AIDS TO FARMING. 15 



AIDS TO FARMING. 



From an Address before the Worcester West Society. 



BY SIMOX BUOWN. 



Farmers do not generally realize the fact that good tillage is 

 about equal to an application of manure to lands cultivated in 

 an indifferent manner. We must realize the fact that tillage is 

 manure ; that the literal meaning of the word " manure " is 

 hand labor, as well as of a dressing. To enrich the land is to 

 hoe it, to stir the soil, to expose it to the atmosphere, to plough, 

 to harrow, to cultivate, in addition to what we can get from the 

 stalls. 



In butter and cheese-making localities the articles of prime 

 importance must always be good pasturage and abundant crops 

 of herdsgrass and redtop hay ; but these may be greatly aided 

 by the cultivation of root crops, as these form a succulent and 

 nutritious food which gives the animals tone and vigor, and 

 increases their productive povi^er during the season when they 

 are at pasture. The great agricultural prosperity of England 

 is imputed mainly to the cultivation of the turnip. 



Among the devices of great practical value, and one of the 

 substantial helpers on tiie farm is the moiving machine. You 

 can rely upon it to cut one acre of grass per hour, as an 

 average, whether it be heavy or light, lodged or standing. A 

 good machine, with horses and driver, is equal to six good men 

 in the field. But there are other reasons why we should use 

 this machine. Most farmers grow old too fast. They perform 

 too much hard work in their youth and early manhood. Con- 

 stant labor that is light and cheerful promotes health and lon- 

 gevity, but overtasking the powers induces disease and abridges 

 human life. 



It is often said that mowing machines are economical on larg-e 

 farms, but not so on small ones. Is it so ? The farmer who 



