prepared to recommend the practice,
but if he had strong piece of wheat, would
turn sheep or calves on ii, a short time at first,
until they became used to it. Stock ought to be
kept off when the field is wet and muddy.
9. NJ. Lee used to raise q great deal of rye and
pastured sheep on it during the winter, with
manifest advantage.
Judge Waters said it might be of advantage
Had pasturcd colt on wheat ana has the best
colt in the county.
Thomas Lochary has never pastured wheat, but
always tries to keep stock Oft. Had noticed,
however, that his neighbors who do pasture it,
raise fine wheat.
". d. Lee preferred not to pasture wheat.
R. John Rogers said last winter he put sheep
in his wheat field but had not nerve enough TO
let them stay long, as they were Inclined to feed
where the growth was not strong. Where they
pastured the wheat was not so good MS the other.
Is satisfied il is no benefit to wheat. II he had
strong wheat he might pasture it some with
ewes and lambs If he did not get so much
wheat, it would be benefit to the lambs.
r. Harris Archer said if he wanted to benefit
the wheat sheep were the last thing he would
put on it, ms they eat too closely. Knows it is
of great advantage to hogs. Had some on his
wheat once aud was told it would kill them
Became alarmed but they had already been there
several days and were much improved he let
:. 4 ;,,.,, Al
That was in March. Cattle won't eat big
wheat in March, but eat where it is short, and
thus iniure it. Some years ago he had 20 acres
of wheat that turned yellow. He put 30 head of
cattle on it, and they ate it bare. 1t came out
we'll in the spring and he had nice crop 1t
also benefited the cattle.
George X. Glasgow had no experience, but
might turn sheep on wheat, but never cattle,
unless the ground was frozen hard. Believes it
is of advantage 10 pasture heavy growth, rather
than have ii fall down. Does not think it retards
ripening, if stock are taken off when wheat be-
gins to grow in the spring
James Glasgow did not approve of pasturing
wheat. lfhc had heavy growth and intended to
pasture at all, would pasture heavily from the
start. During March wheat wants protection
from the winds, and instead of pasturing would
rather encourage its growth.
s. NJ Bayless said he had never tried it, and
would not unless he sowed carly enough to give
the wheat good start. Last winter his neigh
up great deal, but he had as good wheat there
as any where else.
William Webster was decidedly in favor of
pasturing wheat where ii is strong. A few years
since lie had lot of hogs with the mango, and
turned them on his wheat. They improved Won
derfully and he reverhad a finer growth ofstraw.
Don't believe any stock will injure good wheat
on good ground, up to a certain time. Would
rather have light crop of wheat standing up
than heavy crop fallen down.
II sai1 trnr,r tn,
turc to pasture wheat, but sometimes things con.
trary are essential to success. lie would not
recommend the practice.
DR. Hopkins said that as q rule he doubted the |
advantage of pasturing wheat. Would suppose
that the heavier the straw the more wheat you
would have.
The President, Johns H. Janncy, said before
he came to the meeting he had Il decided opinion
on the subject, but after hearing the remarks of
members, he was in doubt. If fly was in his
wheat he would pasture it with sheep He
thought it would make the straw thicker and
make it stand better. Has seen ii recommended
in English agricultural works to pasture not on
ly wheat, to kill the fly, but also hay fields, to
make the growth ofgrass stronger. He remarked
that the majority of the club were rather oppos-
ed TO pasturing wheat.
William F. Hays was then elected an active
member and DR.. w. w. Hopkins AN honorary
member. The club adjourned to meet by especial
invitation, at Mr.. Benjamin Silver's, on the 9th
of November, the subject for discussion being
as follows:
els the increased yield and the improved
quality of the wheat crop in Hartford county
owing to the use of fertilizers, to improved
methods of farming, or to natural causes ?"
To mothers whose children are weeping
Sweet and balmy SLIM hers secured for the LITTLE