Rensselaer Union, Volume 1, Number 40, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 July 1869 — Auxiliary Crops. [ARTICLE]

Auxiliary Crops.

If the corn crop over a considerable extent of country is short, and the small grains are Injured, as seems likely, by an exaggerated growth of straw at the expense of berry, it will be well to engage more than usual in such of the later sown crops, as may, in a measure, take their places. It now seems that the grass crop is to be an exceedingly heavy one, so that Hungarian and Millet will not be needed for fodder except as with their abundance of seeds they may take the place of grain. If thought best to have them on hand, it is not now too late to put them Id, and the land intended for corn or where the seed has felled, may be used for that purpose. Buckwheat will help the farmer out amazingly, and may be sown anytime for two weeks yet. It is not the equal rs corn, oats or barley for feed, but Is not to be despised, while in the household and for poultry it is quite desirable. A patch of it is a good thing to have to fall back on. The Ruto Bags is still more va’uable; is not difficult qA cultivation,and yields well on all the lighter prairie soils, or where sand is a component part, but not preponderating. Now is the time to put them in. Make the soil mellow; roll it, aud use the drill to put in the seed. The rows should be from two to three feet apart The cultivation may be done principally by the small plow or cultivator, thinning out and pulling the weeds in the row by hand. The common Turnip should not be overlooked here, though there is plenty of time to put in the seed for a month yet. In connection with hay, turnips are good for all kinds of stock. All are fond of them; sheep especially so. Therefore where sheep are kept and cira is scarce, flock masters should provide themselves with turpips, as a substitute cheaper than anything else. “ Ten cent" com and oats are better, but such we Afri not likely to have soon again. They map be put in broad cast or in drills, bat -in: either case, avoid getting them tgk raw,' or if thick at first for the fly fin posr seed, take pains to thin oat ffier the 4t&h(f ls *ecure4,;.i. , ■*’ » , Pumpkins, or as dfer English friends have it of late “ Cattle" Melbna,” are not to be ignored^, one es the helps. They are good to make beef, fed with hay and grain, or even with hay alone. Hogs like them and will fatten on them. Good crops of-pumpkins may be grown on prairie breaking. At the East good crops are grown in connection with corn, but we believe with our large growth of stalk and leaf, almost completely shading the surface of the ground, the best way is to give the pumpkin the whole of the ground and let it have a chance.-—Prut ri« Farmer, June 16. . ■ - ~