The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1912-01-19

1t will be seen that some of the
land produced as much as two, and
, even three crops. Plat A, for in
stance, sown to fall rye on Sept. 10th,
had the crop entirely removed by June
1st. This plat was Immediately ma
nured, irrigated, plowed and seeded
to peas and barley. Plat B, pro-
duced three crops of alfalfa. Plat c.,
seeded to peas and oats on April LIST,
had the crop removed by June 25th,
and on June 30th, after having been
MANFRED and irrigated, was again
seeded to peas and barley. These
crops were cut every other morning
and a rack in the corral filled, there
being sufficient feed to last for two
days. Dry alfalfa was also always
left in the manger under the shed,
and the cows ate during the season
between two and three tons of hay.
We believe that we have in this
system solved the problem of the
small farm. 1t has been argued in
the past that for successful dairy
practice, a large acreage was neces-
sary. We believe that we have dem
onstrated with this experiment that
this is not essential. |
There can Re mo possible objection
to using the same land over and over
again during the same season if care
be taken to replenish the elements
which are taken out by the crops.
These cows are kept in close con-
finement, the manure is carefully
conserved and returned to the soil.
We do not claim for this system
that it is a new practice. Repeated
experiments have been made in other
states, notably Wisconsin, on this SUBJ
ject, and with excellent results. We
wish also to refer you to the Chan
mel Islands, Guernsey and Jersey. The
Island of Jersey is 27 miles long and
4 to Z miles wide. 1t has a popula-
ton of $1,000 and has forty to fifty
thousand visitors annually. The av-
erage size of the farm is 8 acres, and
there are now 10000 acres farmed.
On this amount of farming land they
are keepink approximately 1880
head of Jerseys and $500 head of
This makes approximately
fifteen thousand head of live
stock supported from ten thousand
of land, or ~ head to ev-
cry acre of farm. All the cattle are
soiled the year around, except the
cows for milk which are tethered.
These Jersey farmers are the most
farmers in the world; they
make enormous profits from their
land, and l believe this is due large
ly to the soiling system.
In speaking in some what specific
terms regarding these soiling crops,
| desire to make a plea particularly
for a few of them: Rye is less SEN
sitive to cold than wheat and it's veg
is more rapid. 1t makes a
vigorous growth early in the spring.,
and by May 18th on an average farm
in the west, cutting can be under
way. l would recommend that the
seeding be rather heavy, at least "
to IL bushels per acre. Alfalfa, of
course, is the king of all forage crops.
There is no question as to it's adapt
to our western soils. 1t is
almost a perfectly balanced food in
itself, and is an ideal crop in the soil
ing system. l have found, however,
that when it m to a question of
very best soiling rations for pro-
ducing the greatest amount of milk,
there is no forage crop that excels
peas and oats sown together. Sow
early in the spring as the ground
will permit, and begin cutting just !
rs Dor as the oats begin to head out
and the peas have well grown pods. {
have had successful experience in {