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17OL. LXIII MAY 221908 INDIANAPOLIS, MAY 23, 1908. NO. 21 in tlie raisiig of live stock; and corn and sssils are required to carry out tbis plan. Clover adds nitrogen to the soil, and the feeding of the stock and putting the prod- us-ts back, in the shape of manure, greatly increases its fertility. And potatoes %xpzvleucz §&p%vttuitnt CROP ROTA I UN. Clover Is the Key. 1st Premium.—The best plan for crop rotation depends very much on tbe nature aji the soil, the location of the farm and various other matters. Where one is located near a city, it is often more profitable to raise crops for which there is but little demand in more isolated districts. Where dairying is engaged iu, the chief crops raised are those that furnish feed for the dairy herd, and this does not admit of such rotation as is possible in general farming. And tbere are some soils that are adopted only to certain crops and on which a general rotation cannot be maintained. Muck, for instance, is not i.lsipted to the raising of wheat, oats or clover, ani its productiveness must be maintained by fertilizers or barnyard manure. Therefore, iu instituting a crop rotation it is understood that it is on such soils as are adapted to general farming, and where it is the desire to raise the usual staple crops. The rotation practiced by the writer's fs.ther was corn, oats, wheat and clover. Wheat, at that time, was considered one of the surest as well as one of the most I rsifitable crops, but in his rotation clover held an equally important place. It vas the hub about which all other crops revolved. Clover always followed wheat and the ground became so well inoculated that it never failed to "catch." T iday v. heat is not so generally raised here, but it is sown as a nurse crop for clover. Clover is probably the most profitable crop that can be raised. It is pTofitable not ohly for the hay and seed, but also .for the pasture that is so much required, as wll as for the increased productiveness of the soil that results from its growth. By growing plenty of clover it is possible to raise all kinds of live stock, and this is, without doubt, the most profitable method of farming at present. It furnishes both pasture and roughage for 'he stock, besides putting the ground in Use best possible condition for getting the manure back on the fields, the indirect profits from the crop may be nearly as -reat as the immediate return. Where- enough stock is kept to consume every- fhing raised, the rotation above mentioned is a very good one. However, I bave found that one of the most'profitable crops to raise, following clover, is pota- '"fs. It seems that clover leaves the soil in ideal condition for this crop, and ^ hen a good crop is secured it is one of the most profitable that can be raised. I >>ave been so well pleased with the result °f raisiny potatoes on clover sod that for several years the acreage has been increased and will be more than doubled this sea- son- The potatoes may be followed by II heat or rye and again sown to clover, or oats may be sown the following spring. yA clover. Sometimes it may be desirable to follow the oats with wheat and en *ow clover. It will thus be seen '»t, in ourplan, clover is the maindepend- eDe.e' ^ery effort should be directed to 'initaining a proper proportion of this rr°P, and it should be followed either by J?"1 or Potatoes, and gotten back into ""•er every third or fourth year. In showing where the profit comes in, I then bfcomes very hard for fall plowing and breaks up in large chunks and is thus hard to pulverize. I put my oats ground into wheat, hauling the strawy manure upon it, aud also home-made during the summer, because 1 Farm Home of Samuel Bechdol, Cass County. will direct *»y that with this plan it is both Oi* indirect. Clover in itself is ntable, and especially so when utilized live acre field. This does not pay. You scarcely get started uiuil you are compelled to stop, and when you drive over a field it leaves a cloddy strip, takes out the soil vitality and lets tbe nitrogen escape. I never drive through a field unless compelled to and it is dry. My success in farming aud my greatest profit is by raising more corn and feeding it up to hogs. Also feed all the corn stover to cattle. I generally have from three t« four head of steers and have these fat enough to turn off the following June or .luly, getting more according, and with less work, for my fourteen months old steer than for one three years old. For a farmer who specializes in dairying I would advocate but little oats or wheat, sowing rye instead which can be pastured both in the fall and spring and does not need the fertilizer that wheat does. I never