The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1854-12-16

ty, we ascertaincl that the damage TO the
grain crop, the wheat and oats, was not
much less annually than the taxes of the
county, and much of this was occasioned by
damage TO the grain while in shock; We were
then in the habit of wind rowing our grain.
The club recommended in very strong terms
substituting the round shock double capped:
that is placing ten shelves in round bunch,
with the arms hugging the tops well in to-
gcthcr; then take sheet and placing the
butts against the breast, brake it down at
the band thus forming an angle like the arm
bent at the elbow, throw this over the top OF
the shock, and with second shcaf fashioned
in the same way, lay it at right angles across
the first, thus forming complete quadrant
guar architectural roof BY publications on
the subject and offering premiums at our ag-
the round shock with double cap, we al.
most in single season introduced the rouud
shock into general favor; the wna-row is
hardly now to be seen.
1t will successfully protect from the wealth
or, If put up right, at least my own expert
cncc with bearded wheat is to the effect that
there is little or no danger to be apprchond-
cd. In 1916, the harvest We a her was bad my
agricultural Journal shows that ii raincd eve
ry day for one week, and some days all day,
yet | subsequently hauled large field of
wheat shocked in this way without even
throwing Off the caps. The present season
my wheat was out month. as ! left it when
shocked and went over my corn, cut my oats,
and did other work, and though it raln,d
with us more or less on several days, haul
cd at the end Of month directly from the
field and thrcshcd, and did not see the fiji st
grown head. 1t is best to go around occa-
sionslly and see the caps arc well on.
am told our Virginia friends, in eastern
Virginia, do not even bind a Slcaf Of wheat.
My friend, Mr.. Willoushby Newton, told Inc
he had not hand on his farm that knew
how TO bind shcnf II wheat. They carry
it up loose as it is cut and shock or stack it
in small stacks. 1t would strike us that it
must be slow process, and very awkward
handling it in all subsequent operations; but
am told this plan has many friends, and in
practice it may have more TO recommend it
than strikes us at first view. Hands will get
great dcxtcrity in binding. have seen them,
and no doubt you have many Of Item in
Montgomery county. that when hard pressed
by the machine would bind as they walked
only Stacking their pace as they paused for
an instant to take up the savil, then throw
ing the band round and tying it as they
walked on.
While in England last summer, dining with
some OF their agriculturlsts, conversation
happened to turn on their great loss of grain
from the weather in harvesting, suggested
the round shock with its architectural roof.
which saw was new to them. An English
man is slow to believe, and especially to be-
licvc that any way but his own way is the
right way. / finally told them ! would not
attempt to convince them by argument, but
if there was any wheat handy, would like
to show them the round shock, the Gamer
lean shock" as called it, with its architcc-
tural roof. agreed" said they, and we adj
ourncd from the table to the barn floor,
where at once erected several shocks i'll
about the time as they admitted it would take
to wind.row it. They expressed great admi-
e I, cl,n,l. cnn,,,nl n,r talscn wit IN
it, without dissenting voice, and all propos'
ed to try it this harvest, and some promised
to report to me the result.
As the two matters | have mentioned arc
so cminently practical, will add one word
on topic less utiitarian, and certainly more
ornamcntal-I mean ornamental shade trees
Our warm climate, and the length of ouI
summers render shade almost necessity
and there is nothing with which a rural homo
can be cmbeliscd and set off to such advan'
tagc. and at SO little expense, as with trees
and shrubbcry. Our native forests supply ar
abundant variety in the tulip poplar, the wal
nut. the ash, the beach, the elm, the cedar
and other varieties; while the common black.
haw, cultivated as shrub, would be mis-
taken on the lawn, from its delicate and beau
tiful foliage, for some plant Of the tropics
The home and its surroundings give charac.
ter to the estate, and are not without infu
cnce even upon the character Of those who
inhabit that home, Where homes are sc
cheaply made beautiful and pleasant, there is
no apology for nude, naked, exposed dwell
ing, the drapery Of trees, and vines, ant
shrubbery being as necessary and more beau
tiful than anything with which the house car
be ornamentcd within. But this is all a tru
ism, and has been repeated much more beau
tifully and imprcssivcly hundred times be-
fore. Now, for the practical commentator
the rule that, if followed, will produce thu
desired results. Every year before beginning
to plant corn, no matter what the cxigencies
arc, let the proprietor say, Il must first plan
my trees; my trees first, and then my corn,
and taking his team to the forests single day
will suffice for pitching" this crop, includ
ing one or more trees to be set down at every
cottage or tenement on the estate. lie viii
he surprised to find how soon, adhcring II
this plan every year, his grounds will become
ornamcntcd with beautiful shade trees, ell