The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1879-10-18
October Work on tho Farm
From the American Agrlcultur.s. !

In gathering late potatoes, all that are dug
should be put away safely before night AT
this season it will not be safe to leave this ten
der tuber exposed over night, as slight frost
may spoil them.
Corn SMUT.-There is no doubt Of the
hurtful character OF corn smut, and cattle
should be prevented from devouring stalks at,
fsctcd with it. Where the cattle are worth
more than the labor Of saving them, this may
be done by throwing out the smutty stalks and
burning them.
CALVES AND YEARLINGs.-Cold and wet do
much harm to young stock and stop the
growth, which is rarely commenced again I'M
til the warm weather of the next season. A
rough shed in the pasture will furnish useful
protection, and a small supply Of rich food is
Of value in keeping up the thrift
HoRsEs.-The season Is too far advanced
for turning horses out at night. A Cad rain
coming on suddenly may do much harm. If
horses are caught IN the rain and thoroughly
drenched, 1t will be well to rub them dry and
then blanket them as soon Is they reach home.
But the blankets should never be put on the
horses until they are thoroughly dry.
TAKE CARE OF THE PorAro Tops-It Is
usual to let the pigs CLEAN the potato fields.
But, now that Paris green is generally used,
the tops should be gathered and burned before
the hogs are turned in. Long acquaintance
with this deadly poison should not lead to
carelessness with it. Neither is it safe to
throw the tops into yards where pigs are kept.
HARNESS tina. has been soaked with water
will dry hard, unless it is dress ed while damp
with some kind of non.drving oil. FIRST wipe
OFT the harness with sponge, and then with
cloth kept for that purpose, you can apply the
dressing thoroughly. A coat Of waterproof
dressing applied now will be useful but the
harness should be thoroughly washed and
made perfectly clean.
SAVING CORN STALKs.-There is no necessl-
ty to make large stacks of stalks rs they keep
better in small ones. Many farmers in the
eastern and middle states put them up in large
shocks in the field, or a lot near the barn,
binding them well, especially at the top, and
the fodder keeps bright and green IN this way.
This Is little trouble and the plan might De
followed elsewhere with profit.
FERTILIZERS FOR WHEAT-Any fertilizers
to be used for wheat should be applied with
out delay. As good growth as possible
ought to be made before winter Superphos-
phate of lime, nitrate of soda lin small guam
titles, however. at this season. on account of
Its sOlubilty), fine bone-dOur Peruvian guano,
salt and plaster can each be used with benefit
according to circumstances.
DRAINs-Fields will need to be relieved of
excess of surface water but water burrows
should be so arranged that as much of the
ram fall as possible may be retained on the
land. If water channels are made down a
slope soluable fertilizers and manure Will be
WISHED away. Make burrows dlagonally across
the slope, with very little fall, and make them
broad and shallow, instead of deep and mar
row.
Roof CROPs.-Mangles and beets are not
hardy and should be put away safely before
severe frosts. In pitting these roots, II is well
to remember that, to prevent heating, they
should be put INTO the pits when dry; the pits
should not be too high or wide, but may be rs
long As desired, and ventilator Will be neces
sary every SIX feet 1t is safest to finish the
pit at first, although the full coating of earth
may not I've put on until cold weather arrives.
SHEEP-Long-wool sheep are easily chilled
by cold rain that would not trouble South
down or Merino. LOngwools, therefore, re-
qulre protection from transforms, although
the weather may not be very cold. An open
shed in the field may be sufficient lfbrought
into the yards at night, sheep should not be
shut up; they require abundant ventilation,
and can not be crowded with IMMUNITY IN
close quarters. Where ticks abound or scab
exists use Cresylic or other effective dip.