Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1879-09-09
FARM AND HOUSEHOLD.
HINTS FOR THE WORK OF THE MONT
From the American Agriculturistl

FARM AND HOUSEHOLD.
HINTS FOR THE WORK OF THE MONTH.
From the American Agriculturist.l
Fail Gr0in.-This month is the usual
! time for sowing wheat and rye. From
the 10th to the 18th is the most popular
time, but it is question if it is not bet
ter to sow earlier. On any but very rich
: soils, 1T takes some time for the crop
: to get thoroughly well rooted and til
Tered, and if tillering is not effected
before winter, it will rarely take place
to any great extent in the spring. AS
the yield depends on the tillering, the
promise of an early sown crop, is better
than that of a late one.
Exceptions to this Rule occur with very
rich soils, where an excessively strong
growth may be looked for, and the at
tacks of the Hessian fly must be consid-
cred. These hints, it is obvious, cannot
be made to meet every case in wide
range OF localities; we give general ins
formation, which the intelligent reader
will adapt to his own circumstances.
Late Soa0iag for Spring Fodder.-It
has been usual to SOW rye as late as Oc-
tober or November, for green-f fodder in
the spring. This is not profitable
practice. The rye comes up very thin
and poor, and makes but light CROP
In the writer's experience, it has been
found better to plow the ground in the
fall, top dress it through the winter with
| fine manure, and as early in the spring
as possible, harrow in 4 bushels per acre
of spring rye, spreading the manure at
the same time with the disk harrow
Unless there is some good reason for the
late sowing of rye, it should be avoided.
| Fertilizer for Wheat.-Every years
experience proves the value of supher-
phosphate of lime, as special fertilizer
for wheat. An experienced wheat
grower informs us, that he has used 500
lbs. to the acre, and that the crop this
year, has paid handsomely for the out,
| lay. Where smaller quantity was
used, the yield was unsatisfactory.
Il Frequent Mistake is made in sup
posing that if a certain amount of fertiI-
izer will have certain effect, this effect
will be doubled by doubling the guam
tity of the fertilizer. This has led to
much waste and loss. The greatest pos
sible effect is produced with a certain
quantity, varying according to circum-
stances and each one must discover for
himself, what this quanty is. In the
case above quoted, 500 lbs. per acre is
the most useful quantity. Others have
found it best to use 600 lbs, and others
again, use only 300 lbs. AS rule, the
largest application may be most safely
made on soils well filled with barn-yard
manure, or vegetable matter.
The Use of Linae.-An application of
lime will be found useful upon any kind
of soil, at least once in five or six years.
1t is generally used at this season. with
a fall grain crop. But where lime is
employed, it will be useless to apply SUI
perphOsphate, as this combines with
lime, and becomes simply phosphate of
| lime, which is insoluble. Many farm
ers who have applied superphosphate
without effect, may find the explanation
in the fact, that their soils were filled
with lime, which rendered it inert.
Corn should be cut as soon as it is
ready. Early corn will be ready for
cutting this month, and the stalks will
be much more valuable when cut green
than if left to be killed by frost. Frost
ed corn-fodder will not cure well, and
is damaged for use. When the grain is
well glazed, and hard on the surface, the
early curing, allows the husking to be
done in good season, and the fodder to
be housed before winter.
| In Shocking Corn, the use of good
bands will save much labor and loss.-
Some sheaves of hand-threshed rye
straw, thoroughly well wetted, will
make tough and strong bands. What is
much wanted is permanent and strong
sheaf band for this purpose, which will
last more than one season, and will
serve for corn and other grain. Osier
willows may be profitably grown for
sheaf. bands.
Liue Stock.-During the hurry of
work at this busy season, the stock
ought not to be forgotten. One of the
most important requisites for health and
and thrift is regularity in feeding and
watering. This refers not only to times
offeeding, but to quantities and qualities
of fodder. Now that grass is past its best
state the stock may have some roots pull
pulled for them, or some corn n-fodder cut,
and young animals will be greatly bene-
fitted by little concentrated food. 1t
lis important that live stock have plen-
ty of good fresh water, especially at this
time of the year. when the herbage does
not afford the abundance of juices of
spring growth.
Pastmes.-The droppings of the ami
mails on the pastures sheuld be scattered
and spread. This not only manures the
field, but prevents injury to the spots
covered with droppings A dressing of
plaster over the pasture will be useful,
sweetening the fouled spots, and so
avoiding the unequal character of the
surface caused by the neglect of cattle
to eat down the herbage' in otherwise
distasteful places.
Gder.-While the best cider is made
from late ripening fruit, and in cool
weather, the inferior apples and wind
falls may be may be made profitable, by
making them into cider for vinegar
Even those who have a cider house, fur
! pished with mill and press worked by
f power. find it profitable to keep hand
mill and press, for the purpose of work.
, ing up windfalls and inferior early fruit,
, before the cider-making season, on
large scale, begins.
Drying Fruit.-The primitive way of
drying apples, peaches, etc., exposed to
the sun and air, also exposes it to in
sects. Excellent dryers ae now to be
had, and at cost which the increased
value of the dried fruit will meet in a
single season. These dry with artificial
heat rapidly, turning out handsome
light-colored product. In drying in the
+ old way for home use, protect the fruit
: from insects, by netting, and provide
some arrangement to dry by the heat of
the stove on a rainy day.
Peaches for shipping, should be gath
cred when mature, but before they begin
: to soften. a single over-ripe peach