The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1883-03-29
for the fartler.
APRIL FARM NOTES.

4 we'll started crop is usually profitable, aud
one put in late or under unfavorabie conditions
is seldom satisfactory.
Narrowing Uinfer Grain is q practice that is
now quite generally adopted by the better far
mers This should be done with implements
that have teeth turned backward. Peruvian
yuano, bone dust, wood ashes, or other feriili-
yer may he applied before the narrowing.
SpriHq Ukeat should he sown ~ soon a. the
ground can be properly prepared. A top dres-
sing of manure may be added after sowing. The
good effect of q soluble fertilizer can sometimes
be seen in a few hours especially if the appliea-
ton is soon followed by a gentle shower that
takes the substance down to the roots. Any
start given TO young plants is felt for good
throughout their whole life. In using any con-
centrated fertilizer, care must he taken that il
does not come in contact with seeds IL scatter
ed thoroughly and thinly on the surface after
sowing there is no danger, otherwise il should
he mixed with soil.
Fodder Crops.-There shOnld be ample provs-
ion of food for farm animals during the summer
months, when the pastures are short from
drouth. A leafy sort of oats may be sOwn with
peas, and thus obtain heavy crop of green fod-
der. The yalue of Hungarian grass as a supply
| of green food, is not easily over-estimated.
Bees, including mangels, may be sown the
last Of the month. Quick starting OF the seeds
may he insured by soaking them. They should
be sOwn 80 soon as termination begins. After
the plants are mp they will need wedding and
| thinning.
Grass is a leading farm crop, and is much neg
lected Onr farmers have given very little at
tentiou to tine study of grass and the soils and
| culture best adapted to the various sorts. A
permanent meadow or pasture needs TO he kept
| up by a yearly top dressing Of manure or COM
Inercial fertilizer. II is hoped that the Ameri-
! can farmer will come TO a better understanding
of the Importance Of grass growing. and that
our grass land will he treated with due cons'd-
Grafton.
Potdtoes.-The poiato-beetle is well under con-
| troll, and potatoes now are certain crop, aud IA
profitable one when given clean culture on
rich, mellow soil. 1t is well to plant early sorts
and harvest the tnbers before the ''rOt' has time
to reach them.
SRndry NattTs.-Put all farm implements in
good order during rainy days. Clear up the rub
bsh that has accumulated. Look well TO fences
before the cattle are turned out.
Sheep.-The care bestowed on sheep by some
| farmers during the winter, invites weakness,
| and troublesome irritation of the skin and loss
! of wool often follow poor treatment. Raising
lambs for the spring market is profitable busi.
| ness. but great care of both ewes and lambs is
necessary. The strength and vitality of the
| lambs after birth depend largely on the condi-
| ton of the eve previous to parturitiOn. Much
\ injury is done TO the unborn lambs by compel
| ling the ewes to 90 without water. Lickingt lie
snow 10 quench thirst chills the fetus and wea-
| kens the lamb, even if more serious results do
not follow.-4meTioan agricultural.