BEES— DAIRYING. 135 



years blue grass and white clover will begin to crowd the other 

 grasses. 



GRAIN. 



I am raising grain to some extent on land that I rent. 

 The cost of raising wheat and corn can only be estimated year 

 by year, as the expense is usually more in producing a poor 

 crop of either than a good crop. In 1 879 my estimate would 

 be 65 cents for wheat and 12|^ cents for corn. In 1878 it was 

 about 80 cents for wheat and 25 cents for corn. Each cost for 

 production less in 1879 than in 1878. 



CULTIVATION OF CORN AND WHEAT. 



In plowing for corn I usuall}' plow deep, using judgment, 

 of course, about it. Some years a medium depth is best, while 

 in other seasons, trench or double plowing is best. Lay off 

 with marker, and drop by hand or use hand planters when all 

 things are in order for them. When dropped by hand, cover 

 with a plow, follow with harrow (and roller if necessary), har- 

 row again before coming up, and work as fast and often as pos- 

 sible until four or five feet high, then let the corn alone until 

 cutting or gathering. I gather corn with one hand to a team, 

 two rows on the left side of the wagon, and the team traveling 

 on a row previously gathered. Cribbing corn can be done in 

 many ways, but good cribs with open sides and projecting shingle 

 roofs, are best. For wheat early and deep plowing of stubble 

 or sod lands, frequent and shallow cultivation, and September 

 drilling give me the best results. I harvest with a Marsh 

 Bhider and Climax Dropper ; stack generally, and thresh by 

 steamer when we can not get horse machines. Stack as much 

 straw as our stock will consume. 



DEVON CATTLE — HORSES. 



I keep Devon cattle. I believe the Devon cow to be the 

 cow for small farms, or families. She is alwa3-s reliable, giv- 

 ing a reasonable flow of milk for a long time, making gilt-edge 

 butter and first rate cheese, besides good milk for the table. 

 If you sell the calves to the butchers, they are better than 

 Ayrshire or Alderney. I believe as much beef can be made 



