The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1919-04-03
Alfalfa Never Better; First Cut
ting Be Two Weeks Ahead of
Normal Schedule; Acreage
Large.
SOME CORN UP; ALL
PLANTED BY WEEK END
Farmers Have Hard Time Getting
Desirable Seed Corn; Oats
Register Near 100 Per
cent Perfect.

Grady countys 1919 alfalfa crop
wiz smash all previous records in
production, is the prediction of J. w.
Owens, county farm agent.
With approximately $4,000 acres Of
Grady county soil planted in alfalfa,
with prospects for an early cutting
and with weather, favorable to the
growth OF alfalfa, g. E.l1ar crop,
much larger than has been produced
here in any p ayious year, is almost
assured according to the belief Of
the county agricultural agent, who
says:
"The acreage in Grady county is
increased extensively over the acre
age planted last year. From reliable
reports from all over the county and
from personal observance, l have
learned that the alfalfa crop was
never in a better condition It's
growth is rapid, and most of the Gra-
dy county alfalfa acreages will be
ready for the first cutting by May
1-some probably before. If the crop
is ready for the initial cutting at this
time, all records will be surpassed
as the normal time lGr the first Cut
ting is about May IS.
Merged with the bright prospects
are the barriers; if the weather man
continues to dish out the same brand
and nature of weather he has been
giving Grady county in the past three
weeks, farmers viii be unable to har-
vest their crop when the time is ripe;
the field will be too soggy and conse-
quently may result in loss Incle-
ment or rainy weather is the only
barrier apparent at the present.
"A market, offering the top prices
for alfalfa, will be available il the
crop is produced on schedule time.
This is virtually assured. Judging
from the present outlook, the crop
will not be super in quality, but will
be marketable on the highest mar
kets," Mr.. Owens said.
Most of the Grady corn crop has
been planted and in many sections of
the county, the crop is up and grow
ing, according to Mr.. Owens.
The production in Grady county
Mr.. Owens says, will be depleted due
to the inability of the farmers of this
section to procure first-class seed:
"In many instances" Agent Owens de.
clares, farmers We're forced to plant
corn unsuitable for planting. In
many instances it will not germinate,
and will therefore necessitate Teplant-
ing. Stands will be difficult to secure
if farm seed were not planted and
the production that comes from third
class seed will be suitable only for
feed, as it will not be marketable.
Millet will soon be in harvesting
'It was very difficult to secure good
seed for Grady county farmers, and
therefomre, the coming corn crop
will probably have to take a back
seat. Corn grown in Grady county
last year is not desirable seed, but
the best many of the farmers could
secure"
Millet viii soon be in harvesting
stage, and will come to the rescue
of many of the farmers who are fac
ing feed difficulties. A normal acre
age, especially in the county's up
lands, was planted this year and
prospects point to a startling produc-
ton, Mr.. Owens states.
A normal acreage of rye has been
planted, and prospects are almost
100 per cent satisfactory, he says.
The same proves true in the barley
crop.
Grady county's 1900 estimated
acres of oats is in the very ''pinkest
of condition, and most soil-tillers are
entertaining hope that the crop will
loom up strong both in production
and quality Anyhow" Mr.. Owens
summed up, prospects for a good
general crop were never better"