Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1899-06-07
From the Agricultural College
by Prof. Atkinson
LINE Mates.

One leseon to be learnedfrom the severe winter
and the wet spring - that we cannot embark
fortunes in clover and corn alone with impunity
The hay crop will be much Jesse ned on account
of the injury done to the clover crop during the
winter. Much of the corn has rotted in the soil
so there will In all probability be shortage of
rough fodder from this source. To meet the
needs enjoined by these conditions IL IS necessary
that the best possible use be made of what corn
fodder tina, i- 10 hand But it is not too late for
the seeding other crops that will furnish large
amounts OF good fodder. Sorghum is giving
much promise as a TO der crop. Its chief charac-
teristic il that it is hresister, sproperty
be sown broadcast drilled with the ordinary
grain drill at the rate of 100 to lbs pounds per
acre. We find that our drill set TO SOW seven
p.cks of wheat per acre will SOW about the right
quantity
On clean sround, millet sown at the rate OF ~
pounds per acre will furnish large amount of
good rough feed if cut when in succulsnt con-
dition Rape seeded in rows "a inches apart
at the rate of two pounds of seed per acre will
furnish ten or fifteen tons of good sheep feed per
acre in the course of seven or eight weeks after
sowing. Young cattle also thrive very we'll on
bs seeded S WITH good results any time in Jans
July, or August providing fhere is moisture
enough in the surface soil at the time Of sowing
! 10 germinate the seed.
Peas and oats at the rate of $50 pounds per
acre and ms IKE; N the propora ,S OF two TO one
hay per acre. IL the sea& had been dry thus
far crop of his kind could hardly be assured,
but the condition OF the soil at the present tiEe
to moisture contents, is specially fayoId BILE for
such aNcrop, even though the seeding be delayed
to thetmiddle of Jnne.
This is q favorable season to experiment with
Soy beans and Cow peas These crops are being
written about very much at the present time and
are valuable. under conditions such as exist in
Iowa. for the large amount OF nutritious fodder
which they furnish. IL would lot be wise %
put in large area the asst year but few
pounds of seed put in rows "a inches apart at
the rate OF 40 pounds per acre would in all prob
THEY are crops that take the place Of clover ~
possess Of supplying fertility TO the soil.
| The recent rains have forced the spring cereals
along very rapidly. One more heavy rain about
the middle of June will insure q heavy crop of
yield Of grain. Where the hay crop is light the
oat crop may be put to good use BY cutt ng \
when the grain Is In tho milk state and curing il
for hay. Ii contains a. much hutriment at ths
stage az ever after and II cut and properly cured
when in this condition II may 60 mach further
In wintering stock thsn II allowed to ripsh an
| fed a. grain.
This Is the season TO conserve moisture and
kill weeds in corn helds. II will be MDor we'll
spent II corn ground has been narrowed twice
bef2re the crop appears above ground. AT the
ing and before the crop 10 large enough 10 pillow
| In this manner the crop Of anntAI weeds is
given a very substantial check. During the
Ts T 70 tS SSps5
was dried and warmed In the vicinity OF the seed
when the weeder or harrow was <nssd, and IN
THE way much seed was saved that wosld Other.
svsS sst would b musS Ssnsftssd b. Tie free
uss 81 the harrow or wssdsr Which would break
ths thick crust thul forming mulch. warm the
coll, and Kin oas crop Il vssas.