Middletown transcript., 1907-06-01
FARM NEWS AND VIEWS


farmer being in state of uncertainty ant
anxiety during periods Of drought. 1t j
useless to put seed in the ground, to b
| followed by prolonged dry spell, as !
may never germinate, while the delay il
planting may throw the work over into
later month, only to be met by anothe
! dry period, the season for growing thl
various crops being shortened in propor
tion to the days lost earlier. Fortunately
the prolonged lack of rain exists only il
certain sections, as some regions are more
favored at times than others, but in thil
section there are localities upon which
rain may fall for several weeks, and the
farmers are, therefore, sometimes greatly
delayed with corn. Such condition al
this season is not unusual, but the danger
this year is that the wet period may be
extended. There is e limited period fol
| growing corn, as it may be oyertaken by
trost in October, or even as early as Sep
tember, and no farmer feels that his CROP
is safe from the fall frosts until it is cut
down in the fields and is ready for storage.
To plant corn in June is not to hate, but
there may be dry weather and delay in
growth, good rains being worth many
dollars to the farmers An early start is
desirable, although corn will make rapid
growth if favored with warm nights dur
ing the summer, but there must be plenty
of moisture or the yield will be short.
The remedy for the dry months of June
and June is to take care of the moisture
in the soil. If the land is ready it should
be kept smooth and loose with the harrow
or weeder until the seed is in the ground.
Weeds will start. as some kinds seem to
thrive in all kinds of weather, and the
narrowing will destroy them in advance
of planting. No doubt-the farmers have
everything now ready for the seed, but
unless the ground is kept loose on the
surface there will be loss of moisture.
One of the greatest sources of loss Of
moisture is through the weeds. Wher-
ever they exist they take water and evap-
crate it. 1t is customary to wait until
the corn is put in, and to destroy the
weeds at the same time-after the first
rain that falls-but the weeds are not SO
easily killed then as when the ground is
dry, while every day that they remain
means a loss of moisture and plant food.
After the corn is planted it should be
cultivated in manner to have the surface
always loose, not weed to be allowed,
and there should be no ''laying by" of
the crop as long as grass and weeds can
be seen in the rows. It is better to give
more room between the rows, so as to
cultivate late in the season, than to be,
crowded out by having the rows too close
and allow the horse hoe at time when
weeds and grass get ahead.
As soon as the opportunity is gone Of
securing good yield of the preferred
crop, take later one. It is not difficult
to secure crop of millet or buckwheat
after the season is late for corn, and it is
never too late to grow green crop for
the land. Late potatoes and cabbage may
be planted late, and, as turnips need not
be planted until July Tor even in August)
there are crops that can compensate for
corn. One point in favor of corn, how
ever, is that tits almost sure to produce
fodder, if not grain, as the fodder may be
cut at any stage of growth, and if the hay
crop should be short the fodder will be
valuable. But there is too much depend
ence on corn. Some farmers omit other
valuable crops, making corn their spec
ialty, and if the corn crop fails they are
compelled to reduce their stock. They
should grow more root crops, and not
omit other grains than corn. Hungarian
grass and millet are quick-growing crops,
and will provide against loss should there
be shortage of grass. 1t may be that
the summer will be very warm, and the
rains frequent, and if SO there will be an
abundance; but the farmer will make no
mistake by preventing the weeds from
robbing him of soil moisture, any stirring
Of the ground while waiting for an oppor.
tunity to plant being SO much saved, and |
will also be of advantage, whether rains
are frequent or the season dry.
Every farmer should have few grape |
vines. They serve as arbors or shade, |
and can be grown where they will not |
AXE up much space, All poultry yards
will be improved if grape vines are grown
along the fences, and fowls will find shade
inder the overhanging branches in sum-
ner.
In constructing poultry house it is
Jest to nave it lace to the southeast, as
he sun will then send in its warmth as
Don as it rises. The sun will warm the
louse until about 8 O'Clock in the after
loon in the winter. If the house faces
he south, as is usually the custom, the
un's rays will not enter before 9 or 10 |
''clock, although the morning is the most
important time for receiving benefit.
Get some egg plants from your dealer
nd set them out. Do not try to grow
hem from seed, nor attempt to grow
hem unless you are willing to carefully
ttend to them. A few plants will furnish
n ample supply.
It is claimed that clover hay may be
aled in the field, but the experiments
nade are not sufficient to show the bene.
It's derived compared with storing clover
. the NOW. The clover is cut in the
norning, after it is free from dew or rain.
nd when well wilted the hay tedder is
sed, so as to give it every chance to cure.
n the afternoon the hay is baled and ,
auled to the barn. II this method is
racticed care must be exercised in having
he bay properly cured and in Just the ,
roper conditions for baling, as baled ,
lover is more liable to heat than timothy ,
Il