Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1915-10-19

prepared by the United States Depart
ment Of Agriculture)
Moisture is one of the most impor-
tant factors in crop production in the
Great Plains area and its conservation
a primary object of cultivation. The
experience of many successful farm
ers and experiments conducted by the
United States department Of agricul-
ture indicate, however, that there is
no hard and fast rule for attaining
this object. The right time to plow a
field of small grain stubble for spring
crops is a question Of judgment for
the man on the ground to decide.
Conserve Moisture.
Early fall blowing keeps down weeds
and therefore conserves the moisture
these would otherwise consume. On
the other hand. it leaves the ground in
a less favorable condition for the win
ter. Stubble, weeds and uneven ground
may be unsightly, but they aid in re-
tanning snow and in checking the
blowing of the soil. One great ques-
tlon for the farmer to decide Is, there |
fore, whether a greater amount Of wa !
ter will be accumulated from snow
than will be lost through weeds. If the
rainfall in August and early September !
is heavy he will probably decide to
conserve it by fall blowing or some |
other cultivation; if the rainfall at
this time is light, he will be inclined to
leave the stubble on the field through |
out the winter.
Encourages Weeds.
Another disadvantage in fall plow-
ing is the opportunity afforded weeds |
to start before the crop in the spring |
Flowing in the spring, on the contrary, |
thoroughly eliminates the weeds, and |
If done Immediately before seeding |
gives the grain crop a start before the |
weeds commence to grow. The ideal |
cultivation would prevent weed growth |
in the fall, leave the land in such con- |
dition that it would retain the maxi |
mum snow in the winter and thorough
~ destroy small weeds Immediately
before seeding. Possibly this may be
accomplished by disking in the fall
and blowing in the spring, or listing
in the fall and bursting the ridges in
the spring may be more practicable.
Early fall blowing is effective in that
it destroys weeds which use the early
fall precipitation, but it does not leave
the land in a condition to retain the
snow in the winter, and it gives the
weeds an opportunity to start before
the crop.
Labor Factor.
The labor factor must, Of course, be
taken into consideration. In fact, the
only advantage in late fall blowing Is
the saving in the labor required in the
spring to prepare the seeded. Where
labor is scarce in the fall, cultivation
other than blowing which will kill
weeds, and can be done rapidly, may
be resorted to. II this cultivation
leaves the stubble on the surface, or
leaves the surface rough enough to
hold the snow, it may be of even great
er value than blowing.
Bermuda Grass.
Bermuda or wire grass is at the
same time valuable forage plant and
a serious weed pest, depending upon
where it is growing. 1t is the Doctor
Jekyll and Mr.. Hyde of the grass fam
lily. Bermuda is perennial plant,
spreading rapidly by rootstocks, which
send out shoots at frequent intervals,
thus forming a close sod. The very
qualities, therefore, that make Bermu-
da such a desirable forage plant also
make it a formidable weed.
Bermuda Grass as a Forage Plant.
AS a forage plant, this grass is
utilized largely for pasture purposes,
although it is cut for hay to some ex-
tent 1t is resistant to heat, drought
and trampling by live stock, but is
quite susceptible to frosts. Hence this
grass finds its chief field of usefulness
in the southern states as far north as
Virginia and Kentucky. Propagation
is largely by sowing or planting small
sections of the rootstocks. These sec
tions or cuttings, about an inch long,
are sown broadcast and narrowed in.
Some farmers prefer to plant cuttings
in shallow burrows about three feet
apart, the plants being set about eight
cen inches apart in the burrows. A
corn marker or a shovel cultivator
may be used for opening the burrows.
After the cuttings are dropped they
should be covered at once with soil.
The covering may be done either with
the foot or a hoe. Bermuda is some
times sown with hairy vetch, lespe-
deza, or other crops in permanent pas
lures. thus improving the quality of
the pasturage. On Bermuda and vetch
pastures the live stock are kept of
for certain periods to permit the vetch
plants to mature their seeds and later
in the summer to allow the young
vetch plants to make start.
Bermuda grass makes good hay
when cut sufficiently early. Its repu-
tation has suffered somewhat by an
inferior quality of overTipe hay that
has been put on the market. Two crops
can ordinarily be cut each year. While
the Yields are small on poor land, a
rich. moist soil will produce several
tons per acre a year. With both pas
lures and meadows the sod should be
plowed once every few gears on &C
count of the tendency of this grass TO
/ become sod bound
Bermuda is also the common lawn
Keep Ewes Strong and Thrifty.
AS cold weather approaches, the
/ ewes should be kept strong and In
/ thrifty condition. There is no profit
/ in a bunch Of rundown ewes.
Ace TO Breed Ewes.