Ottumwa weekly courier., 1878-08-07
Work for the Month of August


Preparation for whedt-Harvest
being over, the soil for the next crop
wants to be prepared at once.
Drilling Wheat-It would an in
teresting and we believe profitable
experiment to sow at least one acre
in drills, SO far apart, that the crop
could be cultivated. This may be
done by tying each two of the drill
spouts together, and thus discharging
the seed into one furrow; sowing
somewhat less seed. Then the rows
will be IL, Ia or l6 inches apart; and
and the space may be cultivated by
adapting an ordinary spreading cul-
tivator. or using wheat hoe, such as
has often been described in the A mer-
ican 1gricultnralist. A yield of 60
to Su bushels per acre has been OBJ
tanned in this manner.
Seed.-As much depends on the va
riety of wheat 20 wn rs upon the mau-
ner of cultivation. Upon similar
soil, and with the same treatment,
one variety may yield twice as much
as another. OF several new varieties
tried by the writer the present season
the Clawson has excelled.
Early soacing is preferable, except
where there is danger of the Hessian
fly; in which case sowing may be de-
ferred until late next month but of
the two evils-the fly or late sowing
it is questionable which is the
worst. Many good farmers believe
liberal fertilizing, and the consequent
xtorn D. 40 hn Ln h.,
edy against the pest. This, however,
is a matter in which local circum-
stances must be well considered.
Rec1aimiag Waste Lands.-No far
mer can now afford to let any of his
land lie idle, especially swamp lands
which, when reclaimed may make the
richest part of the farm. The present
month is good time for the work.
Drains may be opened, and brush cut
now will rarely sprout again. In do
ing this work, it is best TO clear thor
oughly as one goes. The portion be-
gun should be grubbed, leveled,
plowed, and, if desired, sown to grass
peforc second plot is touched. By
finishing an acre or two something
effective is performed, and there will
not be the encouragement and dis
satisfaction felt, as when large place
is begun and left unfinished.
Young trees will often suffer mare
severely this month than in any 9TH
er, from dry weather, and even now,
it may be necessary to apply a mulch
anything: straw, grass, chips,
stones-whatever will cover the sur
face and prevent evaporation, to save
them. On these young trees
Control the Ne,o GroWth.--If shoots
start where they are not wanted, rub
them off. If some limbs are far head
of others, check the rampant growers
by pinching off their ends. The
growth may thus be controlled and
future pruning avoided.
observation-disclosures differ AZ to
the advisability of spring or fall
planting. A new strawberry plant
needs full seasons growth to be-
come strong enough to bear a full
crop. If the early runners remain
where they take root, they will bear a
crop next spring. If they are rooted
in spots, aud transferred to another
bed, without any disturbance of the
roots, they will bear well next year.
If planting is done in the fall it should
be done early-not later than Septem-
ber; and to furnish plants at this
time the nurscryman is obliged to
waste many runners, which, if left
alone few weeks, would make good
plants for his spring sales.
In .faU planting, the ground Is in
such excellent condition, an other
work is not SO pressing as in spring,
that those who raise their own plants
will find it to their interest to set at
this season. If the plants are at hand
they can be set early in September
after the very hot weather is over.
At this time the outer leaves of the
plants should be removed, leaving
only the central bud, Ifthe season 10
favorable for late growth the chan
ces are that fair crop may be gath
cred next spring.
Blackbe,rieS and Rospberries. es.-The
new growth to bear next year having
been selected, all other shoots are to
be destroyed. Pinching the growing
end, when the canes are tall enough,
as advised last month, will cause side
shoots to grow, and these, when II or
Is inches long, according to the kind,
are to have their growth stopped by
pinching. Proper attention at this
season will result in well-branched,
stalky plants, with abundant fruit
next year. Black-caps and those va
rieties of red that do not form suck
ers, are to have their new shoots re-
quired for next years fruiting, SINH
larly pinched, and all others, that
will make the bush too dense, are to
be removed.