Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1888-06-20
Reducing Old Sod.

Sod land sometimes requires a very
long time during which to rot, and, as
the value Of the time thus expended in
it's reduction is often very valuable, any
method that enables such land to be
rendered fine and easily cultivated,
without occasioning loss of the land for
the time during which it is made ready
for crop should be adopted. When
sod land is plowed under during a very
dry seasons harrow will materially assist
in loosening enough of it to cover the
seeds well; but if plowed under when
the ground is very damp the land will
be full Of clods. On sandy soils no
such difficulty exists, as sod land may
then be plowed and seeded down at
once, especially if shower of rain is
expected.
What we particularly wish to notice
is the difficulty often experienced in re-
ducing heavy sod on stiff clay land. At
this season the opportunity is an ex-
cellent one for realizing crop during
the time the sod is rotting. For this
purpose we have two excellent agents
buckwheat and Hungarian grass. Both
crops are quick growers, and pay well
Tor the labor and care devoted to them,
considering the short time they occupy
the land. A crop of buckwheat not
only yields good return on new land,
or that which was in sod, but leaves
such land in splendid condition for a
second blowing before the winter sets
in. Sod land put in buckwheat, and
then plowed again late in the fall, after
the buckwheat is off, may be put down
to rye. Previous to sowing the
rye, and just before narrowing
for the seed, about twenty bushels OF
lime should be sowed, which will grad
ually work downwards into the soil, by
action of the rains. 1t rapidly rots the
grass, causes chemical action on the
soil, and assists the vegetable matter of
the sod to become converted into avail
able plant food. In the spring the rye
may be allowed to grow and mature, but
it will be found economical and bene-
fetal to pillow the rye in and apply
twenty bushels of lime again upon the
land by broadcasting it over the rye just
before turning it under, which will
cause it to rot Immediately. By the
time the season for corn planting begins
the land will not only be in splendid
condition for corn crop, but will give a
large yield without the addition of
stable manure, while the cultivation of
the corn. by clearing out the grass and
weeds, will soon fit the land for wheat
In blowing under sod, lime should al
ways be used. 1t is saving of time to
do SO, for by its chemical action it less
ems the labor of the second blowing.
The buck wheat, which is usually har-
vested, may be plowed under when in
bloom if preferred, and if Hungarian
grass be substituted for the buckwheat
it will yield one crop of hay and grow
again, when it may then be turned I'M
der. In all cases broadcast at least ten
bushels of lime over green matter when
it is turned under. When blowing in
the fall, when t1e buckwheat is turned
under, leave the plowed land in the
rough state, without using the harrow,
which permits the frost to more easily
assist in pulverizing the soil. With the
aid Of frost, green manurial crops, and
lime, not only can old sod be easily re-
duced, but inferior soils may also be
improved in fertility Farmer