Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-03-10
Value Of Rive.
National Form journal,

National Form Journal.
Where the month of July is so dry that
corn, sorghum or millet cannot be seeded
for forage. the best plan is to SOW rye
either in standing corn, or on land from
which small grains, turnips, rape and the
like have been taken. This grain will
grow on any rich soil, provided there is
enough moisture present to give it good
start. 1t does best. on land that has
been plowed, thoroughly pulverized and
well compacted.
II can be seeded from now untH the mid
die Of October. The exact time will de-
pend largely upon the amount OF moisture
in the soil. Very little good comes from
putting ii into dry ground. If there is just
enough moisture to start termination the
young plants will certainly perish but
where a good start is obtained, the rye
will son be able to take care of itself. If
the rye field is to be pastufed heavily this
fall, the seed should be put in just as soon
as possible. Sow 1t thickly for this pur-
pose, using about 2 to 2 IL bushels of
seed per acre. Some farmers SOW even
more. The most satisfactory method Is to
seed with a grain drill, as all the kernels
are then put in deep enough to insure
termination. The roots Will strike out Ia.
search OF moisture and rnc plants win
be much more capable of taking care of
themselves than IL sowed broadcast.
fall and early winter. Much less grain is
needed for animals on rye pasture. In
southern Illinois and Missouri, calves are
occasionally wintered over on rye pasture
with little else except straw. All kinds of
stock are fond of rye. 1t Is particularly
useful for dairying farmers in keeping up
the flow OF milk. 1t should be pastured
just as soon as ii is large enough for the
animals to obtain a good bite. 1t should
be grazed sufficient to prevent it's joint
ing. Rye heavily pastured in the fall will
not produce so much green forage in the
spring. Professor Shaw advises dividing
the rye field into two sections and alter
nate the grazing. There is considerable
expense involved in this, consequently
most people use one field only. When milk
cows are being grazed they should be al
lowed to remain on only a few hours each
morning, as constant grazing has a bad
effect on the quality Of the milk and but
ter.
Rye makes an excellent pasture for
hogs and horses in late fall, and also in
early spring. If little Dwarf Essex
rape seed is used along with the rye, say
from l TO pounds per acre, the value of
the pasturage will be greatly increased.
The rape seed may be mixed with the rye
or may be distributed from a grass seed
attachment to the grain drill. In either
case the field should be narrowed after
seeding in order that everything may be
properly covered. If the field Is not pas
tured too severely this fall, it will make
an excellent spring pasture, coming on
earlier than the regular pasture grasses.
Rye does not make an ideal pasture plant.
as stock are liable to pull 1t out when
grazing, but during a season like the pres
ent II will be a wonderful aid to the crops,
which have been cut short by the drouth.
Pasture tends to make the plant stool, and
for this reason it is desirable. II. how
ever, grazing is continued too long. the
resulting crop will be short because of
weakened plants
II at any time the rye grows faster
than ii can be grazed or and joints, the
best plan is to turn 1t under as green
manure 1t will be a great help in keep
ing the soil loose and will increase its
power of holding moisture. Rye can be
grown in nearly every part of the United
States, and for this reason it is exceed
ingly valuable as a pasture.