The Portland daily press., 1876-09-18
THE FARM AND HOUSEHOLD.
Fall Work.


The regular routine work of the farm at
this season of the year always suggests ITSELF
as it comes on in an orderly and connected
succession; and therefore the intelligent and
experienced farmer knows very well what TO
do next without consulting his neighbor. or
his books.
There are some things, however, on every
farm which are not necessary to be done
every year, or cannot be well done at any
other time; of these the farmer should be
occasionally reminded.
AS the drouth of the present season is its
marked and most distinctive pecu iarity, we
may appropriately refer to any special oppor-
tunities which it offers.
Probably the meadows that border ponds
and streams have never before been n owed
SO close TO the waters edge: and now that
work is finished, it is highly important that
so rare an opportunity should be improved
still further, by cutting up all the bushes and
foul growths that remain. More now may
be accomplished in single week, In 1emov-
ing such unsightly annoyances, and in pre-
pairing some unproductive patch of lowland
for an abundant grass crop, than could be in
the course of several orGinary-smply from
lack Of opportunity.
On many an intervale farm, and sometimes
on upland farms that slope down to the
banks of a river or brook. may be seen fringes
of alder, willow, Or other forest growth,
too small to be very valuable for fuel,
and yet dense enough to keep out the sun,
and the pillow from the best land on the farm.
Such land, usually too wet to be comfortably
approached, may now be thoroughly subdued
and prepared for the cultivation of the next
year.
While thus the work of cutting off the
original growth, and that which intrudes up
on cultivated fields may be effectively done,
probably no better, perhaps no other oppor-
tunity will be afforded, for burning up every
thing which has been leveled by the axe and
scythe. In gardens. and along the Enclosure
of the fields the rank crops of weeds just
ready to scatter their seeds, should also be
carefully rooted up, and as carefully con-
signed to the flames. Whatever aid the fire
may bring, must be speedily invoked, as the
coming on and continuance of the fall rains,
preclude long delays in such operations.
Never was there better time for attempt
ing farm drainage, whether in making the
beginning, or in remedying the defects of
some previous undertaking-tilesm may now
be laid, stone drains made, and new. bitches
dug on marshes and meadows before inacces.
sible to the foot of man or beast. By thor
oughly clearing out the bed of eome long
neglected ditch, large amount of deposits
made up Of decayed animal and vegetable
matter may be obtained, which will be of great
value, when applied to some upland or sandy
soil-while also, immunity from malarious
diseases may be thus secured for an in
fected district
The same combination of circumstances
that makes this an exceptionally favorable
season for the removal of superfluous water
from ones premises also renders it quite as
favorable for the introduction of water, either
in laying an aqueduct or ia digging well
Whoever in this dry year finds spring of
water of average capacity will not be likely
very soon hereafter to complain of def
cheney. Every person not having an album
ant or convenient supply should make haste
while the springs and streams are low to
bring water into his house and barn, as dur.
ing the remainder of lifetime he may rot
find another opportunity so favorable. As
the failure of many wells which have been in
use for years arises frequently from excess of
sand, clay or some other foreign substances
which have found admission, rather than
from lack of water, so now is the time to be
improved by their removal. When wells be-
come dry, rot from filling up, but because
they were not dug deep enough at frst-and
it is found to be impracticable to settle them
any lower-an abundant and lasting supply
of water may often be obtained by simply
sinking hogshead or curb within the brick
or stone walls.
Those who have been accustomed to COL
lect dry earth to be used as an absorbent in
house or barn, should now obtain winters
supply-scraping up the finely powdered dust
of the highway, or else securing clay or in
tervae earth; either of them to be preferred
to fine plain or upland soil.
We have confined ourselves to a few hints
which have naturally been suggested by the
drouth without referring to many specialties
appropriate 10 the season which may be here
after considered.
i