Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1902-07-26
Russian Thistle For Feed.


| Board of Agriculture for the quarter
ending June, 1902. 1t is devoted to
Russian Thistle Forage" In his in
PRODUCTION Mr.. Coburn SAYS:
Eight years ago the equaminity of
Kansas farmers, especially those in
the more northwestern counties. were
disturbed by the appearance in their
cultivated lands of a new and strange
weed, which proved to be the dreaded
Russian thistle or Russian tumble
weed. Its source of introduction has
been ascribed to Colorado and Ne
braska-being brought in alfalfa seed
from the former and ''tumbled' in by
wind from the latter. Immediately
following its appearance in Kansas
strenuous efforts were made and
stringent measures were adopted to
prevent its spread and if possible to
eradicate it. Much information was
disseminated. telling of the weeds
pernicious habits, and giving the OBJ
servaJion and experiences of others
who had dealt with it, as we'll as the
best means of preventing its spread.
In Kansas the thistle has yet been
part of the state, the section earliest
seeded. and it is gratifying to note
that they have not been permitted
largely to extend their area in
threatening way. In the territory
where they are, however, nothing but
condemnation of them has been heard
until recently. Within the past few
years, however, they have come indi-
rectly to the agricultural department
occasional reports of their being util
Ized, both green and cured, as feed for
live stock, and with view of ascer-
tanning the fact as to practice the de-
| partment has interviewed numerous
parties who lave harvested thistles
and fed them to live stock on con-
siderable scale, and what they say is
set forth in detail The Board of Ag-
ricultural, in devoting d publication
to the discussion of the subject, does
not in any sense intend to appear as
encouraging or even countenancing
the growth of thistles by any person
whatever, as the farms of Kansas
should not be disgraced nor depreciat-
ed by their presence.
OF those interviewed, most agree
that the so-called '.thistle hays quite
favorably corresponds in feeding value
with that from native grasses, and
some even assert it is equal to alfalfa,
which it is said to resemble in some
respects, when properly cured and
| handled. a all events, from a gen.
eral survey of the reports, thistle
hay is considered by those who Have
used it nutritious and fattening, and
cattle and sheep, with no other feed,
can be sustained throughout the win
ter in as fair condition as when other
ordinary forage is used. 1t is also in
dictated that horses and mules do not
care SO much for nor do so well on
thistle hay as do other stock, and hogs
do not eat it at all. although they rel
ish the thistle wien cut and feed
green. When used with sorghum,
millet, alfalfa, ETC., the general ex-
perience has been that cattle make no
apparent distinction between them,
and if anv preference was shown. it
would likely be in favor of the this
ties.
Whenever live stock has access to
thistles it is observed that the young
plants are greedily eaten, and they
are found excellent for increasing the
flow of milk. Their early growth
gives succulent grazing in the spring
time before other vegetation is adj
vanced sufficiently to be available,
and is likely to be abundant on in
| tested tracts, regardless of weather
or soil conditions.
1t is generally reported that all live
stock relish the pasturage afforded by
thiStles for the three Or four growing
months each year. and sheep and cat
tie particularly like it. abandoning
other heritage in its favor and even
breaking through fences in their
eagerness to Craze upon it rather than
be confined to the prairie or buffalo
grass. Thistles, of course, are most
valuable for pastureage when young
and tender, but live stock will eat.
apparently with relish, the matured
plants in the fields when damp and