St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1884-07-05
SoIITng Crops.

Is ulSu ptICSus Ou liiI AIhiAo GI"o w
pend on prize butter for an income, and
on farms where manure is in demand,
to improve the productive qualities OF
the land. In word, then, the advan-
tages of soil-feeding are a saving OF
land, the production of an increased
quantity and quality of milk with the
same amount of food, and the produce
ton and saving of more and better ma
nure than by the usual mode of feeding.
The chief objection urged against soil
inc is the increased expense incurred in
cutting and carting the fodder, al OBJ
lection wisely urged by farmers ic>.a ed
on fertile, cheap lands. Another OBJ
lection to the system is that it requires
close attention and skillful manage
ment.
There naturally exists some diversity
of opinion in regard to the crops best
calculated for soil-feeding. Green rye
early in the spring, followed by oats,
after which come orchard grass and
clover, until the corn supply is ready,
with roots of various kinds interpersed,
is a popular rotation. A plan that al
| lows twelve acres for keeping twelve
cows and requires the growth OF root
crops outside of the regular operation OF
| soiIino, has beer. recommended by one
who has tried it: ..Early in autumn
SOW three acres of winter rye to be cut
in the spring when dry food is scarce
and the stock will most relish green
food; early in the spring sow three acres
to oats to be cut and fed out as soon as
ready; fortnight later SOW two acres OF
oats or barley; in another fortnight SOW
two acres oats or barley; ten days later
put in two acres of corn to be cut dur
inc August. Middle of June the three
acres from which rye has been cut to be
sown with corn, to be cut in September.
Early in July the first three acres soWn
with oats toibe' resown with barley, to be
cut from the middle of September until
the harvest of roots and cabbages fur
nishes stock OF green refuse which will
suffice until regular winter feeding be-
Gins. This number of acres and cattle,
It ought to be explained, is suited to soil
that is not in a high state of fertility.
A cultivator well known in the agri-
cultural world has practised the follow
ing rotation for soiling crops with eN-
ceIlent results: In the fall winter rye is
sown to be fed green in the spring until
it becomes too old, when the balance is
made into hay for winter feeding. By
the time the rye is too old to cut he has
orchard grass to NOW and the pasture
affords some feed. Orchard grass is fol
lowed by red clover. These two
grasses, with Kentucky blue grass, fill
up the time between the feeding OF
winter rye and the main crop of Eng
lish grasses. Oats are sown as early in
the spring as the condition OF the
ground will permit, and the crop is
ready to cut after the last moved
grasses. The next crop sown after oats
IS corn: then comes millet. Oats, corn
and millet are each soWn at inter-
walls OF week OF ten days to bring a
succession of tender feed through the
season.
Winter wheat makes an excellent
soiling crop, coming in just after winter
rye. Corn and millet are sown to last
until early frosts in autumn, when their
place is taken by barley sown in mid
summer. Cabbages and turnips are
employed for late feeding by many
dairymen, but the authority referred to
prefers feeding barley to rank favored
roots.
The plan of extending the season of
feeding green food into November by
sowing barley is in favor with large
class Of Northern farmers. Some make
a succession of sowings, putting in the
I first seed in July and the last as late
sometimes as the first of September.
When there is sufficient moisture in the
ground to sprout the seed this plan
| seems to be advisable, especially when
staple crops are short and other pro-
visions have not been made for supply
ing stock with late pasture and green
fodder.
In localities where perennial grasses
| do not thrive, as at the South, field peas,
sweet corn, lucern, Hungarian grass and
millet may be sown as soiling crops any
| time after danger from frosrs is over.
MilIet and sweet corn are especially rec
commended to grow in the South as
green feed for time Of drought or short
| pasture.
In practicing soiling it is advised to
provide liberal amount of dry early cut
| and Well-cured fodder for feeding out
during stormy weather and for mixing
with green food when the condition OF
the animals seems to require this. OF
course all surplus fodder must be cured
for winter use. AS one becomes accus-
toned to the soiling system SO that sup
plies for an entire season can be correct
| " estimated, herds may be divided, Civ
ing the pasture to young, dry stock.
while mich COWS, hat require but little
exercise wilhelm milk can be fed in
their stalls or from racks in the yard.
Mr.. 3. {tewart, Of New York. provides
fodder-ra'sks in yards and stables, and
The foddeRfs brought in from the fields
once a deip in wagon or cart. He
keeps a dfe-horse mower iEe.1e field,
which is q9vered when not in use with a
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