Rensselaer Union, Volume 2, Number 51, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 September 1870 — Farm Work after Harvest. [ARTICLE]

Farm Work after Harvest.

Afteb the labors of gathering in the hay and grain crops have been finished, most of the farmers have before them a season of comparative respite, lasting until the time comes for harvesting fall cereals, roots and fruits. During this season of relaxation from arduous dutu s, there are many things connected with the pursuits of the husbandman which do not require any great amount of physical effort, but those which will prove very advantageous if attended to. We mentioned some of them last season, which will bear repeating at this time. Particular attention should be given to the condition of meadows. All the obstructions of the mowing machine may now be seen and removed, and the spots least productive marked by sticking stakes or otherwise, for future attention. The present is a good time to note the effect of underdraining, and what advantage io crops has been gathered by it; the advantage or disadvantage of drilling in wheat; the differeifee, if any, in corn planted by hand or with the planter; covered deep or shallow, sprouted or dry. Note the growth of different kinds of crops now in the ground, and the effect of the several kinds of manure used. It is a well-known fact that different kinds of soil require different kinds of fertilizers; and also that the various kinds of grains and vegetables seek in part different elements to make up their growth, and by noting now the effects from certain treatments, knowledge will be gained of value for future use. Note the progress of cions set from cuttings made in the winter, as compared with these taken off at the time of setting; the growth of vines and trees where differ ent mulches have been used; the effects of different liquid fertilizers applied, etc. Note the result of feeding whey to milch cows, and the profits as compared to giving the same to hogs; of frequent salting of stock and the opposite; of soiling milch cows with different kinds of feed; of keeping swine in clover fields, eta, etc. Making notes of observations as we have suggested, and others similar, will amount to more in real profit to the farmer than he would suppose, if bare in this particular direction has never been exercised. It is a noticeable fact, that our wealthy and prospering farmers are those who keep their eyes wide open, and are continually watching the result of different modes of farm operations, and adopting such as are seen to be most profitable. An exchange wisely suggests that farmers at this season mow the roads, rank places in pastures, fhc unsightly places that were not mown in with the hay. Thir rough fodder will be gratefully received by stock now and again for a change; also it will be useful, and very profitable for bedding. Brakes, tender young bushoo of this year’s growth, woods,

rushes, rank growing roadside planta—*ll fill a useful place, when applied to thia use. They not only serve for bedding, making stock clean and comfortable, but they add to the manure resources of the barn. Several loads may be obtained on each farm, that, year.Sftt-r year, have previously fallen down uncared for. i. Glancing over the country, we nee many farms on which there are rowa of bushes, brakes and weeds, lining the walls, fences and roadsides. This ought not to be. Year by year, these now uselets, unprofitable things, encroach more and more upon the cultivated portions of the field, driving out the grasses, shading the* crops, and yielding no return for the damage they do. Eradicate them; burn those unfit for bedding or the compost heap, and exercise vigilance in their utter extermination in future. Let no opportunity to get hay. fodder or bedding pass unimproved. Too little attention is paid to this, too little effort expended in this direction. An excellent time to apply top dressing to grass lands, and perhaps the very best, is directly after haying. Whether it be old, well de-** composed manure, ashes, superphosphate, lime or other fertilizing agent, it forms a protection to the shaven field, from the rays of a burning sun; the fall rains carry it away to the rootlets; it forms a protection to the grass from ice and frcst.— Ohio Farmer.