The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1881-06-04
Early Spring Farm Work.

Early Spring Farm Work.
At no time in the year does farm Ia
Dor bring greater returns, if it is right
ly done. than in early spring. This is
apeculiar time, in which great caution
should be exercised, lest work done too
soon or in an improper manner will have
10 be done over again. 1.-The more
haste is the worst speed" in many
cases, and wise and successful must be
the farmer who is able to do his spring
work at just the right time and in the
right way.
This is the time for much rainfall.
and accommodation should be made
Tor the rapid draining off of the water.
III 1t accumulates in ponds upon the
wheat or other fields see to it that an
outlet Is speedily made for its removal.
There is no season like early spring for
determining what land should be under
drained; and If the work of draining
cannot be done the locations of the
drains should be made and the work
booked Tor time when it can be done
10 the best advantage. The drains that
are already laid may need attention.
The open ones are sometimes clogged
with leaves and other matter that will
interfere with the rapid flow of the water
all such should be cleared with rake
or shovel, if it is heavy, earthly mate
rial. Under-drains may become choked
and the water will accumulate upon the
surface. In such cases, if possible, pro-
vide rapid removal of the water and
mark the point where the drain must
be fixed when the ground becomes dry
and admits of the work.
In some parts of the country blowing
will be done by this time. 1t is lust
here it is !" especially wise to be care
full" The soiLshould be dry enough to
crumble before it is turned by the pillow;
II 1t is sticky it will dry into a hard
mass. The plow to be used should be
steel or chilled iron, and of the most
improved pattern. 1t is not economy
to use an old worn out and, very likely
imperfect pillow, when the best now
made are so cheap and common. 1--we
knew how much difference there is in
plows-their draft, action upon the soil,
etc., we would see to it that only the
most improved were used;. not only
should the plows be in good trim and
IN readiness so soon as the soil can be
worked, but the other farm implements
should be put in proper order, A roller
is one OF the most valuable of farm inn
PIGMENTS, and will do vast amount of
work, If used properly.
All the meadows and fall sown grain |
fields should be rolled in early spring,
that the surface, which has been more |
or less thrown up by frost, may be made |
smooth and thus present no obstruction |
to the knives of the moving or reaping
machines.
This is a kind of work that should be |
done so soon as the frosts are over, and |
the ground is sufficiently settled that
the team will not leave any tracks.
The pastures will be benefited
by the passing of the roller
over them. as it presses the roots of
the grass into the soil and causes a
more even and better growth. Aside
from this smoothing. the roller is of
great service in crushing the clods on
plowed land The danger in making a
roller is in getting it too heavy. If too
light 1T can be easily loaded, but if
made OF greater weight than needed it
does not do its work any better, and is
q burden upon the team.
An important matter, frequently over
looked, is the selection of seed for SOW
ing and planting. 1t should be remem-
bered that the edict, ssThat which a
man soweth that shall he also reap"
holds equally good in the field of oats or
corn as in morals. Sow only the best, is
a rule that should be followed, even if
the sower has to 60 good deal out of
his way to procure the seed. There is
much truth in the teachings of those
who have made the growing of pure,
healthy seeds a trade, when they say
there is more in the seed than the
world has given credit for. If we
would take as much pains in the selec-
ton of our corn to plant as we do in
picking out the cloth for new coat or
dress, we would come nearer to the
two hundred bushels per acre that the
corn growers are striving for.
With the proper preparation Of the
ground. and the judicious selection of
the seed, there would seem to be but
little else left to insure good returns in
} large crop at harvest.-Farpser's Re-
rleU.
Sowing Small Seeds.
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