The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1881-06-16
for the farnler.
SUGGESTIONS FOR THE SEASON.

Frequent cultivation Is necessary to destroy
the weeds in the cornteld, and 10 keep the soil
mellow. While the corn is small smoothing
harrow can he used n advantage, tn lie followed
by the cultivator and hoe as the plants get
larger Ii is true economy To do much of the
work of corn culture as possible with the horse
unwrr The double cultivatOr is more efficient
Than one for a single horse, and doe not cost
a,y more for the driver. IL should be- remem-
brreA that much Of ihe work of tillage in the
cornfeld counts upon the crops hat are Ia fol-
low IFS beneficial influence being felt Throughout
tic whole rotation. Therefor, charge part Of
the labor to suceeedin. crops The cultivator
should 90 over the corn ground about once a
v eek during the rapidly growing part of the
s.asnn. Ii does not matter that there are no
weeds to be seen, the soil Is lOosened, growth
stimulated, and the weeds that are just starting
are killed before they do any harm 1t is best To
SOW fodder corn in drills - 10 3 feet apart, and
at intervals of ten days, for a number Of weeks
from this time on, 80 that there may be contin-
uuus supply of green food. If the seed is sown
broadcast the plants cannot be cultivated while
young, and this early attention is very impor-
tant 10 insure a good crop. The notion that sweet
corn makes the best corn fodder is not well
founded. The fact that the grain is sweeter does
not indicate that the whole plant is therefore
better The smaller and leafy varieties of corn
best on account of the superior quality Of the
finer fodder.
The ground that is cleared by this time may
be prepared Immediately, and planted to fodder
corn. Hungarian grass may follow the rye, and
he cut off in time for sowing rye in autumn
Swedish tnrnips may he sOwn this month, and
should be in drills 30 inches apart. IL Is best To
put in plenty of seed, to insure Uniform growth
it is easy To thin them out. Two pounds of
seed per acre is about the right amount. Ii is
essential that the seed have a rich and mellow
bed t. start in. When the second leaf appears,
thin the plants to II or Il inches in the rows.
The pest of the potato crop. the Colorado
beetle, must be held in check by a thorough use
of Paris green, or the equally efficient London
purple, which is preferred by some As easier To
| apply, and is cheaper. Both these substances
are deadly pOisOns, and must be stored IN a Sc
cure place and used with caution, or serious
| results may follow. There is danger in care
| ful hands. Buckwheat may he Sown in June,
and make profitable CROP especially upon new
grlunl II greatly helps to loosen mp and mellow
the soil. The kind known rs Silver Hull is the
| superior variety; the yield is said Ia he larger
and the -four better than that of the common
| sort.
Timothy, more than any other grass, should
| he cut in full bloom; if allowed la rpen seed,
the quality of the hay is inferior. II the haying
| is begun early enough, there may not he that
| rush and hurry So often seen upon the farm. Use
| the mower after the dew is off, aud cut only rs
much as can be well cared for. Where the hay
| tedder is used, and il is being yearly more EN-
ployed, il could soon follow the moving machine.
\ Frequent stirring of the grass Ia give access oi
air, without it's burning the surface in the sun,
is great advantage in the proper curing of hay.
| In most eases, grass cut in the forenoon, and
stirred with the tedder, will he ready TO 20 into
| cocks late in the afternoon. Ii pays to cock the
| hay, rather than leave it exposed to the heavy
| dew and hot morning SIN. The sweating that
| the partly cured hay undergoes in the cock makes
1t more relished by the live stock. Hay caps are
valuable in protecting the hay from injury 10y
showers, and pay for themselves, sometimes in
| the protection they give in one hard storm.
| Every summer we hear of deaths canscd by the
use of ice water; even the drinking of large
| quantities of cold water from the well, when one
| is overheated, is often injurious. Ii is better "a
drink moderately cool water frequently than Il
wait until one is excessively thirsty, and then
| take ice water even very cold well water
| Water may he kept sufficiently cool 10y covering
the jug or other vessels with cloths which are Il
be kept moist. Nothing is better in the hay
| field than the old-fashed farmers drink
''Switchell.r This consists of mOlasscs and wa
ter, with enough of vinegar To give pleasant
| sharpness: some ginger is usually added. Thii
satisfies thirst, and is always welcome 10 the
hands, who appreciate any snch provision fol
| cOmfoTt.-.fmeTicdH IgricaltWist.