Lincoln County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1911-1919, 1917-03-22

ed In these columns to the feasibility
OF pasturing the ditch banks, not
alone to keep down the weeds. etc,
but as an economical proposition In
the lessening of the cost of the main
tenance Of htese bitches and canals.
That the proposition meets with the
approval OF the water company, is
evidenced by the following from the
pen Of X. E. Shepherd, which reach
ed us too late for publication last
week:
"One OF the big items of expense
each year is cleaning the ditch banks
OF vegetation. Sweet clover and will
lows are the big enemies of good
bitches. The growth keeps crowd
ing into the ditch so that In a few
years, II not removed, 1t would be
entirely checked up. SO 1t requires
constant attention cutting this grow
tn out and at big maintenance ex-
pense. Even with this work we find
that along in July and from then on
to the end OF the season the growth
gets so rank in spite of US that 1t
bends over into the bitches and Sc
riously retards the flow of water.
thus increasing the seepage loss.
Now all this can be turned to your
profit by utilizing the ditch banks
for pastures. We have found that
sweet clover makes a splendid pas
ture grass. sheep will thrive on it,
and will keep down the willows as
well. With a little care in planning
your fields you can square them up
and take In the bitches in your per
manent pastures. and very greatly
incresase the number of sheep and
cattle you can keep.
have made careful estimate OF
the area covered by ditch banks and
find that about 900 head OF sheer
could be pastured on the ditch banks
alone. Think OF what this means In
the way OF farm income from land
which today is big source of ex
pense.
Some OF the farmers are now max
ing use OF the ditch banks for this
purpose l would be glad to see ever,
the present at any rate | suppose yoi
will not all be able to take full ad
vantage OF this. but try and do wha
you can, and plan TO do more anothe
year and keep on until all this valua
BILE pasture is put to good use.
With ditch banks thus kept cleai
all the time a great increase in tn
flow OF water will result and thel
We will not have nearly as man,
muskrats and other vermin to con
tend with. they are not apt to sta
where they have no shelter to hid
in.
| We have some sections OF the ca
nal where IT costs over $4,000 pc
mile per year to keep down the ran
growth. You can see what big say
ing there can be on maintenance e>
pense II this were pastured. The
again the banks are firmer where S
used and not so apt to break.
closely pastured sod is a big prote'
ton against cutting OF the banks b
wind. rain, and overflow. So yo
can make money by helping in tn
respect. Sheep are better than ca
tie. They should be put on as 500
as the sweet clover starts in ii
spring. at least before 1t has bi
start and gets woody.
II you know OF any particul'
place along the canals that shou'
have special attention this spring
Will appreciate 1t II you will call n
attention to II by letter. We ha'
tried to locate them all but may ha'
overlooked some | am enxious
fix up every place and have II RICH
this Is all for your use and benef
We want you to win. So don't hes
tate to let me know what should
done. 1917 should be the big yea
Let's make It So"
r. r. SHEPHERD.