Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1857-11-18
AGRICULTURAL.

SpEISG WHEAT AND FALL PLowING.-WI-
liam o. Houghtailing of Grand Rapids, writes
that he has two lots of spring wheat grown ur-
der different systems of cultivation. The hrst
was a very fine lot, almost ready for the SICKLE
on the fourth of August, and which was so
rank and luxuriant that the yield seemed equal
TO that of the best field of winter grain. The
field was ploughed deeply last fall, and only
cultivated the last spring previous to sowing
the seed The seed sown on the 2Oth of
ApriI and cultivated in with light cultivator.
The second lot was ploughed during the
snriug Immediately before sowing the seed, the
soil being equally as good as that of the first.
Both were old sod. Yet the yield on the sec
ond lot, either of grain or straw, does hot
seem to be half as good as that sown On the
land ploughed last fall. 1t is the opinion OF
Mr.. Houghtailing that spring wheat, grown u
pon faIl-pIoughed land as he has tried, yields
a better and surer crop than winter wheat soWn
in October. We have no doubt at all of the
correctness of the practice of fall-ploughing
for spring crops, and especially for spring
wheat and barley. The exposing to atmosphe-
ric influences during the winter, meiioWs and
enriches the seed bed to such degree that
whenever the grain is sown it has the elements
at hand ready for the assimilation which 1t
needs. The soil newly turned up has first to
be prepared or mellOwed, or Oridi-ed, as the
chemists would term it, before it becomes tit
TO Weld nourishment and while this process
is going on, much precious time is lost, and
the growth of the plant is abbreviated in pro-
,-aIn, ovrltt tto.n
yield cannot be as large as when it has the
whole length of the season which nature seems
to have set apart as that to which the plant
shall make stems and leaves, previous to the
formation of the seed vessels.-Hichigan Far
raeT.
TRASsPLAxTISG FRUIT TREES N THE FALL.
Although spring is the usual season for trans
planting trees and shrubs, there are many
kinds that may be put down in the Fall, if the
work be thoroughly done, such as the apple,
peach, plum, common cherry, and many kinds
of plants vines and bushes. But whether you
plant spring or fall, we would strongly recon-
mend that all trees, &C., be obtained from the
nurseries in the Fall. Those who do so have
an important advantage over those who wait
till spring. The fall purchaser gets the first
choice, as to size and sorts. Again, farmers
have more time to attend to such business in
the fall than in the spring. You then have the
trees on hand, ready for planting soon as
the ground is clear of frost, and can be work.
ed. The trees should be taken from the nur
sery as soon as the foliage drops, and if there
should be any leaves remaining on at the time
of taking up, strip them off. Get Your tIee:
home as seon as possible, and see that the root
are not frozen before they are heeIed in for The
winter, which is done this way Dig q trench
in a moderately dry place, where surface wa
ter will not stand, about two feet deep, Will
one side good deal slanting. Upon the
sloping side lay the trees, with their root.
three or four inches from the other side ther
pack the roots carefully with fine, top soil. and
tread it down. Thus treated, trees will come
ont in the spring in as good, if not better or
der than if left standing through the winter
1t will be still better if the tops are covere,
with boards to keep the sun off. Straw o
coarse manure would be better, but for its al
fordipp n harhor for mice-N ". Farmer