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

given SOOQ
sown at the rat
of per acr'
Perennial Rye Grass ........8 lb
Red Top To-
Rhode Island Bent ...........4 lb'
Meadow Fescue .............2 lb'
Alsike Glover lb!
White Glover ...............2 Id.
1t. may be thought that We have
used here a very large amount o,
seed. In practice, however, it is
nearly impossible to get a perfect dis
tribution of seeds, and equally i'm.
possible to get them covered uni.
formly SO that one can count only
on a very small percentage of ger.
mination. In seeding grasses it is
extremely important to get the seed
evenly distributed. Ordinarily one
gets the best results with the use OF
those seeders with wing discs that
throw the machine on either side, the
men walking and turning the seed by
hand. The wheelbarrow seeder also
gives good results. Drills, of course
are most efficient, but care must be
taken to prevent getting the seed too
deep. Blue prass especially, requires
the very lightest covering. | know,
too, many farmers who advise seed
ing these grasses always with a nurse
crop. If he will SOW one bushel to
the acre of spring barley, selecting
a short strawed strong variety that
will not lodge and then cut early, he
will be providing shade for the young
grasses and a almost absolutely de-
pend upon success.
1t will be observed after a year or
two that some of the grasses are in
creasing and some are becoming ex-
tinct. 1t will be found, therefore, a
wise practice early in the spring as
the snow is disappearing, to plant
the seed of those grasses that are
disappearing and then to loosen the
grass sod by the use of a sharp
tooth harrow. 1t is a mistake to feel
that the pasture does not need ferti-
lization. Pasture should be covered
at least every other year with a coat
ing of we'll rotted %barnyard manure,
and this thoroughly narrowed so as to
give even distribution, early in the
spring. AS a rule we have a few
days in February when this work can
be done to advantage. Another mis-
take in handling pastures is to give
the animals the free use of the en-
tire pasture. The best practice de-
mands that there shall be at least
two or three fields to avoid close
grazing. The cattle should be kept
out of one field while it is being ir-
rigated, and the grass allowed to OBJ
tain a good start. BY changing cat
tie around in different fields, there is
less waste with the grasses and there
is a decided advantage gained by way
of permitting the grasses to get a
good start.
l am very strongly of the opinion
that pastures seeded along the lines
suggested here will be the most pro-
fitable part of the farm. Mr.. A. H.
Sanders, probably one of the best ag-
ricultural authorities in America,
was asked at one time as to how valu-
able land should be before it would
be Improbable for pasture grasses,
and he replied that land never
could become too valuable for pas
1t is certain that too much
specialization in agriculture results
an insecure system of farm man
agement, and in the end an utter
failure. We must have livestock
and feed the soil SO that it in turn
can keep the plants growing upon it.
The Selling System-There are a
great many people in this country
who have come to the conclusion that
the soiling system offers many ad-
vantages over pastures. l have had
considerable experience with soiling
crops, and have become entirely
converted to the fact that there is a
place in our western agriculture for
this system of ~husbandry. BY soil
Ing we mean growing a constant
succession Of crops, cutting them and
to the animals in an inclo-
,ure. The advantages claimed for
his system over pasturage are num-
srous. 1t is claimed that it saves
and; second, saves fences; third,