THE farmer's calendar. 763 



SEPTEMBER WORK. 



TF^efl/.— Fiuisli the preparation of your laud for wheat and sow 

 as early in the month as possible. 



Bye.—Sowan acre or two after the wheat is in, the last of this 

 month, or in October. This grain, thouo-h it does not demand so 

 good soil as wheat, is grateful for good culture, and is very re- 

 munerative, especially if the grain be consumed in the family It 

 IS often desirable for long straw, if for nothing else. Hence al- 

 ways aim to sow at least sufficient rye for your own use. 



Grass.— Sow alone on well prepared land, using plenty of seed 

 Clover may be sowed now or in the spring, the latter period bein<r 

 preferred usually. Grass seed may be sown, of course, with wheat 

 or rye, but on well prepared land we prefer sowing it alone and 

 in the spring. The grain detracts from its growth, and on all 

 small patches it is much better to sow grass seed by itself. On 

 land subject to heaving by frost a few oats may be sown as a mulch 

 and winter protection. The land should be prepared with care, 

 top-dressed with fine compost, guano, bone dust, fish manure, or 

 other similar fine fertilizer, thoroughly harrowed in, and a liberal 

 variety of seeds should be used. 



jMeadoics and pastures — If pasturage is short, do not feed down 

 the aftermath, before it is well grown,"at any rate ; if possible, rely 

 upon, green crops, sowed corn in particular. Top-dressings of 

 pasture grounds prove the best at this season. Pastures should 

 be dressed with line manure, lime, ashes, bone-dust, plaster or 

 oruano, just before the fall rains — not during a drouth. Sow grass 

 and clover seeds on meadows and pastures, and give a thorough 

 harrowing, especially to thin spots, using a light one-horse iron- 

 tooth harrow. 



Fodder. — If it will be necessary to purchase fodder, do so in 

 early autumn. Many farmers are glad to sell slraw at threshing 

 time at a very low price, or will almost give it away. If wlieat is 

 cut as it should be when the stalk begins to turn yellow at both 

 top and bottom, the straw will be relished by stock all winter 

 equally with the best hay. Co7'n Stalks may often 1*l- bouirht very 

 low, and if well cured, are worth nearl3^ as much as good hay — 

 that is, if cut up, soaked, and properly prepared for feeding. 



JVheat and Eye may be sown this month for early feed in spring. 

 Sow both crops at the same time ; the rye will be cut first, then the 

 wheat, and this should be followed by late-sowed rye, etc. 



Boot Crops. — Beets, mangels, ruta-bagas, and carrots, are mak- 

 ing their best growth this month, and should be thorouglily clear 

 of weeds, and the ground between the rows kept open. Tiiin out 

 with an unsparing hand, using the thinnings for cow fodder. 



Digging Potatoes — Many farmers still continue the custom of 

 planting potatoes in hills instead of drills, thereby greatly iu- 



