Gunnison news-champion., 1916-03-03
IRRuTU uls4s r KT-
Ms FL u0uuIm uWs
John Howell, Montrose. Colo, in West
eru Farm Life

John Howell, Montrose, Colo, in West
ern Farm Life
Editors Note. Mr.. John Howell If
Montrose has developed into one Of the
most successful stockmen and farmers
of the Western Slope of Colorado. Sew
ersl years ago he came to the conclu-
sion that to be successful he must have
pastures upon which he could run his
cattle during the late fall and early
spring before the grasses ON the noun
tain ranges which he uses were ready
for grazing. He has been experiment
ing along the line of irrigated grasses
with remarkable success and is pvoduc-
ing more hay per acre than the average
ranch in his section is producing with
alfalfa.
The sGFicsltursl treatise. DE
Rsstica, by n. Porteiss Cato, born
2Sl B. c., rec0sds that when the aUthOI
was asked whst wss the most certain
profit arising out of land, Mr.. Csto re-
piled ITO feed stock we'll; and he I'D
ded that good husbsndmsn should he
q seller rather than . buyer, and that
he should aim ut low cost of produc-
ton.
This is a. true today rs it was then,
If not more 30. Supply snd demand
will always govern the price of the
farmers products in q fair and com
petitive market, and our success will
depend upon the cheapening of the cost
Of what we produce.
The cheapest and best food for live
stock is grass. As our lower ranges
ere being taken up by the homestesder.
msny of US will soon have no open early
spring and fall range upon which to run
our cattle. think we oil concsde that
TO farm successfully in this western
country we must have livestock, and
. after several trials am sure we can oil
have good grass pastures on our irrigst-
ed ranches, and these pastures will al
so work in with . system Of crop rota-
ton. Deep rooted grasses are the
cheapest and best tillers of the soil,
disintegrating and finally breaking it ur
and intermingling with it vegetable
matter, increasing its power to retain
heat and sbsorb and retain moisture.
Well rotted turf also makes = good and
cheap manure.
Deep rooted plants not only with
stand drouth better, but draw theii
support largely from the lower strstss
of the soil.
In the preparation Of the soil for the
growing of grasses good coating OF
manure plowed under deeply in the
fall is preferable. This insures . fine,
firm, moist and rich seed bed. Sow ~
early in the spring rs possible. using
plenty of seed to insure q good stand
A light seeding Of oats should be sowr
at the same time as = nurse crop, rs il
is essential that the ground be covered
as quickly as possible. A good stane
prevents tufts. 1t has been estimated
that it takes from eighteen 10 twenty
million terminating seeds TO plant sr
acre. Water ~ often ss needed the
first season, ss the young plants ere
very tender till they get well rooted,
and it il better that no stock should b.
allowed to Craze upon il till after a
crop of hay has been cut the second
year.
In making selection Of grasses We
shouh take into consideration the ID
sptability Of species fer tAe ssil ssA the
purpose for which the Sod ID rsquired.
he most expeasive ssed b not slways
tie most prsasctive. snd sn TIE other
besA. the lowest priced seed is no,
slwsys the cAeePest pr scre- The
price Of seeds dePe4ds not On their real
vslse q usefslsesa. but sn then cost OF