The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1891-04-03
Preparlng the Ground.

| In my last stated that used the
roller little in the Spring and limited
| why-that it pressed down the surface,
bringing the masses in such close con-
tact that the rains, OF which we nearly
always have super abundance in the
spring, run the surface together and
solidify it and the sun hardens it, until
tits far from being 10 . fit condition
for the reception Of seed. In fact. I
have seen rolled ground put in such
condition by rains that would have
preferred that it had not been plowed
at all. / learned to be chary Of the
use Of the roller in the spring by some
decidedly sad experience. / remem
Der that / once had large field in
good condition for planting to corn,
but thought would put it in extra
good condition by rolling it. Just as |
finished the rolling it began to rain.
and it ralned enough to run the surface
together and beat it down. Ground in
this condition dries very slowly, and
before I could begin work on the field
there was another rain and then third
and a fourth. When finally the ground
was dry enough to be handled it was in
a more unpromising condition than it
was before it was plowed. An exper-
fence like this repeated only once was
enough to teach me lesson. Now /
do not roll ground for corn unless | can
follow Immediately after the roller with
the planter, and immediately after the
planter with the harrow. Not SO very
long ago one could not follow imme-
diately after the roller with the planter,
planting in hills; but the check rover
makes that possible now, hence has
made the conditions more favorable for
the use Of the roller on ground for corn.
However, there is not so great need OF
using the roller on ground for corn as
on ground for some other crops. Corn
does best on fresh ground and on
ground rather loose. For most fall
planted crops it is best to have the
ground quite compact, but not SO for
corn. 1t is best to plant corn on loose,
but fine ground, and to keep it loose
until the corn tassels. My experience
has been mostly with Illinois prairie
land, the soil of which is more ready
to puddle and compact than are some
other SOILS Some Of my readers may
be qnite safe in using the roller on
ground for corn, but as there is no
great need Of using it on this ground,
and as on most soils there is decided
risk, consider it good general
Recommendation not to use the roller on
ground for corn unless the planter fol-
lows close after the roller and the har-
row follows close after the planter.
/ For some years / have rolled the
oats ground Immediately after it was
seeded. / SOW oats broadcast--drilled
them often enough to prove TO my
satisfaction that drilling is not 80 good
as broadcasting. While | rarely use
the roller before the oats are sown. /
would miss using the roller after with
decided regret. Rolling after seeding
accomplishes several desirable results,
among which / may mention that it
puts the finishing touches on the COW
ering Of the seed; that it secures better
termination, as it presses the soil down
on and around the seeds; tnat it leaves
a smoother and more level surface. per.
Uniting Of lower cutting-an object at
all times, as we get more straw. which
is good feed, and decided object
when the straw is short and the bind
ing is done by hand +; and, finally, the
crop is better supplied with moisture.
Oats do better in cooler, moister eli.
mate than ours. The British Isles have
a climate more favorable to oats than is
our climate. To raise good oats crop
We must give it all the moisture we can
and as little heat as possible. Hence
early sowing is best, that the crop may
be far along before our dry, hot weather
sets in. Then by rolling down the
surface We bring more moisture to the
plants for time. We increase the
capillary action. Later rolling would
be very undesirable. For corn and
other crops that must be carried
through July and Ausut, we should
rather stir the surface frequently.
keeping it loose and thus lessen the
bringing Of moisture to the surface, in
order to conserve the moisture. But
the conditions are different with oats.
To make good oats crop wo must sup.
ply it with more moisture, and as the