sell any hay, corn stover or straw. I use all the straw I possibly can, and haul manure from town. I have a field of muck land which I bave in grass because I can realize more profit from this and it is a surer crop than corn which will likely either freeze or be drowned ont. For the farmer who lives near a city I would advise him to specialize in truck farming and berry growing. It will pay better than general farming. But for the one who lives five or six miles from even a large town general farming will pay best. My best success in this crop rotation plan is that nature aids me in combating the insect foes. I am never bothered with the Hessian fly. White grubs and cutworms are not troublesome, even though I turn down clover sod. I am a friend of the birds and never harm them, but put up boxes for wrens and bluebirds and feed them in the winter; then I also protect my orchard. The secret of it all is, have your ground so rich that it will force your crop in spite of insects. It is generally the sickly stalks that are attacked first. Rich soil means profit and spells the acme of success in general farming. H. A. L. Mr. Bechdol's Convenient Barn. being a profitable crop, an immediate return is realized from their production. Clover, live stock and potatoes should be the chief aim, and the proportion of other crops should be dependent on these requirements. Vhis is a matter that cannot be definitely outlined before hand but must be met as conditions arise. H. Make the Soil Rich 2d Premium.—To be a succesful farmer you must understand crop rotation thoroughly. If you have a practical way of your own, so much the better, because you can realize the most profit by your own way. I will give you my plan, which is that of a general farmer. I first turn down clover or timothy sod, tbat has stood but two years, having hauled the manure the second season directly upon it. I plow it as soon as I can in the spring, after I have my oats out, or before if the oats ground is too wet to plow. I put last year's corn stubble into oats. The best method I bave found is to plow the ground, harrow it well, and then drill the oats. Many practice spring- tt oth harrowing or cultivation upon a slubble and sowing broadcast, but I do not like it sown this way, because the ground think it will do the most good down below rnd will not wash away so fast; also on day hills it will sink deeper and loosen np Ihe soil more than by top dressing, and besides will furnish good nutriton for the following crop of grass. I plow the oats stubble just as soon ns possible after the oats is off. I either harrow or float down what I have plowed during the day before 1 stop for the evening. This retains the soil moisture and breaks up the clods. If I have any real fine manure I put it on top, using a good manure spreader, because tbis insures an even distribution of the manure over the gr.uind. I pulverize the ground as fine as possible, preparing a very good seed bed, because this is the basis of the next hay crop—the clover will catch better. When drilling I also use some potash and phosphoric acid, which will hasten the growth and make a catch of clover more sure. I always sow my wbeat ground to clover or timothy. I prefer clover, but sometimes I will sow a field to timothy, drilling it in with the wheat, as it will catch better that way. This brings us back to where we started, ready for another corn crop. I never patch up my fields. By this I mean growing three or four crops in a Don't Kill tbe Farm 3d Premium.—I will give a brief outline of my system of farming, and at the same endeavor to explain where the profit comes in. We will begin in the spring with corn. For this crop I like a clover and timothy sod. I like to give this sod a dressing of manure, all that I possibly can. I plow as early as circumstances will permit. This will give the sod time to rot and ample time to prepare a seed bed, both quite essential for a good corn crop. The corn stubble will be for oats the following year. I do not like to grow corn more than one year at a time, as torn is a heavy nitrogen feeder. It is best to plow this corn stubble in the fall. Just as soon as the oats is out of the field I plow the oats stubble and put in wheat. I think it best to harrow each day as 1 lowed, as this will pulverize all clods and get a more compact seed bed. Wheat will not do well on a fresh plowed loose seed bed. The ground should be plowed as long before seeding as possible, then harrowed and floated until a firm, fine, compact seed bed bas been obtained. I prefer a disk drill, for several reasons too numerous to mention here. Sow about 1% bnshels per acre. The time of seeding must be governed somewhat by the Continued on page 9.
