Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 230, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 September 1914 — Cutting Clover for Seed. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Cutting Clover for Seed.

The time to cut sweet clover for seed is when three-fourths of the pods have become dark brown or dark in color. The crop may be harvested in much the same manner as alfalfa, the ordinary grain binder or header being used. Sometimes the crop may be cut with the ordinary mower, after which it is raked and stacked. When cut with the binder it is first shocked and stacked. When cut with the header, the crop is usually sacked shortly after cutting. Good average yields range from two to six bushels per acre.

In my opinion the first step neces-, sary to the Improvement of the live stock of Indiana is a realization on the part of the owners of livestock that their animals are in need of improvement. The failure to appreciate the effects of Improved breeding upon individual merit is chiefly responsible for the absence of systematic effort in livestock improvement. When we get to the point of demanding of every animal on the farm a profitable return in meat, milk or work, and fertilizer, we will of necessity eliminate the' scrub sire and make a larger pibce for breeding profit-making animals. The test of a good animal is his ability to return in meat, milk or work, amounts more than sufficient to pay the cost of production. The animal that does this is paying good dlvl-

dends, for in addition, he Is annually leaving clear, fertility to the value of 15.00 in the case of hogs and at least! 125.00 in the case of cattle and horses. Before livestock production occupies the place on the farm that a permanent and prosperous agriculture demands and requires the farmer must value manure more highly than ha does commercial fertilizer. There are two ways of improving farm animals. The first Is by improved breeding, and the second improved feeding. Better blood, or better heredity, is necessary for permanent improvement. The liberal feeding of satisfactory rations is necessary to make possible the full development of the hereditary possibility. If ananimal Is given a good heredity it remains with him throughout life and is transmitted unimpaired to his offspring. Itlhus becomes a permanent of the race or herd. On the othjpr] hand, the effects of good feedingyls limited to the individual* and UFfiot transmitted to the offspring. Improvement by breeding does not require a profound knowledge of the laws of heredity and transmission. It merely demands an appreciation of the fact that “like tends to produce like,” that If you use scrub sires you will get scrub offspring, and if you use pure-bred sires with individual merit you will surely get improvement. The systematic use of pure-

bred sires which possess an individuality which guarantees good breeding, will, in three generations, transform the livestock at present being fed and housed on the average farm. Good feeding involves the growing of crops suited to the demands of the animals kept. This means that legumes shall be given a prominent place in the rotation, that forage crops be grown in liberality, and that plenty of succulence be provided in the form of grass, soiling, or silage. Good feeding further involves a knowledge of what feeds are made and the requirements of the different classes of animals. This is necessary in order to know when a ration is balanced and when it is not. To feed successfully it Is necessary to be a good judge of the condition of the animal, it to essential that close observation be exercised at all times, and that the greatest care be used in determining the quantity or amount of feed given. An animal of good breeding always responds to good feeding, while scrub animals, as a rule, do not pay for the feed they consume. '

Pure Bred Sires of Individual Merit Improve Live Stock.

Scrub Sires Lacking In Individual Merit Beget Scrub Stock.