Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1895-04-04
SOME FARM TOPICS.
INTERESTING MATTER For TIL
LERS OF THE SOIL. 9ft
A Good way to Prevent washinEs
From storms-Preventing Smut IN
Grain-Renewing the Vigor 81
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES the Poultry
Yard. @


Terracing the land in hilly sections
Of the country to prevent washing
from heavy storms is the best system
yet found applicable in this country.
Not only in the south and west, but
in the New England states, good
system of terracing has been found
to lessen the evil very greatly. All
hillsides are the hardest to convert
into profitable fields because Of the
washing caused by rain storms, either
on the surface or below. Even when
the crops are found that will thrive
on the hills the action of the RAINING
water carries away SO much of the
richest part of the soil that one must
make a great outlay every season for
Fertilizers.
A simple system of terracing Is now
in use by number of farmers In this
country. and the effectiveness of the
system, as well as its very cheap and
simple work would recommend the
plan to all others. Strips of light
wood or even poles should be nailed
together in the shape of large A to
to lay off the terraces with a stride
at the base of about fourteen feet
Stand the frame upright on a perfectly
level floor, and tack a string in the
apex of the letter-shaped frame and
tie pound weight to it.
Let the string and weight get per-
fectly still, and then raise one end
of the base exactly one and one-ha' {
inches. Wshen the weight gets quiet
again in this position mark on the
frame exactly where it swings. This
implement is invaluable for terracing
field properly and it will enable the
farmer to do the work scientifically
and rapidly. BY applying this terrac-
ing machine to the field a fall Of one
and half inches in every fourteen
feet will be obtained, and this is just
what science has taught Us to be right.
Beginning at the highest point Of
the field lay off with this frame a ser
les Of terraces throughout the whole
hillside. The land should have the
slope marked by the implement until
ditch or some large hollow is reach
ed which will carry the water off free
ly. Sometimes they are natural here
and, there, and it will not be necessary
to do anything more, but wherever
the slope is not sufficient it should be
made so according to the rule adopt
ed. 343S42S
AS the land is terraced off with the
home nlade implement plenty Of stakes
should be ready to drive in the ground
SO as to mark the course and depth
of the terraces. Beginning at the line
of the stakes then a two-horse ploW
should throw the soil from either sid
up toward the stakes. This leaves the
stakes ON the top Of the terrace, and
the soil is thrown up around them
while the running water from the hill
side will then follow the grooves on
either side.
If the pillow cannot throw the sod
up deep enough other implements mus
be used, but generally the pillow will
answer. Thereafter every spring the
pillow should be run through these
same burrows, throwing the soil up OF
the terraces. and in this way they will
become permanent fixtures of the
field, heavily matted together with
grass roots. In planting ON such a ter
raced hill let the rows run crossswist
instead of up and down hill. The wa
ter will then pass off slowly, ani
cause very little damage.-Chicagt
Journal.