Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1865-05-11
COLUMBUS MORNING. [,
0blo. STATESMAN,
from The American Agriculturist,l /
Notes and Suggestions for the
'a' 'D Month"; 0JIttr fgC


In our latitude, May Is the month of toll
and care with farmers The weather is
variable, and they are in the midst of seed
time. In addition to the labors of the field,
stock of all kinds require more personal at
tention than at any other time. From the
early dawn Of day till night, good farmers
find enough to do, in planting corn, potaE
toes, sorghum, roots, ETC., and preparing
the ground for other crops. Besides, grass
seed, gypsum, lime and ashes are to be
sowed this month; and the farmer must be-
stir himself and see that nothing is neg
lected. "Whatever is worth doing at all
is worth doing we'll" If you slight plow-
ing, narrowing, or any kind of preparation
of the soil, failure or partial success may be
expected. Farmers are, co-workers with
nature, and must do their own part well;
and they can not do their work over again,
if it has been poorly. done. The soil must
be properly prepared, and good seed must
be put in, for the best treatment the crops
can have will not make up for negligence
and inattention to these preliminary opera
tions.
,Animdls.-Every animal needs as much
attention and as good care this month, as
during the winter. See that they all have
good supply of feed regularly, at least
and comfortable place to stand and lie in.
Cold, wet ground at this season of the year
often produces collie, scours, or some other
disease, which might be prevented by keep
ing stock in comfortable quarters, until the
ground becomes quite warm. Ewes will
be yearning this month, and should receive
personal attention-not of needless boys,
but Of careful men, and there is no eye like
that of the owner. Watch breeding animals
closely, whose time is near, visiting them
late at night and early in the morning. A
little timely aid will often save valuable
animal. 1t is bad policy to feed cows short
just before they are turned to grass. If
possible, feed some cut roots daily, to pre-
pare them for green feed, and to keep up
the flow of milk. ..r..r ....t- IA.
Beeues.-Increase the quantity of meal a
few pounds per head, every day. If the
weather be pleasant, allow tattening bull
locks or dry cows to exercise in small
yard, several hours daily. AS the warm
Gather comes on, their thrift will be pro-
NOTED by carding, as often as once day.
AS soon as grass is large enough, let them
Craze about an hour daily; then return them
to the yard; but do not diminish the guam
tity of meal. At thus period, beeves will
tatten very fast, if managed rightly. If
meal be discontinued they will not fatten
much, till their bowels become accommoda-
ted to green feed. t.f1..f..
Buildings. earth and manure
from sills, or other wood work of buildings.
Paint in cool damp weather, SO that the oil
will remain on the surface, and not be alb
sorbcd by the dry and porous wood. When
buildings settle unevenly, let them be lev
eled up at once, as standing on an uneven
foundation strains every part and break;
the nails and cracks the walls.
BtrdS.-Spare the birds, tor they are great
benefaetors to farmers and gardners. Dc
nothing to frighten them from your
grounds; they destroy legions of insects
that are ready to injure your fruit and
fruit trees. 'n'| a
Bees,-The profits attending Bookkeeping
ought not to be disregarded. Abundant
directions are given in The Apiary every
month. s..,.I .'-s'
Bones.-Collect every bone possible; pay
poor children for collecting them in the vii
lage; (25 cents per bushel will pay them
well, and you too; and they will be glad to
do it for less.)
Cd1res.-Give calves comfortable yard
or pen, whether raised by hand or the COW.
Confined in close quarters, the floor beneath
should be cleaned often and Uttered abund-
antly. 1t is cruel as improbable to keep
them tied in cold, filthy places, Two calves
may often be proftably raised on one COW.
Always scald or cook meal for young
calves, before mingling it with any Kind Of
milk or feed, as raw meal is very liable to
produce scours. , ..r ..... ... a.,, ..,I
Carrots.-Do not fail to sow early, some
long Orange or white Belgian In well pre-
pared soil. Put in at least quarter of an
acre, and better all you can take care of,
CrdnberrieS.-If swamp land has been
"pared and burnt" the present is the best
time to plant cranberries. Obtain the
plants, free from weeds, in any productive
cranberry swamp, and set them uniformly
all over the land, from IA to Is inches
apart. The land'should be so located that
it may be flowed in winter. -
COTn.-The season at the East Is early.
There is dangerof cold May. Have at
hand early maturing seed, to plant in. case
that first planted fails. 1t is poor policy to
be in haste about planting corn. 1t comes
up much surer and does better, planted af-
ter the ground is warm, when hot weather
isnot far in the future.
Drdins,-Examine under-drains all over
the farm in wet weather, and see that surface
water does not work in and displace the
tiles or fill the channels with earth. Shovel
away all sediment at the outlets, so that the
water will flow out. freely. A half days
work cleaning out bitches and surface wa
ter channels, may be very profitably laid
out on every farm. Mark the spots which
need draining most, and lay uut work for
next fall. - .-.....-,-.
Grain Fields.-Top-dressings of shand-
manures" (plaster, ashes, guano, nitrate of
soda, superphosphate, etc. may often be APP
piled early in this month to good advan-
tage. p. ..H -
Grass Seed may be sown upon grain or
alone, if it be done early, but much seed
must be used.
Hemp.-Sow on good soil, in drills or
broadcast, l or IL bushels per acre, If
broad-cast-in drills less.
HorSes.--Look to having well fitting har-
ness, sponge the shoulders, legs and feet OF
hard working horses, nights and mornings.
Hoes.-See that every laborer has, a good
one. A poor hoe is like poor ak. "A man
who attempts to work with either, viii, in
a short time, expend time and strength
enough to no good purpose, to purchase d
new one, See that they hang correctly; are
made Of good material; that they are kept
sharp, the surfaces bright that they may be
applied with skill and efficiency. ~ ~,
Horse Hoes, etc.-Select good, well made,
oOionS III mPiohu0hVo, VI q pa1tcIu WHICH yOl
are certain about. Run no risks. There
are many good ones. Some which we like,
win finish both sides OF the same row at
once, which has several advantages. e1'ngm
L1ae.-It Is well to keep supply of lime
on hand, but not much at q time, 1t assists
greatly in ameliorating stiff clays, In COM
posting muck and weeds, ETC., and checks
the ravages of insects. Gd ohU gaHdl Nno0u
Mdchines-Decide at once, what kind OF
machines and implements will be needed
the present season. Reapers and mowers,
threshing machines, cider and wine mills,