Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-08-13

Items From Meadow brook Farm.
HAVING TIE CRorS-PoTATo BEETLES
CARE OF TOOLS CLIMBING VINES.

HAYING-TIE CRorS-PorATo BEETLES
CARE OF TOOLS CLIMBING VINES.
We are now in the midst of having.
Scarcely single farmer is as yet through
although before this is in print probably
most all will have their crop secure. As
a general thing we do not begin haying
early enough. We neglect to cut any until
it is all ready 10 cut, and the consequence
is that before the last is cut it is dead ripe.
As to method of cutting curing, hauling
and storing, do not see how any set of
rules can be given to work by; so much
depends on the weather. The farmer must
use his best Judgment and adapt his plans
according to the state of the weather; but
were he sure of good weather. it would be
altogether different. The farmer who can
cut all his grass at just the right time,
cure it all Just right, without having any
Of it yet wet, and store it all in just the
right condition, SO as to have none Of it
heat is Il very lucky man and lives in a
different climate, think, from ours. But
by the aid Of machinery the farmer has a
much greater advantage over the weather
than when moving, spreading, raking and
pitching all had to be done by hand. This
year, in this part Of western New York,
we are housing smaller quantity of hay
than usual, but of better quality.
Corn is, in most localities, backward.
A much larger area was planted to pota
,oes the last spring thln usual and they
are also looking better than for several
years past, tor the Colorado beetle has not
been SO troublesome, rs fur rs my obser-
walton extends, and we begin to feel
encouraged, hoping that the worst is past.
Tobacco is quite extensively grown in
this valley. 1t is not as far advanced in
| growth as usual at this time of the year,
but think that about the same amount is
set. Wheat was hardly up to the average
although | saw some very fine pieces.
Buckwheat is grown very extensively,
both for family consumption and for feed
ing to stock. 1t is looking very well and
with frequent showers we hope to have a
good crop.
AS we pass by some farms we are fire.
quently surprised to see what poor care is
taken of the tools. A moving machine,
costing $75 or $50, is sometimes to be seen
out of doors all winter and it is common
thing to see sulky rakes plows, harrows
and all kinds OF farm implements "housed''
the same way. Shelter can be provided
very cheaply and it should by all means
be furnished to all farming tools when
they are not in use. find it good plan
to clean the tools when through using
hem for the season and apply coat OF
oil to them. This preserves the wood work
and keeps the iron free from rust.
Climbing vines add greatly to the beauty
of II farmers home and we find them tc
be easy Of cultivation. If farmer cannot
have II beautiful home, do not see how
any one can. If the expense of purchasing
rare vines is thought to be too great, you
can purchase just as beautiful ones thai
are more common, or even select some o.
our wild ones from the woods or road side
some of which are very beautiful and i
scarce would be rs readily purchased Il,
some which we now pay one and two dol
lars for. And would urge my brother
farmers to surround their homes will
vines in great profusion. Train them ovel
the sloop and windows, in angles of the
house, as well as in the yard on trellises.
i. ii. d.
Corning, Steuben Co., N. Y.