Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1863-03-20
Farm Work for March.

OATS.-A1 BDlDRS considered, the
earlier the seed can be gotten into
the ground after the frost has left it
the larger will be the yield. The
soil must be in good order and must
contain those organic and inorganic
substances which constitute the ap-
propriate food of this particular
plant.
The ground should be plowed as
soon as it is in proper condition to a
depth Of eight inches, the fttrrows
carefully turned and the entire sur
face narrowed and cross-harrowed
until fine tilth is obtained.
Not less than two bushels of oats
should be seeded to the acre, and on
good soil two bushels and a half may
be sowg to advantage.
SEEDING DOWN TO CLOVER AND
GRAss.--Sow the clover seed length
wise Of the burrows at the rate of
peck to the acre. Now follow with
the orchard grass erosswise of the
burrows at the rate of one bushel to
the acre-a less quantity would suf-
flee but in this case the orchard
grass is apt to grow coarse and
punchy, and the object to be gained
is a close, compact sward. Bush or
lightly harrow all in and then follow
with the roller.
MEADCws.-If there are meadows
that are running out and require to
be renovated, this may be success
fully accomplished by thoroughly
narrowing them as soon as the frost
is out of the ground and spreading
over the field ten bushels Of wood
ashes, one bushel of lime and two
bushels of bone dust to the acre.
Broadcast also to each acre one gal
lon of timothy seed and roll all to-
gether. A similar top dressing viii
be of equal benefit to the herbage
of old fields.
BARLEY.-As soon as the frost is
out Of the ground make all necessary
preparation for this crop a sandy
Ioam in good condition is best adapt
ed to the growth of barley. The
soil should be well and deeply plow
ed and thoroughly pulverized before
seeding.
From two to two and half bush
els Of seed should be sown to the
acre.
HAULING OUT MANURE.-The earli-
er this heavy but important work
could be attended to the better.-
The teams can be better employed
in this service as soon as the ground
will admit of the movement of carts
and wagons over its surface, than at
a later period, when the spring work
presses.
EARLY POTAToEs.-Those who de-
sire to have early potatoes must
plant early. Indeed with adequate
protection in a large proportion of
the Middle States. potatoes might
be planted in the fall and would thus
be ready to start their growth as
soon as the frost was out of the
ground. But fall planting. owing to
our uncertain winters, is not sufli-
ciently sure to render it generally
commendable. But as soon as the
ground can be put IN first rate or
der, and the deeper it can be plow-
ed, the less the potatoes will suffer
from drought, and the cooler the
soil will be--which is a great desid-
eratum with the potatoe. Assum-
ing then the land to be deeply plow-
ed and narrowed, and cross-harrow.
ed until the requisite lightness and
communion of the soil has been
obtained. the next thing to be done
is to run the burrows six inches deep
strew along them four inches of ma
nure (; plant the potatoes ten inches
apart and dust them with a mixture
composed of four parts Stacked
ashes, one part lime also Stacked,
and one part refuse salt. Throw
the burrows together with two bouts
of the plow so as to cover the sets
we'll to guard against the influence
of late frosts.
FENCES. Carefully examine these
and have every defective panel re-
paired.
MILCH COWS AND HEIFERS.-The
month of March is especially severe
upon stock which has been restrict
ed pretty much to dry fodder
throughout the winter. They should
now receive increased attention
with occasional supplies Of slops and
more generous food