The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1862-05-07
Gts farm ann firesine
Farm Work for May.

10 accomplish most during the present
month, is the farmers study. Many a
farmer undertakes to do so much work
himself that he breaks down under the
pressure, while he should have spent part
Of his time in planning to make work 60
smoothly, to have no hurrying, no work
10 be done over again, and to have no.
body on the farm whu interrupts the works
Of others, or is out of the way when want
ed, or shirking his share of the tough
jobs, and looking out for easy ones. The
farmer, of our country should remember
that all prosperity, especially in this
country, is dependent upon the products
of the soil, and SO use the whole fertility
of the soil and the manure-heap to the
best advantage, and with confidence in
Him who giveth rain iu due season, and
ordereth the seed time and the harvest.
Beans will do pretty well on poor soils,
but q great deal better on good. They
run to tops if the ground has too much
fresh manure, and are an excellent crop
for clearing land of weeds. They are al
ways marketable, valuable for home use,
and for feeding to sheep. Plant white
bush varieties in 23 feet apart.
Bees-A moderate apiary can be east
ly attended to with little expense aud
trouble, and with great profit.
Birds-Spare them all l.; put up bird
boxes. More than ono or two compart-
meuts are undesirable. Kill cats that
kill birds; allow no guns fired on or near
the premises.
Bones-Collect from far and near with
jealous care; pound them up cr put them
in with the horse manure.
Broom Corn--Plant late in the month,
on good corn land in hills, 3 feet each
way, or in drills feet apart, thinning
subsequently to 6 inches apart in the
rows.
Buildings-Palnt before hot weather
comes on, if at all this season Remove
all litter from unused stalls and the bot
tom of bays, before it becomes a harbor
for rats aud mice and insects, which soon
take possession when the premises are
left undisturbed.
Cattle-Contluue to fodder until there
is abundance of grass. Keeping them a
week out of the pasture now will be of
great service to it before the end of the
Summer. They will relish little hay at
night even after turned to PASTURE
Keep up the flow of milk by feeding cows
with wet bran, shorts, and roots if any
remain, until the pastures are in full
growth. Feed grain to working cattle
according to the severity of their labors
Potatoes or other roots once or twice a
week will keep them in good, healthy
working order.
Cellars-When tie cellars are empty,
clean them out in every nook and corner,
aud whitcwash throughout, and stop rat
holes with cement and broken glass.
CIover-Where wiuter grain is thin
and backward from any cause clover and
grass seed will catch if sown early.
Corn-Prepare the soil in dry weather
early in the month, never work the
ground when it is wet. The old rule of
The Indians was, to plant when oak leaves
are as large as a mouse's ear. If heavy
greensward be broken up this Spring, do
not cross-plow, and be careful not to dis.
turb the sods in narrowing and marking
the ground. The fermenting sods will
afford warmth and nutriment Examine
carefully and reject all imperfect seed
If wet and dried off with lime, shutting
is prevented.
Dairy-The labors of the dairy are
commonly more burdensone this month
thau any other. Plenty of rich milk,
with good help makes the work light.
Draining-Mark the spots that need
draining, and be prepared to put in the
''crOckery" or stones next Fall in good
earnest; and improve drouths, at any
season, to drain low swampy land.
Flax and Hemp-Flax culture prom
iseI to become more remunerative in fu-
ture, from recent Improvement in pre-.
pairing the fiber. Sow this and Hemp