Judith Gap journal. [volume] (Judith Gap, Mont.) 1908-19??, 1909-03-05

frequent cultivation is important with dry land

frequent cultivation is important with dry land
coTrI.
Sorghum. katflr corn, broom corn and fnilo
These crops valuable for forage ami Grain
prodmction III the dry areas OF the southern states
Some OF these being tested in Montana ut
present and 1t is hoped that OF these vsl,,a-
BILE intsFtilaEed forage crops may he acclannatest
to conditions here. The crops were intrnllpExL
INTO this country from Egypt and Africa ansi
find most favorable conditions il, the states II, tine
south OF rrs.
The seed OF these crops is small SO that froma
four to six pounds is sufficient to All acre The
crop is usually sown in rows three feet aIart in.
order that cultivation may he carried oil, CrttII
more acslimsatios, work is done with thnse
crops It wovrl fne unsafe to plant them III any
considerable amount III Montana. 1t is hoped
however that stratus will Ike developed that may
be grown satisfactorily in Montana in a few
Years.
This crop is commonly grown on new break
ing. 1t is u hardy feeder and will bring returns
OH land wl,sm 6rst rloughed. where other crops
could not Ire grown.
The averaase yield Of flax on the experimental
dry farm has tAen nearly Is bushels per acrt
With the present prices it is questionable if thx
farmer cam Afford to grow flax extensively after
his soil is in shape FOR the standard crops.
When the crop is grown it ought to he seeded
as early rsxsihle in the spring using from, QUE
to two packs OF seed per acre. A growing de-
nland LOG American grown fibre for the raanu-
tacture OF linen MAY bring about new Seeding e.
anirelaents as we'll profitable returns for
the grower.
POTATOES.
Yields ra,,gin. from 6S to loo bushels oi pOt:l.
toes have fsen grown the experiment dry
farms i'll Montana during the past three wears.
This indicates that potatoes sufficient fof home
consumption may Ike raised the farms above
the irrigation ditch and since the quality is very
superior. points the possibility OF very profit
able dry land crop for the farmers who will give
potatoes the necessary attention.
Dry land potato growing experience is very
limited up to the present and it will require
siderable careful experimentation before definite
statements may be made regarding the hest
methods OF growing the crop. As result of the
observations 50 far i'll Montana we would make
the following suggestions: Potatoes ought to he
planted i'll rows three feet apart. dropping the
tul,ers 10 inches apart i'll the row. On account of
the fact that very dry soil will shrivel the pieces
when the potatoes cut. il is a safer method to
plant mc,iium-sized whole potatoes and avoid
the chances OF losin. a crop by the pieces driving
Out II there is ample moisture in the soil at
time OF planting this will not occur. The farmer
can tt guided b, the conditions he finds them.
As to time of planting yer, little evidence is at
hand hearing on this point. As i'll general farm
practice We believe that potatoes ought to Ike
planted Immediately after the grain crops are
>own III the spring.
Thorough cultivation with the harrow before
the crop comes mp and later with inter-til-
lase implement is essential to success in dry
farm potatoe culture.
SUGAR BETS
Sugar lGets are not generally considered adapt
cd 10 dry farm conditions: and successful Ike.