The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1905-02-22
MUST SOW TAME GRASSES.
Allotment IL Destroying Range sand
Farmers Must Make Pastures.

AS many farms will have to be seeded
to tame grasses, now that allotment
has so cut up the prairie grass, leaving
many farms with nc hay and but
little pasture, will make few sug-
gestions from experiment, and also
quote largely from the Kansas State
Board of Agriculture, giving results
of the boards extensive experiments
with the tame grasses, dealing more
especially with the climate and soil
contingent to the Territory line.
MY idea is mixed grass is by far
the best for meadow or pasture, espec-
tally as we are SO subject to hot, dry
spells in early fall and overly wet sea-
sons at other times. We have so little
soil adapted to the growth OF alfalfa
that / shall say little about that pro-
duct, though where it takes kindly to
the soil it is the most valuable addi-
tion to the farm prosperity Of all the
grasses. But there are substitutes al
most as good as alfalfa that will adapt
themselves.to our soil with good results
The most desirable timet to SOW grass
seed is directly following a wheat or
oat crop. To do this the seed bed
should be thoroughly prepared by
piowing and narrowing until the
ground is under the most favorable
conditions. For profitable pasture
/ will quote from Kansas experience
with English bluegrass, or meadow
fescue," on any soil adapted to corn.
1t does not grow rank on light or
whitish soil, and It's yield in such soil
viii be not overly good. II will stand
dry weather and is not injured by wet.
At Emporia, Kansas, in 1896, there was
sown 160 acres TO meadow fescue,
using Is lbs. clean seed and 4 pounds
red clover to the acre. The next sum-
mer there was harvested twelve BUSH
els per acre Of seed that sold at sl.00 a
bushel; on October 20, 200 head Of
three and four-year-old steers were
turned onto the meadow and were left
there until January /, excepting the
last two weeks when they had the run
OF stalk field and were in fine condi-
tion for beef when taken of. This
meadow was used each season there
after for several years.
Another sery important grass for
farm pasture and meadows is the fol-
loving mixture: Timothy seed. 4 lbs.;a
orchard grass, 10 lbs; meadow fescue,
10 lbs; red clover, lbs; red-top, 4
lbs, to the acre, all to be clean seed.
When this combination is sown in the
spring when the dog-wood is in bloom }
a half bushel OF oats should be added
to protect the seed from sun and weeds
The renewing OF old pastures may be
greatly facilitated by use OF barn-yard
manure, the best Of all fertilizers.
For hog pasture the English blue grass
and red clover is considered superior
to alfalfa, or any other grass, as il IS
more adapted to the soil in the Chero-
kee Nation, and any farmer sowing
same may soon have permanent
pasture, while alfalfa is adapted to
certain soils, only. When pasture is
being made it is always good plan,
and one that is recommended by the
Kansas Agricultural board, to mix al
falfa with red clover as both are ofthe
same family. The idea is to get bet
ter balanced food ration. To Illus
trate Orchard grass starts very early
in spring, makes rapid growth and
natures by early summer. Meadow
fescue renews its growth in the latter
part Of season, making excellent pas
ture late into winter. Whether for
pasture or meadow, at little red clover,
at least four lbs. per acre, should be
added to all seed mixtures, as we'll as
red-top, in this climate.
+. w. STRoUT.
The Sunshine Of Spring