THE FARMERS' MONTHLY, JULY, 1928 



AGROSPECTS 



Alfalfa hay makes the dairy pay 

 For Profits' Sake 



The beneficial effect of lime on soils 

 and crops is no longer merely a matter 

 of scientific interest. It is now an econo- 

 mic need and is as much a problem in 

 New England agriculture today as mar- 

 keting or any phase of production. 



Much has been said about the need of 

 lime for alfalfa and clover. All of this 

 is true. But, 'for profits' sake', use it for 

 the other crops too. A well planned lim- 

 ing program for the whole farm will soon 

 lead to better crops of all kinds. Not too 

 much, of course, for potatoes and blue- 

 berries. The county agent can sei-ve — 

 testing soil and informing about economi- 

 cal sources of lime materials. 



What happened to alfalfa? 



Last winter presented unusual condi- 

 tions for crops to meet. Many have asked 

 how alfalfa reacted. There are two parts 

 to the answer. Some fields came through 

 with no evidence of injury. These v/ere 

 fields that were well fertilized and not cut 

 too late in the season. 



Then there were some fields that suf- 

 fered more or less. The story seems to 

 be that they were not in good condition 

 when winter came. Late cutting or im- 

 proper fertilizer treatment, if any, seem 

 to explain the results. In some cases it 

 may have been a difference in variety. 



Feeding for Profit 



Over in Billerica there is an alfalfa 

 field that is making a name for itself and 

 for Oscar Darby who is responsible for it. 

 This is at least the sixth year of cutting — 

 S crops a year — 4 tons and more per acre 

 — and it looks better than ever this sea- 

 son. Annual applications of superphos- 

 phate and potash explain it. It pays to 

 feed it. 



Summer Silage 



Wheat and winter vetch for summer 

 silage. That is what they are using at 

 the Bristol County Agricultural School 

 at Segreganset. I saw it on June 12th 

 and took off my hat to the crop. I was 

 told that it was yielding 10 tons to the 

 acre, and there was enough vetch so it 

 will be real feed. I should say that it 

 beats hauling in green feed every day or 

 so. And what a hay ci'op it would have 

 made providing there was the right kind 

 of weather. 



Fifty=six Dollars Worth 



The cow pasture is coming into its own 

 — here and there. The Dumas Brothers 

 in Palmer invested some labor and ma- 

 terials last year on a piece of land that 

 equalled zero so far as producing feed 

 was concerned. 



To about 2 acres that boasted of a 

 little grass and quite a lot of sweet fern 



they added 2 tons of lime per acre and a | 

 fertilizer mixture made up of nitrate of 

 soda, 100 pounds — superphosphate, 400 

 pounds and muriate of potash, 200 

 pounds. A tractor and a disk harrow 

 worked these materials into the soil and 

 broke up the old sod which of course was 

 pretty thin and weak. Then they seeded 

 with timothy and sweet clover. Last fall 

 it looked promising. 



June 1.5th I saw it again. The promise 

 was fulfilled. This spring 700 pounds of 

 an 8-6-6 fertilizer was applied to the 

 piece. What a stand of grass and sweet 

 clover, and it will be cut for hay because 

 the stock that is in there can never eat 

 it down. It will be cut high so the sweet 

 clover will come back. 



Records of labor and material used 

 show a total of 56 dollars spent. And 

 for what? Probably 4 tons of good cow 

 hay and some second growth for pasture. 

 Also an unmeasurable increase in the 

 fertility of the soil. Next time they will 

 seed down with Kentucky blue grass 

 which is the real permanent pasture grass 

 for New England. How it does respond 

 to lime and fertilizer. 



Something for something just about 

 sums it up — and faith in the power of 

 lime, fertilizer and labor. 



Spec. 



CHILDREN CARED FOR 



WHILE MOTHERS 



HEAR PROGRAM 



some of their practices. 



After dinner the program was again 

 started with music by the West Chester- 

 field and Chesterfield trio. The nominat- 

 ing committee then gave their report. 

 The following members were elected for 

 next year: 

 Mrs. Clifton Johnson, Hadley 

 Mrs. E. S. Howlett, Southampton 

 Mrs. R. D. Schoonmaker, Amherst 

 Mrs. C. J. Barney, So. Hadley 

 Mrs. H. D. Stanton, West Chesterfield 

 Miss Hazel Ross, Northampton 

 Mrs. J. Cook, Hadley 

 Mrs. C. J. Thayer, Cummington 

 Mrs. John Black, Williamsburg 

 Miss Pozzi, the Home Demonstration 

 Agent wishes to take this opportunity to 

 thank the Hampshire County Home- 

 makers for the way they have cooperated 

 with her in all of the projects carried on 

 in the county. 



May next year's results be still better. 



To Miss Hazel Ross of the Smith Agri- 

 cultural School we owe our thanks for the 

 capable way in which her students cared 

 for the twenty-three little children that 

 came to our annual picnic. 



Many playthings were brought to 

 Laurel Park by Miss Ross so that her 

 students who are having "Child Care" as 

 one of their projects could follow out 



Use an 

 Effective Disinfectant 



after removing reactors 

 We carry Parke, Davis & Co.'s 



COMPOUND SOLUTION OF 

 CRESOL, U. S. P. 



Recommended by the U. S. Dep't 

 of Agriculture 



Price right for quality. Free 

 delivery in gallon lots. 



WISWELL THE DRUGGIST 



82 Main Street 



Northampton, 



Mass. 



There is a DUPONT Paint or Varnish 

 for every purpose around the Farm 



A coat of Paint or Varnish improves the looks 

 of your Buildings or Farm Implements. It also 

 protects them from the weather — We have color 

 cards for you for the asking. Try DuPONT. 



Tliat Good Hardwaie Store 



Open 



Tel 11 Foster-Farrar Co. |t^-^4> 



162 Main Street 



Northampton, Mass. 



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