The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-01-10
From the .dmerican Farmer for january, 1851
Work for Tho Month Of January.

From the .american Farmer for january 1851
Work for Tho Month Of january.
A happy, happy new year to ALL May your
days be crowned with health, happiness, and
prosperity; may fruitful fields, and abundant
crops be the result of your years labors, your
products bring good prices, and your every ra-
tional wish Re gratified.
Now let us turn our thoughts to business
AS this is the beginning of new year, we
should all determine in our minds, to so conduct
our operations throughout il as not lose any
time that can and ought to be devoted to our
occupation, and 50 to strive, that our exertions
shall tell in their results, as well in the volume
of our products, as in the improvement of our
soil.
There is quaint saying, which carries its
moral with it. 1t is this: aThe first blow il
half the battle"-the meaning of which is, so
far as our labors are concerned IL is important
zoe should begin righl. In all business opera
tons, and in none more than in that of agricul-
turst it is of the very Inst consequence, that
the why and the wherefore Of all that we may
do should be duly considered in all their bear
ings, before we commence Study out, then,
the system you may intend to pursue, before
you attempt its execution-be sure that the one
you may fix upon is the one best calculated to
promote your interest. Having satisfied your
mind upon that point, gather up your strength
go ahead, and permit nothing to interrupt OF
prevent you from completing it.
In marking out your years work, look well
to the force and means you have to work with
do, much WIN be left undone that ought to be
done-much will be half done, that ought to be
well and thoroughly done. Strain every nerve
to manure every acre you may cultivate that re-
quires nourishing; and upon this point make up
your mind, that every plant cultivated BY hus.
bandmen requires to be fed-that an acre well
MANFRED, well ploughed, and well cultivated,
will bring more than two which are not-that it
is always best to confne our culture to what
we can do justice by, both as regards manuring,
preparation. and tending. More corn should
not be put in, than can be generously MANFRED,
and clearly cultivated nutriment and cleanli-
ness being essential elements in its product
With these admonitioDs, we disire to direct
your attention to the details of matters claiming
our notice.
ON THE FARM. .qn
Winter ploughing.-There are many periods
Of the winter, when, from the mildness of the
weather, ploughing may DO done. All such
periods should be availed Of to break up any very
stiff, intractable clays, that may be intended to
be put in spring crops. BY exposure to frosts
when broken up, such lands become greatly i'm
proved, and lose much of their tenaclty of cha
racter, are more easily worked, less expensive
TO till, besides being rendered better adapted to
the production of crops. But this melioration
of texture can only be expected where the soil
is neither too wet nor too dry when ploughed.
IL too wet, the burrows turn up like 80 many
masses of mortar, requiring an entire seasons
Il, To A,o,p Of. :
ground breaks up in indurated Jumps, almost
unsusceptibe of reduction TO anything like pro-
per tilth The proper time for breaking up such
lands in winter, is only when il is tolerably
moist-when the quantity of water is Just
enough TO impart pleasant degree of cohesive.
ness to the SOIL to enable the ploughman to
turn his furrow slices without difficulty.
Land poughed ut this season should be Tapped, |
at an angle Of about forty-fve degrees, so as to |
expose the greatest surface of the upturned |
earth to the action of the frost, and to form con-
duts between the burrows for the free and un-
interrupted passage of the water they should
also be ploughed deep.
Surface drains-Carefu hands should be
made 60 through the fields in winter grain, OK
anime the surface-drains, and remove ali obstruc-
lious TO the passage of the water this duty
should be often repeated, 80 rs to prevent any
of water upon the young plants,
the which always exert the most unfriendly in
luence, being frequently the cause of what is
termed winter-killing; ground surcharged 10Th
'oater, being more liable TO be operated upon by
the contracting and expansive powers of cold
and heat, than when such is not the case.
Working animais-These, of every kind,
should be treated with care and attention.
Warm stables, properly ventilated; good fare,
regularly dispensed to them; well Uttered stab
les, currying and rubbing down night and morn
ing. and water three times day, are great pro-
moters of bealth--and Mt no season of the wear
is such treatment and care more needed than at
this, when the poor animals have TO perform
their daily labors amidst every degree of incle.
ment weather.
A MIXTURE Of equal portions of salt ashes. and
lime, should be thrice n week given--two ounces
each time, to each beast.
Fencing, If not already gotten out, should be-
forthwith felIed and hauled to the barn, TO be
worked up in bad weather, into posts and Fails
by the hands.
Fire-,oood.-Ifa supply for the year has not
already been secured, push forward, and do SO,
n order that il may be hauled into the yard be-
fore the roads become 80 cut up rs to operate
too severely on the teams.
Gaies--We repeat our advice oflnst month '
rave every pair of bars on your farm substituted
~ good gate the latter looks best, saves time
and is the cheapest
Miich-coos should have warm stabling, plenty
Il litter, be generously slopt and receive at least
wenty one pounds Of good hay or fodder per