Ottumwa weekly courier., 1878-07-17
Work for the Month OF Julv.

Abridged from the Amedicon Agricultural.
CoRN.-We have noticed that the
most successful producers of corn are
always the last in the field with the
cultivator. To clay by" this crop in
July is too early. The weeds thus
have unnecessary opportunity to grow
and mature seed. 1t is q question if
it is not best to thin out the stalks
more than is commonly done; to
grow the grain crop by itself. with
but two stalks, or even one in hill !;
and that for fodder by itself, with the
stalks as closely set as possible for
thrifty growth.
GRowING SEED CoRN.-Any grain
can be greatly improved by selecting
the best each year, and continuing to
plant this for several seasons. No
other grsin-plant that we grow has
go many abortive ears as corn. If we
can make each of these productive,
the yield can be greatly multiplied.
If any farmer wishes to experiment
in this way, he might begin. this
month, by thinning out the plants, re-
moving suckers and encouraging the
growth of the seeds, instead Of USE
less amount of stalk and leaf.
EARLY PoTAToEs, in many places,
have fairly escaped the dreaded bee
tie, and are making . good crop,
They should be harvested as soon as
ripe, lest wet weather cause them to
sprout. A second crop may be MADE
by planting the earliest kinds the
first of the month. or all the new
sorts, none have yet displaced the
Early Rose.
LATE PoTAToEs should be free from
weeds ard beetles to suffer the leaves
to be eaten off is permanent injury
to the roots. Generally it is the latest
crop Of beetles which does the most
damage.
LIVE SroCK.-During the presss OF
work the care of the animals mus,
not be neglected. Plenty of good
food and pure water should be given
with regularity; the latter is special
ly important and necessary for health
They should be protected from flief
and other insect pests, sheltered from
the extreme midday heats, and kept
clean. The ordinary sanitary rules
which apply to cur own health
should be observed with regard te
them.
PoULTRY.-July chickens, if vel
cared for, will be large enough to gt
through the winter safely. After
July we would set no hens, but se
all possible up to the middle of tht
month. In the hot days of midsum
mer vermin breed very fast, snd
cleanliness alone will keep them ir
subjection.
PlGs.-A run on q good clover
stubble will be very beneficial. Wher
confined in yards and pens, bedding
of clean, dry sand, several inches
deep, will be found better than any
other litter. An occasional sprink
ling of . solution of copperas abou
the yards, or good busting with
ground gypsum will act as q deodor
izer and disinfectant. Young Pig
should be forced just now, as fast q
healthy growth will permit. Pork il
advancing in value, and pigs ma,
justly claim q little more attention
than when it was worth but So . bar
rel. Now is a good time to improv'
the stock. For November pigs, coup
le this month, and use boar OF som,
pure breed.
SHEEP should have a change Of pas
ture. They are then more contenteG
and thrive better. A large field will
not Craze so many as several small
ones of the same aggregate size
Give salt at least once q week. Fo
scours give teasponful of castor oil
if continued give teasponful each o
prepared chalk, and essence of pep
permint, in cupful of water. Fo1
stretches which Is only indigestion
common when the pasture gets dry
give an ounce of linseed oil with /,
drachm of ground ginger.