Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-10-28

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 tae
grain is taken from the fields. If the
farmer has brought the land into
proper condition for their grow h. he
must then exercise due caution to e
cure this growth. Without much dit
fcUIty farmers can be found that
never have a frst-cIass pasture or
clever field. And never have gGCd
strong sod to pIow down for grain
crops. This misfortune is brought to
these men by their improvident treat
II ent of these sod crops, the first sum
mer after sowing.
1t appears that some farmers regaT'i
it as loss and step in the direction
Of poverty, for a blade Of grass or a
leaf of clover 20 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 if
the weather is very dry but if there is
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.
Pasturing will not destroy the weeds
unless so close that the stock must eat
them for sustenace. In which case
the pasturing is positively injurious
The man that always has good pasture
is accounted good farmer. The hus-
bandman that always grows clover in
rotation, and gives it good care, with
grain crop. Hence, it follows that it
is 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. If these are
the foundation of successful agricuI-
ture, them it is 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
and chickens, in the stubble fields i'm
mediately after the grain is taken off
All weeds should be kept down with
the scythe or sickle. The clover should
be prevented from becoming so rank
that it will smother itself, but suffi-
cient growth should fall over the roots
to give good winter protection. 1t is a
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 as the grain
crops is off, thereby feeding and nour-
ishing the young grass and clover. 1t
is beyond dispute that the best time to
feed these crops is while they are
young. The full strength of their life
depends On this. Much better start
them strong than to try to strengthen
feeble growth observation-disclosures
mercial Gazette.