Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1911-04-27

have free access to 1t. 1t is then only
necessary to replenish the feeding
hoppers once a month.
Unless the range furnishes plenty
of amusement for the flock it is prac-
teal In the late afternoon to scatter
some cracked corn or wheat among
the leaves and tall grass of the fence
corners in order that the fowl will
have to search and scratch for their
supper. In case the range is excep-
tionally good this grain can also be
fed in the hopper. There is no need
for meat in the ration, as grasshop-
pers and other insects supply all that
Is necessary. In case of light grass
hopper crop, little buttermilk or
skimmilk can be advantageously used
in the ration.
Dependent on the condition of the
soil, cultivated or pasture, the number
of chicks per acre varies consider
ably. Where the ground is to be cult
waited the following year 500 to 600
birds per acre are not excessive, while
on pasture land not over 100 fowl
per acre should be ranged. 1t is wise
to move the portable houses several
times during the season, especially
on pasture range, as otherwise the
soil around the house becomes too
badly mixed with droppings.
An additional advantage of the edge
of the cornfield for the range is as re-
rd of of
lacks by hawks. The type of pasture
range preferred should be in a we'll
drained location, shady in heat of day
yet allowing plenty of sunlight to
penetrate the houses and flock for its
germicidal values. Glover or alfalfa
pasture offer ideal range conditions
although any variety of pasture Of
healthful location is satisfactory.
~~~~~-~~~-~-~~-~~~~
weed, which naturally grows tc the
height of five or six feet throughout
nearly all the counties in southern
Wisconsin, is one of the essential all
falfa bacteria distributors When
farmer is in doubt as to whether or
not his land contains the proper bac-
terra he can successfully inoculate
his fields by scattering on them soil
from an old alfalfa field or where
sweet clover has grown. For best re-
suits, two tons of earth per acre
should be scattered Immediately pre-
ceding the sowing of the alfalfa seed.
For farmers who have not alfalfa
~ oil ut
which to get infected soil in large
amounts, we advise the securing of
a sack Of a hundred pounds of alfalfa
soil from some old alfalfa field. Scat
ter this on about eight or ten square
rods of the field where 1t is desired to
lowing the seeding, soil can be taken
from the portion Of the alfalfa field
where the infected soil was scattered
and used for the incubation of larger
areas. Alfalfa responds readily to
these methods of incubation, and
nearly all plants will be found to have
the proper nodules on the roots the
first season Of growth.
Good results have been obtained on
both fall and spring plowed lands,
depending upon the texture of the sell
and freedom from weeds. With fall
blowing it is we'll to pillow early so as
to cover weeds before they produce
seed. Double disk In the spring as
soon as the land works we'll, and put
In garden condition with a fine-tooth
harrow. The ground should be heav-
lily spread with barnyard manure be-
fore blowing using from ten to twenty
tons per acre.
If seeding is done on spring plowed
land, the ground should be heavily
MANFRED during the winter and plowed
in the spring. The fine tooth harrow
should be used within a few hours
after the burrows are turned to pre-
vent drying and hardening of the soil.
If the soil once becomes lumpy it is
hard to put in proper condition for
alfalfa seeding. A planker or roller
should be used Immediately before
and after seeding, which aids much in
firming the soil to permit of rapid
termination of the seed Good results
have been obtained in Wisconsin by
sowing as soon as the ground can be
worked to best advantage.