Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1847-10-14
Agricultural.
Farm Work for October.


We have now entered upon a most important
month, month full of the latter harvest, and
rich particularly in the ripe ears of the Indian
corn.
The gathering of this harvest is usually Joy
GUS task, and farmers feel rich in the prospect of
a supply OF rye and Indian bread and cakes from
their own storehouses. If the ancient people of
Taunton were justified in giving louder respon-
ses when fish abounded than at other seasons !;
who can wonder if the growers of corn are proud
when they witness the fruits of their summer la
bors in the rpened field!
Rains late in October injure materially the
stover of corn, filling it with grit that is not a.
greelble to cattle. 1t is therefore good husband
ny to secure the corn harvest soon as it is
venient after October, and the hard frosts have
made their appearance. 1t is true the ears Of
corn suffer but little till November comes though
they stand in the open field and they are bet
ter there than any where else, unless you have a
good courthouse that will admit the air freely
Husks may be too dry for fodder when they
are suffered TO stand out late. A little mouldi-
ness does not injure them. If they are quite
green, mix poor meadow hay with them, or straw
of some kind, and let the cattle have the whole
together
Stalks that have been pled up in the field
should never stand out late in the season. Two
weeks of tolerable weather will sweeten them
enough to be carted to the barn.
Potatoes must be dug and secured The less
air that is admitted to them after they are dug
the richer the potatoe. Yet in cases Of rot it is
safer to dry them in the sun before they are put
in the cellar 1t is not generally good husband
ny to dig winter potatoes early; they are better
in the ground till hard frosts threaten October
is better than September for housing potatoes.
Winter apples should be picked quite early il
October. This kind of fruit is richest when il
remains on the tree till it is fully ripe; but there
is risk from winds and bruises, and apples are les
liabe to rot when they are gathered as soon a
the first of October.
Dry wood will be wanted for kindling through
the whole winter This should be under cover
though yon may not have room for your Who'll
winter stock. Secure enough for kindlng whe
the weather is good, if you would keep the wome
in good humor.
In short, you must be preparing for cold weatf
err. October is an important time to set hous
and barn in order. Eating hogs want particula
attention; little charcoal for the stomach, an
little birthstone for the bowels will tend to kee
off dyspepsia and costiveness, and give your hog
an appetite for the heartest food.
Butter making will be continued of course a
long as the feed lasts, and this will be abundar
for cows if you have kept your moving ground
in good order Pumpkins should be dealt OF
to them before the frost renders them worthless
and pumpkins will be found to improve the mil
in quantity and quality
Transplanting fruit trees spracticed by man
in October in preference to April. When AT
: tumn is chosen for this business it should
done early, as soon as the leaves cease to dra'
sap from the trunk. For there is danger of il
jury to the roots when the tree is set just befor
the ground is closed. Peach trees particular
are liable to be injured in this way, and we car
not recommend removal of these in Autumn.
In regard to pear and apple trees we hav
known them to succeed when removed early i
! October The ground has then time to settl
about the roots, and there is less danger frol
Frost When set in October heap of manur
E should be piled about the body to keep it stead
= through the winter and spring. In the fore pa
of June this manure may be spread. If som
: thing of this kind is not used stake wi
:, be necessary to keep the tree in place.