lU 



THE ILLINOIS FAKMER. 



June 



gave 1,750 lbs., -while the guanoed plot same year 

 yielded but 870 lbs. 



In some places bay is worth, as p it down by 

 Mr. Hodges, but $6 per ton; in others $12 per 

 ton ; in others $18, or more, per ton. At the 

 last named price the figures would have present- 

 ed quite a different face from that exhibited by 

 Mr. Hodges in his tables. 



To the importance of the hay crops in regions 

 where farm stock must be fed from the barn from 

 five to seven months each year, we have already 

 alluded. Census statistics show that there has 

 been a very great reduction in the number of 

 horses, cattle and sheep in some of the northern 

 States within the past twenty years. This de- 

 crease of fiarm stock is probably mostly (Jue to a 

 corresponding decrease of hay; if so, then it is 

 a matter of high importance that means should 

 be taken topncrease it. This can be larpely ef- 

 fected by top-dressing and irrigating grass lands. 

 The statements quoted in regard to the first me- 

 thod we admit do not establish any general 

 rule that will economically apply in all cases, 

 seasons and soils. We have experimented to some 

 extent in the use of both composted and green 

 manure, both in spring and autumn, and al- 

 ways with satisfactory results. After spreading 

 the manure we have usually sown grass seed — 

 from one-third to one-half as much as if newly 

 etocking down to grass — and tnen have thorough- 

 ly harrowed the ground, and sometimes have 

 followed the harrowing with hand rakes, c' earing 

 off any obstructions that might interfere with 

 the subsequent mowing and raking. 



On many farms there are patches and plots of 

 grass lands, yielding light crops of hay, that can- 

 not well and profitably be plowed and cultivated 

 arising from the rocky nature of the ground, 

 or wetness of soil, or from the distance of the 

 field from the barn. Such fields can frequently 

 be top-dressed or irrigated to good advantage, 

 and the interests of the owners of tuch should 

 prompt them to experiment in one or the other 

 of the above named ways. L. B. 



We have often called the attention of our 



readers to the value of top-dressing of meadow 

 lands. Its great value, and the importance of 

 the grass crop, is our only apology in occupying 

 BO much of our space at this time. It is very 

 true that many of the fertilizers are not at hand 

 with us and of doubtful utility here, but we wish 

 to show with what care and expense the mead- 

 ows of the Eastern farmers are the recipients of. 

 That they well repay the farmers we have no 

 doubt. With our soil and climate we cannot be 

 expected to follow in the same routi ne, but adopt 

 a practice that shall better accord with the con- 

 dition of things with us. The hot sun that falls 

 upon hay fields often bo scalds the exposed roots 

 of our timothy mendows that irreparablt^ d mage 

 is done. To prevent this, we recommeu'l a top- 

 dressing immediately after the hay is removed 

 This will shelter th« roots from the sun and give 

 a good aftermarth for the sythe or the stock, and 



the succeeding crop of hay will be very much 

 better than if put on in April. We do not know 

 what effect top- dressing in July would have on 

 meadows at the the East, but we know that it is 

 of more than double the value of that put on in 

 April with ua. 



We, therefore, set the two modes side by side 

 and trust that our readers will give it a fair trial. 

 We spread on all sorts of barn-yard manure and 

 litter — cornstalks, straws, or whatever comes to 

 hand. In fact, we top-dress all crops when we 

 use manure — never plow it under. In using 

 manure with potatoes, top dressing is just the 

 thing; so of rhubarb, asparagus, and all similar 

 crops. Burying manure with the plow is too 

 expensive with us. En. 



-*9*~ 



Farmers' Parlors. 



As a general thing, in every farm house, there 

 will be a parlor ; and this statement will doubt- 

 less surprise many who are not farmers. It will 

 surprise them because they cannot discover where 

 they are. But if they look about a little sharply 

 there will be seen a portion of the house shut up, 

 and appearing as though neither door nor win- 

 dow had creaked upon its hinges for half a cen- 

 tury. These parlors, I regret to say are sealed 

 books, both to the family and their friends ; and 

 when they are opened upon some grand state oc- 

 casion, they are redolent with the mustiness of 

 ages. N«w, my eisterf, this should not be. I 

 am, myself, the wife of a hard-workiog farmer ; 

 we began upon little, and have not a great deal 

 yet ; but I open my parlor daily, air- and dvsiit, 

 and use it constantly. I find it a great comfort 

 to enjoy it with my friends ; it is only respectful 

 to give them the "best room" — it preserves also 

 the carpet from moth at'd the furniture from 

 mould, and makes ones house look as though it 

 was inhabited and not a prison. — [Germantown 

 Telegraph. 



-••>- 



— "I love to steal a while away," said Floyd, 

 and he stole it. 



f^ 



— No man, "living," should say an evil word 

 against the doctors. 



4»- 



— The worst kind of a tent for a soldier to 

 dwell in — discontent. 



— What is society, after all, but a mixture of 

 mister-ies and misa-eries? 



-«•»- 



— When a wise man plays the fool, a woman is 

 generally at the bottom of it. 



