Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-06-21
NO. l47.
Mistellaneous.
HINTS FOR THE MONTH.

The cornfield will require constant at
tention all this month So important is
the work to be done and done now, all the
time, right along, that one fourth to one
third of the crop will depend on it. Keep
stirring the ground whenever it is not too
wet. The dryer it is, the more stirring it
requires. Keep the surface so porus that
the atmosphere can penetrate to the roots
it will always carry such food with it as
the growing plant requires. The fresh
falling dew which carries this plant food
to the little rootlets which absorb it. Look
at the corn plants in the morning where
See the little cup in the centre of the plant
formed by the bases of the blades filled
with the shining dew, like globules of
quick silver. See the color and vigor of
those blades; what display of life and
growth. Then turn to the lazy mans
cornfield where the surface crust has not
been broken for week or more see how
pale, weak and sorrowful the corn blades
look willing before the sun which at the
same time is imparting vigor and growth
to the corn where the ground is stirred
every day. The one field will yeild large
ears the other nubbins.
Get your Moving Machine, Hay Rake
and Unloading Hook in order. A large
portion of the hay will be cut, cured and
housed before the month is out. This
crop is estimated to be of more value, as
constituting the wealth of the country, than
any other grown in it. Every ton of hay
that is damaged is not only an individual
but a national loss. The old adage of
'make hay while the sun shines" should
not be forgotten. Harvesting hay by
machinery dispenses with much labor as
well as gains economy of time therefore
it is better to not cut down too much grass
at one time, especially if the weather is
unsettled, but cure and house it as you
90 along. 1t is always a satisfaction to
have so much work finished aud val
nable article in a place Of comparative Sc
curity.
Brood mares and young colts require
some attention. Moderate labor or exer-
else is good for the dam, but care should
be taken that she is not Overheated. She
must be well fed and otherwise cared for
to keep up her strength and flow of milk.
The colt should be accustomed to gentle
handling and petted, be trained to being
tied and led; this may be done in such u
manner that it will hardly discover any
involuntary action. 1t should not be
learned any bad habits or tricks-when
once acquired they are hard to cure and
the value of the coming horse may be
greatly lessened by the colts bad educa-
ton
Mich cows should be provided with
shade or shelter during the hottest part of
the day. They will pay you for this in the
greater flow of milk. They should have
access to water two or three times a day.
Those who have not already done so,
may yet SOW or drill in some corn to be
fed to stock in the latter part of summer
when pasture fails by reason of dry wealth
er, or the farm being over stocked. This
plan of providing for a contingency that is
very likely to happen, cannot be too
strongly urged on the attention of farmers.
Watch the caterpillars and destroy their
nests, or they will destroy your trees.
This will be regular warfare and no half
that cannot be reached by the hand apply
the torch. desperate cases require des-
perate remedies
The little sly Curculia will be very busy
puncturing the tender fruit and depositing
its eggs to propagate its species. This is
desperate enemy and hard to conquer,
if conquerable at ALL The plum is its
particular favorite, though when hard
pushed it will attack the cherry, apple, or
peach. How to save the plum crop from
its depredatious has puzzled the ablest
Horticulturists in the country; even the
combined wisdom of our County, State
and National Societies have failed to in
vent a certain remedy against its depreda-
tions. That which has proved the most sue
cessful, is starring the tree in the morning,
with IA sheet or other white cloth spread on
the ground beneath the branches in this
way secure the little pests and commit
them to the flames. This process must
be continued from day to day so long as
any continue to fall by the jarring of the
tree
The stables that are unoccupied by rea-
son of the stock having been turned out to
pasture should be completely cleaned and
whitewashed with quick lime, troughs and
all, which viii destroy any vermin that
may be lurking or breeding in the crevices.
This can be done on wet days that are un-
fit for out door work. A sprinkling of
plaster on the floors will take up the am
monia and improve the atmosphere.