The Osceola times., 1881-05-21
FACTS FOR FARMERS,
Timely Suggestions Before Blowing In
The Spring.

Timely Suggestions Before Blowing In
The Spring
"Do we plow too much 2" was the
question put by one Of our readers few
weeks ago, who then proceeded to give
his experience in the preparation OF
land for corn without plowing, on which
corn had been grown the year before.
Another implement was used, and the
result proved very satisfactory IN saving
time and labor, and also in the outcome
of the crop. This experiment is sug-
gestive, and no doubt arrested the atten-
ton of numerous readers, and it is not
improbable that some Of them may
ADOPT the "new departure" in the pre-
paration of their land fol tie spring
crops.
The preparation of the soil for the re-
ceptIon Of seed is the most important OF
all mechanical operations on the farm,
but the time, the desired depth and the
manner of doing the work depends upon
various circumstances, as the kind OF
crop TO which it Is intended TO devote
the land, the character of the soil, etc.
There is no question but that the time
and labor of plowing some fields for a
spring crop are unnecessary, or, in other
words, that fields which have been well
filed during the preceding season may
be put into good condition for the re-
ception of seed by the use of implements
which greatly economize time ard toll.
But of course this method cannot be fol-
lowed at random. Every farmer knows
that great deal depends npon the sea-
son as well as the character OF the soil.
1t sometimes happens that light or
naturally iriable soil has become packed
and hard by beating storms, and that
blowing it is indispensable in order to
put it in proper condition for crop,
while, under circumstances, soils of q
much heavier texture turn over like an
ash-heap, so that in this, as In other
things, the judgment of the farmer must
govern in the methods employed in car
rying on the operations OF his farm.
A few words here upon spring plow-
ing are not out of place. Sandy or grav-
ely soils may be plowed or re-plowed
in the spring without running much
risk; but it ts different with clay soils,
and the rule should govern that clay is
to be plowed in the fall or winter. To
pursue different course involves risk,
especially with undrained land. A clay
loan which is underdrained and has
been well cultivated may be treated
more like lighter soil; but even then
prudence is required. for clay soils are
sensitive, and are often injured by start
ing the plow too soon Sfter heavy rain,
showing the effect IN the yield of the
crop. Stiff, adhesive soils, whether
clayey or loamy, cannot be plowed to ad-
vantage while wet or very dry. How
ever. such soils are improved by fire.
quent plowing, as this reduces them to
that finely comminuted condition which
is favorable to the growth Of plants. All
tillable land has more or less clay in it,,
and if worked when too wet the result
is hurtful. 1t is in this way that disap-
pointment occurs in the yield of rich al
luvial lands, which fail to produce
abundantly because the clay is thus
rendered comparatively useless.
1t may seem superfuous to some of
our readers to offer suggestions that are
well understood by them. 1t must not
be forgotten, however, that many of our
later readers are young farmers, or men
who have had little or no experience in
tilling the soil. Nor is it out of place to
occasionally remind farmers OF longer
experience that much care must be ex-
ersjsed in plowing and re-plowing land
iffsprfhg Nj no small degree does the
success of the seasons crop depend on
the farmers prudence in this regard
nor does the matter end with a single
season, and this is one thing that is fire.
quently lost sight of at the time farmer
may be turning over his land. While
land is too wet to plow, whether in fall
or spring, TO turn 1t up so that it will
bake is TO injure it for several years, en-
tailing much unnecessary loss both to
yield of crops ard Of labor to restore it
to a natural condition of fertility.