The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1881-04-22

M
"Do wo pillow too much?r was the
question put by one Of our readers q
few weeks ago. who then proceeded 10
give his experience In the preparation
81 land for corn without blowing. on
which corn had been grown the year be-
fore. Another implement was used.
and the results. a. stated BY our CORES
pondcnt. proved very satisfactory in
saving time and labor. and also IN the
outcome Of the crop. This experiment
Is suggestive and no doubt arrested the
attention 81 numerous readers, and IL is
not improbable that some of them may
adopt the "new departure" in the prep
nration Of their land for the spring
crops.
The preparation Of the soil for the re-
ccption Of seed. Is the most important
of al mechanical operations on the
farm. but the time. the desired depth.
and the manner Of doing the work de-
pend upon various circumstances. as
the kind OF crop 20 which IL il intended
10 devote the land. the character Of the
soil. etc. There Is no question but that
the time and labor Of blowing some
fields .or aspiring crop. are unnecessary,
or in other words that fields which have
been well TILED during the preceding
season may be put into good condition
for the reception Of seed by the use Of
implements which greatly economize
time and toll. But. OF course. this
method cannot be followed at random.
Every farmer knows that great deal
depends upon the season AS we'll as the
kind Or character OF the soil II some
times happens that light or naturally
friablc soil has become packed aud hard
by beating storms, and that blowing II
Is Indispensable in order TO put il into
proper condition for crop. while. I'M
der thcrcircumstnnce soils OF much
heavier texture turn over like an ash
heap; 50 that IN this. rs in other things.
the Judgment Of the farmer must
govern IN The methods employed in car I
rying on the operations Of his farm.
4 few words here upon spring plow-
ing are not out Of place Sandy Or
grasclly soils NAV be plowed or re-
plowed in the spring without running
much risk; but Il is different with clay 4
soils, and the rule should govern that I
clay Is 70 be plowed in the fall or win
ter. TO pursue different course in \
wolves q risk. especially with undraincd
land. A clay loan which Is under
drained 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 starting the plow too soon
after heavy rain. showing the effect
IN the yield Of the crop. Still, nd
hesive soils. whether clayey or loamy
cannot be plowed 10 advantage while
wet or very dry. However. such soils
are improved BY frequent blowing. as
his reduces them % that finely COM
condition which is favorable
% the growth Of plants. All tillablc
and has more or less clay in il. and II
worked when too wet. the result Is
hurtiul. II Is in this way that disap-
pointmcnt occurs in the Yield OF rich
aI'uvlal lands. which fail 10 produce
abundantly because the CLAY is thus
rendered comparatively useless.
II may seem supcriln0ns % some Of
'ur readers 70 offer suggestions that are
veil understood BY them. II must not
X forgotten, however, that many of our ,
ater readers are .onng farmers. or
men who have had little or no expert :
nee n tilling the soil. Nor j. Il out Of
lace % occasionally remind farmers 81 /
nnger experiences that much care must
e exercised in blowing a rc-rlov,ng
md IN spring. In no small degree
oes the success Of the season crop ,
epend on the farmers prudence III ,
nis regard; nor does the matter end I
'ith . single season. and this Is one ,
hing that IS frequently lost sight OF at 4
le time farmer may be turning over \
n land. While land il too wet to \
low, whether in fall or spring. 10 turn 4
Up 90 that i will bake Is 10 injurc il h
n several years. entailing much I'M (
ecessary loss both Of yield Of crops. !
~ Of labor 70 restore it 70 nat ural |,
'ndition Of fertility. - Rrriric Farn,er. Il