Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1861-05-16
AmttuItmaI department,
Calendar of Operations for May, 1861.


Farm-The cuiiivator viii be at no loss for
steady employment during this month. The
sowing of Spring grains is to be completed, the
remaining stock of manure tar!ed oat, the
ground prepared for hoed crops, and in most
sections the planting Of corn fHished-in cold
latitudes the bulk of the latter crop is often
safely deferred until about June lst. The for
wardness of the season will, of course, be
taken into account in getting in any crop For
corn, especially, it is essential that the ground
be warm aud dry enough to give rapid start,
and this Is meaSurabiy true of other cropS-a
strong growth in the beginning is almost half
the battle. Stagnation in business and depres-
sion in prices Ehoud not be permitted to dis
courage from sowing and planting o good
breadth of grain. There mnst under any cir
cumstaEces be a demand sufficient TO make
crops remunerative-all the more so if large
number OF producers are Withdrawn from active
industry in consequence Of disturbances IN the
nation.
Beans will often succeed on moderately fer
tie soils, where corn would not pay. They are
always marketable, and arc valuable for home
use and for feeding. especially to sheep. Pre-
pare the ground as for corn. and plant white
bush varieties in drills feet apart Drop
the seed to inches apart
Bees are very properly attracting increased
attention. A moderate apary. can be easily
attended to with little expense and trouble,
and with great profit
Broom Curn-PIant in hills three feet apart
each way. or in drills four feet distant. Thin
to eight inches in the row, ct the first hoeing
Favorable reports have been received from
several who experimental with the dwarf var
iaty last season. This may be drilled in rows
three frcet apart,
Buildings-A good coating Of paint will
sove its cost many times in the preservation Of
all buildings. Apply it before hot weather
comes on, if to be done this season. Remove
all litter from unused stalls and the bottom OF
bays, before it becomes a harbor for rats and
mice, which soon take possession when the pre-
misses are least uGdisurbed.
CabbageS-Plant out from hot-beds, in
heavily manured mellow ground if not already
done for frs: crops
CalveS-Mjz oatmeal or shorts with skim
med milk for their feed as they grew older
giving but little at first, and gradually increas
ing the quantity Allow them a little fine hay
until the grass starts sufficiently 10 furnish
cud. Castration OF tie male is most safely pre-.
formed at about mouth cid
Carrots may still be sown, last month was
the better time
Cattle-Coutinuc to fodder until there is
abundance Of grass They will relish little
hay at night even after turned to pasture
Keep up the flow Of milk by feeding COWS
with wet bran, short, and roots if any remain
until the pastures are in full growth. Feed
grain to working cattle according to the Sc
verify Of their Iaoors Potatoes or other roots
cnce or twice week will keep up their appetite
Cears-Dampaess or dccaying matter il
the cellar will inarc the furniture and impair
the healthfuIncss Of the rooms above. Give
free ventilation, remove ali offensive substances
and keep the sides and ceiling well whitewash-
cd
Clovcr-Sow, where it is wanted to enrich
the sol! by plowing it under while in blossom.
Though quite late, it may yet catch if sown
on Winter grain.
Corn-Prepare the ground, and leave it IN
Gil warm weather is established The old rule
is, to plant when oak leaves are as large as a
mouse'S ear. If heavy grecnsward be broken
up this Spring, do not cross pIow, and ! e care
fuI not TO disturb the sods in narrowing and
marking ont the ground. The fermerting
sods will afford warmth and nutrimenC to the
growing shoots Examine seed carefully and
reject all injured by frost 1t is always use.
full to soak the seed, Cir at least wet t,and dry
OF with lime or plaster. We prefer wetting
with thin mixture Of tar and water.
Daryicg laborS will increase this month :
Provide abundant feed for the cows, n cool
and neat room and convenient vessels for the
milk, and conduct every operation, for milking
to packing the butter with scrupylous clean
illness. Be in no haste to buy patent churn
which is warranted to bring butter in four
minutes or less-wc know of no apparatus that
will produce good article in that time
CranbcrreS may be planted any time this
month. The Fall is a better season for groHds
which are to be flooded Secure fresh plants
OF tho Bell variety, particularly for up!ands.-
Ir cuttings &c used let ta-r1 be FIVE or six
inches long, insert the middle in the soil, leav-
ing the tTo ends projecting. Set thsm eight
teen inches apart.
Fences-Keep all in repair, particularly
boundary and road fences, and around pasture
lots where young cattle arc confined. II they
once become unruly, an ordinary fence will not
restrain them.
Flax culture promises sto become more re.
muneratiye in future, from recent Improvements
in preparing the fiber. This crop and Hemp
should be got in.
Grain FieIds-A top dressing of plaster viii
often prove beneficial Guano, lime, or wood
ashes, sown liberaIly before the seed is cover
cd, will benefit heavy soils Keep all stock
from fields newly sown, and from Winter grain.
InIl out weeds as soon as they are plainly Wis
ible among wheat rye, or barley.
Grass !Seed-Sow, upon grain fields not
already seeded, and on poor meadows. Use
plenty of seed.
Hedge Rows thrive and spread by being let
alone Tear them out by the roots, not only