Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1858-04-02
From the n. Z. Farmer.
FARM WORK FOR APRIL.

FARM WORK FOR APRIL.
The month of April is the beginning
of the agricultural year: that is, the
farmer then enters resolutely upon those
field labors which mnst continually occu-
Ply his intention through the growing
season, and until the ripened crops are
gathered in, and winter again assumes the
sway.
The labors of April to the farmer are
something like those of furnishing a ship
for a long voyage by the merchant If
he furnishes her well, puts in a liberal
supply of provision and water, sees that
every thing in the craft herselfis staunch
and trim" and that an intelligent and
resolute captain stands at the helm, it is
reasonable to indulge the hope that she
should return in good time, freighted with
such a harvest as shall yield fair profit
on investments and risks.
And so it is with the farmer. If he is
astir early in April, lays his plans with
an intelligent foresight, and makes every
thing staunch and trim" for the summer
voyage, he, too, may reasonably hope for
such haryests as shall reward his intelli-
gence, his skill, and his manual labor
Some of the things which his experience
or his wisdom will suggest, will be to look
early after the
Fences Of tie Farm.-As soon as the
frost is out, and before the winds and sun
uissipated the moisture so as to permit
blowing to be done, let the brush, rail, or
stone fences be put in good order; not
leaving "weak places" to invite hungry
animal to try his skill in getting over
because once over, and gaining a taste OF
!, your spring wheat Or your clover, he will
be strongly tempted to try it again and
again. Make fences strong and sure il
the spring, if you would avoid invasions
OF your fields while making hay or cuI.
tivating green crops.
Poaehsd.-This is a term often used
by farmers, and means, to be "troddeg
io5h deep .t0ot steps," What do YOU
think, reader, of the practice of allowing
cattle to roam at will over moving land.
in April: Do they receive any benefit
or the la'ld any injury?
MOaeing F.elds.-Delays in laying
time are expensive-to avoid them, visi
the mowing-felds and gather the broker
twigs from trees, stones and rubbish of ey
cry kind. If the cattle ran in them las
autumn, scatter their droppings now will
light beetle.
Ploseing.-If drying winds and warn
suns have carried off the excessive mois
2; ture, so that upon turning up spadefu
of soil it will crumple to pieces, it is pref
ty good evidence that the King of agri
cultural implements, the Plow, may nov
0 be put in use. But for the benefit of in
. experienced operators, we say that they
. will do well not to be.in q hurry. If thu
. soil, upon being turned up, remains fla
y ard compact, it will be difficult to remov,
it from that condition during the summer
. It will be likely to remain in Jumps, b,
a. uncomfortable to work upon, and will no
=" accommodate the roots of your plants
% But when the land is right, "pIow deeI
at while sluggards sleeps" go half an incl
~ deeper than last year; then you vii
" have a loose, porous, inviting bed 70
young roots to travel and feed in. Sue
" soil will admit heat and moisture, an
those are just what the seeds ard youn
germs want,-and when the May shower
come they will descend freely among tn
=: new roots, carrying warmth with then
80. '''-~@ 4Oe''ii'5 POI tiOii Vi uOlSlurc an
-. ammonia as they pass down into a lowe
:. stratum. Then the young rootlets wi
open their mouths and feed ike a YOUR
-. child, and grow and send up their stem
n to find new JOY in the light and air Ur
Of der such condition of things the
to Spring Wheat, Oats and Barley ougI
ne 10 be in tie ground; but the barle
ng ought to be on gravelly loan, dryis
At, soil. Wheat and oats do better on a so
nd not excessively MANFRED. If land is lai
a to grass with them, it is probably bette
lit to apply only light dressing at the tim
ne Of sowing, and add a portion to the youn
n grass in the autumn following.
an Early Potatos.-After all that has bee
IT. said in favor of early peas, lettuces, CT
d. cumbers, &c, we doubt whether there
any vegetable more grateful to the palat
or more healthful to the system, than
good mealy potato in July. Well, 70
can have them on your table son ii