Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-05-03
Spring Notes.

The soil is far too wet for working, and we
have every night six or eight degrees of frost
There is, therefore, no chance for early spring
work; and even our nursery men, who are al
ways ready to take advantage Of a fine day,
have had to suspend operations and wait for
more favorable weather. At the present writ
ing (April 10l the weather is bright but freez-
ing in the shade. When the snow left tho
ground, only few days since, the soil was
found free from frost, and parsnips and other
hardy roots were got us to some extent but
they were soon blOckaded by frost The pop
lars, that usually show their catkins in March,
have scarcely made start, and the botanist
may search in vain for our usual early spring
flowers.
Potatoes buried In the ground have suffered
severely from water, even in places usually
considered high and dry, and the loss from
rot will be very great. Whether this will af-
feet prices, We cannot say, as shippers from
the Eastern market have hardly commenced
their spring operations We understand that
hfty and ffty-fve cents are offered for good
marketable potatoes, such az Peach Blows,
MERGERS, &C.
We do not think q late season any disad-
vantage to the farmer, If he will only properly
prepare for vigorous campaign when the
Time comes Tor action. Usually we are in too
great hurry; few fine days tenpts US to
SOW and plant, and the result is rotton seed
tensive dealer in field and garden seeds ex-
pressed his regret at the backwardness Of the
season, as 1t would curtail his sales at least
one-tnlrd When the spring opens early,
there Is so much second planting that sales are
good, we took note Of this for the benefit of
our readers: We like to have the seeds we
commit to the ground germinate early, and
mako vigorous and constant growth until the
plant is matured.
Inc grass starts but slowly, and it will be
leng before the cattle will obtain any good
from the pastures. There will be q temptation
70 do very unwise thing-turn the cattle out
before the ground is we'll settled and the grass
mas good start. A little patience here will be
OF great advantage and no small profit. A top
dressing Of ashes will do the meadows a great
deal OF good, and if you have good compost,
It will not be wasted, If used as a top-dressing
for grass land.
There would be very little objection to a
| late spring II farmers would improve the time
while they are waiting for genial weather
They should learn to labor and wait Much
needs to be done after the winter and much
must be dono before the regular spring work
can progress with any degree of rapidity OF
pursued with any advantage. Although the
trosts OF the past winter have not been severe
there has been good deal Of water in the
| ground, and the gate posts will need straight.
4 eniug, and the fence repairing The tools, too
should be inspected, to see that they are ali
on hand and in order. 1. is exceedingly yex
atious, when the work is pressing, as il will be
| In lew weeks, to find that q tool, lust az YOU
want TO uso 1t, is lost or broken, or so worn
| that 1t must be replaced. The team will have
hard work as soon as the plowing commences
| and they should be in "goOd heart" go thai
Il they can be pushed little when nesessary
The farmer that has all his implements in or.
der, the outside work all done up, and plenty
| OF horse power, will not be much behind the
i first OF June, no matter what may be the char.
acter OF the spring. A good deal Of cleaning
| up about the yard Is necessary in the spring
aud the farmers better-hal would delight tC
| have 1t done just now, but she has suggested
Il the thing 30 many times that perhaps she has
become discouraged. To see y woman In the
farmers dOOr-yard with q rake and shovel
| clearing up the chips and other accumulation
OF the winter, is Q disgrace to somebody The
| eleanings OF yards and lawns are worth more
| than they cost for manure. Place them in q
pile as near the house ss possible, make an ar
L rangement to have all the waste water from
| the house thrown upon ii, and in the fall you
i Will have pile Of rich manure.
/ by all means fence of spot for q vegetable
garden, for lettuce, radishes, peas, beans, SO
| and Tor the small fruits and vines, There Is no
/ reason why the farmer should not live well
| and enjoy the luxuries which others obtain on
ly at great cost. And if you should spade
up the front yard, so that mother and daugh-
| ters could plant some flower seeds, if only a
| few asters, or stocks, or sweet peas, or migno.
nette, and q cluster Of morning glories to climb
i over the porch, nobody would be any poorer
and some folks you love would be a great cal
happier Netc Yorker