Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1855-09-15
AGRICULTURAL.
FARM WORK FOR SEPTEMBER.


September has come again and we mus,
meet her in proper spirit. This month was
formerly month of leisure to the farmer
He topped his corn and secured the tops in
pixies that often stood out till November Then
he could afford TO 60 hunting and fishing and
racing till it was time to dig the potatoes and
harvest the corn.
But now, oh what change As soon as
haying is over we must attend to permanent i'm
proyements on the farm. Instead of moving
bushes in the pastures we must contrye to use
the plough, and bring the soil to a higher state
Of cultivation
Now is the time to sow down TO grass such
land as you do not choose TO plant Sow the
seeds early in September, if you have not done
the thing in August, and you will have good
yield next year. We see some sage advice
given in regard to sowing lands that are now
prepared for the seed. Wait, Gays the adviser
ii spring, and then sow--thus the weeds are to
have all the advantage of this seasons prepara-
ton, and the grass shoots may contend with
them as they may after six months delay.
Now why not SOW the LeIds-grass and the
red-top at once and as soon as the ground is
fitted for the seed 1t is quite absurd TO let
the well fitted soil lie till the weeds have got
the start and then expect a good hay harvest
next summer. One great objection to sowing
grass seed in the spring without grain, is that
the weeds stand an equal chance with the grass.
But when the land is ready for seed in Septem-
Der. and it is suffered TO lie without seeding the
case is still worse
Our advice is TO sow as soon as the land is
prepared for the seed, and lie, the sown grass
have all the advantage possible Of the wild mat
ter that is always too ready to ntrnde. MANY
have learned, within fifteen years, that this is
the best mode TO take the advantage of weeds
and wild grass that are always ready TO occupy
low grounds.
top dressing is required on sowing down
In August or Observation-Disclosures good
harvest cannot be expected in the following sum-
mer Atthis season we recommend the sowing
of herds-grass and red-top, as these kinds are
not likely to be winter killed Clover seed NAV
be sown on the surface late in November, not 10
segeiate till next spring.
When the seed is heavy and good, one neck
OF herds-grass and two or three pecks of red-top
will be sufficient for an acre. When more is
sown 1t comes up matted and will not produce
so good crop Of hay.
When bog meadows are 10 be converted in
TO English moving the first step is to drain the
nat land. bitches must be dug-and we find
distance OF four rods from ditch to ditch the
most convenient for our own draining. When
meadows are very wet and springy the bitches
may be dug nearer TO each other. Ii is well IN
make them all parallel to one another for the con.
venience of moving and raking-and particu-
laly so when the land is Of such character
that team may be introduced when il becomes
necessary to invert the sod and SOW down a.
gain.
Our early patrons understand this mode of
ditching and of seeding, and we need not be
thus particular with those who have exper- |
men'ed in this line but there are still numer-
Gus farmers who are making inquiries about
seeding down in August and September. and
we repeat again and again what we have pub.
isned IN former years. We think this the |
more necessary as some writers and teachers of
farmers seem not yet TO understand the true mode
of summer seeding.
'"s eiO " W. CUT IN september, Ii |
is modern practice TO wait till the kernel is
somewhat hardened and then cut the whole at
the root and put the stalks in pixies to mature
me grain and TO dry the slower. There are in
stances where something is gained by this mode
o. harvesting as in cases where the ground must
De cleared for summer seeding. And il is also
ADMITTED that the corn slower, taken together. is
more valuable than when the tops are cut early
anu 'he bottoms arc permitted to stand till late
IN Inc autumn. II is also admitted thai The
corn Is sometimes saved from an early frost if
you happen to know when the frost is coming.
ana are lucky enough to have your bundles nick,
cd up before the cold comes on.
Otherwise we see no advantage in cu,tno a,
me root instead of topping the stalks in the old
mode And we fancy that we lose in weigh,
and IN the quality of the grain by cutting loo
early AS the saving of labor we cannot az res
WIN the advocates oflhe modern mode ofharyes,.
N.Y. II Is not an easy matter to teach old la
ooreis new modes of husbandry-and unless the
proprietor can be constantly with his men he IL 4,
w, ou'' ual nall days work will be done in ,
Gay when he sets them on a new ,r,cL
Our farmers who are used to cutting nm corO
-"u harvesting Il In the old way, make awL- ,
%a'' work IN taking whole bundle in,o ,beir
,aps az one time and pucking of the ears before
s' ihsy say, too, that the labor ofoad-