Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1878-03-07
5arm a''o bonsstolO
from the American Agriculturist.I
E;n.s for Wo1k.

will result unless prevented. Wash
outs of roads, fields, yards. etc, may be
averted by providing a number Of out
lets for the water at the places where it
first gathers. Here it should be spread
in several channels and prevented from
gathering into dangerous stream.
Water Furro,cs should be carried as
little below level as possible, and
Their should be SO many of them that
none will overflow into the others. By
diverting the wash of roads from the
cutters into small channels, the water
charged with fertilizing matter may be
spread upon the fields, and damage
to the roads prevented.
Drains should be cleared of waste
matters such as leaves, and other trash
that will interfere with the flow of wa
ter. In digging open drains, the earth
should be thrown out upon the side OPP
posite to that from which the surface
water comes. In all the provisions
mace for carrying off surface water, the
following principal points should be
looked TO, viz: give the water the east
est possible channel; keep it in many
small streams; avoid any thing that will
prevent easy escape for the water from
the channels; provide an outflow into
stream or pond, or take care that it es-
capes where it will do no damage.
Planting Corn may be begun in the
South this month. 1t Is frequently
planted late, with u view 10 save one
working. The early planting corn
gives the best ears, because these are
well forward before the hot, dry wealth.
cr of July can stop the growth; aud the
eultivaiing OF \ forward corn crop does
hot interfere with working the cotton.
IL is more convenient TO have these two
kings Of labors follow each other than
10 allow them TO occur at the same
time.
SAalIoT Planting j. preferable for
an early crop, when the soil has not
beea thoroughly warmed up.
Fodder Crops, such a. corn planted
ia drills. and millei. will be found very
valuable, aud one can hardly have too
much OF them. These all 20 into mau-
ure Tor the farm: aud the more fodder
to feed, the more grain will tie made.
and the more cotton there will be TO sell
By planting these crops early, damage
by dry weather will enerally be avoid
ed, or second crop may often be taken
after the first is harvested. Green fod.
der crops exhaust the soil very little,
but heavy crops require rich soil.
Top Dressing Grain Crops-It is
now that We require rapid, vigorous
growth, TO send up strong ispears from
the tillering roots. 4 moderate dress
ing OF some active fertilizer, rich in
ammonia, and with good supply Of
phosphoric acid for the needs of the
grain, is precisely what is needed. We
do not point ont here what fertilizer
should be used. Several kinds, suitable
tor this purpose, are mentioned else
where. When the wheat or rye was
top dressed 10 the fall, 100 pounds per
acre may be sufficient now; otherwise
$50 pounds would be needed.
Selection Of lSeed-The corn crop
may be greatly increased by selecting
the best seed. There are varieties now
coming into use which have the habit
of bearing more than one ear 10 the
stalk. If We can grow corn that pro.
duces only two ears TO each stalk, it
will be easy enough to produce 100
bushels per acre. But it is unsafe to
experiment largely. Plant the main
crop with what is kno,cn to be safe, and
try new kinds in a small way at first.
Improved Seed, like improved stock,
must be grown with special care, or it
will rapidly go back to its original
state. In experimenting with new
kinds, every care should be given to
keep up the vigor of the plant and
maintain the character of the product
artificial Fertilizers. The use of
come active fertilizer early in the spring
will be beneficial on almost all crops
When used with discretion, these are
very profitable. But at this season on
" those that are perfectly soluble will
be found available.
Early Potatoes the season
permits of early planting, and this crop
is already in the ground, it will be nee
essary to keep the sprosts slightly Gov.
cred with earth as safe guard against
frost By planting early, and fastening
growth by frequent cultivation, the first
crop may be gathered in time for sec
ond planting. When there is easy CON-
munications from southern fields to
northern markets, few crops pay better
than early potatoes, and in The North
ern States, early planted potatoes may
be harvested aud sold i'm time to take q
crop of corn fodder, corn, or millet,
from the same land.
Foring.-In the nothering part Of
the country we are only as yet thinking
about blowing and sowing. Here We
find il best to be careful about putting
the plows to work too soon. The soil
should be dry enough TO crumble before |
it is turned. Whsfe falloWis to be
plowed is to b plowed for corn, it may
be done - soon - may be; but sod
ground should b left Is long a. posi-