American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1881-04-09

farmer $ life, as it is so much cumulating
value made or lost. He must begin his
work as early in tho spring as possible.
as he has no time to lose. Weeds begin
their growth at once, and these can
never be subdued SO well rs when they
first appear, or earlier. Some even put
forth before the soil is dry enough to
work, on undrained clay, showing the
advantage of drained soil, where the
work may be commenced with the
starting of the weeds on land intended
for grain by early sowing, narrowing
well, and if need be, cultivating the
lard, which gives the grain the start of
ths weeds, and the land being good. the
chances are it will keep the start, shad-
ing the ground and smothering the
pest; also being safeguard to some
extent against the drouth, which often
occurs, and is sometimes hurtful. All
this can be done only when the crop is
put out early. The yield in general
will then be better, the straw brighter
and the berry sounder. All our spring
grains will bear early sowing. which
means early harvesting, thus distribute
in!, the work well, favOring also seeding
down, which is always risky If delayed.
All land intended for spring sowing
should have its surface worked early to
keep down the weeds, the benefit to
the soil in improved texture and fertil-
ity more than paying for the labor.
Keep the harrow and cultivator going,
and see that there Is no lack of imple-
mems and that they are of the best
kind Money here is well laid out; only
keep the implements in use.
Where manure is needed, it is always
best to apply it in the fall or winter on
plowed land intended to be sown in the
spring. This makes the finest of seed
beds. Or it may be applied in the
spring if done early and spread at once,
so the spring rains may wash the
strength into the soil instead of losing
it at the barn. 1t is well, as soon as the
weather gets warm. to lay open the
manure piles SO as to get them thawed
for early application. The manure
made during the past winter is better
than usual, as the severe and continued
cold weather largely saved the liquid
portions from loss. Pains, therefore.
should be taken with the manure to get
it on the land as early and as evenly as
possible. There will then be a good
start of the grain, even if the weather
is not SO very favorable. Once well
started in such soil it will grow on. 1t
is suck soil, if quite mellow and even,
that should be seeded latest and the
smoothing harrow passed over to cover
the seed and still further fine and even
the soil A drouth then will not much
plant, once started, will be pushed by
the manure, the growth of the root
keeping the start of the drouth.
Corn ground, if plowed early or in
the fall, should have its surface worked
occasionally to destroy weeds. beginning
as soon as the season will allow. If,
after planting, the smoothing harrow
be used for a few weeks, and the culti-
vator as long as the corn will admit,
there will be few weeds left; indeed,
there need be none at all, if the rows
are put well apart, as the work on the
soil may then be continued as late as
desired, or till no more weeds make
their appearance. This is really one of
the most important things in corn cui-
ture, as it not only favors thu growth of
the crop, aided by sun and air, which
the wide space between the rows favOrs,
but cleans. pulverizes and, enriches the
soil for the succeeding crop.
Thus we see the advantage of begin
ming an early war against the weeds;
but the work must be kept up in all
hoed crops, including especially hops,
where it may be continued till picking
time, stirring only the surface. Some
times a wet season interferes with the
work; but no season is so wet but there
are occasional times when the cultiva-
tor can be used, when all other work
should give way to this, else Che weeds
are sure to hurt if not ruin the crop
and fill the soil with seeds for future
trouble. Carelessness allows our land
to become foul. A desperate warfare
with the weeds is before us, and we
must engage in it with unremitting
effort, beginning early in the season,
continuing until no more foothold can
be obtained. Fortunately this work is
n highly paying one; all the soil is now
occupied by the crop, which, whether of
grass or grain. is clean one as well as
Increased in yield; the manure is clean;
the land by working is improved in
texture and fertility, working therefore
easier. Unless heed crops are thus
treated there will be little or no profit.
consequently no more land should be
set aside for them than can be properly
attended to. and it should be remem-
bered that the work occurs in haying.
There is another thing that should be
done early, but is sadly neglected in
general, and seldom well done. 1t is
the use of the roller. AS soon as the
frost is well out of the ground, and
there is no danger of any more heav-
ing. and the soil is not too soft Gt will
be firm enough early if there is good
drainage), apply the roller to all grass
lands whether meadow or pasture, and
also to winter gran which needs it even
more than grass. This packs the roots
which were loosed and exposed to the
air by the frost. The winter has been
favorable to protectioa,> but the spring
does always more or less harm to grass
and grain. and this cannot be better
corrected than by the roller, which, in
effect, is replanting. But it must be
done before the early, sharp, drying
winds hurt the plant To do this effect
ually the roller must be heavier than
those commonly in use; rs heavy. with
the usual length, as a good pair of
horses can draw, better if three horses
have to be used. After the wheat has
been rolled and the plant has made
some growth, having become well fas-
tened, go over once or twice with
hoeing the wheat and is destructive to
young weeds, and it favors seeding
down if that has been deferred.-Cor.
Country Gentleman
Healt! OF the Farmer and His Family.
The early part of spring is peculiarly
trying to the health of the farmer and
his family. There is little occasion for
outdoor work until the ground dries
sufficiently for the pillow, but plenty of
occasion for feastful living. The liv-
ing and the life are combining and con-