Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-10-15
Dailp kfnnfher 3nurnal.
Fall Flowing.

II fall blowing is properly done. and al
the proper time, it has the advantage ol
favoring earlier spring sowing, and les
sening the work at that busy time, an ad-
vantage that is toe important to be over
looked. But if not done at the right time.
and in proper manner. il had better be
put off till spring. Thus. by plowing
land early in the fall. chance is given
for weeds and grass TO spring forth, par
ticalarly grass when sod is turned down,
and especially when that grass is quack
or couch grass. In such case. unless the
land is plowed again in the spring, the
grass and weeds will contend with the
grain for the mastery. and two often sue
cessfully-alwavs in the case of quack-
affording, besides, chance for the better
ripening of the seeds OF the foul stuff
Generally, if not always. land should
be plowed rather late in the autumn, and
if there is much to plow, the work is con-
tinued, if the weather and condition of the
soil will admit. The later the blowing is
done under such circumstances, the better,
even should it extend into winter. which.
however, is rare here at the north This
gives the fresh ground to the frost and the
snow. with no benefit TO noxious weeds
and plants. and with the further advantage
OF the freezing and thawing in tho spring.
The difficulty with late plowing is that the
soil is apt to be wet, which. whether cor
rected by the frost or not, makes unpleas-
ant work. This is less the case with sandy
soil. or well-drained clay loan; but
with clay soil, retaining its water long and
packed in plowing, or hard and tenacious,
it is not only unpleasant, but in some
cases hurtful, as when packed by heavy
weight OF snow during the winter,
with little or no frost to relieve ii. the
spring freezing and tbawing do not pene-
trate sufficiently to benefit much. 1t will
take long for such soil to dry, and then
the harrow will skip over it, making little
impression. What can be expected from
such a condition of the land P If plowed
again, the chances often are not much bet
ter-breaking up rough and wet below
where it rests on the subsoil.
We used to plow such soil the first in
the fall, when it was the driest. or defer
the blowing till spring. or. if too late to
put in. prepare it for buckwheat. In no
case should the porous texture of the soil
be sacrificed, and clay of all soils is the
most subject to injury of this kind, the
harm usually being done in the fall and
spring. With proper management, fall
plowing may be made to improve the tex
ture OF the soil through the action of
the frost, as when thrown TO the air in
comparatively and open condition. so that
the elements have free play with it. the
spring will find it mellower that the plow
left it in the fall. and in a condition for
early sowing. This should be done in
time, as by deferring it rains may occur
and pack the soil, and as clay parts slow
ly with its water, may make the sowing
late, or defeat it altogether. 1t should
therefore by all means be done as soon as
the ground will allow even if quite early.
and all the more where the soil lacks drain
age. The grain will then get the start of
the weeds, and if the soil is good. stand a
chance to keep it, for one of the principal
difficulties with fall blowing is the advan-
tage it gives to weeds and oress