Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1897-10-28

| dIuOuuL vi DLoSh uup pCIh Shii tSu Ioi
this purpose, the other pastures will
not support them, and they must have
what the stubble-held will give them
There are seasons that within certain
bounds will do to pasture these fields
but it is dangerous practice to depend
on them, regardless of the conditions
of the fields and weather. When the
weather is favorable for rapid
growth Of forage, a large amount OF
pasture can be had from the stubble
| field, but even under such conditions a
degree OF caution should he practiced
In stocking them. Even grazing should
be done, which experienced men know
is very hard to secure. The virtue Of
the pasture or clover crop, had from
seeding In small grain depends on the
treatment OF these crops after tle
grain Is taken from the fields. If tn
farmer has brought the land inro
proper condition for their grow h. he
must then exercise due caution to e.
cure this growth Without much dir
Aculty farmers can be found that
never have flrst-class pasture ~
clever field And never have q gofd
, strong sod to plow down for grain
crops This misfortune Is brought to
these men by their improyident treat
II tnt OF these sod crops, the first sum
mer after sowing.
| II appears that some farmers re9ari
! It as n loss and u step In the direction
Of poverty, for blade of grass or a
leaf of clover 10 decay on the
land. The first thought a farmer
should have in regard to these crops
after the grain Is off Is to secure
their strongest growth. The pasture
he expects for immediate or future use
should be a second thought. 1t Is
our practice, as soon as possible after
the grain Is off, and the weather will
allow, to chop the stubble with the
mower. This should not be done IL
the weather Is very dry but II there Is
a good rain after the grain Is harvested
no evil will follow from clipping the
stubble. The clippings Will do more
good as a mulch lying about the roots
Of the young grass plants than the
stubble will do as shade If left stand
ing; and besides, by this work many
weeds that draw strength and mois-
ture from soil and rob the forage
plants are destroyed or held In check
Paaturlng will not destroy the weeds,
unless 80 close that the stock must eat
them for sustenace. In which case
the pasturlng Is positively injurious
The man that always has good pasture
Is accounted u good farmer. The hus-
bandman that always grows clover in
rotation, and gives 1t good care, with
out doubt grows above the average
grain crop. Hence 1t follows that 1t
Ia safe farming to take good care of
the grass and clover crops. And this
care should begin with these crops
while the stubble OF the grain crops is
yet present with them. II these are
, the foundation of successful agliclll-
ture, then 1t Ia due them to pamper
and give them the best known care
This Is not secured by turning all the
farm stock, including the geese, ducks
dilh NIllthtllS, III me SlHUDlt lltIUH I'M
mediatoly after the grain Is taken off
All weeds should be kept down with
the scytho or sickle. The clover should
he prevented from becoming so rank
that 1t will smother ITSELF but sum
cicnt growth should fall over the roots
To give good winter protection. 1t Is II
common practice with farmers to
manure for the prospective grain
crops, but the exception to manure for
the grass crop, The reverse of these
customs would give much better re-
suits In general farming. Instead Of
saving the manure In lots and sheds
for the small grain in the fall the
better plan would be to put It on the
stubble fields .as soon NJ the grain
crops Is Off, thereby feeding and nour-
ishlng tho young grass and clover 1t
Is beyond dispute that the best time to
feed these crops Is while they are
young The fun strength of their life
depends on this. Much better start
them strong than to try to strengthen
Il feeble growth afterwards. Com
mercial Gazette.