American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1917-11-06
By "THE PILGRIM"

has the weed problem to solve in com
pany with many other farmers whose
lands have been infested with Jim Hill
mustard and Chinese lettuce. He ad-
vocates the theory Of spring blowing
and spring seeding for a period Of sew
eral years. With him it is not a theory
any longer, but an accomplished GER
tainty, because he has proven it to be
correct. Last spring he went at a
piece of IS acres of land, the most bad
" weed infested patch on his ranch.
and plowed it seven inches deep after
the weed seeds had terminated. That
particular piece Of land proved to be
the cleanest piece IN the entire ranch,
and while it will be necessary to do
some fall blowing owing to the short
spring season the rule will be TO seed
in the spring for several seasons. Co
operation of all farmers, 1t is believed,
will solve the weed problem up here.
All are agreed that the weeds must be
conquered by the farmers, and it is
absolutely necessary that cooperation
be established and carried out to the
fullest extent if the farm lands are to
serve the purpose for which nature
destined them.
Deep Flowing for Summer FallOw
For summer fallow Mr.. Staley in
creases the depth Of blowing two
inches each year until a depth Of 10
to II inches has been reached, turn
ing up new soil each year in this man
ner. In summer following he always
attaches a section of a harrow TO the
side of the pillow, getting two workings
of the ground in one operation. This
does away with all clods, creates an
immediate mulch and holds the mois-
ture. The teeth Of the harrow used
are five inches long and go straight
into the ground. Before seeding in the
fall he always harrows the ground
and then drags a float over it.
In spring blowing for immediate
seeding the pillow is sent down sever
to eight inches, followed by the har-
row and the float. Before drilling
the roller is put over the land anC
again when the grain stands foul
inches high. This last rolling packs
the soil, forms a mulch of two inches
on the surface, and holds the moisture
effectively. Care must be taken tina
when the four-inch grain is rolled tn
ground be not too wet, for if it is
will be baked and the result Of sucl
a happening can be readily forseel
Mr.. Staley states that the method
adopted by him are the results of &C
tual experience in dry farming. Hi
mind is open al all times TO bette
ideas and better methods. as he con
siders farming a school with new pro
blems arising every day. For instanc
he has learned from observation tina
it is good for fall seeded grain TO b
rolled in the spring as soon as III
snow is off and the ground dry enough
Seeding of the best crop of white
wheat he ever raised On this ranc
was finished late on the evening be
fore the night the ground frOze u
tight. The shows were plentiful tha
winter and no thaw came along unit
spring. The ground was packed whe
the snow went off and the records
{ The thresher show hat the yield wa
3Ob bushels per acre.
He has contended with rOot-eatin
{ bugs. with drought, with squirrels an
gophers. still he is optimistic and zoe
al it again to raise another crop.
In the garden of this ranch Mr.
| Staley has always succeeded in rai'
ing all vegetables needed for summt
! and winter use by the family. Foui