Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1906-07-10
The Hay Crop.

II
this most important and profitable of al
farm crops. One of the chief reason
for this prevalent, non-realizing state o
mind is found in the fact (which II
pounded into the heads of each succeed
ing generation of farmers) that New
England soil has long been shorn of its
virgin fertility and is consequently worn
out, hence their energies are weakened
and delusion controls their acts.
The dawn of science has begun Il
illuminate the farmers horizon ant
those of us who begin to harken to it!
unmistakable teachings hate clearly
demonstrated that the old-time theory
of exhausted soils is but delusion.
To raise profitable crops of hay,
heavy yield per acre must be produced
of the very best quality and kind de
manded for the market or feeding pur
poses Having first settled the purpose
for which you are raising hay, ther
direct your energies to growing the
most of the very best varieties desired.
What are these varieties and how shall
we obtain them? are questions that are
asked all along the line. Here allow me
to emphasize what tried to impress up.
on the minds of the farmers of Maine
when on my pleasant sojourn with A.
w. Gilman, your efficient Commissioner
of Agriculture, that the clovers for dairy
feed are by far the most satisfactory and
profitable crop to raise. But to success
fully grow clover it is necessary to OBJ.
serve and practice some we'll defined
rules, some scientific methods relating
to fitting soils and correcting certain
hindrances to clover growth. First, II
is of great Importance to thoroughly
prepare the soil. A mellow, deep, fine
seed bed is Indispensable. Intense
cultivation is the watchword. 1t un.
locks the latent fertility of the soil, II
conserves moisture and enables the plant
to feed where plant food was never be-
fore liberated.
Another hindrance to clover growing
prevails to quite an extent on New Eng
land soil. BY long continued use in
pasture or meadow, land becomes more
or less acid. The presence of acidity in
soil may be discovered in several ways.
The land will become moss grown or
perhaps covered with growth of scrrel;
or if either of these are not apparent the
use of litmus paper placed in the soil
will detect the presence OF acidity.
Surely clover will not thrive upon such
soils. Hardwood ashes or rock lime will
correct this evil. In Vermont ashes is
the most economical remedy.
Intelligent fertilization is an impor-
tant factor in producing any crop, and
grass is no exception to the rule. Years
of experience, observation, study and
practice have confirmed me in the belief
that great waste of stable manure,
which is in it's truest sense the farmers 8
bank, has been going on among New
England farmers by the application OF
too large quantities of it to the acre,
half mixed with the soil. Ten good
loads of manure to the acre, or its equiv
alent in the best commercial fertilizers,
thoroughly mixed with the soil, are all
and in many cases more than it is profi-
able to use. Really it is all the crop re-
quires or can economically utilize.
More frequent application in smaller
quantities will result in better profits.
One other point cannot pass without
mention, namely, the inclination OF
farmers to apply too little seed to the
acre, aud the persistent purchase of a
cheap quality of seed. The best is none
too good and is by far the cheapest in
the end. Recent analyses by our expert
ment stations have shown an immense
quantity of obnoxious weed seed in the
cheap seed supply. Seedsmen will fur
nish it as long as farmers create de-
mand for it. Demand good seed and
pay for it and there will be marked
difference in the stand and vigor of the
plant growth. Remember that "like
produces like" and use nothing but the
best.
Never allow your clover to 60 to seed
before cutting. Its destruction will fol
low if you do, and besides, you will lose
much of its feeding value. Glover is it.
self soil reclaimer. 1t feeds upon the
free air of Heaven and carries its en-
richment to the earth from which it
springs. See to it, brother farmers OF
the Pine Tree State, that your fields
blossom with the red cloyers of the land,
and farming will prove more profitable
and life will be laden with more bless
ings and greater joys will attend the
humble farmers home.-Maine Bulletin
of Agriculture.