Grass, Legume and Forb Cultivation

Photograph of the harvesting of 35 acres of King Ranch bluestem grass on the A. E. Bryant farm /ranch. A combine with a spike-tooth cylinder was used. Two days were required to harvest the grass. Mr. Bryant estimates he harvested 1500 pounds of clean seed. Planting was made in the spring of 1947. A good seed crop was harvested in June, a light crop in July and a good yield will be harvested in October. From 2 harvests in 1948 a total of 2500 pounds of seed were harvested. Mr. Bryant needs the following adjustments on his combine for harvesting the crop: the cylinder set at a speed of 1080 rpm; the header set high [unclear] off the air; a ¼ to 3/8 inch clearance on the cylinder; and the reel set forward and down. This is a perennial grass that appears to have a wide adaptation as to soil & rainfall. Note that the grass is waist-high. Planted in 3 feet rows (105 pounds on 35 acres). It has been kept in rows as row plantings tend to yield more than drilled plantings. Bryant has obtained good results by [unclear] dressing this grass with 100 pounds of ammonium sulphate …
Date: July 9, 1949
Creator: Brock, C. G.
System: The Gateway to Oklahoma History