Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1845-06-12
Failure OF Crops - Articles that may
yet be ptanted---W inter food for Cat
lie.

YET DC pkinte0---tH IntcE lOO0 tOE al
tie.
AS it is generally known and admitted in this sec
ton of country that the grass crop will be very light,
we think the following hints from the Ohio Cultiva-
tor, If improved upon, will be of vast service to our
farmers and the public generally. 1t is not yet too
late:
Throu ghout a large portion Of Ohio the grass crop will
evidently be an almost an entire failure, owing 10 the Sc
verify Of the drought, and there is reason TO ~aPprehend
that most Of the other productions Of the farm will be very
light crops. In view Of these prospects. what Is The duty
of the farmers in this region : certainly rot TO settle down
IN dependency aud spend their time in Useless complaints
OF the dispensations Of Providence, as we regret TO fud
many are inclined to DO. On the contrary every sensible
man will cast about in his mind TO discover what plan he
can devise, and articles Of culture he car sill adopt with
easonsbe hope Of success. for supplying the deficiency
that will occur, and furnishing food next winter for his
domestic animals, and possibly for his family. Fortunate
ly it is not so late in The season but that his ground can
be replsnted with seeds Of some kinds, that with ordinary
summer weather. i, may be hoped will produce a valuable
crop and therefore no time should be lost ia setting about
the work of putting them in, where land is unoceupied or
crops have failed. Here we can see the necessity there is
that farmers should read more and obtain a knowledge Of
a greater variety OF productions. than are ordinarily cult
waited in this country. As an evidence Of this nerd, how
few Of the farmers in central Ohio know anything about
the nature or value Of the Msngel Wurzel. Ruia Baga,
MIllet and many other crops that might be found Of value
at a time like the present.
We may briefly mention a few articles that NAV vet be
sown or planted with success. if the season from this time
should prove favorable, and give a few hints that may aid
farmers in selecting such ss are best adapted 10 their land
or other circumstances.
SOWING CORN FOL FODDER.
When it is apprehsnded that there will be a scarcity Of
fodder for cattle, a few acres Of good corn ground should
be prepared, after it has been well moistened BY rain, and
sOwn with corn for fodder. II the ground is rich and
clean, ii may be sown broadcast like oats. at the rate Of
three or four pecks 10 the acre. aud plowed in lightly if
not too wet rr clsyey ii would be the better for being roll
ed after sowing. Or a better method is 10 fuuow out the
ground snd drop the corn IN rows say two and a half feet
apart, and six to eight inches in the rows, then going over
it once or twice with a harrow after the plants appear, aud
with a small plOw between the rows at a later period. In
this way a heavy crop of fodder may be Obtained sta
tlaing expense. Il should be cut before it begins TO IL
pen or Turn brown, and after willing a day or two be
stacked in such a manner as to sweat without spelling.
MlLLET.
(PGnieum miiiacum)
This is an excellent crop for fodder when a scarcity Of
hay is apprehended, SIS it may be sOwn as late IS the mid
die Of June. Ii succeeds well in New York and PennsyI-
vania and doubtless will in Ohio. though we believe il is
very little known here, and we are not sure whether the
seed can be found IN this State. Ii is an annual grain or
grass Of very rapid growth, yielding from three 10 four
tons Of good fodder or hay 10 the acre, and fifteen or twen-
~ bushels Of gain If allowed 10 npen. II should be cut
for fodder before the seed is fully ripe. Good corn ground
is suitable for Millet. Ii delights in new land, rich and
rather sandy. II is sOwn like oats about two or three
Pecks Of seed TO the acre.
RUTA BAGA.
This is sometimes called Swedish Turnip. 1t is q large
yeIlowish tumip very hard and much more nutritious
and lasting, than the common turnip. IL is also, better
adapted to the soil and climate Of this country, and more
valuable in every respect. IL is excellent winter food for
cattle, sheep and hogs but when fed TO mich cows il
sometimes imparts a slight TASTE ofturnips TO the mik-h
is said, however. that this is avoided by always milking
before, instead Of after, the cows are fd with the roots.
The soil for ruta bsgss, should be a rich sandy loan, well
MANFRED and worked very fine. II very free from weeds.
the seed may be sown broadcast, like common turnips, at
the rate of about | Ia. Dr acre. and afe The Dlants have
attained three leaves hoe and Thin to ten or twelve inches
apart but a much surer and better way is to sow the seed
in drills two feet apart. and allow the plants TO stand eight
to ten inches apart after thinning and hoeing. By this
method a pillow can he run between the rows, and The
ground thus kept mellow, which will greatly increase the
crop. The yield is often as high ss q thousand bushels per
acre, but half that quantity may be called a good crop.
The time TOR sowing is, from the LIST TO the 18th Of June.
The seed (Which should always be imPored,) can be had
at any seed store, and at the office Of the Ohio Cultivation.
COMMON TURNIPS.
Should the season continue dry for a month or so lon
ger, and other resources generally fail, it will still be in
time 10 sow the common t1rnips, and The prospect Of q
moist fall will be in favor of sowing this crop New land
with a good proportion of sand and muck, Is the best for
turnips; next TO this, any good bottom land, or rich moist
soil that is not otherwise appropriated. The seed should
not be sown earlier than the last week in July, in this eli
mate, as the hot sun Of midsummer is unfavOrable TO their
growth. We will speak Of the different kinds of Iurnips
and their culture at another time.
MANGE WURZE AND SUGAR BETS.
1t would not be too late yet too expect a crop of these,
provided the seeds could be made to vegetate with certain
Iy but in dry hot weather, this csnnot be done, and we
cannot recon mend sowing them now. Indeed, very few
of those who have sown them this spring. have succeeded
in getting them up. They may still come. if we have rain
of several days continuance bot it will be safer 10 sow
the ground with ruta bsgs, than 20 rely on the beet seeds.
Carrots might lso be raised with advantage, sown now,
If we were sure of a week or so Of wet weather to bring
them up. They are first rate food for horses and cows.
POTATOES.
Farmers who have plenty of potatoes on hand ft for
planting and land for the purpose should immediately put
in several acres.
We found one of the best farmers of Licking county,
blowing land for this purpose, a day or two since, and be
assured US that he generally found the first week in June,
the most suitable season for planting potatoes for winter
use-and even the middle Of June be considered a good
time. The pota.oe crop may Prove a very good one this
year, and every body KIN lows IL can be made q substitute
for almost every other, for The suslensnce of man and beast.
Let US have plenty of potatoes, then next winter, if here
should be a scarcity of wheat, oats and corn, and they will
prove of great value to the farmer.
BUCK HEAT
This, we believe, is he latest article that can be sown
for producing a crop the same year and IL occupies less
time IN coming 10 maturity than any other. The heat Of
sumner being unfavorsbse to its growth, IL is commonly
sown in the month of August, and harvested in October.
We are not sure whether IL is generally found TO succeed
well in the south part of this State, but we presume it is q
I pretty certain crop, if the fall is not too dry and hot. II
will be well 10 sow this, if other things fsil; we will refer
to it again hereafter.
Army Movements.
The Red River Republican of the 18th inst, after
announcing that Brigadier General Taylor, Ccmman-