Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1885-04-30
EARLY PLANTING.
The Lessons of Instruction Which Each
Revolving Year Brings.

The Lessons of Instruction Which Each
Revolving Year Brings.
To the wideawake farmer who is OBJ
servant of passing events, each revolv-
ing year brings its lessons of instruc-
ton. The wise profit therefrom, but
the careless and INDECENT continue to
founder along in the old ruts. When
visited by drought, or when crops are
injured by early frosts, lessons of in
bandman if he will but heed them.
Some of the past seasons have been re-
plete with warnings and suggestions
for the future guidance of the farmer.
Early frosts have drawn the dividing
line very distinctly between early and
late planted crops. while the long sum-
mer droughts that are SO common of
late years point out the necessity of
getting crops matured as early in the
season as possible.
Early planting, followed by thorough
tillage, is the best means to avoid
trouble from early frosts or summer
drought. In the minds of some there
is an undue fear of getting seeds into
the ground too early, lest it be caught
by late frosts. The rule of the pioneer
farmer was to plant corn when the dog
wood blossomed. The soil was then
new and fresh and pushed crops for
ward to maturity faster than it does
now, and it is hardly safe to delay
planting as late as was formerly the
practice. Some who plant late put in
the plea that the land is wet and heavy,
and unfit tie receive seed early.
This is hardly tenable, because such
a state of things is never necessary in
good farming, for all such land should
be thoroughly drained so that it can be
worked IN due season. 1t is time for
farmers to become aware of the fact
that the old routine way of raising
crops, which was followed with success
fifty years ago, can not longer be de-
pended upon. The changed conditions
of the times and variable seasons de-
mand more intelligent thought and ac-
ton. The wise farmer is not slow to
adapt himself to the situation.
Corn may be safely planted as soon
as the ground will vegetate it. This it
will do as soon as the temperature of
the soil is 4S deg. Fahrenheit, or above.
While it makes but little growth above
for future growth. And if frosts come
and cut down the blades they start
again vigorously after a few warm
days and come out all right. We have
planted as early as the first week in
April. and never had crop of corn
that made a short yield on account OF
being nipped by late frosts in the
spring. 1t is highly important that
corn designed for fodder should be
planted on well-drained land. as early
as the land can be made fit to receive
seed. The yield will far exceed the
crop that is delayed after the regular
planting and seeding of spring crops
have been done.
Oats is another crop that should go
into the ground just as soon as it can
possibly be worked. Some of the most
successful growers of this crop that we
know of seldom wait for the ground to
get in condition to work we'll. They
mud it in almost as soon as the frost is
out of the ground. We can not recon-
mend this premature method of getting
in crops, as it eXhausts the fertility of
the SOL too rapidly to cultivate t when
not in proper filth. In breaking round
too early III spring the bottom OF the
pillow compacts the clay subsoil, press
ing it in a smooth surface, which hard
ems during the summer and becomes al
most impervious to water.
The potato should also be planted
Just as early as the ground is in proper
condition, so as to secure good yield
before the summer drought sets in.
With crops thus covering the ground
early in the season the suns rays will
not parch it up, as is frequently the
case with late sown crops. Again, such
crops will be driven forward to early
maturity, thus clearing early frosts in
the fall. Proper cultivation is another
important point to secure early matu-
rity and the development of maximum
crops. If farmers would only make a
note of the lessons which the passing
seasons teach, and govern themselves
accordingly, they would find it much
to their advantage.-W. W. SteUens, s'a
Western PlOaCnlaR.