308 THE SMALL COUNTRY PLACE 



supply is short in the frames below let them fill them up 

 from partially filled sections, or supers. Watch for rob- 

 bers and protect weak swarms by closing the mouth of 

 the hives. OCTOBER. 



The Land. This month is a good time to top dress 

 grass land, especially on hilly lots where the manure 

 will have time to wash in before winter sets in and the 

 fine particles to settle into spaces about the grass roots. 

 The soil, too, is warm, which tends to a growth of the 

 grass roots while the tops are kept dormant by the 

 frosty air. 



Late fall plowing on steep slopes is not advisable but 

 upon level land will improve the texture of the soil and 

 make it work up fine and mellow early in the spring. 

 If a cover crop of peas and barley, oats, Japanese millet, 

 etc., is upon the land it is best not to plow it under until 

 spring as this cover prevents washing of the soil and 

 keeps it light during the winter. 



Buildings. The cold frosty nights remind us that we 

 must get ready for winter, and the stables, outbuildings, 

 and poultry houses must be put into order before the 

 severe cold weather. 



The more permanent these improvements are made 

 the better, yet all of these buildings can be made tidy 

 and warm by a combination of building paper and 

 laths or battens. Roofing materials may be put upon 

 the outside and painted the color of the main buildings, 

 and will present a very neat appearance. The green- 

 houses should be looked over and all loose glass fastened 

 in place. It pays to draw the sash bars on the outside 

 with white lead and oil-paint every year. 



Roads and Walks. Suggestions made for last month 

 apply equally well for this. New roads and walks and 

 repairs on old ones can be made at any time. 



