The Delta independent., 1924-04-11
SEEDING IRRIGATED PASTURES

llic outSCoo vi Joui puotuiOs 10y IL 3
aside weather conditions of which you
have no control, depends upon the
following factors: the kind of soil,
the preparation of seed bed. seeding
and care of pasture.
Choice of Field
Pastures from deep rotted grasses
have carrying capacity enough so
that you can afford to put in pasture
on any land that you can afford to
grow alfalfa on. At the same time,
your poorer lands will give you a good
return in grass.
Seed Bed
After selecting good plot of ground
the next essential thing in growing a
good crop of any kind is the prepar-
alton of good bed. To the farmers
in beet districts, little need be said re-
garding the Importance of this oper-
alton.
| The time to prepare the seed bed
is when the ground will work up in
the good mellow condition, which only
happens few days during the spring
time. Also prepare properly before
/ seeding. Experience has taught me
that a number of farmers partially
prepare their seed bed, plant and then
try to finish preparing the seed bed;
this does not give good results.
| If possible, sow pasture grasses on
fall plowed land as the action of the
winter elements leaves the soil in a
/ haitian
plant growth. Also, there is less
danger of the soil crusting so badly
If ground is plowed in the spring,
do not turn up any new soil for pasture
grass. If any new soil is turned up,
we find it practically lifeless, and will
run together and bake like cement
when it gets wet. AS grass is seeded
very shallow, we want all strength
possible near surface to receive a good
lgermination.
1t is a good practice to disc ground
before we plow, especially more so
with the spring plowed land. The
discing enables US to secure a firmer
seed bed. The spike tooth harrow is
the best tool that farmer has to firm
his seed bed. We cannot pack or firm
clods; we must pulverize all clods be-
fore we can firm a seed bed. Some
farmers will use a roller for this pur-
pose, but experience has taught us that
the roller is a dangerous tool to use,
unless it is applied at the right
time. On dry and light soils, it is a
good tool. A survey shows that only
17@o of the farmers use the roller to
firm seed beds, and it was used
mainly in the lighter soils around
Greeley, Colorado. The roller and
float or drag will leave the surface
of the soil pleasing to the eye, but that
does not indicate the condition be-
meath the surface. With a firm seed
bed, we have few air spaces and good
capillary attraction which is neces-
| sary for plant growth
In leveling the seed bed, we want
to use the float or drag to level the
ground, SO that water will spread even
iy over the ground. This is perman-
ent pasture SO take pains in leveling
and Trimming the seed bed. Also aft
er the roller float or drag. harrow
lightly so as to break up the smooth
surface and prevent loss of water.
When To Sow
Sow just as early as the ground
VIII work without pudding. Grass
and clover seeds are not hurt bv
spring freezing. nor are the young
plants.
How to Sow
Experience has taught us that il
Is best to seed this grass mixture
broadcast, and in two seedlings. the
light seeds such as bronze, orchard and
meadow fescue in one seeding. and
timothy and sweet clover which are
heavier seeds at one seeding and
cover with harrow. Seeding in this
manner, we get an even distribution
OF seed Drills can be used If the
grass seed box is on the rear Of the
main grain box. II grass seed is run
down the drill spout, 1t will be buried
SO deep that much If II will not come
through the ground.
Cover Crop
One-third of regular seeding of
barley or oats should be used to keen
I down weeds, and lessen the cost OF
putting the land down to grass. Bar.
ley is preferable because it natures
earlier. The cover crop must be got.
ten Off the ground at the earliest
possible moment so as not to dry out
the soil or smother the young grass
Winrows or shocks should be removed
at once.
Pasturing the First Season
10 not pasture the first season. nc
matter how good the pasture looks
1t is best to take a crop of hay the
second season, but in case you have q
very good god Won can nn4rro 1I..l.1.