The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1896-08-13
125aaG94GFs 5
FlELnaNp GRRpEN
VALUABLE CATCH CROPS.
Rapid Growers aud Quick Maturing Vsrie-
ties Sown on Wheatfelda.

0
ties Sown Wheatfielda.
Each season, almost without excep-
ton, crops can be ~owu on fields from
which rye and wheat were harvested.
These catch er"ps must necessarily be
rapid growers and early maturers.
! While II Is Lot advisable t. tax the
! land too severely, catch crops can often
be grown with profit without injury 70
the soil Especially Is this true when
III wheat crop ripens early or has to be
plowed up after corn planting time.
Here is what American Agriculturist
says concerning the matter.
Quick maturing varieties Of Indian
corn have been planted Tor fodder as
late AZ July 10. Plant IN drills with
the ordinary planter, setting II so that
one grain will BE dropped every SIX
inches. When the field has been gone
over, double plant, or plant in a row
between the first rows The field Will
then contain twice AZ many rows as
under ordinary circumstances. This
rrop will not need cultivating 1t can
be used for soiling. or it can be cut and
cured as hay.
Millcts are also valuable as catch
crops. German millet and Hungarian
grass are the most desirable SORTS as the
LEAKAGE is heavy and the heads large.
Prepare the ground as for oats, sowing
broadcast or III drills at the rate Of one
half to one bushel per acre, allowing 60
or 10 days for full development II there
is sufficient moisture IN the ground 10
give the plants Il good start eonsidera-
BILE drought can be withstood. To make
good hay, cut as soon a. the heads begin
to appear. Allow to lie until partially
cured, then rake into windows and al
low to remain until thoroughly dried
out. Then stack, or store iH15arns The
crop answers well for soiling on putting
into the silO.
Whore grain catch crop il desired
nothing Is superior to buckwheat It
furnishes excellent bee pasture, as 1t be
gins to blossom early and continues, If
permitted, until cold weather. Pluw the
ground three or four inches deep, and
SOW either with drill or broadcast at
the rate Of two to five peebs per acre.
Rape is pasture and soilnR plant.
resembling turnips above ground, bat
having 10 Dubious root. As It Is an an
nual sowed on plowed ground, there is
no sod, SO that pasturing by light am
mails, such as sheep, hogs or calves. II
most satisfactory Horses and cattle are
liable to injure the plant If the ground
be dry and firm, heavy stock may grazc
upon rape fields. When first turned On,
animals should not be allowed 10 re-
main more than few hours for fear Of
bloating; also they should not cat large
quantities while the dew Is on The fat
tening qualities Of tie plant arc greater
than those of clover. Sow on rich soil
at the rate of one to two pounds Of seed
per acre It can be- soSn IN drills or
broadcast up 10 July 20 or even later
should the season be- wet II the season
is very dry at the time Of sowing, the
plant Will not flourish
Fall turnips can be sown as catch
crop and the roots preserved for winter
stock feed, being especially desirable for
sheep, bat also valuable fer eattle and
dairy COWS The principal growth made
10y the turnlp is Iu thc fan when the
weather Is mui-t and cool Hot dry
winds arc injurious They can De soWu
from the Isl of July aIma-t to t4e latter
part Of August Tho lutrpefiOd is us0
ally most desirable.