The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1895-01-25
FARMERS Rn>TITJTE.
Very SuCCessful. Interesting ana
Useful Meeting of Grant County
Farmers.
Two Sessions Already held and the
CDncIudin. one TO De Held this
Afternoon.

Afternoon.
Notwithstanding the extremely cold
srap which set in Tuesday night and
continued during Wednesday, making
the day one of the colde-t OF the season,
some SO farmers wereln attendance atlhe
noon. Alter SOM introductory remarks
by Mr.. G.. A. Wood, who had been in
strumental III securing the institute and
arranging the details for making it a
successful gathering, Prof. Williams
was introduced and gave an interesting
and instructive talk on Forage Plants.
by short outline Of the objects and
work of the experiment station, stating
that they were of Il practical nature. al
ways with the purpose ia view of secur-
my results of experiments for the farm
ers ct the state, and these results were
given through the bulletins issued by
as the present one, being held in the
different counties where desired. some
plants nave been found useful ana
adapted to the soil and climate, while
others nave proved unsuccessful and ii
is for the securing of this and similar
information that the college is provided
the results being In all cases from person
al investigation He considered one Of
the necessary qualifications for good
forage plants TO be hardness, included
in this being terminating or sprouting
power. power to endure drouth with
deep growing roots--,he lack OF this
making timothy unsuitable in this state
for pasturage and ability to endure
excessive freezing. Other conditions
were producliveness either for hay or
pasture, and feeding qualities-that it
be palatable and digeS1ibe for stock.
For sowing the grasses the prepara-
ton Of the soil depended on the charact-
er OF the soil and Likelihood of moisture
| The best results at the station had teen
secured when the lands had been plow-
cd long enough 10 let the soil pack say
ploAing IN July or August and sowing
| the following spring with drill il the
| land WAS clean, otherwise broadcast the
land not to be rolled because of the wind.
aud the seed, except in the case o.
timothy. sOwn alone Grass not to be
cut too short the first year. The pro
tessor spoke OF the difficulty if secur-
ing good seed and gave an illustration o
Il seed testing apparatus that could be
used with profit. The varieties found
best adapted for pasture, were the Red
Fiscne, Kentucky Blue Grass, Smooth
Bronze Grass and White and Alsike
clover. For hay. timothy. when it can
be successfully grown, is one OF the
best Experience had also shown thai
the real value Of millet was not appreci-
ated. and more Of it should be sown; it
was one OF the best crops to keep
down weeds. aud the broom corn milleJ
seed is nearly equal to corn in feeding
qualities, while the plant is one Of the
most promising as forage plant
While the Russian thistle has not yet
become serious question in this county.
considerable apprehension was exhibited
by farmers present and Prof. Williams
was questioned regarding il. He said
that in localities where the thistle had
become seriously troublesome, farmers
assured hlm that they would have little
trouble keeping it off their own lands
il it was not for their careless neighbors
and vacant lands around them. where the
thistle would have all It's own way and
seed everything adjoining. Cultivation
| would easily keep it down It it We're
not for the causes above stated
The question box brought out nun
| Der of interesting questions and short
discussions, among these subjects being:
How much grass seed should be sown
per acre?' "Will grass do rs we'll on
| shallow as ~ deep plowings 7" What
grass is best for mich cows. In answer
TO the latter the professor stated that
for butter nothing oe'ter than the native
grasses could be had "What time
and manner is best for sowing timothy or
hav seed?" Does not land require
good coat Of manure before being
sown TO grass?" And other questions oi
equal interest to practical farmers, the
various answers and experiences bring
ing out many useful ideas