Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1880-05-08
From he Amevisdn .igriculturiss
Hints for May Work.

May is q very busy month. aud there is so
much work crowded into il that farmer Is n
danger Of being in hurry. Every hour os
work should be so planned that It will tell
/ mostenectually. and this requires considerable
thought in order to do the most urgent aud
important work first, aud leave undone those
things which may be done almost as well bye
aud bye. rs we sow SO DO we reap. and as
this is tbs month Of sowing, the work now
will iu great measure determine what the
harvest Of the year shall be. Keep pushing
on, Lut with plan.
Oiorer.-Au early rolling Of clover to settle
the roots that have been raised by frost vii.
be especially appropriate after tho open via
ter Just passed Fifty pounds Of plaster per
acre will often have as good effect as the larger
doses of 100 and 200 lbs. that are recommend
ed Wood ashes on many soils will be found
an useful application.
Meadors s-Pick up any stones that may
have been raised above the surface 10y the
action of the irost The roller may be used
to bring the surface into good shape for tho
mower. Meadows are frequently injured by
the tread OF ca.ile before the ground is fairly
SETTLED. The grazing of meadows in spring Is
at the expense Of the hay crop. II is better
to keep cattle 10 the barn until tue pastures
are ready 10 furnish them full ration.
Jerusalem Ariichokes are growing in favor
they are relished by nearly all domestic ani-
mails. They may be let in the ground all
winter, and when dug in early spring are
crisp and fresh and the most acceptable change
in the feed. nn,.
Slesp-Sheep should be tagged before Turn
iDe out 10 grass. Dry ewes may be faitened,
aud marketed as soon as possible. Lambs
that arc for early market, will need the best
Of care aud extra feed. The good shepherd
will look well 10 his fock, and count il every
day, so that no animal may get strayed far
away and lost The best way to kill ticks IS
TO dip the lambs shortly after the sheep arc
sheaIed in Tobacco Water 10 which Sulphur is
added.
Washisg Sheep-A deduction Of about
one third is made by the wool buyers for all
unwashcd Gceces, aud this is right II tho
washing il properly done. Take it all in all
Il IL best 10 wash the sheep. though there may
be cases where /, is not convenient, exrcdcnt,
or even safe.
ORCHARD ASD NURSERY.
Grating can be done now. but srea: care ia
necessary As the bark peels easily at this
season il should be cut through with knife,
and the saw made 10 follow the cu, other
wise the bark may be peeled and bad wound
made. Ii is not best 10 remove all the buds
from the stock before the graft starts, as there
will then be no inducement for the sap to flow
upwards. After the union of the graft is
made aud the buds upon il have started. oil
those upon the stock below should be removed
in order ,hst the graft may have the full sup
ply of sap.
The Tent Caterpillar will hatch into The
worms" which will begin at once their raya-
ges upon the foliage Fortunately these do
structive caterpillars put up sign" without
which they might escape notice. They pitch
their "teuts" at once, and though these arc 40
tipt small they may be readily seen in the
early morning when the dew makes them
conspicuous Take the tent when the whole
family Is "at home and crush il under foot.
Various devices are suggested for this, but the
hand with or without glove. Is the best -
For the higher limbs pole with O swab ai-
tsched may be used.
CurcuiiO Of the pIptnb stings the fruit wlio
it il quite small The trees should DO Jared
in carly morning, beginning when they aro
Just passing out Of flower, and the sluggish
beetles caught on sheet opened beneath the
tree for that purpose. Afterwards thoss
caught on the sheet should be burned.
Borers-Their presence is known by tho
sawdust they make. The only ehectusl me
thod Of reaching them is by probing with a
wire cutting the tree with knife az little es
may be found necessary.
Planting in Orchards. There is a general
! reluctance to give up the soil Of the orchard
entirely TO tho trees. While the orchard IL
young IL is best to cultivate it thoroughly,
and hoed crops. like potatoes, roots, &c. can
4 he grown as present pay for the trouble,
but as the trees ge. older and shade the ground
nothing else but fruit should be expected from
the orchard II is good practice 20 pasture
hogs in the orchard 10 clover sown for tho
purpose, as il i one Of the best methods Of
enrictiug tie soil and at the samc tine &C.
stroyio: Insects. .
/ Aspcraqus should be cnt with strong,
round pointed knife, aud with care that tho
/ neighboring younger shoots or buds nay not
be injured Cut the bed clean, leaving no
small shoots to grow now.
Beans.-plant the bEsh sorts in drills is
inches apart, as soon cs there is no danger Of
/ frost. The Linas Me not 20 70 To until tho
! cold rains are over ard the ground well gsrrsf-
ed Set the poles feet apart, and afterwards
plant four or Eve BEATS 10 each pole, thrust
{ ing the seeds into the soil with the eye down
ward See tha, the poles are firmly set.
! Egg Pqnts - Nothing is gained by setting
plants 10 open ground until warm wea,he,
sets in. Push them with good supply cf
rich manure. Liquid manure may be used,
aud with very good results.
PeppGs.-Sct out plants when the weslhes
has become settled. 4 few should be IL every
/ garden.
! SARAsATE AED JoAcHIN.-Eyer slice tho
Spanish violinist appeared in London, people
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