Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1913-03-25
Grass and Grain Seed-a Warning.

Grass and Grain Seed-a Warning
Winter is still with us, but the spring
work will be here before We know 1t
Last year those who caught the early
weeks of favorable weather were wei
repaid, both in their oat crop and iu
catches of grass. This latter crop, the
most important In the state, received
perhaps less attention in the way OF bet
ter methods than any other that w
grow. As for oats, they are the mos,
extensively grown of any of our small
grains. Not only are these two crops
widely grown now, but they will contin
ue to hold an important place in farm
operations in the state, and the sooner
we come to realize that oats are moi
merely oats, and grass seed merely grass
seed, the sooner will our yields come te
a profitable level. There il no more rea
son for the use of inferior yielding seec
than there is for the use of scrub sires
and dams among live stock.
Within recent years much interest has
been taken in the Improvement Of our
small grains. Recent discoveries in the
principles of heredity have opened up
new lines, and shown the way to more
certain Improvement. Experiment Sta
tions and private concerns are placing
within reach of the grower, seeds tha,
possess better qualities than our old var.
ieties. The man who takes advantage oi
these opportunities will profit in the end.
It has been frequently demonstrated
that seed raised in one locality, giving
successful results there, Is not necessari'
ly adapted to other conditions OF soil
and climate. This is especially true of
such crops as sweet corn, and while less
important in the case Of oats, there is no
reason why we should be sowing oats
raised in Kansas or the other Central
States. Seed oats should be purchased
at once, while the supply of good seed
lasts. If possible the source of the seed
should be known, with something OF its
record, and il should be seed sown in a
climate and under conditions similar to
ours. Some difficulty may be expert
enced in securing such seed, but 1t is GER
tain that 1t will rever be supplied 6y our
dealers until there is demand for 1t.
Further, no oats should be sown with
out previously treating for smut. rms
can be done at small expense and little
trouble. The best solution is one pint
of commercial formalin to so gallons OF
water. The seed should be immersed in
IL for half an hour, and then, il not to be
sown at once, carefully dried by spread.
ing out thin. Home grown seed should
by all means be run through a tanning
mill. This removes light oats and chaff,
and also smut balls. Considerable I'M
provement may be effected in the quality
of oats raised merely by the use OF the
tanning mill.
The quality of grass seed sown is even
more important than that OF gram.
Cheap seed is dear at any price. In this
state we have an inspection law, 30 thai
one may know the grade Of seed he is
purchasing. Timothy seed is much
cheaper this year, and there is no ex'
cuss for the purchase of old or low grade
seed. Further, it Is not difhcuit TO
grow this seed and put 1t on the market
clean and in good shape. See to It tha'
you get the best quality, free from
weeds. The clovers are more apt to
contain weed seeds, especially sorrei
Look over the stock carefully before
you purchase, and accept nothing ou'
the best, even at the expense of a few
cents more per pound. A field that Is tt
remain down for any period of years
should be laid down with the greatest o.
care. -.
Not only does this apply to the quality
of seed sown, but to the condition OF tn,
field. 1t should be thoroughly cleaned
up, all weeds having been destroyed q
they germinated in the previous year
The seed bed should be as fine as harrow
can make it, for the seed that you ar.
sowing is small and requires a dne seet
bed for rapid termination. When 1t l.
thoroughly fitted, go over 1t again: 1
there is a grain drill or seeding machine
at hand, by all means use it. Not only
is seed saved in this way, but NOR
even stand is secured, and this is o
great Importance in laying down gras
land. Bare patches mean weeds, anG
weeds mean poor crops. We should
learn to think of our crops as living
sensitive beings. From this viewpoint
the success of crop is usually assured