The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1883-10-19
Fall Flowing.

If fall ploNing is properly done, an6
at the proper time, it has the advantage
OF favoI ing earlier spring sowing, and
lessening the work at that busy tine, ar
advantage that is too important to be
overlook d. But if not done at the
right time and in a proper manner, il
had better be put off till spring. Thus,
by blowing land early in the fall, 6
chance is given for weeds and grass to
spring forth, particularly grass when
sod is turned down, and especially
when that grass is quack or couch grass.
In such case, unless the land is plowec
again in the spring, the grass and weeds
will contend with the grain for the mas
terry, and too often Observation-Disclosures
in the case of quack- affording, besides,
chance for the better ripening of the
seeds OF the foul stuff.
Generally, if not always, land shoulc
be piowed rather late in autumn, and
if there is much to plow, the work is
continued, if the weather and condition
of the soil will adm t. The later the
blowing is done under such circum.
stances, the better, even should it ex.
tend 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 the spring.
The difficulty with late blowing is that
the soil is apt to be wet, which, whether
corrected by the frost or not, makes un.
pleasant 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 blowing, OF
hard and tenacious, it is not only un.
pleasant, but in some cases hurttul, as
when packed by heavy weight OF snow
during tho winter, with little or no frost
to relieve it, the spring freezing anG
thawing do not penetrate sufficiently tc
benefit much. Ii will take long Tor such
soil to dry. and then the harrow will
skip over it, making little impression.
What can be expected from such a con.
dition of the land? II plowed again
the chances often are not much better
breaking up rough and wet below where
it rests on the subsoil.
We used to pillow such soil the first in
the fall, when it was the driest, or de.
fer 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
Snd. the harm usually being done in
he fall and spring. With proper man.
agement, fall blowing may be made to
improve the texture of the soil through
The action of the frost, As when thrown
20 the air in comparatively dry and
open condition, SO that the elements
have free play with it, the spring will
ind it mellower than the pillow 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 slowly
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
acks drainage. The grain will then
get the start of the weeds, and if the |
oil is good, stand chance to keep it,
or one of the principal difficulties with
all blowing is the advantage it gives
o weeds and grass.-F g., in Country
Ie1tlenan.