Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1918-06-05

side Of the ledger. with cattle scarce
and feeds high, many men have be-
come discouraged over losses which
they have sustained during the past
year.
The County Agent is pleased to re-
port at this time the results OF feed
ing experiments at the Iowa expert
ment station and some Of the results
obtained by famous feeders over the
state. These results indicate that un-
der the present war conditions that
limited grain feeding with a full
amount of silage will produce better
gains and greater margin Of profit
per steer. These experiments show
that the cattle fed on limited grain
ration would not sell for as high a
figure as those full fed but the differ
ence in cost of gains more than over
balance the difference in selling price.
There is no question but what the
silo should be placed on the farm
along with the other modern improve
ments. The war has brought many
new conditions and we must meet
them the best we can, and one OF the
ways Of meeting the feeding propo-
sition seems to be with the silo. In
this way economical gains can be Sc
cured because the ensilage is a sub
stitute for pasture, and if we put in a
good crop of corn with the fodder we
can hope to secure gains.
The Farm Bureau office will be glad
to receive letters from feeders who
have kept a record of their feeding
operations for the past season, espec-
tally in feeding silage and just where
they were placed in regard to feed
ing operations.
The County Agent has visited sew
eral farms this spring where silos are
being used. Most farmers report very
good success. Any farmer who would
like more information, should see the
County Agent, who would be glad to
cooperate with them and place before
them the merits Of the silo. There
are instances in farm operations when
the silo would be of little value, but
under the present conditions for live
stock and sheep industry every farm
should have silo. If owners are to
realize the full returns from land
which is being tenanted it is q safe
investment because 1t encourages live
stock production, longer term OF
lease, and greater opportunity to
build up the fertility of the soil. Be-
gin now the preparations to build the
silo. Do not wait until fall comes be-
cause labor and material are scarce.
Buckwheat
Inquiries have been reaching the
Farm Bureau office from several
sources regarding buckwheat
The County Agent is of the opinion
that buckwheat is one of the service
able crops in case the grub worms
should take the corn. The season is
advancing so rapidly that corn planted
later will not have as good a chance
should the season be short. For this
reason rather than have idle land or
half a crop, buckwheat may be seed
ed
The best variety Of buckwheat is
the Silver Hull and is now selling for
about $1.OO per bushel, with SO pounds
to a bushel. The rate OF seeding US
ually recommended is from three
fourths to one bushel an acre and 1t
may be planted as late as July 10th as
it is an early maturing crop.
Buckwheat furnishes considerable
food for bees and is a good cash crop
to be used by people who have num-
Der Of hives on their farm. The buck
wheat should be seeded late In order
that the blossoms will become avail
able after the clovers and other BIOS
SONS which are usually afforded the
bees have passed away. For general
farm purposes buckwheat can either
be broadcasted or drilled and harrow
ed in, seeding it about one inch to In
inches deep, or after the soil Is IN
good condition it requires no further
attention.
The Webster Seed Co., Of Indepen-
dence, the Adams Seed Co., OF Decor
alb, or the Henry Field Seed Co. OF
Shenandoah will be able to supply
|buckwheat seed.
The Silver Hull variety or what is
known as common buckwheat is con-
sidered the best for this section; and
when ordering be sure and state the
kind wanted.