The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1910-07-21
FARMERS URGED TO
GET A PASTURAGE
SUPPLY AT ONCE
State College Advises
Planting Rough For
age Crops.
RAPE SUGGESTED
Furnishes Late Feed-Millet
and Winter Rye Also
Would Help.
SUGGESTED
Furnishes Late Feed-Mille1

and Winter Rye Also
Would Help.
Brookings, S. D.-A bulletin just
issued by the South Dakota Agricul-
tural College here advises farmers
what to do to make up for the loss
of pasturage in the dry weather of
the last few weeks. The bulletin
says:- 4
The extended period of drought
over a great portion Of South Dakota
is causing a marked decrease. Many
farmers find it necessary to feed
stock during the time of the year
when ordinarily there is good graz
ing. The evident outcome can only
result in a shortage of feed this fall
and winter unless precautions are
taken now.
What are some of the crops which
will yet produce a large amount of
roughage?
Rape.
This plant is an annual belonging
to the same family as the cabbagess
1t seems we'll suited for forage and
some farmers have some seeded now
for fall seed. The plant is very sue
Rculent and will furnish an abundant
, of good pasture if sown soon. 1t has
a high feeding value for sheep and
swine and produces an abundant
flow of milk when fed to milch COWS.
1t stands quite severe cold weather
and thus furnishes feed long after
the grasses succumb to frost.
How and When to Sow.
Rape should be sown on cool,
moist, mellow soils where there is
an abundant supply Of humus. Very
sandy or clayey soils are not good
because they are not so we'll adapted
during these extreme conditions. Just
before %cultivating corn for the last
time rape should be sown broadcast
at the rate of from three to five
pounds of seed per acre and then
covered by the last cultivation.
Dwarf Essex, which can be obtained
from all seedmen is the best variety.
1t is better to SOW it Immediately after
a rain if possible.
Fields of grain that will not be
profitable to harvest can easily be
put in shape. Disking such fields
double and then narrowing them
fine and level is all that is needed
in preparation of the seed bed. Low
lands where a crop is harvested be
fore August are ideal because hey
contain an abundant supply of hui
mus and the water table is nearer
the surface.
! Use care and good judgement in
feeding rape as it will cause bloat
in cattle and sheep before they are
accustomed to eating of it.
=
Millet occupies an important place
as a forage plant. If it is sown on
rich, moist loamy soil it will pro-
duce a large crop. 1t has an advan-
tage over rape in that it may be cured
as hay. Millet must have a we'll pre-
pared seeded and the grain should
be placed in contact with moist earth.
Millet will stand very dry weather if
it is once established and the land is
free from weeds. If the soil is toe
loose 1t must be made firm with a
roller or packer but the surface must
be stirred with a smoothing harrow
to conserve moisture. Sowing the
grain with a drill is best for more
uniformity is secured.
Kursk, one Of the fox-tailed var
ieties, is the best kind of millet.
Rye.
Winter rye can be sown during
the latter part of August, or even
earlier, and If the conditions are
favorable, will furnish some late
pasture. It's value. however, is in
that it will come very. early in the
spring and is greatly relished by al
stock. Sow with drill as you would
wheat, oats, or barley. Winter rye
sown at the rate or five or six pecks
is recommended.
Secure seeds at the nearest source