The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1862-03-19
NUMBER IT.
Hints on Farm ImprOrsmfnt.


ulis of such improvement in better crops
and greater profits, but very many OF them
have yet TO learn The most direct road to
prosperous agriculture II lies rather through
careful management OF abundant labor
and capital, than in siinfing' these to The
lowest possible amount-ihe saving is in
the prudent use of eve ry meansoi progress
rather Than 10 the misery neglect oiIali
which seem 10 be indirect aids, but which
are really the trifes which ensure that in
crease above the cost of production which
alone counts as profit.
Let us look at one OF the simplest axioms
Of the better farming. "There is no.way,n
says John Johnston, ''ihai Land can be so
profilabIy improved as by grass kept in
vigorous stale of growth" To grow large
crops OF grass we must have rich, drained
fundamentally fertile or enriched by man.
ure and thorough culture before seeding
down and BY frequent top-dressing after
wards. II must be drained land-ariiicaly
drained If subject 10 siagnanl waier-or the
best grasses cannot be grown. nor can it be
brought into profitable rotation with the
grain crops. II must be thoroughly seeded
economy in grass seed saves al The spig-
OF 10 lose at the bnng," in The less quantity
and poorer quality OF the product. And it
mus; not be overstocked. The best pasture
land, especially while young, can be ruined
by feeding too closely and unseasonabIy
-laie ia auiumn and early in spring time.
Bot farm improvement by this method
requires labor and care. Autumn iop-dres-
sing comes at busy season, and requires
previous attention to provide the requisite
cemposled manure. Hence too many neg.
leci il, even though consinced OF lis irnpos-
lance and OF the greately increased crops
which follow the practice. Our better far
mers do not practice enconomy of Labar,
striving 10 get along with as little as possible.
They have found that plenty OF healp for
all The operations OF the farm is The only
way OF productive and profitable farm man
asement.
hnior two on getting bellersgrass from
our meadows and pastures next season. Let
no mild weather tempt Us 10 allow a hoof
upon them during the winter. Better buy
additional forage tor our stock. Where q
mixture OF clover prevails we should give
top-dressing of plaster in the early spring
time. 1t has been fonnd profitable 10 mix
ashes with plaster FOR this purpose, and We
should never sell bushel of ashes from The
farm, bot rather buy instead. Ii intended for
pasture, let the grass gel good start before
turning on stock The product will be much
larger than when fed closely during the
whole season. Low land pastures may be
fed early with less loss, and especially any
containing swamp grasses. We have found
it good policy TO change pastures quite
frequently, bene6liing both The pasture and
The grazing animals. Farms so situated
that they may be irrigated al small expense
should enjoy this great means OF enhanced
prodDctiveneSs. Meadows should be top.
dressed with fine manure alter hayins--
certainly whenever the crop falls below
TWO tons per acre. Ii The grass land is TO
be piowed up for iillage another year, top
dressing ia autumn will be found the best
means OF appIing manure for The future
product. But we need not extend these
hints farther in this connec;ion-we have
dwelt upon them freely heretofore.
The farmer, anxious for improvement, is
never at loss ior employment, upon has
Jarm in winter. There ar thousand things
he can do 10 inhance the comfort and Thrift
of his stock, and 10 increase the amount
and value OF his manure. And il should
not he foregoten that The richer and better
/ our stock are fed, ihe more rapid and prof.
table their growth, and the far greater value
+ their manure.
Preparations for the labors Of the coming
seed time can be largely made-fences,
tools, seeds, and no less important, plans
for the work can be got in Readiness in this
time OF comparative leisure. Too many
are engaged off their farms at this season /,
in WORK, perhaps bringing in more ready
money-but practically OF far less advan-
iage TO themselves as farmers. Others idle
away the winter 10 grumbie al bad crops
and the hurry of farm life during the sum
mer anc autumn. With the new yearthere
is room for all 10 '':urb over a new leaf
in the volume oil progress-C Country 6eatie-
mds.
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