Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1901-08-08
GROW STOCK FEED.
The Director ofthe Missouri AgricuI-
tural Experiment Station Tells
the Farmers What to Do.

COLUMBIA, Aug. Lowing TO the
Unprecedented drouth and excessive
heat the supply Of stock feed Of all
classes in portions Of the State will
be much below the average, and in
most sections will be very scarce and
expensive. Already large amount
OF the surplus stock has been thrown
on the market, SO that less feed will
be required than in the average year.
At the same time, every indication
points TO a great shortage In farm
stock next spring, and to the fact that
abnormally high prices will then pre-
vail.
It will be very profitable therefore
for the farmer to carry over as much
stock as possible, and to take that
through the winter in good healthy
condition. 1t is scarcely necessary to
say that only first class stock can be
proiitably wintered this time II the
supply Of good stock is below that
which can be wintered, it win be the
best possible investment TO sell off the
inferior stock and buy well bred ami
mails Of good quality. Such an op-
portunity TO buy good stock at low
figures does not come often.
GROW FORAGE THIS FALL.
The supply of feed can be largely
increased by growing one or more for
age crops which can be made to ma
ture between now and frost, provi-
ded an average rainfall occurs from
now on. Among the crops that may
be sown now for this purpose, the
following are recommended:
The cowpea, If sown at once on we'll
prepared land, wheat or cat stubble
that is broken, ought to make one or
two tons of hay that excels clover In
feeding value. This hay can be got
ten of the ground in time to SOW the
land In wheat without another break
ing, the surface being disked just
ahead of the drill Cowpeas improve
the land, just as clover does, and
make a splendid preparation for
wheat. The Whippoorwill or New
Era varieties are recommended, sown
at the rate Of bushel per acre, either
broadcast or preferably with wheat
drill. The hay is cured and handled
about the same as clover. Cowpeas
stand the heat and drouth we'll.
Sorghum is another drouth and
heat-reslsting crop, very productive,
and viii mature before frost II sown
now on well prepared land at the rate
Of about a bushel Of seed per acre. The
Early Amber variety is preferred for
this late sowing. The hay may be
partially cured in the swath, and then
made into large shocks to complete
the curing process, and stacked later.
Unfortunately the supply of Sorghum
and Cowpea seed is almost exhausted
in our markets, owing to the large
recent demand. Unless the farmer
has supply Of seed on hand or knows
where it can be gotten quickly it viii
be better to try something else as 1t is
getting late, especially for cowpeas.
Raffir corn is closely related to Sor-
ghum, and may be grown and handled
in essentially the same way, with al
most as satisfactory results, although
it is not regarded as quite so good a
hay plant. The markets still have a
fair supply Of this seed.
Millet may be used quite successful
ly, and will stand considerable drouth
and much heat. The farmers Of Mis-
souri, are too familiar with this crop
to need any advice concerning the
methods Of growing and harvesting it.
Brown Dourha, a plant closely re-
lated to Sorghum and Kafir Corn,
somewhat extensively used in the dry
portions Of Kansas, may be used II the
seed of the other mentioned cannot be
gotten. 1t is not considered to be
quite SO productive and satisfactory,
however.
This about exhausts the range Of
profitable hay crops for late sowing.
Crimson clover does not succeed well
in this climate as a rule, and does not
resist drouth.
FOR FALL PASTURE.
Rape has been grown successfully
for fall pasture in this State, but the
experience with this plant for fall use
is somewhat limited, and it is not con-
sidered 50 sure crop as the hay crops
Just named. IL is a cool weather plant,
and requires a reasonable amount OF
moisture; but the spring-sown rape
has stood the drouth and heat OF the
summer quite well on the College
farm this year. Rape may be sown In
the corn where the stand is not good,
or where the growth has been serious
lily retarded by the drouth, sowing at
the rate Of about two pounds per acre,
and covered lightly. If sufficient rain
comes to start it well, it win make a
large amount Of excellent pasture for
sheep, hogs and cattle, and will con-
tinue green until the ground freezes.
Its greatest growth viii occur after
the corn is cut.
Rape will do better, however, il
sown alone, in which case three pounds
of seed per acre should be used. Dwarf
Essex is the variety to use. The seed
viii cost from to 10 cents per pound
or from II to 20 cents per acre so that
the farmer will not be at much ex-
pense even II the season is not favo-
able enough to make a crop.
Turnlps. On land especially suited
to this purpose, turnips would be
worth sowing, for the farmer who ex-
poets TO winter any considerable num-
Der of sheep. While In ordinary sea
son this crop is not considered es-
pecially profitable except in a small
way, yet in view OF the great scarcity
ofIfeed, 1t will be well worth growing
this year.
A large area Of rye and wheat should
be sown as early as possible, for fall,
winter and eally spring pasture.
OF course 1t is understood that II
the drouth continues through July
and August all crops recommended
for hay viii fail, but in view OF the
great scarcity Of feed, it will be well