Mountain Home maverick. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1906-1911, 1911-02-16

only as a last resort.
Seeding with grain is good only
where it is well cared for Some
of the best fields I know of were
sown with grain, but it takes close
watching as the double crop draws
the moisture out of the soil very fast.
/ have known crops grown together
where 60 bushels of oats were har-
vested. the stubble clipped and
good ton of hay cut the same season.
I would always SOW some grain
when sowing alfalfa on any steep
land that was easily washed. as it
holds the ground from washing.
While grass is small l would sow
more seed on steep or hilly land
than on fiat.
On much of our land the furoow
system of watering is far the best
especially in starting the crop. Ex-
perience has shown that in a general
way burrows from 20 to SO inches
apart according to the character of
the soil and slope of the land, is
best. Flat. sandy land will soak or
sub much farther than steep or clay
soil. Only local test will demonstrate
the proper distance They should
be so that the water could be chang
ed at least twice in "a hours.
These should be of different dis
tances apart. on much the same prin-
ciple as the burrows. Different slopes
and different soils call for local So
luton. as they vary from 10 to 20
reds, and only the man on the
ground can solve this best. as soil
slope and head of water used all
enter into the question.
If the seed is sown in early season
and comes up good I should let it go
as long as practical before turning
on any water OF course, don't let
it dry up until the leaves begin to
discolor or drop off, BY digging down
it can be easily seen where the mois-
ture is. The color also will tell you
how things are going. The larger
it gets the deeper goes bhe roots
and when watered crowds along very
fast. On all fields water for each
crop. If first crop starts slow on ac-
count of cold, wet spring wait I'M
til it warns up and the growth will
be more vigorous. I like to water
after cutting where plenty of water
is at hand. and it can be done al
once, as a much more thorough jol
can be done. Also, the hay will dr.
much quicker when punched green
However. watering shortly before
cutting has some advantages unde
certain conditions.
= If sowing in very dry ground an'
late. water up at once and see to
that it does not get dry soon after
= as much damage comes from neglec
e at this time. Better water the secon'
i time a little too soon than too lat
- as the small plans die very quickl
r when here is no shade for ground
- The first clipping should be don
when the plants are about 6 or
inches high Run the mower higf
some say or inches high. Thi
i does mo iniure the young crow
and a new and thicker growth come
1t once. This should give ampl
time to grow a pretty good GRO
of hay the first season.
Watering late will help along tn
next years crop.
~ No pork has ever equaled the a
falfa and pea-fed product of tn
!, San Louis valley, and their laml
4 are equally celebrated.
e The alfalfa and grain fattene
r lambs stand in class by themselve
y on the eastern market, alfalfa fe
q with wheat oats. corn or barley wi
p produce meat fit for farmer. tn
IS man who lives the best of all.
y will make his hens lay, and the daiT
COW wants no better forage. No coui
try can compete with that whic
., places alfalfa as its foundation
the dairy business. The COW ge
e feed rich in protein, easily diges
d ed and very palatable. The youn
m stock gets a forage that will mai
rapid and healthy growth and pr
10 pare them for future usefulness.
h Alfalfa is grown extensively fl
is both hay and pasture. AS pastu
ID grass for horses and hogs it stanI
Ell at the head of the list. Mixed vii
Id othe grasses it makes a good CO.
or sheep pasture, but many a
q aware of the fact that alone it