Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1909-04-14


been one of the most neglected feat
ures In connection with the production
of oats. 1t is a very common practice
to see an end-gate Seeder at work in
fields where the corn stalks still re-
main standing on the ground. AS a
matter of fact, most of the prepare
ton of the seed bed has been very
largely done after the oats have been
sown. Such practices will have to be
done away with before we can expect
the average yield of oats in this
state to be materially increased. The
preparation of the seed bed by no
means receives the attention that it
should in connection with all our
grains, but especially is it deficient
with our oats. Through the investiga-
tons of the Iowa experiment station
we are led to believe that about 70
per cent of the oats are put in before
the seed bed is prepared the oats
being sown broadcast on unprepared
corn stalk ground, disced once or
twice and possibly narrowed. For the
best results the corn stalk ground
should be disced two or three times,
tapping the disc half in order that the
stalks may be cut up and the seed
bed put in desirable condition for re-
ceiving the grain. The harrow should
that we have deep, loose seed bed,
nor is it necessary that the ground be
ploWed. 1t should, however, be disced
sufficiently thorough, followed by the
harrow until a mellow surface of at
least two or three inches in depth be
prepared for the receiving of the
grain. In general, to prepare suit
able seed bed for oats, corn stalk
ground should be disced at least twice,
tapping the disc half, and in addition
to this it will pay to double harrow.
Some seasons will require more disc
ing; seldom can it be done with less
Clean Seed and Seed patch.
1t is very generally known that the
climatic conditions of this state are
not so favorable to oat production as
in the regions further north. Because
Of this fact it is all the more neces-
sary that special attention be paid to
the selection of our seed or in the
course of few years we find that our
varieties will not hold up to standard;
they will deteriorate. 1t is a very
common expression today to hear
that "This or that variety does not
produce as we'll as they used to some
years ago." The common practice OF
taking the seed oats directly from the
oat bin without giving any special at
tention to it's selection has been very
largely accountable for this deteriora-
ton 1t has at least helped to very
marked degree the less favorable eli
matte conditions. While new varie-
ties will and can be introduced TO a
very good advantage, yet the great
question which is confronting many
of our Iowa farmers at this time is
Should the seed that | am using be
totally discarded and other seed for
the planting of my fields be secured,
or should l not SOW the seed which
have been using for my large fields
and secure small amounts for test
patches?" The latter is no doubt the
more sensible plan.
The yield per acre in Iowa can be
very materially increased by using
from the oats which is already being
produced upon our farms if proper at
tention will be given to the tanning
and screening in order that the large
plump grains be secured; then the
oats be treated with formalin for
smut: the seed bed be put in proper
condition, and the drill be more com
monty used.
Seed Patch.
Everye farmer should have a seed
patch from which he could select his
seed for the next years planting. In
the Introducing of new varieties or
the importing of seed oats into differ
ent localities it is unwise to risk your
entire crop. Small fields of one or
two acres can be very profitably de-
voted to the testing of different varie-
ties and when found to be of good
yielding quality enough seed may in
this way be secured from the ''seed
patch" for the larger fields the fol-
lowing season. This is the safest plan
to adopt.
BY the careful selection of our seed
oats, proper preparation of the seed
bed and the use of the drill, we can
While in many cases change in va
rieties will add very materially to
this. The farmers seed patch" is
all important.
Preparation of Seed.
1t is by no means an uncommon