The Colfax chronicle., 1889-02-23

but will be visited, and its small crop
carefully removed by the industrious
bergsuan. If he has a wide stretch OF
field (hill-pasture or moorland) in his
boundary, the farmer erects wooden
sheds in which he stores his hay till
winter. when, by an ingenious contriv-
ance, he has the whole rapidly and
easily conveyed to the valley. A
familiar object in Norwegian glen is
the strong steel wire which stretches
from the foot to the summit of the
mountain. Down this wire the bundles
of hay are expeditiously sent without
labor, and then carried on sledges to
the steadings. Without such method
many weary journeys would be neces-
sary ere all the hay required for a long
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 a. name, for they meander like q
stream in all directions among the
huge powders and bare rocky hillocks
which compose so great part of the
surface of 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 sufii-
cient 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
bars the hay IL laid, and dried in a
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, a field of two to three
acres can be seen on more than one
farm near fringe.
With regard to the potato crop, the
same kind of miniature farming occurs,
only 'smuch more so," as Mark Twain
would say. Aseed is dropped here and
there wherever a possibilit exists Of its
taking root. In the Nerodal. the
writer noticed potatoes growing on a
bowlder, where asoilof about eighteen
inches had gathered or been placed.
The 'qield" was triangle, whose sides
were each about twelve feet in length!
Hnrnips would appear to be outside
the economy Of 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 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-nsGrken. 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 s9ters 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 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-
hance 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