The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1867-08-30
agricultural.
FARM WORK FOR AUGUST.

cereals arc harvcsted-the rye, barley, oats
and wheat. In securing the grains, the
practice used to be to lot the straw stand un-
ill the berry became ripe, hard, and chang
ed from its milky appearance to dark
brown color. In this condition some por-
ton Of the grain-too much to be lost
would be shaken out every time the straw
was handled, in cutting il, gathering, tying
up. loading and unloading, g,-and what ren.
ders such an operation more Objectionable,
is the fact, that when the grain is LEFT to
harden on the stalk, II is not so good as
when cut from seren to fourteen days before
il is thoroughly ripened. 1t is lighter per
bushel, is not SO nutritious, and if ground,
the -four is not 30 "handsome," and will
not make so good bread us flour will from
grain cut earlier. This fact has been well
settled by most careful experiment
But our prime and splendid harvest is
that Of Indian Corn, which is begun in Sep
tember, and frequently does not end until
some time in November. When allowed
to stand so late, the grain receives no inju.
~ unless the stalks are broken down and
the grain lies upon the ground, bur the fod'
der is considerably in value. This crop is
not only exceedingly valuable in itself, but
is valuable in the preparation Of sod lands
to receive the smaller grains, for II flourish.
ca best on new or sward lands. Ploughing
and hoeing the crop three or four times
during the summer, pulverizes, enriches
and admirably prepares il for wheat or any
of the smaller grains the following season.
Laying La'd 10 Grass.-As the grass crop
is an important one, It should be matter
Of constant care to see that the land devot.
ed to il is in proper condition for its grow.
III, by drainage and depth and richness. A
considerable portion Of the lands which are
moved are suffered to remain until they
are so much exhausted that the crop they
produce will scarcely pay for going over the
ground. This may be prevented by a light
annual top.dressing Of fine manure, but 1t
must be commenced ,rhiie ihe roots are IN a
vigorous condition. There is no better time
perhaps, to renew old grass land, or to re-
claim low lands, than the month Of August.
Ifproperly managed, it requires but a sim
gle year to change hard and unproductive
field into productive one.
In order to accomplish this, no moro must
be undertaken at once than there Is team
and time sufficient for the work, and man.
urc enough to give the grass vigorous
start and sustain il well until the field gets
top.dressing. The work is ofen attempted
with teams too wenk and ploughs too light.
In trying to get sufficient depth, one gets
broken aud the Other tried, and then comes
the doubts whether il will ever pay to re.
claim an old meadow, or plough deep and
subsoil upland.
Plough eight to twelve inches, harrow
thoroughly, level with great care with hoe
and spade, then enrich with manure, sow
..sa n,sr,;6,lIy. say eight quarts of herds.
grass, one bushel Of red top, and early next
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w" i,....d -. ...ds S,ds ,lI ,b;n,,
necessary for quick and healthy germina.
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anu "'O'.,''o "'. a", ."'';'. =, " s;.. - 49,
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