The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1899-03-24
value Of straw On Il. Earn.

value Of Straw On the Farm.
A few years ago we did not grow
enough straw on the farm properly to
bed all the animals. But by utilixing
what we had and adding to our sup
ply from other farms. We have been
able to increase our supply: and with
the increased supply we have learned
now to use it to much better adj
vantage, and much more of 1t, writes q
correspondent Of Country Gentleman.
First, we aim to cover the feed-lots
with a quantity sufficient to prevent all
1t from the open floor. They seemed to
mud, and then keep the horses and
cows clean by liberal use Of it.
Whenever the feed lots begin to get
filthy. fresh straw is scattered over
them.
A few years ago. on account of the
Indictment weather and the lack of
shelter, we found It necessary to lot
our feeding hogs about the straw stack.
cred about the worst thing a farmer
can do. Yet we found it enormously
better than no shelter, and feeding in
the mud. We scattered the ear corn
over fresh straw, and let the hogs eat
by the mass Of farmers this is consid-
enjoy roofing in the straw for the
grain, and their noses always looked
clean, and not as they would had they
been allowed to root in the mud for
their corn. To make this kind of feed
ing safe and healthful, we were care
full to keep fresh straw over the feed
ing place, and to pull out fresh, clean
straw from the sides of the rick for
bedding. Soon we had shelter room
for the hogs under the sides of the
rick. Now. II our hogs are fed
In lot, We make it point to keep
the lot clean with straw.
In many instances the gravel walks
about the barns can be kept clean dur
ing soft weather, and made more dura-
BILE. II straw Is spread over them in lib
eral quantities apd removed when it
becomes filthy, and a new supply used.
This calls for little work. but it
means less wading in the mud. and
more comfort to the farmer and the
animals. Temporary sheds are nearly
always needed on the farm. These can
we'll and cheaply be covered with
straw. The usual fault is. when q
farmer starts out to put a straw cover
on a shed, he does not use enough
straw; not because it is scarce, but be-
cause he has not realized the difference
between a poor and q good straw roof.
At present we have a temporary root
house covered with straw, and a straw
covered addition to the barn shed for
our sheep. They answer the purpose
excellently, and can be easily removed
when not needed or wanted any longer.
It is often much cheaper to fill cracks
with straw than to feed animals that,
without this, would be exposed to drfv-
ing winds. The farmers in this section
have seldom, for three or four years.
grown their needed supply of potatoes.
Yet there is one farmer that grew
good crops under straw, when his
neighbors all failed. For our home
use, we will depend mainly in the fu-
ture on the crop grown under straw.
Many clay farms could be much bene-
flied by light covering of straw plow.
ed under. This requires considerable
labor, but I believe would in the end
be source of profit to the farmer.
Oftentimes this would give the land
more life and aid in starting crop Of
clover, which would be step on the
road to improvement. A good deal OF
this is not done because the profit does
not come Immediately to hand. We
must learn in our farming operations
that we must be continually adding TO-
the needs of the soil-or the poverty
of the soil, when we most need its
strength, will come upon us with
crushing certainty. I know lands in
this condition that are a burden to
the owner never yielding just COM
pensation for the labor bestowed on
them.