The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1910-07-14
WHAT SHALL
FARMERS SOW?
A MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION
NOW.
TIMELY VI BY Ills
COLLEGE AGRoNoMIsT E CLAIMS
ABOUT FALL PAST SIS.


State college, sends us Sc following
timely article, which t. : farmer read
ers will do well to co Ser carefully:
The extended period ~ drought over
a great portion of South Dakota is
causing a marked decrease in the
yields of pasture grasses. Many farm
ers find it necessary to feed stock
during a time of the year when ordin-
arily there is good grazing. The evil
dent outcome can only result in a
shortage of feed unless precautions
are taken now. Too many farmers
and stockmen will be compelled to
place cattle, sheep and hogs on the
market in a poor condition, and will
feel loathe to stock up again in the
spring. Should such a condition come,
and which is quite likely, it may take
many years to overcome 1t.
There are unfortunately only a few
crops which seem adapted to the
present needs, however, this may not
be so bad after all for many farmers
will now not hesitate but seed at
once. The time for seeding is indeed
very short and he who wishes to grow
a crop must SOW his seed at once.
What are some Of the crops which
will produce a large amount Of rough
age?
Rape
This plant is an annual belonging
to the same family as the c~abbages.
It seems well suited for forage and
some farmers have some seeded 10Y
for fall feed. The plant is very sue
culent and will furnish an abundance
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 mich COWS. 1t
stands quite severe cold weather and
thus furnishes feed long after the
grasses succumb to frost.
How and When TO Cow
Rape should be sown on cool, moist,
mellow soils where there is an abun-
dant supply of humus. Very sandy
or clayey soils are not good because
they are not we'll adapted during these
extreme conditions. Just before cul-
tivating 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 seedsmen
is the best variety recommended. 1t
is better to SOW it Immediately after
a rain if possible so the seeds come
in contact with the moist earth, while
the cultivator will restore the surface
mulch.
Fields of grain that will not be
profitable to harvest can easily be
put in shape. Discing such fields
double and then narrowing them un-
til 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 they
contain an abundant supply Of humus
and the water table is nearer the
surface. Disc such fields and seeds
as stated above.
Use care and good judgment in feed
ing rape as it will cause bloat in cat.
tie and sheep before they are accus-
toned to eating Of it. This danger
can easily be avoided If stock Is per.
mitted to feed on it gradually. Send
for Bulletin No. 119.
Millets
Millet occupies an important place
as a forage plant. If it Is sown on
rich, moist loamy soil 1t will produce
a large crop. It has this advantage
over rape in that 1t may be cured as
hay. Millet must have a we'll prepar'
ed seed bed and the grain should be
placed in contact with moist earth
Millet will stand very dry weather II
1t is once established and the land
is free from weeds. If the soil is toe
loose it must be made firmer with
roller or a packer but the surface must
be stirred with a smoothing harrow tc
conserve moisture. Sowing the grain
with a drill Is best for more uniform
ity is secured.
Varieties to Grow
Kursk, one Of the fox-tailed varietie;
is the best. It has a leafy stem ant
produces an excellent and better quail
ity Of forage than the prose- millets
however, it is not early in maturing
neither does it stand drought Well
OF the prose- or broom-corn millets
Black VorOnezh Is recommended. Thil
type Is grown more for its seed thar
for its roughage. Seed two or tire,
!. pecks per acre. Millets must be har
vested just at the right time II the!