The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-22

not be plowed under until the seed heads
are filed out, or begin to turn. The crop
should mature fully up to the point when
the seeds should not be capable of germin-
ating When cut for hay the work should
be done earlier. as the seed heads are not
advantageous to stock II allowed to APP
proach too close to maturity. After the crop
is plowed under ii will do no harm if ten
bushels of lime are broadcasted over the
land, as considerable fermentation occurs
when a large mass OF green material Is
turned under and the lime will assist in
neutralizing any acidlty, as well as hasten
decomposition.
When stock is given the use of early
green rye the results are not always salts
factory, and farmers find that the cattle
lose flesh and less milk is given. Rye is
one of the most useful of all plants for pro-
viding early green food at a season when
grass has not appeared. but it's injurious
effects on animals are not due to the rye
being an unsuitable food. but TO allowing
the animals free access to il. In it's early
stages of growth (Which is really the time
when IL Is most in demand) 1t is COM
posed almost wholly of water, the proper
ton of soluble matter being very small.
1t contains several salts in solution. and
its effect on the bowels is laxative: hence
il is not only weakening, but causes the
animals TO lose flesh. There is right way
allow stock on the rye field but short
time each day at first and then gradually
extend the period of grazing. When cattle
have been kept on dry food for six months
the green rye is TO them luxury, and If
IL is allowed them judiciously it will i'm
prove their condition. Both rye and GRIM
son clover will be ready for use In snort
time if a warm spell occurs. and they Will
always prove profitable crops to those VINO
keep stock, they shorten the dry feeding
period of winter. When the early green
foods given the stock and the bowels
are affected one of the indications is that
the green food is serving as medicine, ana
should too much green food have been con-
sumed give a warm mess of corn meal sea-
ance of hay. There is no danger in green
foods, however, If the cows are not allowed
knows, there is liability of bloat by eating
any kind of green food to excess.
Green crops, such rye and crimson clo-
yer, save loss Of valuable fertilizing matter
in the SOIL for the reason that they act
as covering. and also because, through
the agency of their roots, they retain plant
food that would be lost If the soil were
exposed to the effects of rains and melting
SHOWS. They are grown at a season OF the
year when the land is not required for
other crops. and. unlike red clover. they
as green manurial crops when the FARMER
desires the land for corn. Rye makes not
only early spring pasture, but is also a
late pasture crop in the fall. 1t is the last
green food TO disappear before winter and
the first to come in the spring. and 1t is
also one of natures soil protectors. III Is
true that If the farmer plows the rye un-
der he will have no grain or straw, but
outside of the expense for seed and pre-
pairing the ground II costs almost nothing.
II Is not as desirable crop Tor manuriai
purposes as crimson clover, but many
farmers find 1t excellent, however If
straw is an object rye will be generous, as
the farmer can use il for grazing purposes
and then secure a crop of straw and grain
also. Within the past ten years ii has been
demonstrated that the saving of plant food
in the soil by the use of winter coverers is
an important item alone, and nature al
ways aims TO cover the soil as protec-
ton. II is a fact we'll known that when
tility, and this can happen in no possible
manner except through the agency. of the
plants that spring up and cover the land
as protection, both in summer and win
| fer