Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1870-10-07
Farm Work After Harvest.

Farm Work After Harvest.
After the labors of gathering in
the hay and grain crops have been
finished, most of the farmers have
before them season Of comparativ e
respite, lasting until the time comes
for harvesting fall cereals, roots and
fruits. During this season of relax
alton from arduous duties, there are
many things connected with the
pursuits of the husbandman which
do not require any great amount of
physical effort. but those which will
prove very advantageous if attend
ed to. We mentioned some of them
last season, which will bear repeat
ing at this time.
Particular attention should be
given to the condition of meadows.
All the Instructions of the moving
machine NAV now be seen and re-
moved, and the spots least product
i've marked by sticking stakes or
otherwise, for future attention.
The present is a good time to note
the effect of undertaking, and
what advantage to crops has been
gained by it. The advantage or
disadvantage of drilling in wheat.
The difference, if any, in corn plant
cd by hand or with the planter; COW
cred deep or shallow, sproutcd or
dry.
Note the growth Of different kinds
of crops now in the ground, and the
effect of the several kinds of ma
nures used. 1t is a we'll known fact,
that different kinds of soil require
different kinds of fertilizers: and al
SO that the various kinds Of grain
and vegetables, seek in part differ
ent elements to make up their
growth, and by noting now from the
effects from certain treatments,
knowledge will be gained of value
for future use.
Note'the result Of feeding whey
to milch cows, and the profits as
compared to giving the same to
hogs; Of frequent sailing of stock
and the opposite; of soiling milch
cows with different kinds of feed;
Of keeping swine in clover fields,
etc.
Making notes Of observations as
we have suggested, and others sim
liar, will amount to more in real
profit to the farmer than he would
suppose, if care in this particular
direction has never been exercised.
1t is noticeable fact, that our
wealthy and prospecting farmers are
those who keep their eyes wide
open, and are continually watching
the result of different modes of farm
operations, and adopting such as
are seen to be the most profitable.
An exchange wisely suggests, that
farmers at this season NOW the
roads, rank places in pastures, the
unsightly places that were not mown
in with the hay. This rough fod-
der will be gratefully received by
stock now and again for a change;
also it will be useful, and very prof
liable for bedding. Brakes, tender
young bushes of this years growth,
weeds, rushes, rank growing road
side plants-all fill useful place,
when applied to this use. They not
only serve for bedding, making
stock clean and comfortable, but
they add to the manure resources of
the barn. Several loads may be OBJ
tanned on each farm, that, year af-
ter year, have previously fallen
down uncared for.
CHANGING over the country, we
see many farms on which there are
rows of bushes, brakes and weeds,
lining the walls, fences and road
sides. This ought not to be. Year
by year, these now useless, unprofit
able things, encroach more and
more upon the cultivated portions
of the field, driving out the grasses,
shading the crops, and yielding no
return for the damage they do.
Eradicate them; burn those unfit for
bedding or the compost heap, and
exercise vigilance in their utter ex-
termination in future.
Let no opportunity to get hay,
fodder or bedding pass mimproved.
Too little attention is paid to this,
too little effort expended i'll this di-
rection. An excellent time to ap-
ply top dressing to lands, and per-
haps the very best, is directly after
haying. Whether it be old, well
decomposed manure, ashes, super
phosphate, lime or other fertilizing
agent, it forms protection to the
shaver field, from the rays of Il
burning sun; the fall rains carry it
away to the rootlets; it forms a pro-
tecticn to the grass from ice and
frost.-Ohio Farmer.