Rocky Ford enterprise., 1895-08-15
SOME FARM TOPICS.
USEFUL INFORMATION FOR THE
TILLERS OF THE SOIL.
The Value of Rye-ProtectinK Melon
and Cucumber yines-Shelter and
Shade for Sheep I'm Summer-Wean-
ing Young Lambs.

Having had, years before, an un-
fortunate experience in harvesting u
crop of rye. we resolved that In the
future hogs. instead of machinery,
should harvest it, and with last years
experience with the crop we feel that
our resolution was a good one.
During the growing season for the
rye, the mammoth clover sown in 1t
gave very poor promise; it was ques-
ton whether 1t would stand the COM
bined Influences against it, that of
drouth and the rye drawing the mois-
ture from the soil. That it was held
| in check on this latter account was
plainly evident from the fact that on
| the spots where corn shocks had STOOD
| the clover made II much better growth
than that in the rye.
But when the rye had ceased to
draw moisture from the soil then its
value as Il protecting crop became at
once noticeable. Then the clover in
the rye began to grow very rapidly,
considering the light rainfall. That
growing in the shock vacancies began
to fall behind, and gave evidence of
| the scorchinE heat of the sun and ef-
| feet of the drouth. This was plainly
noticeable till the cool weather of the
fall came on. Then the unprotected
| clover began to show signs of recruit
Ing.
But | want to speak particularly of
the winter protection this rye straw
gave the clover. Every farmer that
owns clay lands and has tried to grow
clover on them without perfect arti-
iciaI drainage knows the difficulty
that there Is from frost-lifting. In
fact, many high points that do not
need the tile drainage for other crop
purposes will, under the influence of
the frost, lift the clover out. Especi-
ally is this true where the clover has
been closely graZed the previous fall
and left without any protecting after
nath. We took care last winter to
notice what the fallen rye straw and
volunteer rye would do for the young
clover in the way of protection. With
all kinds of farm animals, the rye had
been well tramped to the ground. This
had been aided by the mower being
passed over the field to destroy the
weed growth.
This field is well tile drained, but not
yet thoroughly done. The clover grow
ing in the corn shock vacancies was
unprotected against the close grazing
of the animals, and probably on this
account went into winter weaker than
the other. However that may be, 1t
suffered much more from winter freez-
ing than that protected by the rye
straw; 1t was lifted to some extent,
while the crown of the protected plant
remained perfectly fiat on the ground.
| We have been surprised at the guam
tity of forage this field has afforded
this spring. The lrouth has been
against all the pastures, and while the
blue grass timothy pastures and mead
ows are Drowned by the heat and
drouth. this cIover is still growing
vigorously. the broken and decayinS
rye straw acting as mulch to- prevent
evaporation.
We now have twenty-five acres of
rye growing that we have sowed in
mammoth clover. We shall hog the
rye, and hope by its protection to save
the clover from being killed by the
drouth. This Is clay land. part of it
quite thin. and we are satisfied If the
drouth continues as severe as it has
been. and the rye is taken from the
land. that the clover will all perish
We are very anxious to save this crop
of clover and bring the field into reg
ular three-yenr rotation. After we have
SECURED one good crop of clover we
have but little doubt that we shall be
able to keep up the rotations.
By handling the rye in this way we
secure, besides the advantages of Il
mulch, all the advantages secured by
turning it under while green. We have
also learned that we need not be in
great haste to turn the hogs on it to
prevent waste. This spring, the 23d
of April. we found sound rye in the
field hogged down last year. Last fall
and winter We're unusually dry, which
favored the preservation of the rye
But 1t will stand much more moisture
without decay If the straw is not
tramped too much. When rye Is left
to fall by Its own weight, aided by
the wind and rain. it will not lie very
fiat on the ground; and unless in con
tact with the soil it will waste but
very little from decay.
Our object in growing mammoth
clover is to secure pasture till the 10th
or 10th of June: then take OFF live
stock and get II crop of seed. We find
that the volunteer rye, after hogging.
is a great help as pasture. The stock
feed on it early. and. when too hard.
they feed on the clover till the rye
heads out and begins to fill. when they
again feed on the rye as long as there
IL head to be found. When the live
stock is taken of the mower should
he run over the field to cut the rye
stubble left standing by them-Corre.
spondence of the Country Gentleman
Turnip. After Early Potntoes.
There are several crops which may
be used successfully after early pota-
toes. but none more generally useful
than unrnips. 1t is of course. a root
crop after n root crop. but where the
land has been reasonably cared for no
,ianger may he apprehended from
this. Turnips for stock feeding are a
very valuable adjunct to the general
farmer. and are easily cared for. 1t Is
surprising that they are not more gen
orally grown by the general farmer.
In preparing this potato land for
the turnip seed bed. the pulveriza ton
must he thorough and to Il consider
able depth. II Is always advisable
to seed with drill. If there is any
tendency toward caking roller must
he used followed by tie pulvcrizing
harrow; il more clods are brought to
the surface they must be crushed and
the soil treated as before. With light
land in good heart spading harrow
will be sufficient, unless the ridge
method has been very pronounced in