The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1895-08-01
SUMNER PREPARATION FOR GRASS.
A Practical Talk by New England
Farmer on an Important Topic.

- PRACTICAL iRlk DIV new Enkianu
Farmer Important Topic.
There is very general impression
that a piece Of ground must be plowed
and cropped before II may be profitaby
seeded even though II be needed fer
moving This is all mistake. accord
ing to practical and successful New
England farmer who is reported by
The Farm journal as saying Nothing
on the farm pays 50 well and costs 50
little as the hay crop. if-and here
comes in the key to profit in both this
and other things-if il be properly
grown. one half to three. quarters Of a
ton per acre will damage any man, not
because the grass may not make good
hay, but because II costs nearly as
much To produce il as to grow and har-
vest three tons per acre. Let us suppose
taxes, fencing and har,,,t.ng amount
to $40 per acre, and nothing Is said
about fertilizinR, two plots Of equal fer
tility being chosen. one we'll seeded and
the other lacking grass plants. If one
yields two tons, the hay virtually costs
that year but s. per ton. The three
quarter ton per acre crop costs 1882
per ton. Which kind Of hay can yon bet
ter afford TO feed where you are making
2 cent milk? 1t is no trouble 10 decide.
Why do so many of us think 1t nee
essary 10 crop every plowed sod from
one to fonr years before seeding? To get
manure into the soil or from habit
very largely? The latter Is the reason, |
fear. Let those who have never tried il
take in hand some Of their thin grass
land this summer and as soon as posi-
bic after moving 1t pillow. roll, harrow
and roll 1t until fined. Then for week
or two while haying is being completed
il may rest and rot. But do not let ii
alone long With a sharp Acme or Cut
away 90 over it each week until Sep
TENDER, killing every sign Of vegetation.
When cooler. mOister weather begins,
seed to herd ; grass, using not less than
eight quarts per acre. BE sure to smooth
out every wrinkle, level every knoll and
fiji every cradle hole. using float drag
before seeding Then bush and leave il
perfect for the mower, picking or roll
ing in every cabblestone.
In January or February SOW ten
pounds of sound clover seed-not later
The severe cold viii not harm it, while
the deep creviees made in the frost baked
earth Will swallow il and keep 1T safe
until the freezes Of late spring cannot
harm it. When it does appear above
ground, 1t Will have already grown
strong root and viii 90 10 work vig0r-
ously Clover sown in March or April
comes up quickly because of shallow
covering, and if it escapes the late frOsts
its shallow growth Is often burned to
death by the blazing days following tic
first moving Here Is land well cult
waited, we'll seeded and productive II
slight cost. 1t has not been robbed by
cultivated crops nor idle on expense.
The plan permits the hauling Of manure
upon the soil between August harrow
ings or cheaply by sled rs topdressing
in winter. Fall blowing sometimes
serves for seeding, but is risky, much
depending upon the season. No croI
pays better than grass for the manur,
used, but it may be very far from cheap
hay if the Yield he small. Rich soil
well seeded vii make IA farmer we'll to
do, while land just over the fence may
run his neiRhbor in debt. Which side Of
the fence are You going to be!