FARM OPERATIONS.
Early in the month all potatoes should be out of the ground and stowed in the dry under shelter, as remarked in last months' notice, care should be taken in the selection of seed ; for it has been observed in practice that eyes taken from tubers that have not been fully ripened are more vigorous, This remark as to care being taken in the selection of seed, does not only apply to the potato, but to all plants ; the whole of the products, both of garden and farm, have been brought to their present state of perfection by careful cultivation. Occasional change, both of climate and soil is requisite, in order to prevent a degeneration. This may be considered the first month of wheat sowing. On the recently turned bush land if the seed is sown early, no chipping of the soil will be required, if on the contrary the planting is delayed to a later period, the surface of the soil must be broken up. In selecting old ground for wheat, parts containing partially decayed timber or masses of half rotted fern should be mo9t studiously avoided, as such matters in the soil tend to impart disease to the wheat. Later in the month is a good time to cut fern, so that the frosts of June may destroy the young shoots when they make their appearance ; it is by no means a bad system, as the young fern shoots forth, to turn sheep in upon it. Too much pains cannot be taken towards destroying the fern, it is the most exhausting crop that can be grown ; it takes from the soil a large amount both of organic and inorganic matter which, as the fern will not decompose, remains as much locked up as if a crop of wheat had been carried off, but the mischief does not even end here ; as tho interior of of the stems contain a starchy substance that will not rot but putrify. Any one who has planted potatoes or other tubers in contact with dead fern, may have noticed the result to be anything but healthy. Oats and similar seeds may be planted for green fodder. All waste vegetable matter, with the exception of fern, should be carried to the composit heap.
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Bibliographic details
Taranaki Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 824, 9 May 1868, Page 4
Word Count
381
FARM OPERATIONS.
Taranaki Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 824, 9 May 1868, Page 4
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