Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1851-09-03
improvements on the Farm.


before thcm.-Ed Germantown Telegraph.
improvements On the Farm.
The latter part Of August and the fore
part Of September may be considered the
most favorable part of the year for making
improvements on the f-rm. Atthis season.
the earlier crops have been secured, the
cultivation Of the later ones has been fin
ished, and the farmer is only waiting FOR
their maturity. In addition to the COM
parative leisure which is thus afforded,
there are other circumstances which rcudcr
this a suitable period for such operations.
The ground is generally drier than at any
other time during lie year. which permits
the labor Of men and teams on places
which at other tines are Inaccessible from
wetne.s. This is particularly favorable to
the drainage of bogs, and to the excavation
of peat or muck for manure. The growth
of bushes and shrubs has also reached that
particular crisis in which they may be
more easily killed by cutting or bruising.
One Of the first objects TO which atten-
tion should be directed in the improvement.
Of the farm, is the eradication Of bushes
and pcrnicious plants in fields, along lines
of fences, roalsiies, &c. These are not
only great drawbacks on the beauty Of the
farm, being unsightly to the eye, and CON
veying an unpleasant idea Of careless and
slovenly habits; but they are very detri-
mental to the pecuniary interest of the
farmer. They draw nourishment from the
grounl which should 60 to the support of
valuable plants, and by propagatiug them
selves, are constantly increasing and spread
ing the injury. Thistlcs. docks, briars,
and thorns, are often allowed to flourish,
unmoiested in the situations mentioned.
On the borders of fields they occupy the
richest Of the soil, and annually extend
their encroachments. They are not un-
frequently seen in good lands, that arc de-
voted to various crops, and in pastures are
quite common-many farmers being ap-
parcrtly regardless of their presence and
effects. The great extent Of ground that
is occupied by these worthless pests, is
dead loss: but beside this, grass and other
crops are robbed of moisture by them du-
ring drought, and at other times are soured
and diminished in growth by their shade
and roots.
1t should be an invariable rule with the
farmer to prevent all injurious plants from
seeding. This will at all events keep
them from spreading-ezcept such as in
crease by the root Annual OF biennial
thistles are easily destroyed by being cut
while in blossom and before any seed is ma
turcd; and even Canada thistles may be
destroyed by following up this course for
several seasons in succession. They should
be cut close to the ground, ard just at
that juncture when they are in fullest
bloom. A few will start, which if I'M
touched will produce seed in autumn but
this second crop should be cut without
fail, when in the same stage as the first
The readiest and most etfcctual mode OF
destroying Canada thistles, where they
occupy ground that will admit of cultiva-
tion, is by frequently working the soil
with the plow, or some implement that
will entirely prevent the growth Of the
top. No plant can bear to be deprived
Of its leaves for a long time, and if thistle
patches are worked over so often as ia
prevent the plant from appearing above
ground, they will be mostly killed in one
season.
Docks and mullens may be pulled up
any time before they make seed, although
it will be the most convenient TO pull them
after they have shot into the stalk. Those
which break of may be dug up with a
mattock. If cut off two or three inche:
below the surfaee, they will not start
The eyes or bads from which shoots pro
cced, are situated near the crown of th(
plant If not cat below these, they VI;
grow. The yellow dock is an exceedingl,
troublesome plant in grain fields ano
meadows, and should be exterminated Al
soon as it makes its appearance, as i
spreads very rapidly from seed. The bur
dock only grows in rich soil, but is fire.
quently allowed to monopolise some of tn
best portions Of the farm. When sheer