36 



FARM PRACTICE WITH FORAGE CROPS IN OREGON, ETC. 



together badly during the winter, it is replowed in the early spring. 

 Instead of the above procedure, the manure is sometimes spread dur- 

 ing the winter, the land plowed deep in the early spring, and a fine, 

 firm seed bed formed immediately by disking, harrowing, rolling, 

 planking, etc., as the conditions may require. Between the prepara- 

 tion of the seed bed in the early spring and planting the seed during 

 April or early in May the land is cultivated sufficiently to keep the 

 weeds subdued. Just before planting the seed a thorough cultiva- 

 tion is given, finishing with a planker or clod masher. This destroys 

 the weeds, thoroughly pulverizes the soil, and leaves the surface 

 smooth and in good condition for planting. 



Mangel-wurzels and ruta-bagas are usually groivn in rows from 22 

 to 30 inches apart. When planted in continuous rows, enough seed 



is used to insure a good stand. 

 When sown with a hill-drop- 

 ping planter, the hills are from 

 8 to 15 inches apart and -i or 5 

 seeds are dropped in each hill. 

 The rows of carrots are usually 

 18 inches apart and the hills S 

 inches. 



As soon as the plants can be 

 seen in the rows, the wheel hoe 

 is started. With the guards of 

 the hoe next to the row, the cul- 

 tivation is done as close to the 

 row as possible without cover- 

 ing or disturbing the plants too 

 much. Considerable hand weed- 

 ing and hoeing between the 

 hills and along the rows is usu- 

 ally necessary. When the plants 

 are 3 or 4 inches high, they are thinned, leaving the most vigorous 

 plant in each hill. When sown in continuous rows, the thinning 

 is largely done with a hoe, striking across the row. Subsequent 

 cultivation should at least be sufficient to keep the weeds under 

 control. As much of it as possible is usually done with a horse cul- 

 tivator. 



Instead of the common and wheel hoes for thinning and weeding, 

 some prefer to use a "scuffle" hoe. (See figs. 3 and 4.) When in 

 use, the blade of such hoes is in a horizontal position and is pushed 

 and pulled just under the surface of the ground. The blade shown 

 in figure 3 is diamond shaped, about 2 inches wide in the middle and 

 one-half inch wide at each end, and about 8 inches long. About an 



Fig. 3.— A "scuffle 11 hoe devised and used by 

 W. J. Langdon, Sumner, Wash., in thinning and 

 weeding root crops. A very effective imple- 

 ment. 



