Pennsylvania Farm Journal, 1854, Vol. 1 (Classic Reprint)

Download or read book Pennsylvania Farm Journal, 1854, Vol. 1 (Classic Reprint) written by J. L. Darlington and published by . This book was released on 2015-07-04 with total page 418 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Excerpt from Pennsylvania Farm Journal, 1854, Vol. 1 On what are called our grazing farms, the larger part is retained in this kind of grass, for periods of from 10 to 30 years, without requiring to be ploughed, and rather improving in value yearly. The sod becomes so firm, stiff and compact that every thing else is smothered out, and the green grass, and white clover sometimes with it, have entire possession. Once in a few years these fields receive a top dressing of lime, about 50 bushels to the acre, and an occasional dressing of plaster in the winter or spring, which is all they require, and which seems to give them renewed luxuriance. Red Clover and Timothy usually sown with the wheat, and mowed for two or three years, are then pretty much smothered out by this spontaneous growth of the invaluable Green Grass. 3d. Our farmers generally avoid stocking too heavy, by which cattle have sufficient food even in unfavorably dry seasons, and in ordinary ones have a great abundance. We could show fields in this vicinity, in the middle of winter, where there often appears to be enough grass about in clumps to keep considerable stock in thriving condition, and indeed it is often found, that where a portion are kept out all winter on these old pastures, they are in better condition in the spring, than those which have been confined to the barn yard, exclusively on dry fodder and hay. Improved breeds of Cattle and Sheep attain in Chester county, a size and maturity, which has surprised many from a distance. Here seems to be especially the home of the Short Horns and Southdowns. The latter which from their great hardiness, are especially adapted for thin soils, and scanty pastures, attain on our fertile hills, extraordinary size and fatness. Chester county stock is becoming celebrated all over the country, and within a few months, has been sent from this vicinity, to various other States even as far South as Georgia. Experiments in top dressing for Hay. W. Clift of Stonington, Ct., has given through the Agricultor an interesting account of his experiments in top dressing for hay. We have reduced the lots experimented upon to acres, for convenience and brevity. Lot No. 1, was left without dressing as a standard for comparison, and produced 3920 lbs. No.2, received twenty cart loads of cow-stable manure, valued at $12, and produced 4880 lbs. Increase 960 lbs., Which at the rate of ten dollars per ton is worth $4.80. Net loss per acre $7.20. No. 3, was dressed with eigthy pounds of prepared superphosphate of lime, costing $2.00, and yielded 4960 lbs. Increase 1040 lbs. worth $5.20. Net gain, $3.20. No. 4, had thirty-two bushels of ashes, worth $4. This gave no increase. No. 5, was treated with twenty pounds of guano, mixed with three bushels of charcoal cinders. Cost, $2. Produce 4000 lbs. Increase 80 lbs. Net loss, $1.60. No. 6, had twenty-five pounds of guano mixed in the same way, worth $2.50. Yield, 4720 lbs. Increase 800 lbs. Net gain $1.50. No. 7, was dressed with superphosphate of lime of home manufacture, made from Proff. Way's receipt, value $4. Produce 5280 lbs. Gain 1360 lbs. Net gain $2.80. No. 8, received eight bushels of droppings from the hen house, previously mixed with plaster, and charcoal cinders. Value $4. Produce 5440 lbs. Increase 1520 Net gain $3.60. It will be observed that Mr. Clift makes no estimate for the value of the manure, beyond the first crop. This must necessarily be considerable, and may in some degree vary the result in another season. It however adds to the intrinsic value of manure to the farmer. The immediate gain per acre, it will be seen, was, in most instances, over fifty percent on the outlay. Many of our readers have, doubtless tried experiments similar to the above. Will they not give us the result of their experience? Extraordinary Product of Butter from an Alderney Cow. Thos. Motley, j