The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1880-04-28
1nnte and garm.
Hints for May Work.


May is very busy month, and there is so
much work crowded into it that farmer is
in danger OF being in hurry. Every hour
of work should be so planned that 1t will
tell most effsctuslly, and this requires con-
siderable thought in order to do the most
urgent and important WORK 6gst. and leave
undone those things viii Oh may be doue
almost as well bye and bye. AS we SOW SO
do we reap and as this is the month OF
sowing, the work cow will "a great measure
determine what the harvest of the year shall
be. Keep pushing on, but with plan.
LABOR 1T must be adnxtted by every one
familiar with farm weyk, that the labor
problem Is a difficult one, and 1t may fairly,
from its importance, ckGim the first consul
tation ,o deoIGing upon the plan of opera
tons for the year. The largest possible crops
may not return a profit, if the labor in their
production has not been well planned. One
of the most important advantages obtained
from a systematic rotation of crops, consists
in the iGdicious distribution OF labor
throughout the year so that there may not
be q surpkas at one time, and a deficiency at
another that will require the employment
of extra hands at highest wages.
Jerusetem artich okes are growing in favor;
they are relished by nearly ell domestic
animals. Tney ay be left in the ground
all winter, and when dug in early spring are
crisp sud fresh, and the most acceptable
change in the feed. The round, short variety
called Brazilian" is best The seed is cut
the same as potatoes, burrows made three
feet apart and the pieces dropped about
twelve or fifteen inches apart in the furrow
sZdoovered with few inches of earth.
SHEEP.-Sheep should be tagged before
turning out tc grass. Dry ewes may be fat
tened and marketed as soon as possible.
lambs that are for early market will need
the best af care and extra feed. The good
shepherd will look we'll to his flock and
count il every day, so that no animal may
get strayed far away and lest. The best way
20 kill ticks Is to dip the lambs, shortly
after the sheep are sheared, in tobacco
water, to which sulphur is added.
MANGbEc-May be sown early this month.
Our practice has been to SOW in drills thirty
inches apart using six pounds of seed per
acre. "A liberal supply. OF seed is required to
secure an even stand, and the plants should
be thinned by striking broad hoe directly
across the drills so that single plants will
stand twelve to sixteen inches apart Root
crops are often falluce from defective thin.
ming.
MaAosws.-The roller may be used to
bring into good shape for the mower.
Meadows are frequently injured by the
tread of cattle before the ground is fairly
settled. The grazing OF meadows in spring
is at the expense OF the hay crop. 1t Is
better to keep cattle in the barn until the
pastures are ready to furnish them full
ration.
WAfHING SHEEP ~ deduction of about
onetnird is made by the wool buyers for all
unwashed heeces, and this is right il the
washing is properly done. Take it all in all
1T is best to wash the sheep, though there
may be cases where 1t Is not convenient, ex-
pedient, or even safe.
'G1ovER.-An early rolling of clover to
settle the roots that have been raised by
frost will be especially appropriate after the
open winter just passed. Wood ashes on
many soils will be found an useful applica-
ton.