Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1848-06-15

From the Columbia Sentinel
Practical effect Of SeaSOnablo Farming,

Practical effect Of SGaSOnablo Farming.
have heretofore enjoned the necessity of season.
able farming, because have repeatedly compared the
appearance of farms thus cultivated with others per-
haps naturally as good but which by different course
of management-that is, when all the work was done
late in the season. in other words not until the
efs were driven to 1.-THE difference made in every
instance is manifest, and so much in favor of the
go ahead farmer that | have often been astonished
that the example of the latter was not always follow
ed Reflections of this nature have occurred to every
farmer of the least observation; and if there are some
who yet practice delay in their work. trust they will
not also advocate it the best method 1t is not in
branch Of agriculture alone that the effects of this
kind of management have been observable it extends
through all the operations of the year, and uniformly
results in this-whe the one makes money the other
is gradually becoming poor. now design to give
practical illustration of this rule exactly as it has &C.
cured in this vicinity and as mean to state simply
facts, trust no one will accuse me of exaggeration.
Within few miles of my residence are two farm
ers, who each have field of corn and as have often
them at work in their respective lots during the
season, am enabled to state the method of cultivation
pursued by EACH First, the soil of both was that of
our pine plain-a mixture of sand and gravel but the
largest proportion is sand. The two pieces were both
sod, land put down to grass one had been in grass
two years, the other longer, but in both previous to
ploughing, the grass abundant and vigorous. If
choice had been offered me of either of the lots for
crop of corn would have selected the one which had
been the longest in grass not only on this account,
but because thought it more inclined to loan than
the other lot. Now what will call the best lot, for
such really conceived it to be, poughed late and
with two horses 1t then lay some time before plant
ing, and the grass was beginning to sprout 1t was
not furrowed and planted The as came up had
to encounter the grass which had the start of it, and
permitted to grow time, that at the first
hoeng, the former was small and slckly. However,
at late day this operation was performed and before
the last of the field Finished the grass in the part
first hoed had become vigorous. The plough was af-
ter this occasionally used but never until the shoots
of grass were so numerous and large to interfere
with the young sprouts Of corn. This field has now
come to maturity, and if the owner gathers fifteen
bushels to the acre. it will be more than he has right
to expect and certainly as much as he can possibly
gather from it.
We will now 20 to the other field, which has been
subject to another kind of management, and see the
difference in product The poorest lot, as l call it,
was not poughed early, though in good season, with
three stout horses. Immediately after the poughing,
the harrow applied, and after that it was uirow-
ed and planted As soon as necessary the corn was
poughed and hoed the plough was likewise used once
or twice afterwards, and always in season. for the OBJ
ect was to keep the young plant clean of grass and
Weeds and thus give it not only the entire surface Of
the ground for its growth but the roots all the strength
for their nourishment that the soil would afford This
field of corn having come to maturity, is good though
not heavy crop. 1t will yield, think between for
ty and fifty bushels to the acre. Comparing the two
fields together therefore, the advantage is two thirds
in favor of the seasonabe farmer over his more tardy
neghbor Should be asked which of these two FARM
ers labored the hardest on his farm would answer
promptly the man who has the poorest piece of corn;
because notice he does all work late, and is driven
by SO that he is always in hurry, whilst the other
taking time by the forelock seems to have plenty Of
leisure and takes things easy. In circumstances they
much like their respective pieces of corn and the
disparity between them must become greater and
greater, unless the will initiate the example of
the other.
Reader, have not amused you with fictitious
story. have stated only the naked truth, without
particle of exaggeratlon; and it is not necessary for
you to visit these two fields of corn to coroborate
what have said. You have only to look around you,
and by drawing comparison you will see the differ
ence between field of corn or every other kind of
grain on which the work has been done properly and
in good season. and another where the labor has been
performed not only out Of season but in an improper
manner.