The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1907-05-17


the soil that comprises the larger
portion OF the sheep grazing district
OF this country. OF these catch crops
rape has rapidly won popularity in
recent years and is undoubtedly one
OF the best general forage crops with
in the reach of the flockmaster.
Sowing rape few days after the
seeding of oats is practice that with
large number of farmers over this
State has reolted very satisfactorily
and been the means of supplying the
flock with a large amount of succu-
lent, forage during the dry summer
season. The one great advantage in
sowing rape along with the oat crop
is that it does not interfere with
the crop rotation. A large portion
of the farmers have discontinued the
growing of wheat and use rye as
substitute, and the latter crop being
very hardy does not need to be sown
until quite late in the fall, conse-
quently the -oat ground may be per-
mitted to lie dormant for several
weeks after the removal of the oat
crop.
In sowing rape in oats it is advis-
able to sow the rape seed a week or
ten days after the oats are we'll
started. The rape plant is very
rapid grower and in case weather
conditions are very favorable the
rape, II sown too early, may get the
start of the oats and materially in
Jure the latter crop. l have sown rape
along with oats at different times and
have had excellent results. Sow the
rape seed broadcast, putting on about
2H pounds per acre. When the sea-
son is favorable for plant growth the
oats will soon get the start of the
rape and prevent it from making a
large growth while the former crop
natures. AS soon as the oat crop is
removed the rape is then given
chance and comes on very rapidly,
and in the course of two weeks is
ready to pasture.
Rape also has great adaptability
to occupying small areas about the
farm that are generally unproduc-
tive. Nearly every farm has one or
two small lots that are not included
i'll the crop rotation. For instance,
the orchard, which upon the large
majority of farms is given very lit
tie cultivation during the summer
months. If the orchard is plowed
early in the spring and given little
preparation rape can be sown and
during the course of the summer will
produce considerable forage for the
flock. AS a general rule the ground
occupied by the orchard is too shady
for the production of large growth,
but will under ordinary conditions
produce sufficient to maintain the
flock several weeks during the sum
mer months.
Flock owners should look ahead
and plan to give their flocks a change
of pasture during the summer sea-
son. Sheep are great lovers Of va
riety, and like change of feed every
few days. In great many instances
sheep pastures get what English
shepherds term sheep SICK" or un-
fit for sheep grazing, and while the
growth apparently seems abundant it
is not palatable or acceptable feed.
By looking ahead and sowing catch
crops in small lots and along with
other crops change of pasture can
easily be supplied and the flock great
ly benefited.
Another thing that is causing con-
siderable loss to sheep breeders and
that can be partially remedied by
looking ahead is the stomach worm.
When sheep are confined to pastures
for long time the stomach worm be-
gins its work and no matter what
may be fed as remedy so long as
the flock is confined to the same pas
ture the worm will thrive and cause
great loss. Frequent change of pas
ture is one Of the most effective REM
edieS to eliminate the stomach worm.
The fockmaster who sells his
lambs early in the fall will find that
by looking ahead and providing an
abundance Of green, palatable forage
for the ewes during the sucking pc
Rod, he will be able to force his lamb
crop along rapidly and when fall ar
rives will have crop that will bring
down the scales and command good
price. No fockmaster can afford to
allow the early part of the season to
pass by without giving due consider
alton to sowing catch crops for sup
plying supplementary pasture for HI,
flock during the summer months.