Democratic Sentinel, Volume 4, Number 27, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 August 1880 — FARM NOTES. [ARTICLE]

FARM NOTES.

|From tbe American AgricnltarUt tor August.] Sowing Wheat. —When wheat follows oats, tbe oat stubble should be {flowed as soon as the crop is removed from the field, otherwise the dry weather, that so frequently comes in early autumn, will make the soil dry and hard, and it then can only be worked with difficulty. Wheat requires a fine, mellow soil, and if any clods remain after the first harrowing, the work of pulverizing the soil should be continued until all clods are reduced to a fine state. The roller and the Disk harrow are both excellent implements in bringing the soil into a proper condition. Drilling is by far the best method of sowing; it secures uniformity in depth, and saves seed by putting all the grains in a proper place for growth. Five or six pecks of grain is sufficient seed per acre when the drill is used. Of late some farmers are testing the value of cultivating wheat, and their results are almost uniformly in favor of the practice. In sowing, the alternate spouts of the' grain drill are closed, and the seed sown in fCws about sixteen inches apart. It is not difficult to construct a cultivator that will work between these rows by means of which the soil may be kept loose and free from weeds. ’ Seed.— Much depends upon the variety of wheat sown. Of the several kinds now “in the field,” the Clawson takes very high rank, and is the one found to be generally preferred in the wheat regions we have recently visited. Early sowing is best, except when there is danger from Hessian fly, when the late sowing is preferred, but owing to the poor growth made in autumn only an average crop may be expected from sowing late to escape the fly—it is a choice between two evils, the lesser of which is sowing the seed late. Rye is not so valuable a crop as wheat, but it has the advantage over wheat of doing well on a poorer soil. It should be borne in mind that a soil that is rich enough to grow a good crop of rye can, by a dressing of 250 to 300 pounds, of fertilizer, be made to produce a much more profitable crop of wheat. If the rye is grown for the straw, in special cases, the rye crop maybe more valuable than wheat; but as a grain crop the wheat takes the front rank. Fall Fodder. —White turnips may be sown this month. With the use of manure or artificial fertilizers, an oat stubble may be made to produce a ;rop 600 to 800 bushels per acre. These roots make excellent foodfor all kinds of stock, and will keep in good condition until J anuary. Sheep. —The coupling season begins soon, and a good ram only should be used. If possible, secure a pure blood—a poor ram is poor economy. Clover Seed. —Clover cut early for hay will be ready to cut again for seed tins month. The sod may be turned for wheat, and will furnish a large amount of valuable, quick-acting plantfood. For fall pasture, rye, or millet may be sown early this month, on rich and thoroughly prepared soil. If not wanted this fall, the rye will make a good crop for the spring soiling of the farm animals. Winter oats have succeeded in some parts of the South, but are not a safe crop for the* North. The seed is sown next month, but tlio preparation for is now made, and the more thorough the better. Swamp Lands. —This month and the next are the best for cleaning up the wet, low lands. The thick growth of grass and weeds is first to be cut and burned, when the soil will be ready to break up with a plow. So soon as the soil has been made fine by thorough harrowing, it should be’sownto grass seed. Frequently it will be necesssry to run one or more drains before the soil is prepared for the seeding. During dry weather drains can be dug at much less expense than when the soil is full of water. In making a drain, it must be remembered that its value largely depends upon the thoroughness with which the work is done. A drain to be a paying investment must be a permanent- investment. It is better to make a single drain that will last than a larger number, with the same money, that are imperfect, and will be constant sources of trouble. Muck.— This valuable material for the barnyard, stable and compost heap, can be dug with the greatest ease and profit at this season. It may be drawn out into a heap near by, with a team and a dump scraper, where it can get dried out, and afterward be drawn to the place where it is to be used.

Composts. There are many waste matters about the farm, and they should be gathered into a heap and there rotted into a valuable fertilizer. Weeds of all kinds that do not contain ripe seeds, and refuse of crops, should go into the compost heap. Fall Fallowing.—lt is -wise to plovt as much as possible for spring sowing. It is a half-way fallowing, and in so far an advantage to the soil; it is of more benefit to heavy land than light, and the earlier it is done the better. Fall, plowing greatly facilitates the farm operations in the spring. Mangels and Beets.—The root crops need frequent cultivation through August, and as long as the foliage will allow it. Sugar-beets are best if earthed up until the roots are entirely below the surface. Mangles do not require this care in “hilling up.” Potatoes should be harvested so soon as they are ripe, otherwise the tubers may sprout, especially if the weather is wet; they are more apt to be affected with the rot if not removed from the soil as soon as they are mature. Bum the vines. Cgws will need some fresh fodder when the pastures become short and dry. Fodder com is excellent for this, keeping up the flow of milk thrpugli the season. An abundance of cool, tresli water ougnt to be within the reach of the cows, and also shade from the hot sun of the summer noon-day. Lambs should be separated from the dams and given a good pasture by themselves. If early lambs are desired for the spring market, a Southdown cross is preferable for quality, though in size the Cotswolds are much larger than the Southdowns. Swine. —By proper management two litters of pigs may be obtained from the same sow in a year, and with considerable profit. It is frequently an advantage to have pigs come in August, as they can then be ready as small pork for the holidays. Above all, keep the pens neat and clean.