The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1915-11-19

prepared by the United States Depart
ment of AEricuture.)
Moisture is one OF the most impor-
tant factors in crop production in the
Great Plains area and its conservation
q 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 10
no hard and fast rule for attaining
this object. The right time to pillow 4
field of small grain stubble for spring
crops IL 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
q 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-
ton 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. II the
rainfall in August and early September
IL heavy he will probably decide to
conserve it by fall blowing or some
other cultivation; II 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
ly 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. IL 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
serious weed pest, depending upon
where it is growing 1t is the Doctor
Jekyll and Mr. Hyde of the grass fam
lily. Bermuda is a perennial plant,
spreading rapidly by rootstocks, which
send out shoots at frequent intervals,
thus forming close sod The very
qualities, therefore, that make Bermu-
da such desirable forage plant also
make it formidable weed.
Bermuda Grass as 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
tons 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 cuitivator
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, iespe-
deza, or other crops in permanent pas
lures thua imnrOviuP fho Uualify of