Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-04-12

e April is a time for earnest work i
g field. garden, and orchard for nov
that balmy spring has really com
e with Its bright sunshine and genia
atmosphere it is incumbent upon al
cultvators Of earth's varied product
to commence the battle for subsistence,
in the hope of receiving abundant re
: turns for their labOrS and investments
Al this busy season, when many are
so pressed for time in which to exc
cute their plans, every farmer anC
) horticudturist should be up and doing
while dalrymen and those engaged in
any branch of stock raising will have
much to do for their f1ocks. herds,
and stables in order to give them
proper care and management.
PfomptnesS, system, and order are
essential to success at this juncture.
the starting point Of a years opera
tlons, and they will not be neglected
by the prudent cultivator, for he
Knows how advantageous it is to
nave the campaign opened ION time"
and everything running smoothly at
the outset. Nor is he unmindful of
the fact that in order to raise paving
| crops he must have pure seed and
good tools and teams to put it into the
ground with. The progressive farmer
understands that profits come only by
eXerting the proper means, and there
fore uses both brain and muscle in
entering upon the important labors of
! the season.
March proved generally favorable
| for outdoor operations this year, vet
In some localities famers were so re-
tarded in their preparatory work for
planting by bad weather that they
will have to do much of the labor
during the early part of April. Those
who are behindhand with this import
ant work must necessarily be unusu-
ally active at the present time if they
expect to complete arrangements for
putting in spring crops in season. Els
pecially is this true of cultivators who
| devote themselves largely to raising
spring grains and hoed crops, for they
will have a great deal to do in a COM
paratively short time if the soil is to
be properly prepared by blowing and
other necessary manipula tons And
in this preparatory labor of fitting The
gound for crops to be grown, as we'll
as for after culture, it behOOves every
sOll-tiller to use the most improved
! machinery obtainable, employ only
competent men, and see that the work
is done in the best manner possible
fn1,r I, -.
and become completely run down
because its owner has gone on year
after year attempting to raise good
crops with poor tools and teams and
without the tillage and manuring
necessary to keep up the fertility of
the land. Intelligent farmers care
fully avoid such a foolish policy and
provide every requisite for profitable
crop production
Spring wheat, the first field crop to
be sown in all sections where it is
raised, should go in as soon as the
soil can be prepared. Then come oats,
barley, corn, beets, and potatoes. The
sowing or planting of these will de-
pend much upon the condition of the
soil, which ought to be not only pro-
perly prepared but improved by pre-
vious under and surface drainage
where necessary. Extra tillage to
make a good seed bed and abundance
of a rich fertilizer and proper after
culture are items which count in rails
ing hoed crops, such as corn, beets,
and potatoes. Oats should be sown
very early. Sow a variety with ample
foliage that produces large and abund-
ant grain. Then if the grain fails you
will be likely to get a good crop of
foliage.
Glover seed may be sown this
month, the earlier the better, on win
ter grains, and on grass lands laid
down last season. Running a smooth
ing harrow over the ground will pre-
pare it for the seed without tearing
up the crop injuriously. Should there
be a slight fall of snow clover seed
nay be sown upon it to advantage
Forage crops, such as peas, spring
rye, etc, may be sOwn in succession
once in two weeks Parsnips ought
to be put in early. Mangels and sugar
beetS should also be sown as soon as
practicable, but carrots may be put
in any time before midsummer.
Grass lands pay well for good care
and management, notably in the east
en- and middle states. Growing tim
othl hay for market pays good divi-
dends in many localities. An authority
AYERS that as a matter Of profit it
would no doubt be well if most of
TIE farmers of tho older states de-
voted special attention to timothy to
be cut and baled for market This
Of course implies that a share Of the
money thus received be expended for
fertilizers to keep the LAM in con-
dtuOn. Timothy is not regarded as the
best grass but as the most salab1e
Its lear, healthy-looking stems and
leaves commend it to buyers, and it
is Always in demand. A good, we'll
managed grass farm ought to pay in
any section.
Both meadows and pastures must
BE- well cared for, protected from the
| traTlpling of stock while the ground
| is soft, and receive needed attention in
the way of fertilizing, draining, and
! the clearing of stones and other OBJ
! StructionS. The ground of many an
old pasture might be increased if not
doubled by the application of some
! concentrated fertilizer. Whenever
| practicable nrOViSion ShoI1d he made