Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1903-05-16

make a strong start. Spring seeding
should not be delayed too long. More
grass seedlings have failed because the
tiny plants could not Withstand the
summers drouth than from any other
cause. There is little danger from win
ter killing or freezing.
2. The covering oil the seed is quite
! important. This should not be too deep, |
for most grass seeds are very small and
the seedlings weak. For late spring
seeding the soil should be compacted ]
with heavy drag or roller.
8. Again it is undoubtedly best not
to seed grasses or clover with grain or
other nurse crop. The drain on the soil
for moisture of any strong growing crop
is very heavy at the season of the year
when when the grass plants need it
most.
4. Run the mower over the field once
or twice during the season to clip the
foreign growth back and prevent it from
smothering the new seeding.
5. Pasture lightly, if at all, the first
year.
6. The following grasses and clovers
have been tested sufficiently to warrant
recommendation
Blue grass-Better SOW in connection
with white clover. Together they make
excellent pasture. Sow 25 to 30 pounds
OF blue grass and to ten pounds of clo-
yer seed to the acre. Less of the blue
grass would do.
Tall oat grass-This is known in Eng
land as Lincoln grass and makes excel-
ent pasture, and, although rather light
in quantity, hay cut from it is much rel
ished. 1t grows well all throughout
eastern Washington. Twenty pounds
OF seed would be at least necessary to
each acre. More weud be better.
Orchard grass is we'll known every.
where and because of it's bunch habit
and hardness is well adapted to our con-
ditions. 1t makes fair hay and excel
lent pas ure, but should have some 9TH
er grass growing with it. Red clover
does well 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. 1t is not excel
led in palatability by any other. Ordi-
narily it is an annual but in Washing
ton it will live from three to four years
before dying out. Its dense sod and
strong growing habit make it popular.
Its seed is light and twenty 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 plant must be under
stood before success will be secured The
seed is 50 cheap now that it is within the
reach Of every farmer, and one need not
stint the quantity sown upon each acre.
From 10 to 20 pounds usually produces
good stand if the seed is first class |
would strongly advise everyone to give
it trial.
Red clover will grow proftably on most
eastern Washington lands. The plant
has the advantage of changing to per-
ennial. There are we'll established in
stances where plante have lived from 8
to 10 years tn the Palouse without dy-
ing out. AS is we'll known in eastern
states third year crop is not expected.
While we may not secure as heavy yields
the longer usefulness secured from clo-
YER field will more than compensate for
this. Better results will follow contin-
ued cultivation. as the soil becomes bet
ter adapted for its growth.
Alsike clover does especially well, and
should be given trial by every farmer.
It does especially we'll on low, moist soils.
Sow six to ten pounds per acre.
Alfalfa has been supposed to do well
only under irrigation, and its value on
ordinary soils has not been appreciated
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 eyerp quarter section suited |
for cultivation. Alfalfa on the college
farm, seeded two and three years ago, is
making remarkable showing already
this spring. There are many other
plants that promise well, but with alfal- !
ia and bronze grass, with red clover for
reserve, there is good reason for faith in
the permanently of our pasture lands.
The station is ever ready to help by the
giving of information. but is not nre