On Tue, 29 Sep 1998, Michael Smith wrote:

> > So what I'm saying is that nitrogen plays a central role in > civilization. In the case of using the cows' dung where the ruminant > has pre-processed our organic matter for us by chewing her cud and with > the help of the various microbes living within her stomach sacks, > there is a fine Astral quality that comes from her. Take advantage of > it. >

Years ago this area was mostly cattle ranches and grain farms. Most farmers raised both. Hay was produced for their own stock and grain was shipped for a cash crop. Oats was the leading grain crop.

When I started farming the oldtimers still used to reccomend this method:

" If in February you have a big lush crop of oats, turn the cattle into it. Turn in lots of cows, have your neighbor bring his over if necessary. Let them eat it and knock it all down. When it turns yellow, take them out. The oats will come back and stool out and you will get a bigger crop."

I didn't like the idea of doing this to a crop that I had watched grow, but I didn't have any cows anyway. I saw it done to high advantage a few times. I will always remember my first crop of oats. The neighbors cows got in for a few days in February. They were only in there a short while, but I will always remember how lush the clumps of oats grew where each cow pie landed.

The oldtimers knew manure was good. They knew it was their fertility and lifeblood. Back when everyone farmed with horses, they all rotated their fields with livestock. Now I believe the special magic that occurs when manure covers a layer of carbonacous material on the soil surface is the key.

Tom Armstrong toma@crl.com Sequera Ranch s.1892 San Gregorio, CA Barnyard Technology--- Ideas for tomorrow -> from yesterday's scrap. 4th -> 5th gen. on family farm. Can Ag Sustain? A ghost town fights its way back.. http://www.crl.com/~toma/