The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1899-06-21
FARM NEWS AND VIEWS.
Crimson Glover and Millet-Losses
From Manures.

Crimson clover is one of the most
valuable crops that can be grown, as il
is seeded down late, remains on the
ground during the winter, and starts
of in growth in early spring. While
some have been successful with it, yet
there are many failures in the attempts
to secure a good stand. One cause Is
that some endeavor to grow il by
throwing seed in the standing corn, ,snd
to use crimson clover as catch crop 1t
has not confirmed the expectations of
those who have endeavored TO secure
crop without preparation of the soil
The land may be piowed now or as late
as August, and should be made fine
with the harrow and rolled. Sow the
seed about the middle of August, first
narrowing the ground, and roll the sur
face after the seed is sown. No bar
rowing OF brushing is necessary to
cover the seed if the roller is used The
practice of seeding as late as Septem-
Der or October should be abandoned, as
it does not leave sufficient. time for the
plants to become well rooted before
winter. Crimson clover is usually
sure crop If the proper work is done at
the beginning.
Many pastures are ruined in the be-
ginning by turning stock on the grass
before the plants are well established.
Trampling Of the pasture by the feet
of cattle does more harm than the eat
ing Of the grass. The first year Of the
pasture should be devoted entirely to
its growth When the grass reaches
height that permits OF its being cut It
is better to run the mower over il, cut
ting high. Fertilizer and manure
should be used literally, and should
weeds make an appearance it will pay
to pull them out, as under no eircum-
stance should they be allowed to pro-
duee seed.
But few cattle reach the market that
are as fat as they might be, and it is
frequently the case that steers could be
made to weigh a hundred or more
pounds if properly prepared for market
A fat steer that can be made to take on
a hundred pounds more will not only
have the additional value ia weight,
but will bring one or two cents more
per pound, hence the additional 100
pounds may add from SIS to $50 to the
value Of the animal and at a small
cost.
/ During extremely warm weather the
use of corn for animals is injurious.
Il heats them, and with hogs il is an
infiction if corn alone is used. The
best food is hay or grass, and If grain
must be allowed, ground oats should be
preferred. The kind Of food that Is
most serviceable in winter is not suita-
BILE for summer.
Manure ferments readily during the
warm days, aud much Of its value is
then lost unless the farmer gives his
attention 10 the preservation of the
manure. Keep it well heaped Up and
covered with few iEcles Of dry earth.
The litter used IN the stalls should be
cut fine, so as to perhit of the mate
rials serving better as absOrbents-
Although timothy hay is preferred
for horses and clover for cows, yet
clover hay that has been cut just as the
heads were beginning to turn brown,
and which has been well cured, is much
more nutritious than timothy, and the
horses will show a preference for it
Badly-eured clover hay, however, Is
distastefdI to horses more than to cows
Any farmer who will notice the drop
pings from the cattle when they are on
pasture will admit that the Jumps o
manure become hard and appear Of ne
value Despite the rains, these hare
!. portions seem to become harder. TIT
soluble portions, along with the urine
cause unusual growth where the manur
has teen deposited. The fact show
that fresh manure is easily baked har,
in the sun, and that if all manure j
cOmposted and kept under cover ther
will be less loss. Manure dropped il
the fields loses large share Of its eff
cheney as plant food by exposure il
simmer.
There are no certain periods for wor
a on farm so far as the cultivation {
4. crops is concerned. Each crop d,
/. mands cultivation according to il
stage of growth and the conditions {
the land. The harrow and cultivate
q cannot be used too often. The diffieu
ty is that some farmers limit the nun
, Der of times a crop should be cultiva
/ ed without regard to conditions an
circumstances. No field can be said
>. have been well cultivated as long as
! single weed can be seen standing.
Fruits sometimes sell at low priC
t. and do not pay, but the same may
said Of all crops. The farmer, hOweye
N is usually not fruit grower lexeept
D apples), and Strawberries, raspberri'
r and blackherries ere never cultivate'
y Whether grown for market or not sue
fruits should be produced on ever
N farm by way Of variety and for hon
use. The luxuries can be produce
more easily by farmers than can Il
regular crops of grain. II takes tive
three acres of wheat to buy the prOdu'
q that can be derived from a quarter
Is an acre of small fruits and vegetable
should the melons be slow in grO'
ing apply a small quantity Of mira
~ Of soda around each bill and chop 1t
d with the hoe. For beans use mixtu
: of,One pint nitrate Of soda and ty
. parts muriate of potash. One Of q
- best modes of forcing eabbages to gro
- is to hoe them after each rain or cul
vate 50 as to have the soil loose and q
ground clear of weeds and grass.
Sow millet seed this month and tn
- grow a crop Of summer hay. Mil
r. is easily grown and thrives well on
kinds of soil, giving excellent resn
4, on sandy lands if manure is used
crowds weeds out and soon takes p
session Of the land. One point in &C
nection with millet is not TO cut it
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