The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1879-05-15
Too Much Haste.

~SsS~S1AS
but many persons are in such hurry
to get through with every job they
undertake that they do nothing well.
If they are to sow spring wheat or oats,
the ground is plowed while wet, heavy,
and perhaps frozen, and as q result the
rains of half the season following will
be required to break down the Jumps,
and put the soil in proper condition for
the reception of seeds. A farmer had
better wait week or two for the
ground to become dry and warm, than
to pillow so early that the grain must be
scattered among mass of hard Jumps.
If the latter are afterward broken down
with q roller, the seeds are buried at
various depths, and the result will be
an uneven growth and an unsatisfac-
tory yield.
In addition to the impossibility of
making good seed bed when the soil
is filed with water, thorough pulver-
ization, which il 50 essential in pro-
noting the growth of small plants,
must necessarily be omitted. In fact,
we think comparatively few farmers
know what it is to thoroughly pulverize
the soil or have any idea of its import
ance, otherwise they would plow and
harrow more. The general practice is
to skim the surface, SOW on the seed,
and scratch it in hurriedly, and then il
. good yield is not obtained the season,
soil, or seed are at fault; farmers never
accuse themselves of any neglect. II
some neighbor obtains thirty bushels
Of wheat per acre, it is, of course, due
wholly to his luck; for there are farm
ers who, If we are to believe what is
said of them, are "always in luck"
But we have noticed that the unlucky
farmers are the last to experiment, in
order to find the secret of success; and
if told that it might be found in deep
blowing, or frequent stirring of the
soil, they are very likely to settle the
question in their own minds by the
ready reply, II don't believe in it, II
trees are to be set out in spring, there
is no time to dig large holes and fill
them with rich soil, but small ones
must and do usually have to answer,
and the haste in planting il followed by
years of needless waiting for fruit. We
admit that in our Northern climate
spring comes on rapidly when it once
sets in, and there are good reasons for
hurrying up the spring work; but there
is nothing to be gained by sighting
such work where only the most care
full management will bring satisfactory
results.
We have become noted as an impa-
tient, hurrying Nation, using hundred
acres of land TO raise the crops which
might easily be raised on twenty, with,
in many instances, q smaller outlay in
capital and labor. Tall corn with big
ears is preferred to short stalks and
more grain. II trees are wanted, large
ones are selected, which cost more,
and are less likely to live when trans
planted; but the purchaser or planter
Is in haste to make an immediate show.
and frequently accomplishes his object,
but ut loss npermanentval Rapid
~ growing trees are in great demand,
and while the willows and cottonwoods
are planted by the million, the moder-
ately growing but far more valuable
oaks, ash, hickories, and naples are
almost wholly neglected. No one cares
what Inconvenience he may saddle
upon his immediate successor, and SO
the natural fertility of the soil is ex-
hausted Is rapidly ~ possible, and no
improvements are made that are likely
to last beyond the life of the present
owner.
planting for ones heirs is an al
most unheard Of kind of generosity in
this country, unless it be in planting
debts for future generations to pay;
but too much haste in assuming such
responsibilities Is in keeping with our
prevalent system Of agriculture. and
other allied occupations. Permanent
wealth and prosperity must come from
elaboration and thorough w1fk; and
a. agriculture il the foundation Of our
wealth, the 1armer should be the first
to recognize the fact, and act accord
ingly. neither showing too much haste,
nor working too slowly.-M r SHn.