Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1872-09-24

.1dcQafage-RdiR Hdter-CRemlcdi &c
tiOls-Ders-Pl0WiRg ERTicaes.
The following 10 oae Of series of articles re
eeived froa Sears s short time prevCns - bis lie
eease.l
In our latitude where the labor of the
farm is crowded into the space of = few
mouths, aud the spring breaks on US irn-
petuously, demanding that our erop-sesds
should be committed to the bosom of the
earth in few weeks, it bshooyeS the
farmer TO take time by the !orelock, and
perform what Of labor be can in the fall,
This is the most leisure part Of the open
season when farmers are lot driven 10y
their work, as in the spring and summer.
Oxen and horses then are strong and
ready to grapple with work OF which
there is not 50 much as in the spring.
The weather is cooler. and they are eom-
petsnt to perform double labor. Then
so far the fall is the most convenient
time to turn over the soil.
Fall plowed land, Jin. light and
open 10 the air. will be dryer and warm
~, and ready for seed long before that
which has lain in solid mass over winter.
Here we must walt Tor the soil 10 get SO
dry as not TO be poaehy, and then 1t must
remain some week or fortnight to be dry
enough for seed. Late years, farmers
have considered it best TO SOW their wheat
and oats. especially their wheat, as early
as the soil would permit. Early sown
wheat is safer against drouth, rust, blight.
and the many insects which have dovas-
tated it. If dryish land be plowed in
the fall, it may be sown as soon, or about
Ne soon, rs the frost is out. All that Is
necessary 10 to run heavy horse sulti-
vatOr over the ground to lOsen it. and in
day or two put in The sesd. Here fall
blowing is very advantageous.
Another advantage is derived by tall
blowing stubbls ground and lands which
have corn crops that ara liable 10 be at
tackled by insects Nearly al the insects
that damage our crops have their exist
enes and their Increase through their
larYa that lies short distance below the
surface of the earth. There they hyber-
nate or assume the pupa sials. There
they are safe from the various change
of temperature to which they are expos
81. il near ths surface oil hgh-
soil. There they must suceumb beneath
the influence Of the frost and the oecas
ionsl warm sunshine that succeeds.
Freezing AID thauiug is destructive TO
insects. Ii blowing IS done after the
pests have made their lodgmsnt, they
are disturbed aud brought TO the surface
where they are badly used up though the
winter and spring.
We would not advise to turn the sod
for corn in the fall. II had best DO de.
Tered until spring. We have found it
best for the crop, and insuring easier
Gllsge 20 break up about three days
before complaining. The soil will be
lighter than if broken in the tall, the soil
falling dead and hard. A. this season
the grass will have started and the rot in
season to supply food TO the plant. Those
who have broken gravelly soils in the
tall for potatoes recommend 1t. The
yield 10 much greater. Fall breaking is
best for roots aud oats and perhsp, for
all crops excepting corn.
Some persons pretend that flight soils
are made tight by tall blowing, the rain,
viii lsech through and carry manured
matter below the reach Of plants. Ii so,
eur sandy soil. would have lost all their
i.rtilizing properties ere this. Who ever
found . deposit of rich matter. suitable
for plant food in the subsoil beneath the
sand soil No one. 1t is dead and III
ert as far AZ msnursd matter is coneern-
ed. 1t would not be so if the rains OF
thousand years had leechsd this soil.
Farmers begin to realize the fact that
the manipulation of the soil is necessary
to successful agriculture. Our soils have
been stirred too liitls. They have not
been mixed, pulysrized and brought TO
the surface as they should DO to receive
the amsliorsting influence OF the sun,
dews. rains dc. The routine of cultiva-
lion las been to break up, harrow, which
should have no place in field culture sx-
sept to cover grain. and plant and hoe
the frs. year. The next year plOr in the
spring, perhaps turning up the sod. har'
row in the grain. Any one with an eye
can see that process does not mix, pull
verizs and refine the soil a. it should be
to insure thu passage OF the roots OF
plants.
Plowing1hould DC not merely for tue
purpose of leveling aad smoothing The
surface Of tilla.s, but Tor vastly more
important purpose. The soil should 10
made fine aud brought the surface, tdat
it may improve under certain chemical
processes; aad that it may rscsiVe man
ursd properties from rains, SHOWS and
dews. If your soil remain hard aud
solid. ike brick yard, it isnot 50 suscsp-
title of these kindly influences. The
frOsts ard SHOWS of our winters ara store
houses OF plant food. Experience shows
that land ploued in the fall, and left in
rough state, thereby giving greater
surface to the action of winter frost Is
certain TO give heavier crop Of better