Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1885-01-09
RYE AS A FARM CROP.
Considerable Rye May be Used by the
Farmer to Good Advantage.

During several years rye has not been
a favorite crop in this country. Our
native population prefer strictly white
bread, which can not be made from
rye, Indian corn has taken its place
as a food for fattening animals. 1t
has also been generally used for feed
ing to hogs. In colonial days, as well
as for some time after the Revolution,
rye was commonly employed for MAX
ing alcohol and whisky. AS the West
became settled corn took the place of
rye for making these articles. In the
brown bread'' is extensively used on
tables, rye meal was formerly en-
ployed for mixing with corn meal.
During the past few years, however,
wheat middlings have commonly taken
it's place. In quality they are greatly
inferior to rye meal, but their cheap
ness causes them to be used. The Ger
mans and Scandinavians who come to
this country continue to eat rye bread
in preference to that made from wheat
flour. This practice is obviously the re-
suit of early experience, and may not
continue beyond the present generation.
At present, however, the preference of
the people from Central and Northern
Europe for rye bread is strong. A few
years ago they continued to buy rye
flour although it was considerably
higher than the best wheat flour. That
rye bread is in some respects superior
to that made from wheat flour is OBJ
vious. 1t has an agreeable, sweet
flavor that wheat bread does not have,
and also retains moisture longer after
it comes from the oven. Still, the pros
pect that rye will ever take the place it
holds as a material for making bread
in Central and Northern Europe is very
poor. Neither is it likely that rye will
be extensively used as food for the in
ferior animals or in the manufacture of
alcoholic drinks.
While it is improbable that rye will
ever be a popular crop with ''bonanza
farmers there are good reasons for be-
lieving that its production will prove
profitable to many who cultivate land
able rye a be used by the general
farmer to excellent advantage. Some
rye is desirable for food for human be-
ings, if for 10 other purpose than to
afford variety. 1t is an excellent food
for fowls of all kinds. Rye is very
beneficial to horses when fed in
limited quantities. 1t furnishes excellent
TODD foryoung animals of all kinds. Hogs
will thrive on rye in all stages of their
growth. All who have had experience
in carp culture recommend rye in pref
erence to all other grains for feeding
these fish. Rye al be raised in loca-
tons and on soils where fair crops of
wheat can only be produced by the ex-
penditure of much labor and the appli-
cation of liberal amounts of valuable
fertilizers. 1t is the best crop for lands
that I very sandy and deficient in the
elements of fertility. 1t is not an ex-
hausting crop, like wheat or flax. The
plants are more hardy than those of
wheat, and the grain is not as subject
to injury as barley, But a small
amount of seed is required. 1t yields
more than wheat, and is produced at a
smaller cost. 1t is less likely to be in
jured by insects. Growing rye fur
nishes excellent winter and spring pas
turage. 1t is also an excellent material
for soiling. 1t is ready to be cut several
weeks before clover and early grasses
are. Next to red clover it is the best
crop to plow under for the purpose of
enriching the soil. Rye produces more
straw than wheat or barley, and it il
much more valuable. Besides being
useful for feeds, it is valuable for MAX
ing thatch, packing goods, tying up
grape vines, and filling beds. III the
matter of general utility there are few
crops that will compare with rye.-~CNi-
caao Times.