Jasper County Democrat, Volume 9, Number 16, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 July 1906 — HINTS FOR FARMERS [ARTICLE]

HINTS FOR FARMERS

* Leaving Wheat Itabhle High. Much wheat is grown on farms Where the supply of straw is larger than la needed and the market price is low, writes Alva Agee in National Stockman. In all such instances the self binder should be set to cut a high stubble, and when the wheat stands well the stubble can be left quite long. This leaves the straw where it belongs. It has some fertilizing value, and it makes a good mulch for the ground and for the young clover or grass when it has been clipped with a mower. The value of any kind of manure depends upon the use to which it is put, and so the value of the straw in long stubble when used as a mulch depends upon the need of the particular soil for a mulch, for organic matter and for the mineral matter In the straw, but it is safe to say that the value usually Is greater than the net price that can be got for It In market. Let as much as possible of the surplus straw remain standing in the fields that have produced it, and then clip It for a mulch. Fall Pigs For Brood Sows. Fall pigs grown until the following year and then bred for spring litters make the very best of brood sows. There are none that are better. They have the size, the age, the strength, vigor and vitality, and have been grown through a season of the year when grass has played a good part In their development and has brought them up to the time of the year when thej’ are to be bred, so that they are sure to get in pig easily, so that everything is lu their favor. It is important to breed from mature stock as nearly as possible. Breeders recognize this fact, and farmers will be driven to a recognition of it when it becomes evident to them that they must raise, more and stronger pigs from their sows in order to make them profitable.—Nebraska Farmer. The Canada Thistle. Mowing twice each year just after the flowers open will keep the plants in subjection. This will prevent the production of seeds, and thus serious injury to crops may be avoided, but it will rarely cause the death of the thistle roots except in good grass land or in wet seasons, and will therefore need to be repeated each year. It is generally as effective as pulling or grubbing twice a year. This plan is recommended for roadsides and waste land and for meadows and pastures where the methods for complete eradication aeem to be too expensive for immediate application.—L. H. Dewey, United States Department of Agriculture. Spraying For Potato Blight. Many New Jersey farmers spray potatoes for blight, but very few of the total number. Most of those who spray have found it profitable. The number of those who spray is increasing. We recommend that spraying be begun early in July and repeated at intervals of from seven to fourteen days. This varies with the weather conditions and the rapid growth of the vines. We use bordeaux, formula 6-6-50— that is, six pounds blue stone, six pounds lime and fifty gallons water. To this we add one pound parts green when the bugs are present.—G. F. Warren, Horticulturist, New Jersey Experiment Station. Killing GoHearod. Years ago we bought a farm that had Me field so thickly covered with this weed that ten acres would not have pastured a goose, writes a correspondent in National Stockman. There was absolutely no grass. We mowed it off and put about five sheep to the acre and fed enough wheat bran to keep them in a thriving condition, and the next season a finer blue grass pasture was never seen. They had killed “every last plant.” The cows won’t eat ft and It is fortunate that they will not. for If they did no use could be made of their milk, but sheep like it and will thrive on the young growth. Pasturing Sheep on Clover. In pasturing either clover or alfalfa sheep should uot be turned In until the clover or alfalfa is well grown, and then should be turned in when well filled up ou other grass and when the dew or wet is off; and after being so turned in should never be taken off, though a shed may be provided where the sheep may shade at midday. On ■uch pasture, with their mothers, the lambs will make prodigious growth Professor Kennedy of Ames, la. Home Grown Provender. Corn and oats ground together are a time honored provender for the cow that has fallen somewhat Into disrepute during the late byproduct propaganda, but under present conditions I question if it were uot wise to put the old home grown provender into tlie front rank agalfi. For continued results and to keep up the stamina of the animals there is no better grain than oats.—L. W. Llghty in National Stockman. Winter Pnature For Hoge. A New York farmer says In American Agriculturist: I have found August sown rye very useful as autumn and winter pasture for hogs. It makes Invaluable forage and, though pastured without stint, shows no bad effects in spring, but yields a large crop of graiu. Two acres kept forty Berkshire* 011 fresh feed all the fall and until about May 5, when the crop was kuee high. Conghing Cow*. For chronic cough in cows give the following: Mix four ounces each of sulphate of Iron, nitrate ®f potassium and gentian. Divide Into twenty-four doses, give one once a day In bran mash until all are taken. The above named quantity is sufficient for one cow.— American Agriculturist.