Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1889-06-01
GROWING FODDER CROPS.
Concentration and Compression should Bs
the Rpses of Action.

Concentration ana Compression shouid be
the Rpses of Action.
The introduction and successful prac-
dee OF ensilage render the cultivation
of the best fodder crops subject OF |
Importance 10 farmers and dairymen.
Without these Ii Is impossible TO make
larming profitable, for they are substi-
sutes for the now impossible practice OF
summer pasturagc Our dry. hot sum
mers are an obstacle to permanent
pasturing which in spite OF all efforts
has been found impracticable. and as
forage crops can not be consumed on
The land without great waste. there Is
no alternative but to grow these crops
and cut them for feeding under sys-
tenn OF partial or complete soiling for
summer use and for ensilaee for winter
feeding.
Two considerations then present
themselves. first. the kind OF crops TO
be grown and the proper methods OF
culture. There Is a large variety OF
these crops suitable for cultivation In
both the North and South. but really
two or three crops only are required.
and one OF these fills the greater por-
tion OF the supply for the whole year
In some cases. however, circumstances
make a place for some other crop as a
special convenience. and 1t may be de-
sirable therefore TO mention these as
suitable for filling vacancies which
may occur In practice. Having gone
| through the whole routine for feeding
dairy cows for many years, we shall
mention only those crops which We have
used in our practice and have found con-
yenient and useful. The list comprises
winter rye sown early In the fall. for
use In April and May; clover 10 follow
the rye; early varieties OF sweet
corn TO follow clover, late varieties OF
sweet corn or common field corn TO
come next; mixed oats and peas as u
change aud variety with the corn. mil
let 10 come later, and then corn for the
rest OF the season and for winter feed
ing as ensilage. or as cured fodder; but
In the latter case crop of sugar beets
or mangels will be necessary TO feed
with the dry fodder and the clover hay,
which is also needed to some extent
oven when ensilage is supplied. All
through the system a reasonable change
Of fodder Is required TO keep up the ap'
petite OF the cattle and secure full
consumption OF the most nutritious
food. us well as TO avoid any risk OF in
sufficient supply by reason OF failure o.
crops through dry weather In nj
cases II Is desirable TO have a supply
on hand OF dry fodder, as we'll as en-
silage which may be available TO carry
/. over the stock through any possible
emergency. Under the present condi
tions of all agricultural industry high
pressure system must be maintained
. and the resources of the farm must b.
taxed to the extreme OF possibility b
make the business rs profitable as !
} should be. The aim OF the dairymal
; should a ways be to have one NOR
] COW and to get little more feed thar
will supply this addition. and so on. I,
keep pressing on the springs continu
, ally. and the same principle should con
) troll the farmer and stock feeder.
The same principle should be applie
10 the cultivation of these crops. Natur
! loves most the most ardent wooer. Sh
! Is most liberal TO her much-exactin
4 master. ITO him that hath shall b
7 given Ia the principle upon which sh
+. rewards the labors OF the cultivator {
/, the soil. Large crops lead 10 sti
. larges ones, and so the soil should b
. forced to the utmost on the highprei
. sure system referred TO. No one "
{ knows the full capacity of the soil. an
a II is well that no one who tills the so
4 crop can not be over-matched by SUI
q cessful efforts We would advise the
every farmer to make a practice OF Gu
d failing his cultivated area and concei
Q trating material and labor as long as B
:, can make the less area afford him
q larger yield. We have followed tn
- system for years with the result OF &c
Y ting more fedder and grain from
: acres than had previously bee
r grown on 20 and in getting more pr
y duee per square rod than ha
II been procured before from 10. This
. the central point OF the system OF pra
d tiee around which every effort shou
+ circulate and gradually lessen the ci
n cult Concentration and compressiC
: should be the rule of action when OF
= cultivates feeding crops aud US
o the silo. And first. In regard
!. ..aA IA .smt
= age Is TO be considered. The SC
n should be made like n garden. Wh'
l. neighbors saw the writer GOVERN
l. a field with manure and tnr..ag
d under. picking up the surface ston
3 and burying them or covering them
10 the burrows. narrowing repeatedly u
% I'll the soil was perfectly fine and m.
z low. they said. That field was bett
N worked than any garden" But win
10 the little four-acre field turned of !
n, bushels OF rye. and the next year mo
than Is full loads Of timothy and cloy
: hay aud full pasture for II yearlil
g heifers until late in the winter, /
4 profit OF garden culture for field Gro
= became evident and this should DO /
way with all fodder crops.
With regard to corn for this use.
10 is generally we think universally
h. conceded that full crop OF ears vi
OF as thick planting As may te possil