The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1886-05-14
RURAL TOPICS

AOO8&lSAA AVA xN/ESA t.
Injurious Effects Of Turnina
Stock Into Pastures When
Grass e Coming Up, Etc.
Early U.s. Of Pastures.
Farm stock Of all kinds become tired
Of dry hay and straw at thi, season o.
he year. and desire to escape from the
restraints Of the farm-yard. that b
likely to b vet, dirty, and unoomSort.
ahls. Especially il this the case with
sheep. They sight the first grass that
makes ito appearance and seek to reach
It. They will travel q mile to get q
taste Of green grass in the early part Of
The spring. They are likely to waste
much ef the dried food that is given
e,em at this season of the year. Farm
~ are often impatient to get their
stock off their hands as soon q there is
m opportunity to engage in spring
work in the field and garden. They
hsve become tired Of feeding animals,
and have little time to attend to their
wants. By allowing them to 60 into
the pastures when they desire to 20
they are saved considerable trouble.
In not few cases farmers are short of
hay at this season of the year. They
want to keep their best hay for their
work-horscs, and their cattle, sheep,
and young stock will not eat that which
b inferior. They have no money to
bay DAY, and the roads are in SO bad
condition that it is very difficult to haul
heavy loads over them. There are no
roots or ensilage on the place, and the
supply of corn and small grains is like
10 be quite small.
The temptations to turn tarm ANIMALS
into the. pasture very early are many
and strong. Still, farmers should hes
ttate about doing it unless the surface
of their grazing land is quite high and
dry and the sod is firm and strong.
Much sod is injured by having animals
walk over it when it is soft and filled
with water. The feet of cattle and
horses sink into it, expose the roots of
red clover and many Of the best grass
es, press many fodder plants SO far in
to the ground that they die, and leave
the surface of the ground in very UNI
even condition. A soil treated in this
way will never afford good .pasturage
again. Many acres of fine pasture land
are almost completely ruined by hav-
ing animals turned upon it early in the
spring. The condition of all forage
plants is greatly injured by being fed
of very errly in the season. The mat
ter stored up in the roots Of grass and
clover during the winter affords the
material for forming the first leaves in
spring. These leaves are necessary to
assist the plants in their future growth.
They help restore the roots to grow
ing condition. All kinds of vegetation
grow by the aid of existing vegetation.
II the first leaves are removed as soon
% they appear in spring the plants are
deprived of the means of making o
strong and healthy growth.
As rule animals are injured by
being turned into pastures very early
10. the spring. As soon as they get q
taste of grass their appctites for hay,
straw, and corn fodder is DESTROYED.
The first growth of grass contains very
little nutriment. 1t is chiefly composed
OF water 1t contains scarcely any dry
material. A hundred pounds of it cut
and dried would produce but few
pounds of hay. 1t is quite too laxative
70 be eaten by animals that have had
little but dry food tor several months.
It will not make much bone, fat, or
muscle. 1t not infrcquently happens
that animals lose in weight and fail of
In general condition after they have
been turned into the pasture in tho
spring. As the feed is scanty they
travel long distances to obtain it, and
1t does not satisfy Their hunger. The
fatigue in walking over turf that breaks
beneath their feet at every stop makes
them weak. Sheep thrive better than
cattle when turned into pasture in
the early spring. as they disturb
the sod less, while they generally
eat some of the grass of last seasons
growth. Sheep like change of food,
and unless they obtain it at the proper
time they are likely to lose their appe-
ttes and to become restless and un-
easy.
1t is better for the animals and much
better for the crop of grass to keep
stock out of ordinary pastures till the
plant has obtained good start and the
ground is fairly dry. After leaves are
spread over the surface Of the ground
they prevent the feet of cattle from
breaking through the sod. Even when
there is considerable grass in pastures
In the early spring it is best to give the
stock turned into them some hay, grain,
and other sorts of food The change
from quite dry to green food should be
made gradually. 1t is desirable to have
some bright clover hay to feed to stock
in early spring. Roots are also excel
lent for breeding at this time of the
year. If a farmer has no place for
storing bcets, carrots, and turnips, 1t
will be to his advantage to raise pars-
nips, as they can remain in the ground
all winter. The freezing does not in
jure them. and they are relished by
cattle. While the grass is young,
stock should have some dry food. In.
dian meal, ground oats, bran, and oil.
cake are all good, and the choice be.
tween them will depend on the location
Of the farmer. Special pains should be
taken to provide dry places for cattle to
lie upon Mt this season of the year.
Chicago Times.
Report on Injurious Insects.
Miss Ormerod, consulting entomolo
gist to the Royal Agricultural society,