Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1903-06-26
will perish while Others prove them
selves desirable varieties.

selves desirable varieties.
If all our farmers would bear in
mind these two important facts men,
toned above, and at the same time
continue efforts to make the grasses
and clovers grow, it will not be long
before the area thus seeded will become
quite large. The following suggestions
for seeding and cultivation are given
for the benefit of those interested:
l. In a general way it is safe to say
that all our grasses can be seeded in
fall as we'll as spring. If sown early
enough to start with the fall rains
they will make strong start. Spring
seeding should not be delayed too long
More grass seedlings have failed be-
cause the tiny plants could not with.
stand the summers drouth than from
any other cause. There is little dan
ger from winter killing or freezing.
2. The covering OF the seed is quite
important. This should not be too
deep, for most grass seeds are very
small and the seedlings are weak. For
late spring seeding the soil should be
compacted with heavy drag roller.
3. Again it is undoubtedly best not
to seed grasses or clover with a grain
or other nurse crop. The drain on
the soil for moisture of any strong
growing crop is very heavy at the very
season of the year when the grass
plants will need it most.
4. Run the mower over the field
once or twice during the season to
clip the foreign growth back and pre-
vent it from smothering the new seed
ing.
5. Pasture lightly, if at all, the
first year.
6. The following grasses and Glow
ers have been tested sufficiently to
warrant recommendation:
Blue grass-Better SOW in connec-
tion with white clover. Together they
make excellent pasture. Sow % to 30
pounds of blue grass and 6 to 10
pounds of clover seed to the acre.
Less of the blue grass would do.
Tall oat grass-This is known in
England as Lincoln grass and makes
excellent pasture, and, although rather
light in quality, hay cut from it is
much relished. 1t grows we'll and
throughout Eastern Washington.
twenty-five pounds of seed would be
at least necessary to each acre. More
would be better.
Orchard grass is we'll known every
where, and because of its bunch habit
and hardness is we'll adapted to our
conditions. 1t makes fair hay and ex
cellent pasture, but should have some
other grass growing with it. Red
clover does we'll, and so would bronze
grass. Use Is pounds OF each grass to
the acre. or eight pounds if clover is
used.
Italian rye is one OF the best pasture
grasses for Washington. II is not ex.
celled in palatability by any other. Or.
dinarily it is an annual, but in Wash.
ington it will live from three to four
years before dying out. Its dense sod
and strong growing habit make it pop
ular. The seed is light, and 20 pounds
would be sufficient. Bronze grass is
perhaps the most promising hay and
pasture plant we have tried, but the
habits and character OF the plan
must be understood before success will
be secured. The seed is so cheap now
that it is within the reach OF every
farmer, and one need not stint the
quantity sown upon each acre. From
Is to rs pounds usually produces q
good stand if the seed is first.class.
/ would strongly advise every one to
give it . trial.
Red clover will grow profitably on
most Eastern Washington lands. The
plant has the advantage of changing
to perennial. There are we'll estab-
lished instances where plants have
lived in the Palouse from 8 to Is years
before dying out. As is we'll known,
in Eastern States third year crop is
not expected. While we may not &C.
cure a. heavy yields the longer useful.
ness secured from a clover field will
more than compensate for this. Bet
ter results will follow continued cult
vation, as the soil becomes better
adapted for its growth.
Alsike clover does especially we'll.
and should be given a trial by every
farmer. 1t does especially we'll on low
moist soils. Sow 6 to 10 pounds per
acre.
Alfalfa has been supposed to do we'll
only under irrigation, and its value on
ordinary soils has not been appreciat-
ed. When three and one-half to four
tons of fine hay can be cut during the
season there is no reason why it should
not find place on every quarter Sec
ton suited for cultivation. Alfalfa on
the college farm, seeded two and three
years ago, is making a remarkable
showing already this spring. There
are many other plants that promise
we'll, but with alfalfa and bronze grass,
with red clover for a reserve, there is
good reason for faith in the perma.
nency OF our pasture lands. The sta.
ton is ever ready to help by the Civ.
ing Of information, but is not prepared
to distribute seeds, except bronze grass