Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1860-06-29

1N@~N-
out, the strongest should be selected,
and the others taken away before they
make any particular growth, so that all
the strength may be thrown into the i
selected shoot. BY cutting back branches
that are getting old or decayed, the bush
may easily be removed but in such case
there may be expected little forest Of
new shoots, and these are all 10 be re-
moved excepting those wanted to form
the new branches.
The TINE TO cur liar AND GRASS.
This is an important matter, and one
that has not received sufficient attention. /,
Farmers are in the habit Of cutting their
grain and grass at the most convenient
time, and without much regard as to what
effect such cutting has upon the weight
and nutritive qualities of the crop. They
will continue TO do this, because they
have not bestowed thought or inves,iga-
ton upon the subject, and therefore do
not realize the losses they incur by neg
lecting to harvest grains and grasses at
the proper time. The reasons for this
loss are so plainly set forth by Mr.. Au-
derson, the learntd q editor of the Farmers
Journal, published at Montreal, that we
prefer to employ them. TO using words Of
our own. He says that
Grass, while still green, contains a
large amount of starch, gum and sugar.
The sugar is perceived in the sweetish
taste of the juice; the starch aud gum,
being nearly tasieless, are not so readily
perceived. The principal nourishing in
gradients in all kinds of food are starch,
gum, sugar and some nitrogenous COM
pound. But the starch, gum and sugar
are mainly changed into hard indigesii-
ble woody fibre when grass fully natures.
If the ripening process be arrested
eight or ten days before its completion,
and the plant be dried rapidly, double
and treble the amount Of starch, gum and
sugar viii be secured. The same reas-
oning holds true of all kinds Of grain
Every one is familiar with the sweet
taste of green corn, wheat ia the milk,
etc. When the growth is completed, cut
these crops and you save a considerable
amount of rich nutriment which would
otherwise be changed TO the woody fibre
Of the outer shell. The only point TO be
looked TO, is, TO wait until the accumu-
lation of juices is completed, and then
begin the harvesting at once. The only
exception to this rule is with crops de-
signed solely for seed these may well
be left TO the natural full ripening upon
the stalk, especially when the seed is to
be kept long.
The proper time for cutting grasses is
at the moment the seed is set. or imme.
diately after the Towering is over Clo-
yer should be cut as soon as in full
bloom.
A large number OF experiments on
wheat and other grains indicate that the
proper tins for harvesting is when the
kernel is fully formed, but still soft enough
to yield to a moderate pressure between
the thumb nails. This is usually about
ten days before maturity"
This reasoning is undoubtedly correct
not only because it is founded on true
scientific principles, but also because /
is confirmed in an abundance of expert
ence by those who have put the mattel
TO practical test. II would be safe, W.
think, to say that millions Of dollars wouIc
be saved to the country annually, if tbii
single item Of business Of the farm wer,
carefully investigated, and such a prac
: tice adopted as the investigation would
: certainly suggest.
The want of more accurate knowl
: edge Of the business in which be is en-
gagged, Of clearer insight into matter
q which be cannot comprehend at glance
1 IS one leading reason why the profits O
Il the farmer do not more constantly NEE
: his expectations. II certainly il not be
= cause there is any inherent defect in Gu
e soil or climate, or that nature Is not gen
d erous, even lavish in her fayors, but raih
E er that the farmer does not closely OBJ
e serve the wants Of the soil, the inhuene
+ Of the climate and the effects Of deposit
e ing seed, gathering crops, or doing man.
n other things at wrong time, or in a
e improper manner. He must become
J thinker, as well as worker, before th
e profession 10 which be Is engaged wi
e keep pace with the progress Of o,he
d arts, or aaord him that material aid al
e eJufor, which be faneles other oecupa
ie tons confer.
]. Ia the coming harvest, there win )
n.s,..rs,.,,sss f.r svar-s F.rsaar "a tssae ~.