The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1859-03-23
lqrItulturQl.
From the Farmer and Planter.
Hints for the Month,

an unexpected change in the weather
strikes him in the face. All beginners
should keep well posted up on the small
jobs TO be dove tailed into the regular
work from lhis time out-for hcnceforth
there viii Oe very little chance for piddling.
1t is no bad notion to jot down such things
as you may from time to time, notice
anlss; and remember that there is no
maxim on plantation more worthy Of
rIg'd observance, and constant repetition.
than that "a stitch in time saves nine
The mouth Cf February has been a
very embarrassing Cne TO the planter
+ The soil las been saturated with water
A l-5 iCches of rain has fallen during
this month. The plow has done but lii
tie, save in some favored localities. Verv
little oats has been sown, and the Fall
sowing, IN many cases, has been injured
hv the freezes in the early part OF the
month. Get your oats plowed in as soon
AS You can, and he sure to put down seed
enough to the acre-they will have l,rt
little time to branch after this. If your
wheat is growing too rapidly, or YOU have
any dread Of the 'hessan,' turn Your
sheep upon it whenever the ground is dry
enough. About one sheep to every two
acres will be enough to keep it GU, Of
harms way.
what is worth doing, is worth doing
well, is an adage that should be, Just
now, fixed in every farmers mind. Re
member, that upon every step taken
every iurow run-depends mach Of tho
success Of your future operations. Land
pIowed too wet now, will not recover from
1t this year 4; land plowed shallow now,
will not recover from it this wear; land
piowed shallow now, must needs be SO
plowed throughout the season. Do not
get into hurry because neighbor A. or
IS. Is bedding up for cotton, or planting
corn, but make haste SLOWLY carry on
your operations systematically prepare
your soil well, and watch the dnywond.
blossoms. The planting of crop is a
smaI! matter, wheu you have everything
ready, and there is not much to be gain
ed by taking the start of Dame Nature
Your manure should all have been
hauled out before this, if possible, and
turned under. haII ont your cotton
seed intended for corn, auG throw them
IN piles, ut convenient distances wenlv
to twenty five bushels per acre will be en-
ough-put the seed down by the side Of
the corn, to be covered 10y the plow, and
he careful not TO kill your seed
See I" The selection OF your seed cora
if y0n have not done 1t. and, when ready
TO plant, wet it and roll it in strong lime
it is very good preventive against tie
dePredatlons OF crows. The sooner YOU
ge; your corn planted, when once YOU
are ready, the better will be the stand,
the easier the cultivation, cnd the surer
the crop. BE sure to put down kernels
enough, and TO cover them ludicouslv-
always adapting your work to the char
ac'or of the soil, and the backwardness or
forwardness Of the season.
POtdtocs--The Potatoe crop does not
plantations. 1t should be made parI of
the .feld crop, and not be lugged in a
mong the truck patches to be worked
at odd times, and after any fashion. 1t is
a precious escuIent, and comes nearer be.
ing meat, bread and milk, for the juveni'
les, than any thing We can grow. Bed
your potatoes as soon AS The weather will
permit, and prepare your ground, hv deep
p'owing, for the reception Of yoar draws
at every convenient season. There is
10 better mature for a potato than cot
ten seed and sprihkling of ashes or bone
dust.
Economy.-lt is a wretched economy
to try 10 do good work with bad imple
ment. If your pow stocks do not rup
steadily and smoothly, burn them up, ana
try new patIern-the sooner the better.
Fix your eye for an instant upon the 'cat
head then run it down the trace chain
and If it does not make right line tc
the point Of the plow foot, you may res,
assured that you are not doing the lar
gest amount Of work ut the least expen
diture Of power. See that Your piows
clean themselves well, that the 'cat heads
) and names are right, collars comfortable
back bands snug, p!ow lines gooG, anc
brides throat latched.'
Keep bottle Of vinegar, with a few
ounces Of alum dissolved III it, at the sta
ble, and bathe your horses shoulders or
: the first appearance Of tenderness. Yot
may add little lire or ashes to his salt
too and If lie does not slip his winte
coat readily, little sulphur may not be
amiss. Grind and cut up all your food
it will be found good economy, and
your horse will not only save time, but :
good deal of labor, in maslicating hi:
r meals. Give Linn plenty at night, anc
, never disturb his morning slumbers b,
throwing in "a few ears of corn to de
range bis stomach.
If you have drilled barley between you
rows Of turnips, it will come in well thi
month, and improve the condition of tn
teams wonderfully. Too much care can
not be paid to them just now--the stable
should be we'll ventilated and well litter
, ed, and the feeding and watering as reg
| ular as clock wo.k.
STOCK, Your sheep. hogs and cath
must be especially cared for, while Borea
AL 4