Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1912-03-01

ficient 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, large acreage was neces-
sary. We believe that we have dem
onstrated with this experiment that
this is not essential.
There can be no possible objection
to using the same land over and over
again during the same season If care
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 new practice. Repeated
experiments have been made in 9TH
er states, notably Wisconsin, on this
subject, and with excellent results.
We wish also to refer you to the
Channel Islands, Guernsey and Jer-
sey. The Island of Jersey is q miles
long and four to seven miles Wide.
1t has population of $4,000 and has
forty to fifty thousand visitors an
nually. The average size of the farm
Is eight acres, and there are now TO-
900 acres farmed. On this amount
of farming land they are keeping ap-
proximately 1850 head of Jerseys,
and $500 head Of horses. This makes
approximately $4,000 head of live
stock supported from 10000 acres of
land, or " head to eevry acre of farm.
All the cattle are soiled the year
round, except the cows for milk
which are tethered. These Jersey
farmers are the most scientific farm
ers in the world; they make enor-
nous profits from their land and
believe this Is due largely to the soil
ing system.
In speaking in somewhat specific
terms regarding these soiling crops,
desire to make plea particularly
for few of them: Rye Is less SEN
sitive to cold than wheat and its
vegetation is more rapid. 1t makes
a vigorous growth early in the spring
and by May Is on an average farm
in the West, cutting can be under
way. | 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 its
adaptability to our western soils.
1t is almost perfectly balanced
food In itself, and is an ideal crop in
the soiling system. / have found,
however, that when it comes to a
question of the very best soiling ra-
tons for producing the greatest
amount of milk, there is no forage
crop that excels peas and oats
sown together Sow as early in the
spring as the ground will permit, and
begin cutting just as soon as the oats
begin to head out and the peas have
well grown pods. / have had success.
full experience In seeding these at
bhO ARtO VA pubhCto W lnO dCI0
each, drilling the oats one way and
cross drilling with the peas. The peas
should be put in deeper than the oats
There are some farmers In Salt Lake
county who feel that peas and oats
are more profitable as forage crop
than alfalfa, and since experimenting
with this crop have decided that the
alfalfa weevil has no terrors for
them.
1t will be observed that when seed
ing peas and oats the second seeding
is made ten days after the first, sim
ply SO that we may have the crop In
right condition for feeding. II allow
ed to stand too long the crop Is not
palatable. Corn, of course, should
be sowed thick. The most convent
ent way of planting is with the grain
drill so arranged as to drop kernal
every four to six inches and in rows
about Is inches apart. Barley is
not because barley is any better than
oats, but simply because it thrives so |
much better in the dry. hot part of |
the season than does oats.
There are great many other crops |
that are used for soiling purposes In |
other sections of the country, such as
winter vetoh, COW peas, sofa beans,
ETC.. but these crops do not seem to
thrive well under the climatic condi-
lions prevailing here
l do not mean to infer that dairy
cattle are the only animals that can
be successfully put under the soiling
system. 1t is just as feasible to soil
horses or sheep as 1t is cattle. | be-
lieve, too, that this system works as
well on cheap land as ON high priced
lands. The system Is an excellent
application of the idea of "a small
well titled, etc" 1t is my firm con-
viction that nowhere in the world will
a soiling system work to better ad-
than right here in the irrigat
cd valleys of the West.