The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-07-31
WINTER PASTURES.

The season Is here when farmers should begin to prepare winter pastures. This is very important matter and one that farmers all over the country are very careless about. With an abundance of fine winter pasture, which can be had st small cost, stock can be carried through the winter with very little ex- pense so far as the feed bill is concerned Our farmers of the south have a great advantage in this respect, as our winters are mild and short. and there are so many valuable plants that may be grown during the winter months. Besides we always have in the south an ample sup ply of moisture for the growth of orr pasture crops. The fact in this case is that farmers of the south should be able to keep stock through the winter cheaper than they can be kept through the sum mer. The winter is the season for grow ing a large line of forage plants at the greatest advantage and profit, and as stated we can provide an abundance of winter pasture for all stock at small cost
 There is enough time wasted, idled away by many farmers, which if put to good use would enable them to do all the work necessary to secure pasture for all the stock on the farm, and the question is, why not improve this time in something useful that would prove profitable?
 Utilize Waste Land.
 Besides the time that is wasted, there is in nearly every section of the south and on many farms enough idle land which if cleared and properly managed would afford ample pasture for all stock on the farm. We hear farmers complain ing about so much wet weather and that they cannot get on their lands to work Now this is ideal weather to go out and grub off the worthless brush on many Of the old wornout and turned out fields Break and subsoil them, put on good dressing of lime or fertilizer and SOW to some crop which will give an abundant supply of winter grazing.
 How can farmers afford to pay taxes on land that Is producing nothing but sassafras and perslmmon>@rush. for which there is no market? Then the idea of farmers talking about wearing out and turning out lands Look at many coun- tries of Europe, where the soil has been cultivated for more than a thousand years and is today in as fine condition for producing crops as it was centuries ago. We are going to be forced out Of the old system of farming There is no better time to commence this reforma- ton than right now and no better place than some or these Olu ntlus thdt di S already turned out Clear them of brush, briars. stones. stumps, furnish drainage if needed, break and subsol, then top dress them and SOW to some or all of the following grains and grasses, which will. with a little additional care and small amount of dry feed, enable the farmer to carry his stock through the winter in a. fine condition. What can farmer think of and what kind of economy IS it for him to allow his stock to become poor and starved through winter?
 There is one thing that is always true Show me a country where the stock Is poor and neglected and will show you a set of poor, shiftless farmers. But show me a country where the stock IS fine. fat and well-cared for and l will show you a good class of farmers and prosperous people.
 The only permanent foundation upon which any country can be built from an agricultural standpoint is grass, grain and stock. And allow me to state right here that the dairy industry Is the best thing in sight today for the farmers Of this country. But I will now proceed to notice few of the grains and grasses that we may grow advantageously through fall, winter and spring.
 Winter Rye.
 This is the surest al-round grain to SOW for this purpose. have written so much on rye and it's value that our older