The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1867-05-09

Eotes and suggestions for May.


In some parts of the west, April was
quite q wet month, aud farmers found diff
fculty in getting the usual amount of work
done. In other sections the weather was
quite favorable, but in other places there
will be press Of work to be done in May
The advantages Of thorough preparation
: for the spring work or the disadvantages
OF want of preparation have already been
seen. We trust that, in either case, the
lesson will not be forgotten In future years;
1t is better to be little late in getting
in the various grains rather than to work
the soil when too wet 1t should always be
remembered that, if ar average crop CT atir
grain will paJ expenses, each addi
tional measure OF the produce will add
rapidly to the profits. Thus, if 80 bush
els cf eorn to the acre Tsili just pay expen-
scs, 20 bushels will give taic6 ard 10
bushels will give four times the pfoflt tliat
81 bushels sill yield. ihis well illustrates
the i'rpo. :slSc Gf kaTing the vcrk done ir
.hc bcst manner
N marking for corn, be careful to get
the rows straight and at uniform distances,
and in planting use all possible precautior
TO have tky kernais placed at the crossing
Of the ross. Not only will all this add
much to the appearance of the fields, but
it Will save labor, at'a the crop will usually
be larger. Where the rows arc crooked
and the grain carelcssly dropped. the after
! culture is made more difficult, and the
horse or cultiyator will be apt to break
down many stalks. We think it better to
drop more grains in the hills than are need
cd, rather than to have to replant. 1t is
easier to cut the extra stalks thar tc re-
place missing ones.
Use only good seed in planting Many
farmers attach little Importance to having
the seed rure, but corn appears much
better, and brings a better price, if it is
uniform in size and color. Usually whitc
corn brings better price than the yellow
varieties. Have the corn covered uni
form depth; the proper depth will depend
on the nature Of the soil, the time of plant
ing, DC. 1t Will hasten the growth of the
kcrnals II they are soaked 2I hours before
planting.
1t viii io advisable to DC gin " working
the corn very soon If weeds and grass make
thei: appearance. The roller harrow or
c1ltIvator may each OF al be used as cir
cumst9rces require.
We would advise the cultivation OF roots
of some kind as food for stock They are
easily gown, and the almost unanimous
testimony of good farmers is in their favor.
1t Will also be good plan to SOW corn, sor-
gum or millct as summer feed tor stock.
20 be used hen the pastaFes bcgin to fail
from dry weather.
There IS disposition in somt places to
drop sorgnn, but those who have done
well Hith it in the past will not readily give
it Up. II is certain that those who do not
take proper care Of it find IT losic~ b;ss
ness. Our impression IS .hat i. pErs better
whea raised n g':antias Sufficient IS justify
its manufacture at home, .han whcn raised
in small quantities, whcrs i. is necessary
to have it made up by otSeis. SoTgum de-
terioratcs IN many places, making it advis-
able to secure seed from other localitics-
Cnly pure seed should be used in any case.
Potatoes have rotted so badly in many
places that care should be used in selecting
varieties t. be rscd as seed 1t is certain
that some neV vsrio.its re comparatively
free from disease It is thought by many
that potatoes planted OF dty, 7-ell drained
soil, are less liable to disease than those in
vet, fat land.
Keep good lockout for the condition
of the fences The grain fields may prove
L sttorg temptation to Your own or yorir
neighbors' cattle, and weak place in .h5
fence may enable them TO do great dam
age.
Do not change too suddenly from dry
feed to grass, and be careful that. when
you have turned the stoet on the pastries
the young grass is not Injured BY too close
clipping.