The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1911-04-18
GROW FORAGE CROPS
10 prouth Resistant and May Wit and
Dry Up Until Ready to Be
Blown Away and etIII Make
Excellent Crop.

GASOII0ut StoPs
In answer to the query, What for
age crops would It be advisable to
grow in western Nebraska? the Dry
Farming Institute makes the follow
ing reply:
II we are to take the average table
land farm. under average conditions,
then we must agree that sorghum Is
the most profitable forage crop. 1t is
the only crop, aside from corn. kaffir
corn and the grains that promises
much forage. Alfalfa will produce
one and q half tons per acre during
favorable seasons, but during dry
seasons the tonnage OF alfalfa will be
very light. Kafflr corn will with
stand more drouth than sorghum, but
does not do so we'll as sorghum when
sown broadcast. and does not mature
seed under normal conditions in much
of western Nebraska. The seed must
be shipped in at considerable expense.
while the farmer can grow cane seed.
Corn will not Withstand as much
drouth a. sorghum and will not pro-
duce as large tonnage. The common
grains are not very desirable for for
age since they are more valuable for
the grain they produce during favor
able years and yield but a small ton
mage during unfavorable years. Mil
let sometimes gives rather large
tonnage, but It more often does not
give satisfactory results In yield. The
hay must be fed with extreme care
to horses, II fed at all.
Sorghum Is the most certain crop Of
all these to mature forage. This is
due to two factors. 1t Is by nature a
drouth resistant. 1t may wilt and dry
up till 1t Is about ready to be blown
away and still make a crop II given
sufficient water during the period of
fall rains. 1t need not be sown
This permits the accumulation Of
moisture In the soil in which the cane
seed is to be planted. With seasons
Of normal rainfall the first six feet
Of the soil may be saturated with
moisture at seeding time II the proper
cultivation has been given. This Is
great factor in crop production.
It may be planted in rows with a
lister, corn planter or drill, and cult
waited. This method is certain to pro-
duce forage. The usual practice is to
SOW 1t broadcast or with press drill,
at the rate OF four pecks per acre. 1t
should be sown In June, SO that the
first heads will begin to ripen about
the time frost may be expected. 1t
should be cut with a mower before 1t
Is frosted, or the first day after 1t Is
frosted. The object In sowing it late
Is to have 1t begin to ripen at the
time Of the first killing frost. II cut
at this time there is not much proba-
bility Of its being damaged by rain
while In the swath or windrow. 1t
should be cut when the first heads
begin to turn black or red. II cut in
August or In the early part Of Septem
Der 1t Is likely to be lying In the
swath or windrow: 1t will stand much
abuse without being rendered unfit fol
feed, yet 1t Is better, II 1t Is put into
the shock or stack while bright
Cane or sorghum should be put into
windows as soon as 1t has become
thoroughly wilted. This will require
about two days Of sunshine. It usual
~ requires several weeks before /
may be stacked with safety. One sat
lsfactory way is to shock 1t after 1
has cured in the windrow 1t may b,
shocked with but little hard labor b,
using a hay sweep to sweep it int
piles. One man with q team an,
sweep, and two men to follow witt
forks will shock 35 or more tons pc
day. Two sweep loads pushed tc
gether and topped with a fork max
desirable shocks to haul from durin
the winter. where 1t Is not deeme
Necessary to stack all the cane. Som
should be stacked to carry stoc
through the storms while the snov
covers the shocks.
This forage ranks with prairie ha
In feeding value. It is a satisfactor
feed for cattle. and for horses bot
during the winter and during tn
working season. Where feeding can
as the only forage. the grain ratio
should be oats or barley rather tina
' all corn. as the sorghum Is q starch
4 food like corn. II onefourth or on,
> half Of the forage ration Is alfalfa be
ter results will be secured than frol
: sorghum alone. or from sorghum an
+ prairie hay. Sorghum Is beyond que
ton the leading forage crop for ives
srn Nebraska table-land. In the va
leys. where there is irrigation or su
{ irrigation. alfalfa 10 the prominel
. forage crop.