The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1894-11-24
AGRICULTURE.

results in new industry from unguided
enthusiasm. The Agricultural Depart
ment has prepared bulletins giving all
possible information to serve as a basis
for those who contemplate the estab-
lishment of beet sugar factories. These
state the difficulties, and make plain the
application of scientific methods to
growth and care.
Let whole neighborhood of farmers
burn over their wheat stubble in such
seasons as the Hessian fly is numerous;
then SOW some quickly growing crop,
such as COW peas, and pillow under in
the fall. One field not burned will win
ter enough flies to supply whole town.
ship.
Are there not many fanciful wants
which the farmer supplies? Is he not
often trying to save himself from the
hard work which only brings riches by
spending money for unnecessary appli-
ances with money which should go to.
ward lifting his little mortgage or ex-
tending his acreage?
What chance our country lads and
lassies have. Not one of them need be
denied fair education, that practical
knowledge which is to be gained from
the field or the Preside, that with major
ity of years brings preparation which
is success assured almost.
Really the good old times" are yet
with US for him who is diligent and pru-
dent, and the idle grumbler only has it
hard. If there is a lack of genuine
content on the farm today, it is because
there is more selfshness than in form
or times, and desire for needless lux
uries.
Do not buy fodder cutters these hard
times if you have an old separator, or
the latter can be bought cheaply, and
will prove just the thing needed. In
stead of cutting into sharp bits it will
tear the fodder into shreads. Enough
can be cut in an hour for 20 cattle for a
week.
Feed the corn fodder plentifully, for
the waste will make good bedding, and
will be in good shape for the manure
pile if in small pieces. 1t pays to cut
the fodder for this reason, and because
cattle will eat it up SO clean that there
will be comparatively little waste.
Sow rye on thin land to protect the
clover and give it a chance to make it.
self. The clover will start earlier in the
spring and grow later in the fall. Rye
will break down, but not fall fiat, like
wheat. to smother out the crop The
rye shades and acts as retainer of
moisture.
Fodder crops and the grasses will take
large amounts of potash from the soil.
Corn land especially needs a supply of
it, and stable manure hardly gives
enough, for each acre should have about
$50 pounds. Fifty bushels of good wood
ashes will supply it, or 200 pounds of
muriate Of potash should be procured.
Corn grows all through the hot weather
and therefore gets the full benefit of
the nitrifcation of organic matter in the
soil; hence it needs less artificial nitro
gen than a crop which grows only in
the early season, like the smaller grains.
Soil and weather are not depressed by
any business panic, and will often com
bine such times to produce larger crops
than in other seasons. Increased yields
compensate for narrower profits. Truly
his lot is best among all business men in
times of panic.
The farmer need never worry about
lack of work to do. For hands and
brains there is steady employment the
year around, if he will but see it. and
there are endless resources for making
little money even during the hardest
times.
To make good fence posts fell the tree
while in full leaf in the summer; let it
season as it fell, with leaves and branch
es, until fall, and then cut up and use.
Posts made in this way will greatly out
last those made from winter felled
trees.
Cut the green oats when. the grain is
in the dough state and cure for hay. 1t
makes almost perfect food for mich
cows. and by not threshing or grinding a
saving of Is per cent is made. Bear this
in mind, and put in an extra piece for
this purpose next spring.