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We also used a 3x14 plow on our largest tractor back in the day (an Allis D14). Grandpa’s JD M also did ok with its mounted 2 x 12 plow. Although slightly less hp than the neighbors 8n Ford (which I bought from his widow as my first tractor), it seemed to have more torque with its “2 banger” engine, plus it was considerably cheaper back when they were new and it had live hydraulics. The mounted plow on that JD M was a pain to mount and dismount though, compared to the 3 point on the Ford or the two point system on the Allis. We are right in that Tonawanda creek bottomland (Our road is actually a couple feet lower than Tonawanda creek road). The soil moisture content for plowing was so good yesterday morning, that I hardly missed the hydraulic draft control, that my old 8n Ford had. That’s nice for maintaining uniform plow depth over inconsistent soil conditions. My JD 4120 had “position control” only on the hydraulics.

Wasn't as wet as I thought so I mowed for 3 hours. Pushed out two fawns laying in the tall grass. Boy they wait for the last minute. So Im mowing some paths through a field and about 20 feet in front of me a mature deer gets up from its bed stretches and walks off as I drive by. It's true they have no fear of man on tractor! lol I also cut the grass down to the height of the clover in my plots. Took an hour for fox and deer to show up on camera.

We had 3 - 14 inch plows on the larger Allis tractor. It was a 4 plow tractor in most soil conditions, but not in Getsville clay. Pulled much harder. I always elected to take the Ford 2N with 2- 12" bottom Ferguson plow, my grandfather bought in 1948. Never stopping on the headlands, I could plow a whopping 3 1/2 acres a day. Pretty good considering the fields only averaged 4 acres in size between the hedge rows. That Tonawanda creek flood plain would grow some good crops, hit the right year.

This one took awhile before it gave me just enough time to drop it. The mus in my area are getting cautious, so I took a nap and got up early to catch this one frolicking about while the birds were chirping. The early bird gets the mus. SJC

Most of it wasn’t too bad today. I got that 4 acres done lickity split this morning, pulling that little 2x12 1951 Dearborn plow in 6th gear with my JD 4120. Only a couple small wet spots on the front field. The soil moisture content out back was just about perfect for high speed plowing. I’ll get it disked up the first time, as soon as it dries enough, after the next (4) rainy days. I’ll be using my JD 4120 tractor on the the 8 ft pull type disk that first time. After that, I’m dying to try that disk on my Durango field car. It’s got real good Cooper tires, a 318 cu in gasoline engine, a nice Pioneer stereo, comfortable cab, and cup holders. I’ll be needing to add some length to the control rope though, to reach the front seat. The spots I have plowed have plenty of turnaround space on the ends and sides, so lacking turning brakes shouldn’t hurt me too bad.

Worked to wet, that Getzville clay will turn into a parking lot.

Found a Thompson Center Encore custom shop barrel chambered in 256 Winchester Mag and happily snapped it up. I am a big fan of the TC Encore platform and thrilled to get this ultra rare barrel. The little 256 Win Mag is a dynamo and I love messing around with the Marlin Levermatic 62, and if this TC barrel is up to snuff I will be enjoying it too. Al

More mud farming 101: I’m going to try and get about 4 acres plowed for fieldcorn on Saturday. Hopefully, there’s not too much standing water left in those fields. The weeds are high though, so I’ll definitely bushhog first. It’s kind of cool watching the wakes roll off my little old 2x12 plow, as I pull it thru the water holes with my larger 4 wd loader tractor. I see that there are (4) more days of rain predicted after Saturday. No telling when I’ll be able to get that 4 acres disked up after it’s plowed. My 8 ft pull type disk, also undersized for my 4wd tractor, has good cleaners on it and don’t do too bad in the mud. I’ll definitely be opening up some ditches, with the new compound angle teracing blade that I picked up last week, prior to planting. I’m hoping to get that fieldcorn planted by the end of June. Having some good ditches should help with that, since it don’t look like we will be getting much relief from these persistent rains, anytime soon. I am very thankful to have gotten 1/2 of my sweetcorn planted last Sunday. At least that should draw in the coons for early “damaging” trapping, killing, and burying.

My mower gear ox oil changed itself out over winter. Eight years old, time for a new seal. Refilling with 85w 140 gear oil.

Got the garden in today. I was convinced that we would not have a garden this year. I am hearing it pouring down rain right now. Hope it doesn't wash everything out......lol.

H&N pellets have produced very good accuracy across the board in all of my air rifles. Al

Going to do an oil change on tractor and lube it up. Have to remember to change out gear oil on brush hog. Will mow Sunday.

I really tried to make the Gamo 10x hollow point pellets work, but they were too erratic in the accuracy dept. I'm looking to get a pellet sizer and seeing if I can make them work as they show real promise, are soft and not prone to ricochet. My PCP rifle prefers the 8.2 grain H&N Finale pellet. They're prone to ricochet because of their hardness, but are one hole wonders without a lot of tuning. SJC

A runner was my first June mus. SJC