The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1905-08-25
CUTTING CORN FOR slLAGE.

CUTTING CORN FOR SlLAGE.
The frequent mistake is made Of cutting
corn for silage when the ears are too
green or, in the milk stage, as they are
generally known when in this condition.
If one will stop to think they will remem-
Der that the greatest feeding value of the
corn is when it is mature although not
hard and dry. Perhaps as good a rule to
be guided by as any is to cut the corn for
silage just before the leaves begin to show
a decided yellow cast. OF course there
must be some nice calculation in this, but
1t is easily worked out If one will be care
full and watch the crop. The old idea that
silage must be a mass of fermented corn
is being lost sight of and intelligent feed
ers recognize the fact that it has it's great
est value when the Silage is sweet and as
nearly green as possible. In this condition
it has a greater value than we realize and
it is certainly sufficiently great to pay well
grow corn properly as we'll as to cut 1T and
store it when in the best condition.
ONCE MORE ALFALFA.
During the next month Is the ideal time
for sowing alfalfa according to those who
have made a study Of the plant and the
beginner with this valuable forage plant
will do we'll to bear in mind the main es-
sentials. First. the sweet soil which can
only be obtained by lining for one or two
years DelOTe SOWING the Seeu. linen lHe
necessity for furnishing alfalfa bacteria
to the soil on which the plant has never
grown either in the form Of inoculated
soil or by cultures which are now obtain
able from a number of reliable dealers.
Then, too, the seed must be we'll prepared
and it should be as well prepared as for
wheat. It must be remembered that SOW
ing at this time p%re-supposes that the soil
Is well supplied with moisture and partic-
ularly near the surface in order that a
good growth may be had during the period
that remains for growth of plant before
winter sets in. Do not use a nurse crop,
but sow the seed alone and sow thickly,
using at least twenty pounds of seed to
the acre; 1t is a good plan to SOW half the
seed lengthwise of the field and the
otner half across the field. If sowed broad
cast from eight to ten pounds OF seed
should be used and 1t should be lightly
covered with a harrow and then rolled.
Try a small plot If this is your first ex-
pertinent with the plant.
EDUCATING THE CONSUMER.
Few workers of the soil can afford to
the public specially when large organiza-
lions will do so little towards it. At the
st. Louis fair in awarding prizes for fruit
quality was counted only as is points out
of a possible 100, while color was also
counted at Is and size at Is, so thai one
had only to exhibit a well known specimen
of any variety with a high color and gain
30 points in Che competition over 10 award
ed for quality. This is manifestly wrong
for it gives the consumer a wrong i'm
preston of the fruit and, in many cases,
prevents increased consumption which is a
detriment to the producer for it tempts
him to growing highly colored varieties
regardless of quality and SO the consumer
suffers. Years ago when the writer first
became acO1laintoG with the Scba ffar'Q
raspberry, a variety dirty purple in color,
but of exquisite flavor, he determined tina
when he had anything of superior quality
he would find a market for it regardless
OF it's appearance. This has been accom-
plished in a small way, but with great eff
fort. 1t was not profitable, Of course, hut
when my town customers see me with a
basket of odd shaped fruits or vegetables
they cry, Heres Pierce with more mon
strosities." but they are always eager to
sample them and to clean out my product
II the quality Is good. If you nave any
thing on the place hat is of extra good
quality and a good "looker" offer it to
your customers who nave confidence in
you and you'll be able to sell 1T at a good
price.
THE DEPARTMENT. OF AGRlCUL-
TURE'S NlTRo-cULTURE.
Some time since. in this department,
mention was made of cultures which
were being sent out by the department. of
agriculture at Washington and our read
ers were advised to send for some. Later,
1t was advised, after a statement from
Washington, that the department was
sending the cultures to only a few special
lists and In the same article we warned our
readers against the probability of unre-
liable people Offering these cultures. Lat
er we made public the fact they were be-
ing offered by INSCRIPTIONS poodle and