Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1879-10-02
THE FARM AND HOUSE.
Clover ss . Soilipe Crcp.

Rye, oats, clover, corn, barley, and
pearl millet are the principal soilinp
crops, all Of. whichjare valuable and enor,
mously productive when grown in good
land. OF late our farmers have neglect
ed sowing clover either for soiling or for
hay, giving asa reason that cattle are
not fond Of it, and DO not eat it readily,
Recent experiments have convinced us
most fully that 1t is one of the best crops
we have for soiling, inasmuch as from,
three to four crops may be cut; we cut
the first crop early in June, and now are
going over it again, and we have no
doubt but what we can get another cut:
ting and perhaps fourth. When fed in
this way, it will 60 very much farther
than when the cattle are allowed to run
in the field, since the growth is so rank
that very much of it is trodden under
and wasted. When the first cutting was
made, it stood about two feet high, and
very thick and leafy. It was fed to COWS
and trey ate it with avidity in fact, much
better than they did like quantity of
either rye or oats. After the first cut
ting it sprouted up and grew wondrously,
and the second crop is much better than
the first, being more juicy and tender.
After repeated trials with most of the
crops grown for soiling, we are fully con-
WINGED that red clover is fully as good as
any, whether milk, butter or cheese is pro-
duced. No other forage crops keeps the
stock IN better condition; while the
amount Of fodder from an acre is not ex-
ceeded save by corn fodder and pearl
millet. But while we are pleased not
by any means recommend clover alone.
Variety is just as essential in soiling as
in any other branch or system of farming,
and more so than when the stock is al
lowed free range, as in the latter case
they can choose for themselves Just what
grasses to eat. Glover also does not i'm
poverish the land like the other foliage
crops, and small amount of manure will
give most abundant yield. Each crop
also, is more tender and succulent than
the one last harvested, so that, as fall adj
vances, the fodder becomes more like the
aftermath of our meadows and moving
lots
We would advise trial of clover by
all who practice soiling, as we'll as those
whose pastures are apt to be unproduc-
tive toward the close of the season. We
are confident that tho result reached will
be satisfactory, and that the production
Of milk is quite equal to that obtained
by feeding otherl green fodder.
Now that harvest is over, great many
farmers find themselves with too many
horses on hand. The expense of keeping
horse Is thus stated by correspondent
of the New York Tribune, who writes
from Monroe County, in that State:
"The horse is an expensive animal to-
keep. Three feeds Of oats per day, of
four quarts each, amount to 1877 bushels
per year, worth say $48. 1 estimate
the hay he will consume at $50 for
the same time; shoeing IS; care SIS
at the lowest; interest on his cost (say
$3.50 5000; loss by wear, increased
age, and liability to accident and dis
ease, $5-giving $135.50 as the year.
| ty cost of keeping one horse, from
| which should deduct $40 as the value
! of the manure he could make. Many
farm horses are kept at half of this ex-
pense, but even then the cost of keeping
six will make gap in the profits. Three
good, prompt stepping horses, we'll fed
and cared for, will do the work of five
that are aged, crippled and debilitated."
This estimate being true, and the care Of
feeding and grooming being added, the
cheapest way to do appears to be to sell
the animal, and buy again next spring
when needed. 1t is true that horses will
be dear next spring, and that they are
cheap now; but the cost Of feed, we be-
lieve, more than makes up the difference.
| Cor. Chicago Tribune.