Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-04-21
THE FARM AND GARDEN.
Work for May.
From the American Agricuiturist.

OF doing the work In an imperfect manner The
great error of leaving undOne the things that
should now be done, arises from want Of plan
of operations. "As we SOW. so shall We reap"
and this is the month of sowing and planting
Do everything in thorough manner, and keep
abreast with the demands of the season. Push
the work, and do not let the work push the
farmer
Corn Pld'ding.-Over a large part of the
country, this is the month for planting our
leading grain crop. Many make the mistake of
putting the corn into the ground before it is
ready Corn is semi-tropcal plant, and it's
grain should not lie planted until the soil is
warm and mellow. Complaining time is
when settled weather has come There is no
better guide than that used bytne Indians. who
put In their maize when the leaves of the oak
are beginning to unfold. Some farmers watch
the apple orchard, and plant when the blossoms
appear If the kernels are put into cold soil,
they either remain dormant or rot and nothing
is gained. while. should the terminating grain
be oyertaken by cold spell, the field has to
be replanted. The corn plant has only q
short season FOR Its growth, and requires the
best provisions for reaching maturity before
the lr0StS OF autumn come. The corn ground
should be well supplied with manure in an
available form for the pidly-growing plant
This manure needs to be near the surface
and thoroughly mixed through the soil, that
the many fine roots may find 1t readily. Those
VINO have practised putting a quantity of some
qulCk-acting compost or fertilizer in each hill
know the Importance of having food for the corn
plant close at hand Much depends upon the
quality of the seed, and therefore only the best
Kernels OF the superior varieties should be used
it Will pay to get seed that has been grown espe-
ciaily for that purpose, even though it cost much
more than the common grain taken from the
crib. To Keep crows from pulling the young corn
the grain may be rolled In tar and afterwards in
plaster The tar can be most easily applied by
mixing 1t with hot water. and stirring in the
corn Among the best of scare-crOws are those
which make some sort of motion and produce a
noise small windmill. with ''clapper' and
pieces OF bright tin suspended by strings consti-
tutes good scare" 1t is not best to use gun
unless hred without shot or ball Crows do not
deserve DEATH as they are the friends Of the
farmer for most Of the year. They live largely
upon cut-wOrms and other insects. and many
times. when pulling Young corn plant. they
are seeking the maraudeB that lies hidden at its
base.
.neaao,rs and Past,nYs.-The frosts of win
Ter heave the soil and 1t is well to pass a roller
over the meadows and past pres to firm the sur
face and make Ii smooth for the moving ma
chine. All stones loOsened by the frosts should
DE removed; large ones if not needed for build
ing purposes, may be sunk out Of reach of the
plOW- Meadows may be much injured by live
stock running over them in early spring. when
the ground is wet. Any grazing done at this
time is at the expense of the hay crop. 1t is
far better to keep the farm ANIMALS in the
stables and yards until the pasture is able to
lurnlsh full Ration, OF nearly SO.
LIVE STOCK NOTES
HOrSes.-With hard work. the farm horses
should have the best of care. There Is danger
OF overlooking, especially with corn. thus pro-
ducing irritation OF the skin and reStlessness
Good cut hay. wet with bran or meal mixed, is a
fine ration twice day The brush should be
freely used. that the sweat and dirt collected
one day may not remain on during the next
An occasional sponge bath is helpful in keeping
the horses in good trim. Look well to the feet
That 10 disease MAY come TO these mu CHI eX-
posed parts. Flies will soon come and some
protection from these pests should be made
1hln sheet. hitting the back. with strings to 90
under the neck and tail, is inexpensive and
effective.
CoH'e.-The change from dry fodder to succu-
lent pasture food is critical one and all aui-
mas need more than ordinary care at this time
i0ung stock are especially subject to disease
from overlooking on green grass, causing black
leg. black quarter. and other dangerous
troubles. 1t is best TO make the change gradual,
by turning the calves out to grass for only part
OF each day. Incoming cows need to have
their feed reduced before caving to prevent
garget. They should be kept from exposure to
coid rains, and in quiet place. brush. well
used, will go far towards giving the cattle smooth
SKINS and healthtul condition.
Sheep.-There is money in early lambs if they
small hock in fine flesh. sold early often brings
more profit than large one OF late and poorly
1ed lambs. Ewes. from which lambs have been
taken. sometimes need the milk removed from
their udders. Dry ewes. if not to be kent may
be fattened rapidly and marketed Ali sheep
should be carefully tagged before being turned
out to grass Much disease in the lambs is
caused by filth from the mothers wool; there
fore clip the wool from about the udder From
now until warm weather OF early summer is
E1al a1lrf s..
the care Of ewes and lambs, tagging washing,
shearing etc, etc, require and should receive
the owners attention and watchfulness Do
not turn out to pasture too early. Permit the
grass TO secure sufficient growth to become
nutritious. The temptation to dispose of sur
plus hay and grain about this time is great It,
however, is poor economy to deprive sheep of
dry food. when they can get but bare susie
nance from the pasture. Let the change be
gradual. turning them out an hour or two at q
time, until there is no danger Oftoo great aloose-
ness OF thesbOwelS. A little fiaX-seed or oil
meal may be advantageously fed at this time.
Do not be tempted to too early washing and
shearing of sheep. Wait until the weather is
warm and settled and after the washing takes
place, turn the sheep either upon dry, clean
pasture or into a straW-littered yard The
0singe from thick fleece to none at all should
not be made while cold spring winds are blow
ing. and transforms are frequent. IT, after
shearing. there comes a cool, wet day shelter
sheep will require but little care.
Strme.-Pigs need run at grass An orchard
Is a fine place for swine; it affords good grazing
for the pigs, while the trees are benefited by the
destruction of insect pests. Young pigs may be
fed milk at an early age with profit. Much de-
ponds upon the early start that an animal gets.
Pouttry.-Hens should already have given
returns in eggs for the attention paid them. and
now the young chicks are coming forward Pull
lets Matched this month should begin to Law
early in the fall, and with a warm house, will
continue giving eggs through the winter
Young chicks need to be kept clean and In a
dry place Move the coOps frequently. If In
the garden, they will catch many insects that
ought to be destroyed.
THE ORCHARD AND NURSERY
Cutirdting an the O,cldrd-Manured crops
may be given between the rows in Young or
chard, without injury to the trees Potatoes or
roots, melons and beans are suitable; sweet
corn can be grown Is the stalks may be cut
early. and not, like field corn. retard the ripen-
ing OF the wood of the trees.
Bearing Orchard should have the whole
ground The best treatment is to SOW clover
and pasture the pigs upon it..
Insects.-If canker worm moths have assembled
the trees and laid their eggs the worms must be
killed by applying, by means Of syringe, Paris
green stirred In water. AS soon as the webs Of