Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-05-30
The Strawpile

Live Stock on tho Farm.


(By w. J.. Kennedy. Iowa State College
OF Agriculture)
Natural Foods and Their Uses One
Of the best and most favorably known
grasses to the American stockman Ia
the Kentucky blue grass, or June
Grass as 1t is called Ia Canada. II Is
most persistent grower and furnish
es an excellent feed for all kinds Oh
live stock, as 1t Is the richest In d.
gestible protein of any of our grasses.
II affords an excellent pasture during
the early spring and fall months. but
on account Of its seed rlpening dur
ing the early summer, 1t is not so val
liable during the summer season, ms
is especially true In n dry summer, but
In case there is an abundance OF rain
1t will furnish considerable amount
OF feed all thru the season. Reeog-
nizfng the peculiarlties Of this grass,
the stockinan should protect his stock
by pasturing lightly during the spring
months 30 that an abundance or
growth may accumulate to provide
feed during the dry months, or II
heavily stocked during the spring
months, some forage crop should be
supplied for protection In time OF
drouti.
Timothy. while n most useful plant
for hay. is not a desirable pasture
plant II affords but little aftermath,
and II pastured at all closely 1t ~
easily destroyed.
Orchard grass makes a very early
start in the spring. which Is an adj
vantage, but as 1t grows in tufts and
does not form ain even. dense sod, 1t
should not be sown alone. When mixed
with other grasses 1t serves a useful
purpose and under favorable coudi-
lions will hold its own Indefinitely
Red-top Is especially valuable on
damp. low lands. where II forms a. close
turf and furnishes an excellent pas
ture. It's stems are fine and the leaves
are numerous, thus adding to It's VAL
ne. AS previously stated, it seems to
be especially we'll adapted to low lands.
In seeding land for grass It is always
best to have a variety. For stock feed
ing mixture OF red-top, Kentucky
bluegrass, timothy, orchard grass. and
one or two kinds OF clover will give
much better results. both from guam
tity and quality standpoint. There are
several other varieties which Will
thrive In; special locations, thus this
should, be taken into consideration
when preparing a pasture lot.
Green Forage Crops. The wise
stockman IN any locality will make
provision for one or more forage crops
to insure an ample supply Of feed dur
~. ,1c 80 mn
eral crops which have been thoroughly
tested, while new ones are,,being intro
3duced from time to time. 1t is best to
use those known to give good results
and to test all new kinds In a very
small way at first.
The rape plant Is one OF the most
widely known and useful forage plants
we have. rt'is especially valuable for
sheep feeding purposes. In this con-
nection 1t Is usually pastured, but in
some instances it is cut and fed in
the sheds or feed lots. For swine feed
Ing purposes 1t Is most valuable
crop and furnishes an abundance of
feed. For dairy cows 1t must be fed
in limited quantities and Immediately
after milking. to prevent tainting the
milk For fattening cattle 1t can Oft
entimes be fed to good advantage dur
ing the months Of October and No
vember In this connection is claimed
to have medicinal influence In pas
turing rape, care must be used at the
beginning not to turn the animals on
the rape plot while 1t is damp from
rain or dew, else bloating and purging
ire likely to follow After the animals
are accustomed to rape, there Is not
much danger. For sheep 1t Is best to
allow them the run Of permanent
pasture in addition to the rape plot.
When such is provided there is not u.s.
ually much trouble from bloat and
other troubles. Rape cannot be cured
or stored away, thus must be fed While
green.
Sorghum. Sorghum is a most val
liable forage crop, especially In the
ser1i-arid regions, as 1t can with
stand more drouth than most any 9TH
er forage crop grown. 1t makes an
excellent feed for almost any kind OF
stock. For horses and cattle 1T should
be cut and fed in the barns or feea
lots. For sheep and hogs, II may pe
used as "a pasture crop
Alfalfa. Alfalfa in many sections
of the country makes a real good for
age crop. On account of its high pro-
tein content, it is especially valuable y. y
for young and growing animals. FOR
swine feeding, alfalfa pasture ana corn
is the cheapest method known TO tne
American farmer for pork production.
For sheep it is also good, but is prop
ABLY more useful to the dairyman IN
tho production of milk. 1t is hrst
class fted for dairy cows.
Cow Peas. This plant has been used
yery largely in the south for removals
ing the worn -out soil. 1t has a valu-
able place as forage crop in Localities
where 1t can be grown, as it Is very
rich in protein. Acclimated varieties
have been grown quite successfully IN
the northern states. Where they can
be grown they furnish an excellent FEED
for hogs. 1t is doubtful it they nave
a superior in this respect. They are
also a popular feed with the dairyman
because they are rich in protein, thus
we'll adapted to milk production
The Sofa Bean. This plant has Civ
on excellent results in the south, but
as vet has not been very generally
grown in the northern states. 1t is also
rich in protein and makes an excellent
feed for hogs and dairy COWS.
Another useful plant is the vetcn.
II seems to thrive and do well I'M
der 4 variety of conditions. In the
north it can be grown and will often
times produce two and three cuttings
in one season. Like the SOFA bean, it