The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1874-01-01
FARM AND GARDEN.


Indications are lcokng more and more to
an open winter, ard ttis viii need make
some change III regard 70 turning stock into
the corn-stalk field; as, during the soft
veaiheI, the tramping Of the cattle will
badly poua': up the soil, an-i seriously dam
age il for the mex: crop. IN many parts Of
the West II Is customary to turn cattle into
these stalk fields, and, # the ground is fro
zen, 10 harm VII be done, but much good,
for the stalks become broken down, the
leaves are fed off, and then the dropEings
Of the stock enrich the soil. But. when
the soil is v ct, the effec; is just the reverse ;
for the tramping has the same effect as
plowi-g 1t when very wet, which, most cul-
tivators know, is ruinous to the crops.
These staIk-ields are often rented by
cattlsfeeders, the price being from Il cents
TO 81 per acre. This often telpts the
farmer TO allow Of the feeding at improper
times, as no stock should be permitted in
the field when the ground is not frozen, or
unless tie soil is sc dry that no impression
is made on it.
One other thing must be taken into ac-
court IN the pasturing Of these fields, and
that il an
ABUNDANT SUPPLY OF WATER.
Many cattle are lost every winter for
the want Of this precautipn. A lot of
young stock is turned into one of these
fields Hhen the ponds are open. but a Geld
term comes on, and the neglect to keep
tie water holes open results in the death
Of more or less of the stock Such dry
food must Lave an abundant supply Of
water.
In Ne YORK the corn is cut up and
placed in small shocks. and these are bound
firmly at the top, so that :hey do not fall
down CT get blown over. And the small
shocks cure cut and do not mold, as is
sometimes the case with large ones.
As furni barns increase, ami farms
become smaller and better cultivated, we
shall see tie corn stalks
MORE GENERALLY UTILIZED
than at present. Among the E'gin dairies
no inconsiderable attention is given to the
corn stalks, and they are in the habit of
cutting up their corn crop before the APP
prOach OF frost, or as SION as the ears
begin to harden. At that stage tie corn
fodder is Of gTater value, and is much
relished BY the dairy-stock.
The SMALL FARMER
will fad it to his advantage to thus utilize
bis CoIn-.'alks, ns, when properly cured
and fed in part with hay, the stock will dc
better than with all hay.
HENANNFR OF FEEDING
is to turn the cows out after milking, and
to feed the stalks in the open yard. leav.
ing the COWS in the yard until time for the
coming milking, when they are put in
the stall, and first given a feed of oats and
corn meal to be followed with feed Of
hay. Through the day they have free ac.
cess to water; and, with this kind Of feed
ing, the cows keep in fine order and give
a good yi,ld of milk. When farm hands
can afford 20 DO this kind of work, the haul.
ing Of the corn in the shock from the field,
and the working, and the feeling, for
winter wages, there will be more winter.
work ,ardboth thefarmer and laborer will be
benefited thereby. But there are thousand.
of small farms in which, no hired laborer is
employed. 1t is these that should cut and
shock tia corn as so0n as it is in condition
In case the farmer desires to sow the corn.
Subtle to spring wheat, cats, or barley,
/ the only preparation that it viii require in
4 tie spring is to cultivate in the SEED
/ with his riding cultivator, and finish with
( Il e harrow. This is upon the presump.
/ ton that the corn has been kept clean dur.
/ ing the season. If the field is to be re
. planted III corn, it viii be IN better condi
ton with the stalks off Of it than is now
I generally the case. The time must core
when there viii be no demand for 4
/ purpose of blowing them under the furrow