Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1888-12-27

| StTy ere oil TIC Hdy TcQulFcu lOF d lOIlS
winter could be brought down. 1t ap-
pears the Norwegian farmer borrowed
the idea of this hay-telegraph from his
brother hillsman of the Tyrol about
eight years ago. The hay crop is the
product of natural grass, no seed being
sown, nor any admixture of clover be-
ing used.
The cereals are generally oats and
barley; these are planted wherever
there is likelihood of their growing.
Small patches from twenty feet to as
many yards square are common; while
not unfrequently the cornfields are
but name, for they meander like a
stream in all directions among the
huge powders and bare rocky hillocks
which compose so great a part of the
surface of a farmland. The heads are
usually very light, and their appear
ance would cause a painful smile on
the face of Western farmer. Still,
the people cheerfully SOW and thank
fully reap their scanty harvest, con-
tented if Providence gives them suffi-
Gent for their few wants.
The method employed in drying the
hay and corn crops is different from
that which obtains in this country. In
the former case, poles are erected on or
near the patches, and between them
ropes or long sticks are laid till sort
of six-barred railing is made. On these
l. ~ - LII III -,
most effective manner. The corn, on
the other hand, is tied in small bundles
and impaled on poles placed at inter-
walls in the fields. These poles are
about nine feet high, and capable of
holding ten sheaves each. The grain
is thus elevated above the ground; and
should rain storm set in before it can
be conveyed to the granary, little
results, for half an hours wind and
sunshine thoroughly dries the crop.
In the great valley of Voss, the fields
are more extensive than those just de-
scribed. Indeed, field of two to three
acres can be seen on more than one
farm near fringe.
same kind of miniature farming occurs.
only much more So" as Mark Twain
would say. A seed is dropped here and
there wherever a possibilit exists of its
taking root. In the Nerodal, the
writer noticed potatoes growing on
bowlder, where soil of about eighteen
inches had gathered or been placed.
The field" was triangle, whose sides
were each about twelve feet in length
Turnips would appear to be outside
the economy of a Norwegian farm.
Though wide area was visited, en-
bracing Bergens-Amt,; Hardanger and
part of the Sogne district, not bulb
was visible; curious feature, consid-
ering the Importance of such a crop for
food.
The portion of the farm given up to |
crep and failow is styled the in-marken,
or inside fields; between that and the |
field are tee Out-mGrken. The latter |
are reserved. as a rule, for the cattle |
during winter; the hay being allowed |
to grow in the summer while the COWS |
are at the SGterS on the mountains. |
Manuring is not resOrted to as regu- |
lar part of the routine; the fields are
left from time to time for three or four
years, by rotation, in grass.
The farmers themselves are worthy |
of more than the brief description
which can be given here. A life of |
constant activity and mountain climb
ing has bred a class of men scarcely to
be excelled. They are tall and strongly
built, with no excess of flesh, for they |
are always in training. Their athletic
frames are supplemented by good
humored, honest faces, always ready |
to break into laugh. A uniform suit
of pilot-cloth does not, however en-
nance their appearance. One does not
readily associate the Sunday clothes
of a NAVY with the Norwegian farmer.
Their former dress, which some of the
old men retain, is more becoming. And
happily, we still find the true noun
taineer's costume in some of the more
secluded districts-a broad hat, short
bright buttons; leather knee-breeches,
and heelless shoes of a soft tough hide.
The never-absent knife hangs suggest
lively at the right side. Add limbs of
large proportions, a frank face, back
as straight as soldiers, and you see
the typical fjeldsman. The farms of
Sebo and Skjpgadals will be familiar
examples to the tourist.
In the summer months, female serv-
ants, or the daughters of the farmer,
tend the cattle high up in the field,
living in S9terS or cabins, where they
prepare cheese and butter.
Excepting for such luxuries as coffee,
sugar and tobacco, the farmer in Nor
way can be Independent of the outside
world. His fields and stock give him
food and clothing; while from the tim
Der on his hillsides he builds his houses,
and manufactures his furniture. There
is no lack of plate in those little farm
houses; the hostess can muster quite a
display of silver mugs, spoons and
Some of the spoons are
worthy of special notice, for the pat
terms are delicate and chaste. A ia
vorite kind is that with the thin twisted
handle. Any Sunday or fete-day, one
may also observe the profusion with
which the female population adorn
themselves with silver and gold. The
arrival of a steamer in some of the less