Object Description
Title | Indiana farmer, 1908, v. 63, no. 21 (May 23) |
Purdue Identification Number | INFA6321 |
Date of Original | 1908 |
Subjects (LCSH) |
Agriculture Farm management Horticulture Agricultural machinery |
Subjects (NALT) |
agriculture farm management horticulture agricultural machinery and equipment |
Genre | Periodical |
Call Number of Original | 630.5 In2 |
Location of Original | Hicks Repository |
Coverage | United States - Indiana |
Type | text |
Format | JP2 |
Language | eng |
Collection Title | Indiana Farmer |
Rights Statement | Content in the Indiana Farmer Collection is in the public domain (published before 1923) or lacks a known copyright holder. Digital images in the collection may be used for educational, non-commercial, or not-for-profit purposes. |
Repository | Purdue University Libraries |
Date Digitized | 2011-03-23 |
Digitization Information | Original scanned at 300 ppi on a Bookeye 3 scanner using internal software. Display images generated in CONTENTdm as JP2000s; file format for archival copy is uncompressed TIF format. |
Description
Title | Page 1 |
Subjects (LCSH) |
Agriculture Farm management Horticulture Agricultural machinery |
Subjects (NALT) |
agriculture farm management horticulture agricultural machinery and equipment |
Genre | Periodical |
Call Number of Original | 630.5 In2 |
Location of Original | Hicks Repository |
Coverage | Indiana |
Type | text |
Format | JP2 |
Language | eng |
Collection Title | Indiana Farmer |
Rights Statement | Content in the Indiana Farmer Collection is in the public domain (published before 1923) or lacks a known copyright holder. Digital images in the collection may be used for educational, non-commercial, or non-for-profit purposes. |
Repository | Purdue University Libraries |
Digitization Information | Orignal scanned at 300 ppi on a Bookeye 3 scanner using internal software. Display images generated in CONTENTdm as JP2000s; file format for archival copy is uncompressed TIF format. |
Transcript | 17OL. LXIII MAY 221908 INDIANAPOLIS, MAY 23, 1908. NO. 21 in tlie raisiig of live stock; and corn and sssils are required to carry out tbis plan. Clover adds nitrogen to the soil, and the feeding of the stock and putting the prod- us-ts back, in the shape of manure, greatly increases its fertility. And potatoes %xpzvleucz §&p%vttuitnt CROP ROTA I UN. Clover Is the Key. 1st Premium.—The best plan for crop rotation depends very much on tbe nature aji the soil, the location of the farm and various other matters. Where one is located near a city, it is often more profitable to raise crops for which there is but little demand in more isolated districts. Where dairying is engaged iu, the chief crops raised are those that furnish feed for the dairy herd, and this does not admit of such rotation as is possible in general farming. And tbere are some soils that are adopted only to certain crops and on which a general rotation cannot be maintained. Muck, for instance, is not i.lsipted to the raising of wheat, oats or clover, ani its productiveness must be maintained by fertilizers or barnyard manure. Therefore, iu instituting a crop rotation it is understood that it is on such soils as are adapted to general farming, and where it is the desire to raise the usual staple crops. The rotation practiced by the writer's fs.ther was corn, oats, wheat and clover. Wheat, at that time, was considered one of the surest as well as one of the most I rsifitable crops, but in his rotation clover held an equally important place. It vas the hub about which all other crops revolved. Clover always followed wheat and the ground became so well inoculated that it never failed to "catch." T iday v. heat is not so generally raised here, but it is sown as a nurse crop for clover. Clover is probably the most profitable crop that can be raised. It is pTofitable not ohly for the hay and seed, but also .for the pasture that is so much required, as wll as for the increased productiveness of the soil that results from its growth. By growing plenty of clover it is possible to raise all kinds of live stock, and this is, without doubt, the most profitable method of farming at present. It furnishes both pasture and roughage for 'he stock, besides putting the ground in Use best possible condition for getting the manure back on the fields, the indirect profits from the crop may be nearly as -reat as the immediate return. Where- enough stock is kept to consume every- fhing raised, the rotation above mentioned is a very good one. However, I bave found that one of the most'profitable crops to raise, following clover, is pota- '"fs. It seems that clover leaves the soil in ideal condition for this crop, and ^ hen a good crop is secured it is one of the most profitable that can be raised. I >>ave been so well pleased with the result °f raisiny potatoes on clover sod that for several years the acreage has been increased and will be more than doubled this sea- son- The potatoes may be followed by II heat or rye and again sown to clover, or oats may be sown the following spring. yA clover. Sometimes it may be desirable to follow the oats with wheat and en *ow clover. It will thus be seen '»t, in ourplan, clover is the maindepend- eDe.e' ^ery effort should be directed to 'initaining a proper proportion of this rr°P, and it should be followed either by J?"1 or Potatoes, and gotten back into ""•er every third or fourth year. In showing where the profit comes in, I then bfcomes very hard for fall plowing and breaks up in large chunks and is thus hard to pulverize. I put my oats ground into wheat, hauling the strawy manure upon it, aud also home-made during the summer, because 1 Farm Home of Samuel Bechdol, Cass County. will direct *»y