Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1860-11-02
A9ritnltnrat.
Farm Work for the Autumn.

In the successful manag cement Of a farm
it is important to do the work at the right
time, as well as in the light way. Indeed,
this essential point is so sadly overlooked
in many cases, that the profit that might
otherwise be obtained is mainly lost. The
seasons seem to have changed considera-
bly,, and if they have, our operations must
change with them,-wc must do the work
when the elements and other Circumstances
will permit, even if VIC break through tho
old practices to which we have been ac-
among good farmers, much of the work
that was formerly done in the spring has
been done in the fall, and in consequence
of this the whole summer labor has been
greatly facilitated.
For several years past the months Of
October and November have been suffici-
emily mild to allow almost any farm work
to be done as well as it could have been in
May or Septmber; and occasionally, the
middle of December most of the outdoor
work of the farmm ght have been perform
ed with comfort and profit. Let us sug-
gest then some of the things that seem to
call for attention in the fall.
CUTTING BusHEs-A vast amount Of
labor is annually expended in New Eng
land in cutting bushes on pasture lands,
where they are usually left to decay by
gradual decomposition, in the way Of the
cattle, and unsightly objects to the eye of
the neat farmer. These bushes are cut in
August, under the probability that they
will not start again so readily as if cut at
any other time. But August is busy
season-much haying is left undonc, in
low grounds; weeds are to be looked after,
and the stalks in the cornfeld are to be
cut the early potatoes, turnips, apples, and
other things to be marketed, and many
matters are to be attended to which have
been a little neglected during the busy
days of haying. Many pastures have
probably been cut over annually during
two or three generations, and the only thing
gained is in the bushes thcmscvcs--they
have taken deeper and deeper root every
year, until they have nearly exterminated
the grass, left the surface covered with in
Vulnerable stubs, and a thick coating of
MOSES in infinite variety.
The questisn We desire to ask is this
If the bushes are cut on piece Of pasture
land twice or three times in a year, the
stubblc burnel on the places where they
stood the thirkest, and the ashes spread
upon the grass-producing spots, will not
such process extermlnate them in three
or four years ? We are told that it will,
and that next to plowing and thoroughly
rcclaimng, this is the best method
The operation of Ditehing and Drain
ing may usually be done with comfort and
advantage between the middle Of Septem-
ber and the middle of November. So may
that of Rcclaiming Meadows. In this la
Dor it is of utmost importance that the
first step shall be to draw off the water
and leave the surface free for man and
beast to work upon and it should be ta-
ken off some ten or fifteen inches below the
surface, so as not to interfere with the
pow, if that impimcnt is used. The cost
of reclaiming meadow is sometimes dOu-
blcd by not pursuing this coursc-and
there is scarcely any greater discomfort than
working in black mud saturated with wa
ter, where men and teams are occasional
ly foundcring, and strained to little pur-
pose.
On rocky farms, autumn affords an ap-
propriatc time to lift the large stones to
the surface, and set them on small ones SO
that they will not freeze to the ground, in
readiness for hauling away on the snow
in the winter. In this course treble ad-
vantage is derived the cost of labor is not
SO much as in summer, and twice or three
times as much weight can be removed in
given time on the snow as on the bare
ground, if the stones are so large as to
make necessary to remove them ona drag.
Flowing is also another important work
appropriate to the fall. Sward land n-
tended for corn or potatoes, derives great
benefit from fall plowing. 1t covers up
large amount of grass and roots that COM
mence the process of decay, and become
scrviceable to the future crop, while the
fine soil laid up receives valuable elements
from the atmosphere, and the frosts OF
winter pulvcaizc the particles and destroy
some of the cut worms that are exposed.
The teams, also, arc generally IN better
condition to labor than they are in the
spring, and the work, being done, is off the
mind, and leaves it free to act on other
matters,
Top drc>Sn. is another item worthy of
especial attention. Some persons do this
on moving fields Immediately after the
grass is cut where this is done there is
not only usually second crop, but the
grass retains its roots for many years, and
yields annually abundant crops. But few
persons, however, think they can afford
the time at such IL season for that work.
Where there is a special objection to plow-
ing land, this course is certainly Il good
one.
M>SunEs-Evcry care should be taken
before the ground closes up, to provide
loan or muck to sprinkle on the winter
heaps of manure, SO that none OF their nu-
trative properties may be lost. This say
ing is not the only gain, for the whole
barn and fodler will be swccter, and the
stock kept more healthy by preventing
the escape of the ammonia and other gases
from the manure heaps.
THE G ARDEN.-This should be plowel
or spadcd and manured in the fall, and