The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1910-11-15

First Efforts Should Be Directed
to Producing Food.
Garden VIII Assist, But II Must Be
Supplemented by Field Crops
Grown Upon Larger Scale
Sorghum a. Fodder Crop.

fBy J. E. PAYNE. Colorado Agricultural
College)
All settlers want to plant crops
which will give some returns the first
season, SO they want to know what
crops are likely to grow well on sod
newly-broken.
The first efforts should be directed /
to producing food for the family and I
for the horses. cattle and poultry
which are necessary to the mainte-
nance of farm home. The garden
will help In this, but it must be sup
plemented by field crops grown upon
larger scale.
The surest fodder crop for stock is
sorghum It grows fully as well upon
sod as upon old ground 1t is not
necessary TO disk the sod before plant
ing sorghum. but it can be planted in
rows three feet apart with either
grain drill, corn planter. hand planter.
or it may be planted in every third
furrov while breaking the prairie
Kafir corn and Milo maize may be
planted the same way as sorghum
The Milo will give some grain which
IS valuable as lccI lOl slD[A, oAU cs-
pecially for chickens.
White Australian flint corn has
proved valuable as q sod crop 1t
yields a large amount Of fodder
STadley is one of the surest dent
corns, but IL does not make so much
fodder as white Australian corn Be
sides these there are a number OF
local varieties which have been de-
veloped by selection These should
be used when they are available.
Large-eared varieties of sweet corn
such as Mammoth and Egyptian
should be planted literally, as they
make a good yield OF fodder OF good
quality. and will give considerable
corn IL we have enough rain In Au-
gust Queens Golden popcorn often
does well. and il is a welcome add
ton to the winter bill of fare
Mexican beans usually make good
crop if given a chance. They are one
of the most drought-resistant crop:
with which we have had experience
Each settler should plant about ons
acre Of Mexican beans
Water melons. musk melons
sauashes and pumpkins can often b
depended upon to furnish good yields
Winter water melons and winter mus
melons should be planted. as they cal
be kept in straw stacks above gro4n
until after Christmas Only tn
earliest varieties OF melons can be de
pended upon The COWS will pay We
for all surplus melons. squashes an
pumpkins grown Stock melons whic
are water melons with centers pel
+ manently firm can be depended upo
1 to give from five TO twenty tons c
melons per acre. These can be ker
u IN good condition by storing aoov
ground in straw SO as to proven
: freezing. They are valuable for rs
u as succulent food for cattle durin
winter.
Potatoes can be grown on new Ian
II the sod can be cut up and n
= ground be replowed-
Millet can be grown upon sod 3
narrowing the sod so as not TO tur
the sods over.
Flax has often proved to be an e
, cellenr sod crop ana mas gwen sON
Yields on new land.
Broom corn is practically as sure
give a fodder crop as is sorghum an
Milo. And, if the season is favorabl
ii will produce from 100 TO 400 I
brush per acre. besides ten bushels
, more of seed The seed is good fes
= for chickens and also for horses al
. cattle. But 1t should be ground Il
a horses.
i. Sod broken in May and June ar
allowed TO lie undisturbed will 8
sorb practically all the rain while
falls on II. and it will hold most of
. from evaporation So il heavy rail
come after the sod is plowed. if "
be in fine condition for winter whes
ANY one having such land would I
well 10 plant Turkey wheat