The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1880-03-03
Farm Hints for March.


Ter for spring use anywhere. 1t cleanses
and sweetens.
STRAWBERRIES old beds are to be IN
covered. The method of cultivsting the
vines in rows three feet apart, is now cOnsid-
cred the most satisfactory.
b ackberries and raspberries start very
early, and il is best to set them in the fall
but very early in the spring will answer.
The canes produced this year will bear the
fruit the following season.
Injured trees must be looked to; il broken
down, they should be trimmed; girdled trees
will need 10 be banked up With earth, or
gratis joining the bark above and below the
girdlIng should be inserted.
PLANTING.-So soon as the ground is set
tied, plant the trees, shrubs etc that they
may get an early start and be well es.ab-
ished by the time drouths come. Like an
finals, much depends on early growth.
Pruning can be continued until the sap
starts, covering all large wounds with
grafung wax. made of three parts each of
Oeeswax and rosin, and two parts of tallOw,
melted and thoroughly mixed. This is to
be used in the melted state, applied with
brush. Some prefer to use paint instead.
WORK FOR STORMY DAYS Stormy days
may be made available for putting all the
machines in good order, cleaning and oiling
them. This may be done proftRbly twice
more when idle than when at work. This
fact is well known among mschinist, but
overlooked by farmers, and their machinery
is neglected.
a FARM HosPITAL.-There will often be
accidents and sick animals on farm. The
greatest care can not always Insure against
accidents. pen or close stall made in
warm shed or out building will be found
very useful for sick animals whether
horse, cow calf or fowls 1t will be useful
for calviDg COW, or to keep weaving calves
in. II should be 81 least II feet square, so
as to give sufficient room.
GRAPEs.-Every farmers family should
have all the grapes they can eat. from Sep
TENDER 10 January. Ii is not necessary TO
have large vineyard for this few vines
each of the best sorts, and properly treated,
will give a great amount of fruit. There are
hundreds of out of the wsy places where
vine may be set, such as along fence, or it
may be by the side OF a shed or barn with
good soil, and care ia pruning, satisfactory
returns may be expected
PoULTRY-"The early chick gets the early
worm" and the sooner begins to feed ITSELF
March pullets those which fill the egg
basket in the winter time. Therefore set all
the broody hens fJr which eggs can be pro
cured as coon as poss BILE, and take great care
OF the chicks which come in this month. a
warm run out OF doors may be made under
q not D6O SaS0, arranged between TWO GOODS,
and laid on boards set on their edges.
TRIMMING BEFORE PLANTING.-This is a
matter OF much importance, the whole
future of the tree depending upon its being
properly done No matter how carefully a
tree may be taken up, some OF its roots will
be injured, and as ordinarily lifted, the trees
that come from the nursery do not have half
the roots that belong to them. One must
exercise judgment in the matter, but il is
e ~ fhar Of Iow, y, Il
shoots should be cut away at any rate and
often more must be removed.
Oats follow spring wheat, being somewhat
less hardy. II is thought by some, that oats
will take no harm from careless seeding.
But this is a mistake, for good crop. deep
covering in well prepared soil is needed;
shallow sown seed does not tiller; while
that sowp deep will tiller about as
much as wheat; with good covering, the
seed may be sown much earlier, and will be
safe against changes of the weather, while
seed near or on the surface, will be destroyed
either by frost, or by dry weather, as soon as
il sprouts.
VERNIN.-Make a clean sweep of lice,
ticks, fees, and other vermin, as soon as pos
sible. OIL or grease is the best basis for an
effective remedy, and sulphur is perhaps the
best thing to add to the oil. One part of
kerosene, added to four parts OF linseed OIL
makes an excellent application, that is not
in any manner injurious to the skin. Ticks
may be picked from sheep and lambe.
They will come out on the fleece on a warm
day, and the best instrument with which to
kill them, is pair of sharp pointed scissors.
klll at the same time every round, red egg
that may be found.
CLOVER AND GRASS SEED.-Clover may be
sOWn this month. When the ground Is
lifted and cracked by light frost, the seed
may De sown with good effect But the
preferable method is to SOW so soon as the
coil Is dry enough, and then run over the
ground with light smoothing harrow, and
spread 15O pounds Of fertilizer Immediately.
Orchard Grass is a most valuable kind 10
SOW with clover; ii is early and late, and is
unsurpassed for cutting for soiling, or for
hay. Three bushels OF seed per acre is not
too much, as close seeding is needed to pre-
vent the grass from forming large clumps or
stools.
LIVE STOcK.-It is a critical time with
young animals, and sometimes with old
ones. Those that have been well kept, will
continue to do well, but il is safest to give
all young animals especially calves, a dose
or two of physic. The blood becomes
affected by the dry feeding and close herd
ing of the winter, and some laxative is re-
quired. Otherwise the danger of febrile
diseases, of which black quarter (anthrax or
carbunc1lar erysiplas) is the most frequent
will be imminent Two ounces of epson
salts, or half an ounce OF hyposulphite of
soda, given twice, may save a calf A pint
of linseed oil, given two or three times to a
COW or horse, will help the digestion,
loosen the hide. and facilitate the change of
cost which is accompanied By irritation OF
the skin and slight fever.
STRING WHEAT.-Spasmodic efforts are
made now and then, TO grow spring wheat in
Localities where fall wheat only should be
sown. Spring wheat requires a cool climate,
and the hot and early summers of the Mid
die States, are not favorable to il. Never
thsless, many farmers have ''tried once
more" and have failed, as might have been
expected, and as we have often given warn
ing would be the result OF attempts TO grow
this class OF wheat too FAR South. Southern
New York, New Jersey and Pennsy lvanis,
aIs ont Of the spring wheat latitude, and a