Hopkinsville Kentuckian., 1890-02-25

OF six-barred railing Is made. On these
bars the hay is laid, and dried In
most effective manner. The corn. on
the other hand. Is tied In small bundles
and impalei 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 n rain storm set In before II can
be conveyed to the granary. little
results, for half an hours wind and
sunshine thoroughly dries the crop.
In the great valley OF Yoss. the fields
are moro extensive than those Just de-
scribed. Indeed, a field OF two to three
acres can be seen on moro than one
farm near fringe.
With regard TO the potato crop, the
same kind OF miniature farming occurs,
only much more So" as Mark Twain
would say. Asccd is dropped here and
there wherever possibilit exists Of its
taking root. In the Nnrodal. the
writer noticed potatoes growing on q
bowlder, where soil OF about eighteen
inches had gathered or been placed.
The "Held" was triangle, whose sides
were each about twelve feet in length!
Turnips would appear to be outside
the economy Of a Norwegian farm.
Though a wide area was visited, en-
bracing Bergens-Amt Hardanger and
part Of the Sogne district, not bulb
was visible; curious feature, consid-
erlng the Importance Of such a crop for
food.
The portion OF the farm given up to
crep and failow is styled the ir-parken.
or inside fields; between that and the
field are tee ont-mdrken. The latter
are resolved. as rule, for the cattle
during winter; the hay being allowed
TO grow in the summer while the cows
are at the satcrs on the mountains.
Manuring Is not resorted TO as regu-
lar part OF the routine; tho 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 hero. 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 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 moro
secluded districts--a broad hat, short
jacket OF homemade cloth. ornate with
bright buttons; leather knee-breeches,
and heelless shoes Of n 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 a soldiers, and you see
the typical fjeldsman. The farms OF
Sobo and Slingadals 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 sGters 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 folds and stock give him
food and clothing; while from the tim
Der on his hillsides he builds bis houses,
and manufactures his furniture. There
is no lack OF plate in those little farm
houses; the hostess can muster quite q
display Of silver mugs. spoons and
drinking-cups. Some OF the spoons are
worthy OF special notice. for the pat
terms are delicate and chaste. A fa-
vorite kind is that with the thin twisted