The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1921-10-06
MOUNTAIN AGRICULTURE
o,an.d h, Mr. Robert r. Spence Demonstration and Special
Investigator

minimum rate Of 200 to 800 pounds
Ter acre is generally advisable, this
to be applied when the crop is sown
q Preparation for Seed Bed
While rye generally does better
than any other cereal on a poorly
prepared seed bed, this is not suff-
Gent reason for neglecting the prop
or preparation of the soil. The ex-
ira expenses incurred in preparing a
GOOD seed bed will be more than re-
raid by the additional yield obtained,
II rye is to follow an uncultivated
crop. the land should be plowed t,
7 inches deeu at least four weeks be.
fore seeding. or earl Ter, II practical
BILE. immediately after blowing, the
land should be gone over with har.
row. or other implement suitable for
breaking clods and reducing the top
soil to. a fine mellow condition. After
this il should be so handled as to
prevent the growth of weeds and to
provide a seed bed firm and compact
beneath, but loose and mellow in the
upper 9 or 3 inches. The exact
method for securing these results
must be varied for individual condi-
tions. When rye is to follow a cul.
t,vated crop that has been removed,
the land may be plowed 8 or 4
inches deep and narrowed if there
are many weeds present, or it may
be disked and narrowed. as conditions
seem to demand, but the aim should
ALWAYS be to secure a seed bed such
as that described above. Cowpea
s.ubble can usually be prepared for
rye by dsking and narrowing.
Time and Method Of Seeding
The time of seeding rye depends
uron the use TO be made Of the crop.
If it is intended as a cover crop to
prevent the washing Of the soil and
the teaching out of plant food, or if
intended for grazing purposes, it
should be sown between September
IS and October Is. Rye can be
sown with success later on fertile
land in a good seed bed than it can
on poor land in a poor seed bed.
1t is better to sow rye in drills 6
to 8 inches apart with a regular
grain drill. Less seed is then re-
uuired, it saves labor, and a more
even and uniform stand is secured
Many farmers do not have drills. and
hence must depend on sowing broad
cast. When a drill is not available
rye may be sown broadcast by hand
or with broadcast seeder and cover
ed by narrowing. The one sowing
the seed may save labor and can SOW
more evenly and rapidly by standing
or setting on the rear erd Of a wag
. on as it is drawn slowly back ant
|, forth across the field. Some farm
ers sow the grain from horseback
This plan is especially good wher
sowing in corn.
! Rye As a Cover and Grazing CroI
. Rye alone or with hairy vetch o.
, crimson clover is frequently sow
with good results as a cover or graz
, ing crop. The crop should be sow
, early to allow a good growth befor
r piowing, and a variety making
: large early growth. Better result
a are secured by sowing rye with veto
CT clover than by sowing at alone.
Rate of Seeding
: When sown early on good land |
e a ell.prepared seed bed with drill
y S or 4 pecks per acre is a sufficier
v quantity Of seed; on poorer land
e and for later sowings, to peck
h are required. When sown broadca'
O ard when sown for pasturage, a
p least 1 peck more per acre than tn
d quantities stated should be sow
l. Under the poorest conditions 8 to
pecks are required.