The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1880-10-13
OCTOBER.
HINTS FOROCToBER WORK
American Agriculturist for October.

WEEDS IN Grass LAND may be
very easily seen and destroyed this
month by the use Of the Sspud'
a broad chisel-blade attached to a
handle like that OF a spade or long
handled shovel, having a spur upon
it for the foot to aid in thrusting 1t
into the ground. A boy with an
instrument Of this kind can rapidly
clear grass land of buttercups'
daisies, and a multitude Of other
biennial and perennial weeds.
Top Dressing. - Bone dust or
"tankings," or some fertilizer IN
which the nitrogen is not in the
form of ammonia, and not soluble,
is the best for late autumn appllca-
ton to grass or grain. Such a ma
nure has some immediate effect
vet is not washed away in solution
by heavy rains, but shows its po'
tency in the spring.
PoTAToEs.-The sooner they are
dug now the better. It IS best to
keep them a while either in pro-
tected heaps in the field, or on
some unused floor. They throw
off much moisture within a few
days, and will heat if in large heaps
or too deep in the bins. When
thoroughly dry, they may be placed
in secure pits or in the cellar. Po'
tatoes are injured at once by frost,
and gradually by sunlight, or even
by difused light. They should,
therefore, be kept from the light as
much s,s possible, and decayed ones
carefully culled out before tney are
put away.
Roo1s are now making their best
growth. Moderately warm days and
cold nights seem to have great
effect upon them. As the time for
heavy frosts approaches, secure the
msngels and sugar-beets. Top by
rubbing the leaves off, not by cut,
ting, as the wound often starts de-
cay, which spoils the beet. Car
rots secure attention next after the
beets, and turnips next, leaving the
Swedish turnips longest Always
protect piles Of roots against frost
by some covering. Turnips will
survive severe freezing, but they
are never so good for feeding.
Plow1NG FOR Spring CRoPs.-This
may be done at any time now,
where the soil is not too light, and
not likely to wash during the win
ter. The ground should be left
rough to be subjected to the fullest
action of the weather, freezing,
thawing, wetting, drying, etc.
Should a crop of weeds come up, it
will very likely pay to harrow and
plow again.
RIDGE P1ow1NG Of stiff clays is Of
ten of great benefit. It is done by
turning the furrows two and two
together so as to leave the land uni
formly ridged. The ridges must
run up and down the slopes; other
wise, in heavy rains, water will be
held by the ridges until it breaks
through somewhere, when there
will be danger of q "wash-out." "
This system of winter following in
wolves plowing again in the spring.
the shows it's good effects in the
crops.
BUuDNGs.-This month offers the
most favorable time usually for the
painting and repair Of farm build
ings, and putting them in order for
the winter. A great part of this
work may be well done during this
month by the farmer and bis boys.
IMPLEMENTS, put away for the win
ter, should be painted or protected
in some way from the action of the
air and moisture. Paint or var
nish for the woodwork, and var
nish of two-thirds rosin and one
third mutton tallow is excellent for
protecting iron and steel.
LIVE STocA.-A little extra feed
brings cattle and horses to the
beginning of winter in good order.
The tops of carrots, beets, and tur-
nips may be fed to good advantage,
and there is 8. great deal OF sweet
ness in the October pasturage.
Where much corn is planted, there
will always be soft ears and ''nub-
bins" which are best fed to horses
and pigs.
SwnE-Pigs will fatten nearly
as fast on potatoes this month as
on corn next. They do best on