The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1878-09-19
fpr the farmer.
HINTS FOR WORK IN SEPTEMBER.

Theat and Rye.-Sowing the fall crops is the.
principal work of this month. 1t is useless TO
expect a good harvest unless the sowing of the
seed is well done. There several points &,
be studied.
The Fitting of the Soil is of the greatest i'm
portance. Wheat requires fine mellow soil for
the seed, and light soil TO be well compacted
about the the sowed grains. If any vacant
places are left, would be were the soil cloddy,
the rootets being exposed to air, will dry and
perish. Therefore, after blowing, cultivate, or
harrow repeatedly until all the clods are made
fine.
The Roller SkouId be Used Immediately after the
pillow, to break up the lumrs; then the enlfiva-
tor and harrow will finish the work This Is
the proper use of the roller. Its misuse is to
roll the ground after the seed has been sOwn,
thus leaving the surfac1 packed down close and
solid, in which state it will crust over after the
first shower.
The Hessiau Fly has done much damage, es-
specially to barley. The spring brood seems to
have been the most injurious. Late sowing,
that is after the 10th to the 18th of September,
will tend TO prevent the effective deposit of eggs,
and thus greatly lessen the number ard the Wig
or of the spring brood. Although by forcing he
early sown wheat to a strong growth, it can be
secured against the fly, yet We thereby furnish
breeding places for insects whose progeny will
attack the oats, barley, and wheat next spring.
Fater Farrops.-When all else is done, make
the necessary water burrows at once. There
may come q heavy rain the next day and do
damage. Dispense the water into several chan
nels rather than permit it TO collect in one or
two. When the field is in grass, these water
burrows will be useful in spreading the rain
more evenly over the field.
Seeding to Grass.-It Is a good practice OH fer
tile soil to SOW grass seed two weeks after the
wheat is put in. Thrifty growing timothy keeps
the wheat back, as proved the past on
the writer's field. Other farmers corroborate
this experience.
LATE Pofafoes-As measure of precaution for
next season, every potato beetle that can he
found should be destroyed. When the leaves
are eaten from potato vines, the growth of the
whole plant stops; if new leaves start, it is at
the expense of the tubers. So, kill the beetles
and increase the crop.
C0rn.-As soon the grain is glazed, corn
should be cut, if the stalks are to he saved
Frost greatly Injuries the fodder, and reduces its
feeding value. Before cutting the seed for next
year should be selected, taking ears from stalks
that have borne two or more good ones. The
tops of the selected stalks may be broken down,
to mark them, and when the crop is cut, left
standing until the ears are perfectly ripe, then
they should be gathered and stored in dry,
cool place. Such selections of seed will tell well
in the next crop.
Weeds.-A great number of weeds are new ma
turing seeds; to permit this is simply to make
trouble and expense, in years to come Every
weed about fence rows, In fields, or about barns,
and in hooks and corners, should be cut at once
and burned. By persevering in this way for q
few years, farm may be cleared of these fertili
ty thieves.
BlackbaTies and Raspberries push their growth
30 early in the spring, that fall planting is es-
pecially desirable for them If not already
shortened, as directed last month"; do it now. If
il is desired to propagate the Black caps, and
other varieties that root from the tips, branches
should be left uncut for the purpose; while they
often take root without help, it is well to make
sure by placing earth on the ends of the canes to
hold them in place.