Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-04-12
FARM AND GARDEN.
Ina season and boz nemnnds.

FARM AND GARDEN.
The season and It's Demands.
Every kind Of farm work has been de-
layed by the unpropitious weather we
have experienced for several weeks, and
now that the season for warm, pleasant
weather is upon us, we naturally look for
something more favorable than we have
experienced so far in April Very few
farmers in Middle Tennessee have made
preparation 10 any considerable extent
for putting in the crops planted at this
season. Here and there we hear Of a
farmer who has his corn ground partially
prepared, and a very few have planted a
small proportion Of this crop. The time
for planting cotton is almost at hand, and
yet but little preparation has been made
for this important crop. The few fair
days we have enjoyed during the last two
weeks have been improved to the best
possible advantage, and every exertion
must now be used to get in the crops in
season. Under the influences Of a clear
atmosphere and drying winds, the ground
would soon assume a condition in which
it could be adYantageously cultivated, and
the crops sown and planted. Although
somewhat late, it is not too late in our
warm climate for most early crops to be
put in, and if favorable weather should
rule in future there is little doubt the
yield will be quite an average one
The work first to be dispatched is the
sowing Of oats, where this has not already
been done, and it is probable but few
farmers have sown their oats Let this
crop be sowed at the earliest period prac
ticable, and the grass seed at the same
time, Immediately after narrowing, and
to be followed by the roller As most
grasses are sown at this season of the
year, it may not be Inappropriate to re-
mark that too great care in the selection
Of seeds cannot be taken Much seed is
that land sown with it is almost certain
20 be oyerrun with weeds in a short time
The only safeguards the farmer has in
this specially is to grow his own seed or
purchase from the most responsible deal
ers. As many are at a loss as to the pro-
per quantity Of seed to be sown per acre,
when sown alone, we will remark that an
acre requires twelve pounds Of red clover,
ten pounds Of lucerne, two bushels of
rye grass, one peck Of timothy, bushel
and half Of red top, two bushels Of
orchard, or two and half bashels Of !
mixed lawn seed These are the quaint
ties necessary for single acre, and can |
be increased or reduced as occasion
may require. The proper seed for |
yards and lawns is the mixed lawn, |
composed Of the seed Of different kinds |
of the grasses, which can be obtained in
small quantities at any seed store One
Of the errors Of farming in the South is
that too much land is kept constantly I'M
der the pillow, and not enough kept down
10 clover or grass Farms will run down
under such treatment They will yearly
become less productive and valuable.
But with proper system Of rotation and
treatment they can be yearly improved.
Clover is an indispensable requisite to
proper system Of farming in the South
IL is the farmers manure It fertilizes
the soil II likewise furnishes the best of
pastures. Horses, cattle and sheep luxu-
riate in clover pastures And then what
q place for hogs is the clover field They |
viii thrive and keep in fine condition in
summer if they have good clover pasture.
little com thrown 70 them, daily, Of
course is still better IL you have not good
pastures for your stock, lose no time
IN seeding 10 clover How much
better it is to have pasture near
The house than to depend upon the
range. The range is too much depended
upon in this section, All kinds of stock
are turned out in the road, and great
Zeal Of time is spent in hunting them
many stray away and are never found,
Ind many more are stolen. The calves
IRE allowed to suck the cows all summer
70 bring them home at milking time, and
they forget their maternal du-
1es, and stay away tive or three DAYS,
md the family is thus deprived of milk
md the COWS "dry up" Now, to avoid
III these mishaps, SOW clover seed Have
'ood pastures, and your stock fenced ia
'nder your own inspection. Ifyou Don't
iced pastures perhaps you need laead-
wand clover hay, properly saved Is
lood hays nutritious and healthfO'
'of all these reasons, and many more we
night name, we advise the sowing Of clio.
or seed the present spring.
We hear less complaint about ,.;-,.
Eheat and the grasses from abroad -th.n :.
isuAl in the spring, and incline - -.
Pinion thas ewing to the generS ] nrev,
ance Of snow during the whit :, tba, ,.rr
tale wheat or timothy has be en- ininre3
y freezing out should mis- prove ia he |
be case, and no untow ard accident in
srvene between now md harvest time.
be wheat and hay rops Of the country
MI be enormous, notwithstanding the
'ct that less sprir q wheat will be sown
ian usual
As she srowi n Of spring crops is eK-
emely rapid II may be well 10 remind