The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-10-10
No State in the Union So Well Adapted to the Industry
Is Oregon-Abundance of Natural Grasses for Feeding

a soil adapted to the growing Of all crops
suited to the economical production Of
milk, and you have the dairy conditions
Of the Willamette valley. ~ ''s'.'
Dairy Stock.
The dairy cows Of Oregon are mainly
what Is commonly called scrub stock ;"
But there Is rapidly increasing number
Of dairy men who are making an effort to
grade up their herds by the use of pure
bred bulls. some of them also keeping a
few pure-bred COWS Of recognized dairy
breeds. And there are several breeders
In the stat who make business Of rails
ing, for the market, pure-bred dairy ami
mails Of both sexes. They spare neither
time nor money in securing the best ami
mails obtainable for renewing their breed
ing herds. Frequent trips are made to
the leading pure bred dairy herds Of the
eastern and middle west states, and ami
mails brought back to Oregon which are
the very best that can be secured The
demand upon these breeders for young
animals Is at all times in excess of the
supply, and the prices realized are such
as to seriously tempt the breeders to
sell their animals Off closer than good
judgment would indicate was best for the
welfare Of the breeding herd. Offers Of
$3.50 each for 2year-old heifers have been
refused by breeders in several instances
during the past few months.
Grasses and Forage Crops.
Grass is the natural food of the dairy
cow, as we'll as OF nearly all other species
of domestic animals. Experiment has
proven that. with an abundance of nu-
tritious grass, grain cannot be prof1tably
fed to dairy cows. Hence the adaptable
1ty of a country to the dairy industry de-
ponds IN large measure on its grass pro-
duction, both for pasturage and hay. The
wide variation in rainfall, soil, tempera-
ture, and elevation found within the state
f,,ro kx,If
Of species among the natural or wild
grasses Of the state. Eastern Oregon
with its high elevation, and scanty rain
fall has widely different natural vege-
tation from the more moist and lower
lands Of the western parts of the state.
In eastern Oregon the grasses are prin-
cipally Of the varieties known as bunch
grass" They are noted for their ability
to withstand drouth and the peculiar
quality Of curing on the ground where
they grow, thus furnishing winter feed
without the necessity Of cutting and cur
ing. They are highly nutritious, probably
due to their comparatively small water
content. But owing to close pasturing
with both sheep and cattle, these grasses
are each year becoming less abundant,
and it is a great problem with this range
country to find some means of restoring
the bunch-grass or what Is perhaps more
feasible, finding some domesticated grass
that will thrive in it's stead The most
promising variety at the present is the
muchly advised bronze grass (Bromus
inermis). Except in the northern part
and in some of the well-watered valleys,
it is not probable that much attention will
be given in eastern Oregon to the rails
ing Of dairy cattle and the production of
milk.
AS would naturally be inferred the coast
regions, with an abundance of moisture,
,11 of 0f i1o1V
ferent character from the varieties found
in the eastern part Of the state. In gen.
eral the coast grasses may be said to be
less nutritious but much more luXuriant,
and instead Of growing in punches or tus-
socks the tendency is to form an unbroken
turf. While all dOmesticated grasses that
thrive in cool, moist climate may be
successfully. grown along the coast, the
excellency Of the" native grasses have
made it preferable in many portions of
this region to retain the natural pastures
The same condition is true to an even
greater extent on the lowlands, of the Co.
lumbia river, where the annual overflow
would kill out many varieties of cultivated
grasses.
Some WeII-known Species.
Timothy (Phleum Pratensis)-This
grass, which is one of the best known in
the long list of grasses, grows to perfec-
ton in that class Of lands known as
beaver dam In fact, wherever the soil
is rich and black, with abundant moisture
timothy is staple grass.
!, Cheat or chess (Bromus)-This grass
furnishes annually large portion of the
hay of the willamette valley If cut at
just the proper season it produces a very
fair quality of hay for horses but it is
doubtful if it has much value as a. food
stuff for dairy cows. 1t is sown in much
the same manner and with as much regu-
larity In some sections as the wheat crop.
1t stands wet weather remarkably well,
hence its popularity.
Orchard Grass Oactylis Glomerata)-
This grass was brought to America from
England at very early date, and has
found a very congenial home in the soils
Of Oregon. Samples six and seven feet
long have been gathered this fall on land
that was not considered very good grass
land. 1t roots deeply. hence withstands
dry weather WELL It stars early; in fact.
scarcely stops growing after the fall rains
begin, thus furnishing good pasture early
In the spring and late in the fall For hav
it must be cut early, otherwise it develops
too much woody fiber. It is an excellent
grass to SOW with clover as it natures
about the same time. No other grass will
be found Of more general adaptability to
the soil and climate conditions of western