that with this plan it is both Oi* indirect. Clover in itself is ntable, and especially so when utilized live acre field. This does not pay. You scarcely get started uiuil you are compelled to stop, and when you drive over a field it leaves a cloddy strip, takes out the soil vitality and lets tbe nitrogen escape. I never drive through a field unless compelled to and it is dry. My success in farming aud my greatest profit is by raising more corn and feeding it up to hogs. Also feed all the corn stover to cattle. I generally have from three t« four head of steers and have these fat enough to turn off the following June or .luly, getting more according, and with less work, for my fourteen months old steer than for one three years old. For a farmer who specializes in dairying I would advocate but little oats or wheat, sowing rye instead which can be pastured both in the fall and spring and does not need the fertilizer that wheat does. I never sell any hay, corn stover or straw. I use all the straw I possibly can, and haul manure from town. I have a field of muck land which I bave in grass because I can realize more profit from this and it is a surer crop than corn which will likely either freeze or be drowned ont. For the farmer who lives near a city I would advise him to specialize in truck farming and berry growing. It will pay better than general farming. But for the one who lives five or six miles from even a large town general farming will pay best. My best success in this crop rotation plan is that nature aids me in combating the insect foes. I am never bothered with the Hessian fly. White grubs and cutworms are not troublesome, even though I turn down clover sod. I am a friend of the birds and never harm them, but put up boxes for wrens and bluebirds and feed them in the winter; then I also protect my orchard. The secret of it all is, have your ground so rich that it will force your crop in spite of insects. It is generally the sickly stalks that are attacked first. Rich soil means profit and spells the acme of success in general farming. H. A. L. Mr. Bechdol's Convenient Barn. being a profitable crop, an immediate return is realized from their production. Clover, live stock and potatoes should be the chief aim, and the proportion of other crops should be dependent on these requirements. Vhis is a matter that cannot be definitely outlined before hand but must be met as conditions arise. H. Make the Soil Rich 2d Premium.—To be a succesful farmer you must understand crop rotation thoroughly. If you have a practical way of your own, so much the better, because you can realize the most profit by your own way. I will give you my plan, which is that of a general farmer. I first turn down clover or timothy sod, tbat has stood but two years, having hauled the manure the second season directly upon it. I plow it as soon as I can in the spring, after I have my oats out, or before if the oats ground is too wet to plow. I put last year's corn stubble into oats. The best method I bave found is to plow the ground, harrow it well, and then drill the oats. Many practice spring- tt oth harrowing or cultivation upon a slubble and sowing broadcast, but I do not like it sown this way, because the ground think it will do the most good down below rnd will not wash away so fast; also on day hills it will sink deeper and loosen np Ihe soil more than by top dressing, and besides will furnish good nutriton for the following crop of grass. I plow the oats stubble just as soon ns possible after the oats is off. I either harrow or float down what I have plowed during the day before 1 stop for the evening. This retains the soil moisture and breaks up the clods. If I have any real fine manure I put it on top, using a good manure spreader, because tbis insures an even distribution of the manure over the gr.uind. I pulverize the ground as fine as possible, preparing a very good seed bed, because this is the basis of the next hay crop—the clover will catch better. When drilling I also use some potash and phosphoric acid, which will hasten the growth and make a catch of clover more sure. I always sow my wbeat ground to clover or timothy. I prefer clover, but sometimes I will sow a field to timothy, drilling it in with the wheat, as it will catch better that way. This brings us back to where we started, ready for another corn crop. I never patch up my fields. By this I mean growing three or four crops in a Don't Kill tbe Farm 3d Premium.—I will give a brief outline of my system of farming, and at the same endeavor to explain where the profit comes in. We will begin in the spring with corn. For this crop I like a clover and timothy sod. I like to give this sod a dressing of manure, all that I possibly can. I plow as early as circumstances will permit. This will give the sod time to rot and ample time to prepare a seed bed, both quite essential for a good corn crop. The corn stubble will be for oats the following year. I do not like to grow corn more than one year at a time, as torn is a heavy nitrogen feeder. It is best to plow this corn stubble in the fall. Just as soon as the oats is out of the field I plow the oats stubble and put in wheat. I think it best to harrow each day as 1 lowed, as this will pulverize all clods and get a more compact seed bed. Wheat will not do well on a fresh plowed loose seed bed. The ground should be plowed as long before seeding as possible, then harrowed and floated until a firm, fine, compact seed bed bas been obtained. I prefer a disk drill, for several reasons too numerous to mention here. Sow about 1% bnshels per acre. The time of seeding must be governed somewhat by the Continued on page 9. |
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