Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1859-05-12
Farmers department.
Calendar of Operations for May 1859

FARN-FrOm tne accounts tluS IAr received
from abroad, aud our own observations about
home, the past Winter appears to nave beer.
a favorable one for Winter crops. Grass and
grain fields come out bright with very litl,
winter-kill, and the continued damp weather
brings them forward sufficiently rapid.
The heavy rains of \ pril have retarded some
of the farm operations, so that IA portion OF
the directions given last month have neceSsar
ly been retarded until now,. Read the former
calendar anew, and attend first to any work
thus kept back
May is decidedly working month in which
the husbandmau must commit his seed to the
earth in faith (not forgetting the works y il
he expects to reap a harvest in Autumn. In
putting in seed, be it grain corn. or roots, it
is Of the first Importance that it be wFH done,
for no after labor, however thoroughly per
formed can wholly compensate for wrong plant
ing To do this properly prepare the ground
by manuring we'll where needed, and with plOw
subsoiler, aud harrow, or cultiyatOr, loosen and
puverize the soil deeply and thoroughly. II
good seed be properly pnt in now, aud the weeds
kept down, failures will be comparatively few.
But for the particular operations of the far
mer in addition to the work Of last month, we
have.
Beans 20 plant, at the south, and in this lat
itude and further north. They are easily in
jured by the cold, and it is no; best to plant
very early Cover lightly, say onehalf to three
fourths OF an inch
BRooM CORH.-Plant, as common corn, or
in drills, feet apart and thin to 8 inches in
the row.
Cattle still require feed in some localitics-
7. 1t -,
turned out to Craze Have the COWS regularly
and cle1niy milkcd, if possible by the same
person. Raise the krieSt calves and thus
improve your stock Co Ifae working teams
mainly to dry food until the heavy springs
work is over
Cellars are supposed TO he freed from all
garbage and filth. Open the windows for ven
tilation
Clover may still be sown, with Spring grain
CoRN.-Bctter let the ground be warm and
dry before planting 1t will come I'M stronger
and succeed better. In this latitude we pref,r r
from middle of May to the first Of June. L,t
the ground he we'll plOwed and enriched. Test
the seeds 10y Sproutng before planting. Stretch
white twine over the fields to scare the crows
as soon as planted, and avoid leaving any corn
uncovered to attract the birds Twine strung
around the field is very suggestive to them Of
snareS, of which they are are shy II very
troublesome soak some corn in Strychmne water
and scatter over the field
DRAINING-Wet lands, is always in order
unit! they are wholly reclaimed.
ECONOMY OF THE FARM" Witches work
while singgardS sleep" says the prOverh, and
the man who begins business late in the day.
usually finds 'riich arork enough before night
BE up then betimeS. Lose 10 time in borrow
ing tools that you should own, and have your
own where they may be found when wanted
Remove tie stumpS and stones that have so
long annoyed you when blowing Ont with
that old hedge row by the wall, and let grass
or grain replace it.
FENCEs.-Put them in complete order Poor
fences make brcachy cattle.
GRAIN.-Complcte sowing, any crops not
put in last month Keep stock of all kinds
from feeding upon fields sown last month and
from the Winter grain Go over the latter
and pull out cookie and other foul stuff which
shows plainly at this season
Grass seed Of all kinds may still be sown
both with Spring grain and upon the Fall
sown, although it should have been put in last
month.
Hoeing will he in order during the latter
part of the month, and even earlier at the
south. Begin to work ont the corn early both
to promote its growth and tighten future labor
Horse and Mule teams require good supplies
Of hard feed while going through the heavy
Spring work. Treat them kindly and they will
repay you.
MANUEES.- Do not omit the manufacture Of
them, although the yards have Just been clear
ed. Cart in muck, saw dust, tan, loan, Get
for brdding and absorb all liquid or semi
liquid droppings of animals
MEADows.-Keep stock from tramping over
or eating down. A top dressing of wood
ashes, plaster or Peruvian guano Sown ever
the fields, will add materially to the crop of
hay
PLowTNG.-Torn mp the soil thoroughly aI d
deeply, or at least little deeper than ever be-
fore. IL it is not practicable to subsoil o
whole field, try portion Of it aud note the
results
PoTAroES.-Plant any omitted last month
Where seed is scarce aud costly cnt to one or
two eyes. We prefer siz able potatoes cut in
two or three pieces
Poultry will require little care now if run
ming at large. Where shut up it is well to let
them cut for awhile about sundown, other
wise the quantity of eggs will diminish. Egg,
may still be set for late chickens Where pra, :
ticable place chicken coopS under plum or cher
ry trees. Their keen eyes will allow few insect
TO escape from the ground to sting the fruit.
SwISE-The pens should now he well fill
with young porkers. Give the sOwS full SUI
ply Of food with plenty of drink, and a little
saIt occasionally. Keep from running at large
Tools, MACHINES, etc.-Now that moving
machines and rcapers are coming into such
general use, see if you had not better add one
this season. Have carts, wagons and other
gear in order, and purchase whatever hay and
harvest tools are wanted, early in the season.