Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1912-10-04

nve years ago.
1t Is not the purpose Of this article
to discuss the comparative value Of
various kinds Of straw. The farmers
library, nowadays, contains half a doz
en- sources of information on this sub
ject from the Farmers Bulletine up,
and 1t is only necessary to say that
most any kind Of straw pays we'll for
It's stacking, fencing, and care, and II
properly preserved, It's nutritive value
and palatibility increases with age.
In addition to this, the value OF the
refuse straw, as a mulch for the berry
patch and vegetable garden In keep
Ing down weeds and conserving mois-
ture, Is great and there is nothing
better, and so easily secured with
which to prevent the drifting Of soil.
A thin dressing of straw, if applied
only In strips, will Immediately check
the blowing of sand and dry mulch on
most any kind of ground.
In the conservation OF fertility the
straw stack plays an important part.
As bedding it absorbs and retains the
most valuable elements Of fertility.
Straw itself is of value as a fertilizer,
Hopkins giving $3.40 as the cash value
OF a ton of ordinary a straw at the
farm In central Illinois, at the pre-
sent prices of commercial fertilizers.
Possibly the actual value of straw as
an improver OF the physical condition
Of the soil Is Of more Importance than
its actual chemical value, most clay
and gumbo soils being deficient in
vegetable matter or humus. The
addition of all the trash, manure,
corn-stalks and straw when we'll mix
ed with the surface soil by discing be-
fore blowing, Is universally admitted
as a good farming practice.
Under the present system too large
q pecentage of the value Of the straw
stack is wasted. The thresher Is
usually interested only In getting the
most bushels Of grain in a days run
and, even when careful, has other
Things to look after.
Every windstacker in America has
a picture OF the old Quaker holding
up a finger with the inscription "The
Farmers Friend" Now ii this were
changed.to THE Farmer Boys Friend"
1t would be strictly correct for you
well remember that the straw stack
was the first place the boy was put.
But with all its dust and sweat, the
work wa usually we'll done and the
stack was left In such shape that it
shed water and a green straw stack
was less common than 1t is at the
present time. AS good a stack can be
built by one careful man with che
modern stacker as could be made with
ten times the ~exertion Of the five boys
behind the old plat stacker.
Most any good man, and no other
should be intrusted with the job, can
build the stack and have time to look
after the grain wagons in ordinary
work.
He should first extend the stacker
chute to its full length and elevate it
sufficiently that the force Of the blast
will be downwards and build the back
or far side Of the stack first, then the
center and front can be made, always
blowing the straw into and against
the back which has been built. When
about to finish the stack the chute
should be elevated and blow a few
loads up and owe making q solid cap
that will shed water and make as
pretty q stack as could be desired. or
course, II 1T becomes necessary to
move the machine for any cause the
are changed and intelli-
gent effort will be required to cope
with the situation.
As soon 8 the stack settles a few
loads should be hauled from the edges
and stacked real the barn door where
It will be accessible in cold winter
days when the stock appreciate plenty
Of clean dry bedding. The hired man
has conscientious objections to carry
ing : dozen armfuls OF macaroni
wheat straw ACROSS the barnyard In
the face OF 1 blizzard.
The strawstack should be fenced as
there Is no more wasteful method Of
handling feed than allowing stock to
run to the stack and there Is the
ever present danger Of the stack over
turning and smothering enough
valuable animals to pay for . pig
tight fence.
The ~strawstack should be In some
fence corner or on ground who're 1t
may stand several years. Usually !
rear comes whom hay Is short snd
Dvory load Of roughness Is Of value.
In selling straw the up to date
larmer 6gurss IL the fertility value,
md makes : reduction In The price