15i STATE BOAED OF AGRICULTURE. 



same, we do not attach to it the iniportiuicc it deservos. The oat crop is of 

 great benefit to the fanner for use on the farm, yet it does not bring directly 

 mnch money into the farmer's treasury. Tho return from the apple crop and 

 from the sale of swine, come in good time for the paying of our taxes, and for 

 protecting our families from the chilling blasts of winter. 



The 8ale of our wool prepares the farmer's treasury for the heavy drafts 

 thereon, made necessary by the employment of extra Libor in securing tiie 

 harvest. Thus yoii see that all these crops are of grea!; importance to the 

 farmer and come to him in his time of need, leaving the income from the sale 

 of wheat to pay the annual payment for the farm, for ventures in some new 

 directions, or for removing from the farmer's home (if ought ever does remove 

 it) that detestable modern improvement, the mortgage. 



I might describe to you what I would call a desirable soil for the successful 

 cultivation of wheat, and yet in a country like this, where the soil is so varia- 

 ble, where the heavy and light soil are in close proximity, where the ricli and 

 poor land lay almost side by side, it would not be advisable to do so, but rather 

 give you my views of the way any land should be worked to bring to the tiller 

 of the soil the best results for their labor. 



Let us consider for a few moments the plowing of a field for Avheat. If I 

 were not familiar with the field I would first make a careful examination of 

 the same. If I found the previous management had thrown the furrows 

 towards the fence until the field looked like a miniature fortification, I should 

 lay my plans to turn the furrows away from the fence. If I found upon exam- 

 ination that the cultivator of the previous year had made war with the briars 

 and thistles growing upon these same fortifications, and that the briars had 

 gained the victory, the first thing to do would be to fight that battle over again, 

 and fight for extermination. It is presumable that the plowman has good 

 reasons for doing so when he begins to plow a field at the side next the gate, 

 and yet I have often seen men begin a field in this way when there was no 

 apparent reason for doing so, making it necessary to cross the plowed ground 

 in going to and from the plow. This is not the best way for the convenience 

 of plowman or team, neither is it best for a field that is pastured while plowing, 

 as the stock will do considerable damage to the land around the gate, especially 

 if they travel over the ground when wet. A good plowman and a progressive 

 farmer will have the best plow made. He will not be satisfied with somebody's 

 plow sold at auction for a dollar — nearly as good as new — simj)ly because the 

 owner considered it too poor to wear out. 



It is 7iot economy to use a poor plow because you have bought it and want to 

 wear it out before you buy another ; neither is it economy to use a good plow, 

 one moment after it ceases to do good work, for want of a new point or any 

 other repairs. In plowing a field all the land should be turned over, all stub- 

 ble or growing vegetation sliould be turned under out of sight. 



I do not recommend plowing extremely deep for wheat ; and yet, if the pre- 

 vious plowing had turned under manure, or vegetable matter, I should plow 

 deep enough to turn it up again. 



Presuming that you have a plowman that understands his business, and that 

 he is supplied with team and tools, suitable for good work, let us consider the 

 best time to plow for wheat. Corn stubble ground I would recommend to be 

 plowed the last of June, or any time before tlie beginning of wheat harvest. 



Clover fields not needed for pasture, I would plow about the same time, and 

 if the field Avas somewhat run down, I would turn under a full crop of clover, 

 using plaster if necessary to stimulate the growth of clover. 



