The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1880-10-07
for the farmer.
HINTS FOR OCTOBER WORK.



ITeeds IN Grass Land may be very easily seen
and DESTROYED this month, by the use of ''spnd,
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 thrustng II
into the ground. A boy, with an instrument of
this kind, can rapidly clear grass land of butter
cups, daisies, and multitude of other biennial
and perennial weeds.
Ton DRESSING - Bone dust "tankings,' or
some fertilizer ia which the nitrogen is not in the
forrn of ammonia, and not snlnhle is the best for
late autumn application To grass or grain. such
a manure has some immediate effect, yet is not
washed away in solution 10y h -ayy rains, but
shows its potency in the spring
.sPotafoes-The sooner they are ding now the
better. IL is best to keep them awhile either
in protected heaps in the field, or on como I'M
used floor They throw OFF much moisture with
in 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. Potatoes are injured at by
frost. and gradually by sunlight, or even by
diffused light. They should, therefore, be kept
from the light much as possible. and decayed
ones carefully culled out before they are put
away.
ROOts 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 mangels
and sugar-beets. Top by rubbing the leaves
off, not by cutting, the wound often starts
decay, which spOils the beet. Carrots secure
attention next after the beets, and tuTuips next,
leaving the Swedish turnips longest Always
protect piles of roots against frost by covering.
Turnips will survive severe freezing but they
are never so good for feeding.
Corn Fodder, by which we mean the stalks
after husking, (not the leaves Of the corn merely
stripped of, should be bound in bundles prob
ably best done with willow withes, and stocked
up 20 shed rain. Large stocks, well set
and firmly bound, may he left in the field until
needed for feeding, without injury to the fodder.
In fact, il is often brighter and better when
treated in this way, than in any other In
stacks, in sheds, it is likely to heat and mold,
unless it can he more thoroughly dried than
can be sure of having il.
Fodder Corn, which, of course, was cut before
the first frost, much of its valuc was lost
should be handled much in the same way. As
soon as the stalks are sufficiently dry, and the
weather cool that danger from moulding is
past, put il mp in small bundles and set these
together in large stocks in the field. bound Sc
curcly ut the top.
PiOTiHg 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 winter. The
ground should be left rough, to be subjected to
the fullest action of the weather, freezing, thaw-
ing, wetting, drying, etc. Should crop of
weeds come up, it will very likely pay TO harrow
and pillow again. rr" r.a.-.'.
Ridge PIociRg of stiff clays is often of great
dement,. III Is lOne by turning The 1uffOWs Two
and two together, so as to leave the land uni
formly ridged. The ridges must run up and
down the slopes; otherwise, in heavy rains,
water will he held by the ridges until it breaks
through somewhere, when there will be danger
of ''wash-out.r This system of winter fallow-
ing involves blowing again in the spring, but
shows its good effects in the crops.
Udfer.-If pure water does not flow at the
barn, look into means for securing it. Barn.
yard wells are convenient, but often dangerous
to the health, if not of animals, certainly of
men, who may drink at them. If the water
from some spring can he led to the house and
barn, by all means bring it down-use plain
iron pipes OF enameled Ones-nOt ''galvanizedr
pipes. Zinc is a slow poison, but not quite so
bad as lead. A well on higher ground will of
ten furnish flowing water, conducted by a siphon,
at the level of the buildings. No well should be
dug at a less distance than 300 feet from barIi-
yard, cesspool, or privy vault.
BHiidings.-This month offers the most favora-
BILE time usually for the painting and repair of
farm buildings, 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
his boys.
Implements, put away for the winter, should
be painted or protected in some way from the ac-
tiOn of the air and moisture. Paint or varnish
for the woodwork, and varnish of twO-thirts
resin and one-third mutton tallOw, is excellent
for protecting iron and steel.
Lire Stock.-A little extra feed brings cattle
and horses TO the beginning of winter in good
order. The tops of carrots, beets, and turnips
may he fed to good advantage, and there is a
great deal of sweetness in the October pasturage.
Where much corn is planted, there will always
be soft ears and ''nnbbins," which are best fed
to horses and pigs.
STiRe.-Pigs will fatten nearly as fast ON po-
tatoes this month an corn next. They do
best on cooked feed, and the grain ought to he
ground.