Democratic messenger., 1881-03-19
FARM AND GARDEN.
FEW sEAsoNABLE HINTS PROM THE
AMERICAN AaRIcULTURrsT FOR MARCH.


IL one has not laid his plans for the
year. let him now "stop and think, :"
that he may lose no time afterward in
finding out what to do, and how and
when to do it. He who plans is the
one who succeeds in every department
of human labor. Though the winter
may still linger, there is much to be
done to make ready for the busy days
that will soon come. The engine must
be loaded with fuel, the fire built, and
the steam on before the train can move.
Let every farmer have good head of
steam on, and be ready to go forward
as soon as the sprin 6 work begins.
Floods and freshets are likely to occur,
and much damage may be done unless
prevented. Outlets must be provided
for surface water, and so made that the
water will not gather in dangerous
streams. Clear the drains of any
rubbish, leaves, etc., that there may be
no interference with their full flowing.
Bad roads in spring are one of
the most serious lnconveniences in
many localities now is the time to
plan and execute q reform in road
making. AS soon as "settled weather"
comes, see that the almost impas-
sable places are made good-the
strength of chain is measured by that
Of its weakest link. There is much to
be done in getting the farm implements
all in good trim for work. 1t may be
that commander is needed, or other
homemade implement, and do not
leave such work until the day for plant
ing. There are many forms of home
made markers. A homemade one has
done us good service. It is made by
aifixing short runners with sharp bevel-
ed ends to plank, to which tongue
is attached. Runners may be placed
upon both surfaces of the planks, and
at different distances, SO that by re-
rows may be made.
The corn crop may be much improved
by selecting the best seed. This is a
matter that should have been done last
fall. 1t may be possible to get superior
seed from a neighbor who has given
special attention to the matter of Sc
lecting seed. Seed-corn brought from
another locality has often proved an i'm
provement over that long grown upon
the same soil.
Top dressing of fall grains with some
quick-acting fertilizer has in many
cases doubled tie crop, and at compar-
atively trifiing expense. The added
manure stimulates tho growth of the
young plants at just the time when |
most needed, and gives them strength |
to better take care of themselves.
Oats may be sown as soon as the frost |
is out of the ground, and the soil is dry |
enough TO work up mellow under The |
plow. 1t is best To SOW with drill. as /
Il moro even depth is secnred, and all /
the seed is put iu the soil. Glover may |
be drilled with the oats, or broadcast a |
short time after.
There is frequently much damage
done to pastures and meadows by put
ting stock upon them too early. All |
meadows should be rolled as soon MS the |
frost is out of the ground to press down I
all the raised tufts. stones, etc. and Sc
cure smooth surface for the moving
machine.
This is n critical time with live stock, /
especially if young animals are being
added TO the herds and focks. 1t is |
often useful to give animals that have
been wintered on dry feed n dose of
physic. A pint of raw Linceed Oil |
given two or three times will help the
digestion OF cows, horses, etc. 1t helps |
to loosen the skin, and aids in changing
the coat. Too much care cannot be |
given to brushing the animals and keep |
ing the surfuce of the body clean.
Some horses make q good deal of |
trouble by a habit of throwing the feed
from the trough or nanger. This is !
not only an annoyance, but waste of |
the food. TO prevent this, small bars
of wood or iron can be placed in the
manger These cross-bars prevent any
sudden jerking OF the feed from one end
of the manger to the other, and scatter
ing is effectually prevented. The bars
may be made in the form Of frame,
which can be raised should it be needed
for keeping hay or other coarse feed
from being thrown upon the floor.
Give sows that are to have pigs
warm bed and run by themselves. A
board or scantling nailed from the side
Of the pen will give place of escape
for the young pigs, and prevent the
SOW lying upon them. A few minutes
spent i'll putting in this fender may make
all the difference between full litter of
pigs and loss of n large share, or even
all. After the pigs have grown to feed
from the trough, they should all have
an equal chance as far as may be. In
an ordinary trough, "the weakest go
to the wall, in fact, are crowded out.
To prevent this, trough may be made
in sections. The pigs can feed from
both sides, and are kept from pushing
each other very lar, by the braces which
pass from the center board to the sides
Of the trough.
March and April chicks are very
profitable, and brooding hens should be
set at once The nests should be clean
and soft /; by applying kerosene in the
corners of the box or strewing small
handful of Flowers of Sulphur among
the straw of the nest, comparatively
few insects will trouble the chickens
not enough ol do much injury.
ONroNs.-Mr. D. W. Philbrick, New
ton, Mass, gives, in the New England
Farmer, this information about onion
seed: "The onion, more than most
othe, vegetables, is subject to sports,
by which is meant its tendency to vary
its habit of growth, sometimes having n
thick bull neck sometimes ripening
small bulb the first year, which, planted
the next year, grows TO a large onion
without showing seed stem this is the