Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1911-04-21
CLEARING LAND OF
SAGE BRUSH
OF PRACTICAL VALUE 10 THE
FARMER JUST GETTING
STARTED IN IDAHO

The most satisiaciOf, tools {,
use ia clearing the land of sag,
brush are those that Will remoy,
o. far as possible, the rooti
along with the brush so that all
can be faked up and burned. Grub
Thing by hand although expensive
IS quite satisfactory; but as we are
living 10 an age Of modern machin-
cry, this instrument will receive
no further consideration.
Al present, the most up-to-date
machine for clearing brush is
known as the steel grubber." This
Is N-shaped share attached to a
steel beam similar TO that Of a
walking pillow, and il is mounted
on wheels. II cuts the brush from
3 10 inches below the surface,
and is operated with from four to
eight horses. depending upon the
width Of share used BY the use
Of this machine one man can cut
10 40 acres per day
" clearing on large scale, three
or four Of these machines may be
attached TO a steam engine, there
by averaging ali the way from 49,
10 20 acres per day
After the brush has been grub
bed, TO facilitate burning, it should
be raked into winrows. For this
purpose, a special rake is generally
constructed There are several
styles and all are home made, and
the make used depends upon indi-
yidual preference. If brush is not
too thick, a heavy hay rake may
be- used 10 good advantage.
For burning the brush a Kerosene
torch is best This is constructed
by soldering a quart can securely to
a piece Of 3-s inch gas pipe, four
feet long. a wick is then placed |
Ia the free end of the pipe. 1lhis
has been found to make a cheap
and very satisfactory torch
MOO much stress cannot be laid
upon the leyeling aud grading of
The land. Knobs should be scraped
of and depressiOns should be filled
IN. This is best done with a Fresno
icraper- Then follow with an es-
peclally constructed rectangular
'loai or leveler drawn by four
horses The leveler is constructed
n the following manner 1t is
made OF two pieces of 2xi2 inch
blanks s feet long. The latter are K
'laced with one IN the center and
me at each end These cross
lieces SO placed are called "bils. 4" /
they are set at angles to suit the {
operator. In order TO prevent the :
umners from spreading three iron !
obs, one at each end and one in /
he middle, are placed thru the Y
unners alongside each hit" to !
81 as inders Two pieces of 2xi i
eanllings are used for braces. This :
hould be run over the land until
he smooth surface is obtained. :,
uch a surface is absolutely nee =
ssary IN order to water The land TO :.
ie best advantage. y
Ihe next thing OF Importance is
re running Of The bitches. The ~
nd should be level enough, so that =
few bitches as possible will have -
be made. Therefore. il is of ex- !, ~
enc Importance that they are ~
Gated on proper grade, say of
OF an inch to 100 feet.
To obtain this grade an ingen-
rs and inexpensive instrument NJ
own as the "Bcstrum Level may
used with considerable accuracy.
y one with a little practice can
rn 10 manipulate such a level
I the water is 20 be run more nc
m 10 rods. it is saving of WI
ter. time and labor to have a are
k-up ditch every 80 rods. Some Gle
mers make the mistake of try sen
20 pass the water for too great I
istance thru a single set of cor of
aiions. We find in southern age
ho that Ia ease the corrugations L
too long, and the water is run iro
a them Tor too long a time, the and
/ nearest the ditch becomes very YOU
and puddled. We find il bet of I
TO make corrugationS no longer and
2 40 rods and the common in icy
al between corrUgations is 30 theI
les. in I
"a briefly. is the method employ lent
q preparing land for irrigation NJ
cropping that has been found ldaf
pest and most satisfactory in NidI
newer farming districts Of five
hern Idaho. Gooding Leader. grea
- nfhe