The Mobridge news. [volume] (Mobridge, Walworth Co., S.D.) 190?-1917, 1913-08-01
EMERGENCY HAY AND PAS
TURE CROPS
Ey JOHN E LARSON,
County Agent, Redfield, South Dakota.

Inc question OF hay II paSturage
is a problem in this country at the
present time. 1t is one of the great.
est hlndranceS to the best develop
ment OF the live stock industry. Land
values will not longer permit the pas
turage Of native sod and up to his
time tame grasses have not been suf-
ficiently established to fill this want.
We can, however, grow annual forage
crops here hat will do much toward
solving this problem. There is time
between now and the end of July to
plant different kinds of quickly grow
ing crops that will supplement the
hay and pasture lands we already
have.
Root Crops.
Many growers of live stock are now
realizing the value of root crops for
feed. Large yields car usually be
obtained and if stored in a root cellar
Will furnish succulent feed for the
winter months. Some Of the best of
these are mangels, sugar beets, and
the large field carrot. These crops
may NC dlllltu III III thN a CS SAoii
drill by stopping up a part OF the
feed holes, thus giving distance enough
between the rows for cultivation.
Where quantities of feed is the OBJ
ject, they do not need a great deal
of thinning and they may be cult
waited with the ordinary corn cultiva-
tor. 1t is important that these crops
be put in comparatively early to in
sure maturity before frost. Maturity
counts much in the feeding value OF
these crops.
Pasture Crops.
Where permanent pastures have not
been established, some ANIMALS ana
biannuals can be used very SAUSAGE
tOrily. A very good pasture Tor hogs
and other stock can be had from a
ada field peas and barley sown togeth-
or. This crop should be allowed TO
get we'll started before turning the
stock to Craze upon it. 1t IS Delter
still to have two fields or pastures
and rest them alternately. Inc par
lev and peas are seeded together at
the rate of one bushel of each. rms
crop. if seeded by the first of July,
will mature a hay crop OF excelient
value. This hay is relished by horses'
cattle and sheep; is very rich IN pro-
TEN. which make it an excellent lot
age for growing stock and dairy cows
The Weld of cured hay Will reach TWO
and three tons per acre.
Rape.
This is strictly a succulent pasture
crop of great value for hogs, gro"lhs
lambs and feeding sheep. 1t IS gener-
sIv sown comparatively early and IN
combination with other seed, namely
harley. oats or wheat. 1t may also
he sown in the corn field at the last
cultivation. The best results. however,
are obtained where the crop is Seedeo
alone on fertile lOamy SOILS. his
crop should not be pastured Tor at
least fifty or sixty days from date
of seeding. The hogs prefer II lresi
and crisp and therefore should De
turned in a little sooner; the lanps
and sheep will pasture on II aller
il has attained considerable grown.
An acre of rape on good land shoulo
furnish two or three months paStur-
age for wenty head of hogs, or as
manv lambs, if the pasturage is sup
plemented by a light grain rauoh'
The seed is sown either IN drllis
lthirty inches apart or so"h oroao-
cast. When own broadcast, IL re-
ouires at least three pounds per acre
and two pounds per acre If sown IN
drills. Do not cover the SEEDS 100
,deep for best results. The variety
most commonly grown is the D"arl
Essex. 1t is best not to let cattle
or sheep have too much time III ,he
field for feeding the first day or Two
If they do not become accustomed 10
~ cra1uallv there is danger OF bloat.
Hay Crops.
They hav or roughage crops are
still more important and are many
in lumber If properly grown, the
small grains, barley, already mention
cd. wheat. and oats as well, VIII lur-
nish suitable hay if cut at the proper
stage. Either of these with a mix
ture of Canada field peas VIII De pet
ter still. These should be soWn d
trife heavier than ordinary II meant
for a hay crop. The proper Tune 10
cut the crop is just after the small
grain has blossomed. Our eagerness
to grow the grain otter times blinds
us to the value OF a hay crop OF sew
eral tons per acre.
MilIet.
Millet is one of the easiest and
surest hay crops to grow and possibly
is in most favor in his country at
the present time. 1t is very salts
factory if handled properly. 1t can
also be very unsatisfactory fed. The
common millet is one of the best
varieties to grow for hay. 1t yields
we'll and will mature for hay in from
fifty to eighty days from the date of
sowing. If grown for seed it should
stand for ten or fifteen days longer.
1t is best to seed from one-half to
three-fourths of a bushel. Usually
after the grain crops are in there is
lapd ctil1 unOccunied and mi1let