The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1865-07-14
THE CALIFORNIAN
Agrifnltnral.
Suggestions for July.
From the Agriculturist

July, II the weather DE only Wnat we
hope for, will give the farmer but little
time for reading. His labors begin early
and close late, to be renewed with the
next dawn. Men are very likely to over
work, and over-ambitious boys, by too
hard moving Or pitching, or by doing the
work Of a man in some other way, ihJure
themselves for life. Many farmer is I'M
dersized. crooked or one sided, because ne
was ambitious. when a boy, OF beng tod
that he was worth as much as a man in
the harvest field They only realize when
too late that they will never be worth so
much again
Drouths may come, and constant work.
inc of the surface, mellowing the soil, deep
ly as possible, without injury to the roots
of the growing crop, is the cure which al
most all may apply. A fine, mellow sur
face absOrbs water from the air. We can
not too often urge irrigation. The brooks
and streams which can be conducted over
meadows and Underground, are of almost
inestimable value, and yet ii is hard work
to make farmers believe it. Every man
may have demonstration Of the advan-
tages to him in tortnights time, if he
will only conduct small stream over his
grass land The time is not far distant
when many farms will have irrigated
meadows, yielding three, four or five crops
Of luxuriant Grass during a single season.
Com.-Keep the horse-hoes and cult
vators in motion among the growing corn.
Use short wtilhie-tree when the stalks
are 50 large as to break off easily
Straigh.en up all hills that are not dispos-
cd to grow erect. Hot weather is the best
time to work among growing corn. Bet
Ter pull than to cut large weeds; Indian
corn does not need root pruning.
Calrvs.-See that they have good sup
ply of clean, fresh water, during the hot
weather. Let them have access also to a
tub containing salt Wean them gradual
ly. 1t is very injurious to withhold full
supply of milk, abruptly, and contine
them to grass and water. 1t often stunts
them 50 that they never recover from.
EuUows Rather than allow a good
soil to lie exposed to the burning sun for
several months, SOW three or four bushels
of Indian corn per acre. In six weeks
there will be good burden of green ma
nure to pillow under Let fathers repeat it
to their sons, and let them impress it upon
their posterity, that following good land
tends 10 impoverish it.
Gruss and Hay.-Where grass grows
very large in moist places, and falls down,
let ii be cut and made into hay at once
When a farmer has large quantity Of
grass to NOW. fhe waits until it is fit to
make into hay, unless he has an album
dance Of help, some of it will become to
ripe. This will suggest the Importance of
sowing different kinds Of seed, in some
meadows, so that part will be fit to cut a
few days in advance Of the rest.
Hoeing-The object of hoeing corn and
root crops is not simply to keep down the
weeds, and to draw a little fresh earth
about the roots, but it is primarily to stir
and loosen the surface, that the air and
rains may have free access to the soil in
which the roots are. The frequent pas
sage of light cultivator or horseshoe is of
great benefit to crops on land suffering
from drOuth.
Putures.-Do not feed off pastures too
closely, as the grass will be a long time
starting again. especially in hot and dry
weather. 1t is bad policy to keep SO
much stock that pastures are always very
short The leaves of grass perform the
office Of lungs. Therefore, let plants have
top enough, that the breathing may not be
Instructed
Pouhry.-Kecp a good dust bath for the
fowls, and add unleached wood ashes to it
occasionally; watch any appearance OF
ve'min, and clear them out with an appli-
cation of kerosine, which may be rubbed
under the wings, and on the backs and
breasts of the birds. Whitewash OCCASION
ally and thoroughly houses, perches, nests
and all
Ueeds-Write the words, Mow Weeds,
in large letters, where all hands will be
sure to see them and let every laborer
understand, that if it too wet to work at
hay, grain or hoed crops, weeds may be
moved, close to the ground. In many
pastures, large bull thistles cover nearly
one half the ground. They should be
moved not only to allow the grass to>grow
but to prevent the seed blowing over the
country.