Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1872-01-30
agricultural
Revje,C of the Season and Crops Of
1871.

We copy some of the ideas Win sugges-
tons of correspondents.and may refer to
the article again.
Nature sometimes forces her lessons
with great severity, compelling man to
endure hard penalties for his imprOvi
dence. Liberal and hOuntilul to him
who deals with a generous hand towards
her. she ever avengeS herself upon short
sighted men who pinch and starve and
abuse her. that they may reap II little i'm
mediate profit. Her policy is. ITO him
that hath shall be given. and be shall
have more abundance; but 70 him that
hath not shall be taken away. even that
which he seemeth TO have" Hard 1t may
be, but the essence of Justice.
While the short crop of hay the past
season is due 10 several natural causes
il is also PLAIN that different course on
the part OF the farmer would have re-
suited in giving an average yield OF hay
Successive yeas Of selling of nearly all
The hay cut, ct light seeding, no top
dressing and late cutting. have produced
the natural effect All our corresponds
ents testify to the fact that where these
conditions are fulfilled. the Yield has
been fully an average one. Our farmers
have learned to their cost. that more
liberal and iudioious treatment OF grass
lands must be Practiced, il certain and
ample returns are expected Added to
this, they mus, be impressed with the
fact that low lands along brooks and
aforementioned grass producing sections
which when cleared yield heavy crop OF
grass OF very good qualily-must be
cleared and more generally depended |
upon Tor hay. Thousands OF acres OF
lust such lands are now lying idle and
useless In our State. that il cleared would |
nearly double the annual yield OF hay.
The top dressing OF grass lands must al
so be more generally and uniformly |
practiced.
\ matter of serious consideration, and /
one that must be attended TO, is the treat
meut OF those lands, seeded it may be
for two wears in succession. which have
failed to catch" What shall be done
with them? i question demanding at
tent:on, aud one affecting the future OF
our larmmg 10 no small extent. And aS
being very appropriate in this connection,
We ask careful reading to the article IN
this issue on the value OF clover and
plaster in reuovating grass lands; from
the pen OF practical larmer as well rs
d learned gentleman, resident IN this
county
Another thing which the past season
has impressed upon Us. i the value OF
having land tor grain, especially wheat.
and hood crops prepared in the fall. The
seed can then be put in early, the crops
make good growth. and are TAR better
able 10 withstand drouth when il come.
rs their roots run deep and the plants
shade the ground, preventing eyapora
ton. and retaining moisture. The state
men,S of our correspondents also show
that early sown grains suffered less from
grasshoppers than those sown late.
The area OF cultivated land should be
lesSeued and the extent cultivated better
dressed and better worked Satisfactory
Yields invariably follow such course
The cast OF cultivation il less, and the
land is lett in better condition for sue
ccedug crops.
The value OF orchards is clearly de
mous,ra,cd. Apples trees are generally
but little injured uy heat OF cold, drouth
or wet Their returns are sure. and
bring good sums into the farmers peck
et, Tue work OF planting should be
prosecuted with redoublcd energy anoth-
en- spring There i no danger OF over
Projuctou-large quantities of fruit sell
mole readily and tor a higher price than
small lots
We hope some useful lessons in regard |
To feeding stock vii be learned the COM
ing wilter-lhe opportunity is certainly
a good one, and the necessity for econo-
my should be put to good use Tor future
guidance The reduction OF stock the
past season will in the end work tor the
Improvement OF om cattle and horses
the product of the best must be better
than the product OF inferior animals, and |
an increased value Of the farm stock OF
Maine will follow.
The following statements from our cor
respondents seem too useful to be con-
signed to the waste basket, and 10 their
several reflections and suggestions we
ask due thought.
The lesson taught 10y the experience of
the past season is 10 place the seed in the
ground early. so that il may come for
ward and offer some shade To- the tender