Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1880-05-04

From the American Agriculturist for May II
Hints for May Work.
May is a very busy month, and there
is SO much work crowded into it that a |
farmer is in danger of being in hurry.
Every hour of work should be SO plan
ned that it will tell most efectually, and
this requires considerable thought in Or
der to do the most urgent and important
work first, and leave undone those
things which may be done almost as
well bye and bye. AS we SOW SO do we
reap, and as this is the month ofsowing,
the work now will in great measure de-
termine what the harvest of the year
shall be. Keep pushing on, but with q
plan.
Lubor.-It must be admitted by every
one familiar with farm work, that the
labor problem is difficult one, and it
may fairly, from its importance, claim
the first consultation in deciding upon
the plan of operations for the year. The
largest possible crops may not return q
profit, if the labor in their production
has not been well planned. One of the
most important advantages obtained
from Systematic rotation of crops, con-
sists in the judicious distribution of labor
throughout the year SO that there may
not be surplus at one time, and a de-
ficiency at another that will require the
employing of extra hands at the highest
wages.
Mdngels may be sown early this
month. Our practice has been to SOW
in drills 80 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 80 that single plants will stand IL
to 16 inches apart. Root crops are often
a failure from defective thinning.
CJover.-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. Fifty
pounds of plaster per acre will often have
as good effect as the larger doses of 100
and 200 lbs. that are recommended
Wood ashes on many soils will be found
an useful application.
Meudows.-Pick up any stones that
may have been raised above the surface
from the action of frost. The roller may
be used to bring the surface into good
shape for the mower. Meadows are fire.
quently 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. It is better to
keep cattle in the barn until the pastures
are ready to furnish them full ration.
Jerusalem Artichokes are growing In
favor they are relished by nearly all
domestic animals. They may be left in
the ground all winter, and when dug in
early spring are crisp and 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 feet apart, and
the pieces dropped about - or Is inches
apart in the furrow and covered with
few inches of earth.
Meep.-Sheep should be tagged before
turning out to grass. Dry ewes may be
fattened, and marketed as soon as posi-
BILE. Lambs that are for early market,
will need the best of care and extra feed.
The good shepherd will look well to his
flock, and count it every day, so that no
animal may get strayed far away and
lost. The best way to kill ticks is to dip
the limbs shortly after the sheep are
sheared inTobacco Water to which sui
phur is added.
Washing Sheep.-A deduction of a.
bout ] is made by the wool buyers for
all unwashed fleeces, and this is right if
the washing is properly done. Take it
all in all it is best to wash the sheep,
though there may be cases where it is
not convenient, expedient, or even safe.
ORCHARD AND NURSERY.
Grating can be done now, but great
care is necessary. AS the bark peels
easily at this season it should be cut
through with knife, and the saw made
to follow the cut, otherwise the bark
may be peeled and bad wound made.
1t is not best to 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 and the buds upon
it have started, all those upon the stock
below should be removed, in order that
the graft may have the fully supply of
sap.
The Tent Caterpillar will hatch into
the "worms" which will begin at once
their ravages upon the foliage. Fortu
nately these destructive caterpillars put
up "a sign," without which they might
escape notice. They pitch their "tents"
at once, and though these are at first
small they may be readily seen in the
early morning when the dew makes
them conspicuous. Take the tent when
the whole familyis "at home" and crush
it under foot. Various devices are sug-
gested for this, but the hand, with or
without glove, is the best. For the
higher limbs pole with swab attach
ed may be used,
Cawculio of the plum stings the fruit
while it is quite small. The trees should
be Jared in early morning, beginning
when they are just passing out of flower,
and the sluggish beetles caught on q
sheet opened beneath the tree for the
purpose. Afterwards those caught on
the sheet should be burned.
Borers.-Their presence is known by
the sawdust they make. The only eff
fectual method of reaching them is by
probing with wire; cutting the tree
with knife as little as may be found
necessary.
Planting IN Orchards. is gen.
erai reluctance to give up the soil of the
orchard entirely to the trees. While the
orchard is young it is best to cultivate
it thoroughly, and hoed crops, like pota-
toes, roots, etc., can be grown as a pres
sent pay for the trouble, but as the trees
get older and shade the ground, nothing
else but fruit should be expected from
the orchard. 1t is a good practice to
pasture hogs in the orchard in clover
.sOWn for the purpose, as it is one of the
best methods of enriching the soil and
at the same time destroying insects.
FRUIT GARDEN.
BzockbeTries and R0sp6erries may
still be planted, but as they start early |
they should have been set before this
Stakes or trAllisns should be provided to |