Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1875-04-24
Bradford, VT, April "a, 1878.


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The time is close ut hand when
we must plant and SOW here in the
northern Suites. Farther south, in
q warmer climnte, plantingand SOW.
ing are already begun or finished,
but here there is quite q body OF
snow ON the grond, with several
feet OF frozen earth beneath. The
question is probably already decided
by the majority what we will plant,
and where. But is the question as
well decided in our minds how the
work shall be done The effects of
the recent winter weather on the
soil should teach us the lesson that
whatever we undertake, in tho cul-
tire OF the soil aud crops, should be
thoroughly performed, for if the
soil he examined when dry, after
the frost il out, it will he found in
very different state than after Il
less severely cold winter. Then we
find the work of soil communication
less thoroughly done, requiring {.
greater amount of manual labor to
obtain the same results that much
less will produce after such severe
freezing.
The question of profit in farming
is one which affects us all, not only
the farmer, but all other classes as
well. and how to produce the great
est crops with the least expense, or
to obtain the greatest profit from
our farm and labor. is the universal
study of the farmers (at least the
enterprising ones) of OUT land. How
ever we may differ in methods as to
how this result may be attained.
there can be little doubt but that
Lie who cultivateS the land thOi Ough
~ obtains the best crops. Thorough
culture, combined with economical
culture, are the essentials which
give us the greatest profit in all our
plantilIgand sowing. But the mass,
judging from their acts, will scarce.
ly cOncede this point, and some even
go so far as to teach in our agricul-
tural journals some less thorough
course as applicable to a considera-
BILE class. The writer knows, from
personal experience, that with re-
stricted means, with larger amount
of exhausted soil on hand, much
difficulty will be encountred; he
pretty well understands having on
ly manure sufficient for thoroughly
tertilizing one acre, and having three
or four to spread it over, with in.
sufficient laborers to cultivate the
larger surface well. Subsequent ex-
perience and observation have also
taught me that greater profit and
advantage results in concentration
Of effort and culture, while if there
be more arabic soil to cultivate
than means will allow of doing peU
it is best to allow that extra area to
lie still and 1ecuperate, while we
concentrate our means on the less
area and work it thoroughly. In
thus doing we enrich instead of ex.
haust our soil, obtain more from the
less area than we should from the
whole, and at the same time save in
expense of cultre, etc. In order to
bring the whole into all improved
condition, rotation and time effect
the desired result, when working in
this manner. In preparation for a
garden crop, we find that if the soil
is but imperfectly prepared the crops
will tell the tale; so also will it be
with field crops. While we cannot
expect the same communion and
culture of field as of garden crops,
it will be found economical to lean
strongly in that direction, and the
nearer we approach it the less does
seasons affect the re-
suit.
Crops should be selected from
their adaptation to the. soil, and
then the soil should be worked so
as best to adapt it to these crops.
l know of no crop but that will
start and grow to maturity better
where the soil is made fine and free
from Jumps, balks, etc, by good
blowing, narrowing or rolling and
the clods. The finer the
soil is comminuted, the greater sur
face is exposed to the feeding action
Of plants and the elements, while
the deeper it is looscned, especially
in close or compacted subsOil, the
less it is effected by wet or drouth.
When to plant or SOW are questions
to be decided from location, soil and
climate. as well as the variety of
seed. Nothing is gained by attempt.
ing to work a soil till it can be done
SO as to loosen and have it pulver-
ize, instead of settle back into a
more close state, bake or crust, etc. :
neither is there advantage in SOW
ing seeds in soil SO cold that they
will rot instead of terminating, but
the sooner the seed is put in, after
essential conditions can be cOmpli
ed with, the better. There are natur-
al laws which govern the act of GER
and vegetation of all
plants, and that success may be at
tanned, these laws must he compli-
ed with. w. II. WHITE.