Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-07-28

Work for August.
From the American Acr,cu,turis..

"Ofk IOf August
From the American Agricuturist.
The soil for winter wheat needs to be pre-
pared at once. A clover sod may be treated to a
dressing OF well-rotted manure, before blowing
1t under. Much depends upon the variety of
seed wheat, therefore SOW only the best. II
there is danger of the Hessian fly, it may be
we'll to defer seeding until next month. For
fall fodder white turDps may be sown now. Dat
or barley stubble, when the soil is rich, can be
turned under and produce six hundred bushels
or more Of late turnips per acre. >. Now is an
excellent time to reclaim waste land, Brush
cut this month will rarely sprout again, and
drains may be opened, where it would be i'm
possible to get teams on the land at any other
season. 1t is best to clear thoroughly and sow
to grass. even if it be only small portion
OF the waste land. and thus avoid the dis
couragement of half retaining larger
area. Lime is an old-tme fertilizer, and
rarely fails to give good returns on
grass land Astounding invegetabe matter. Forty
bushels per acre may be spread from the wagon.
-. Muck for use in the stables can be dug now.
Draw the muck, with scraper or otherwise,
it can dry out, after which it may be taken to
the stable or store-room. Muck increases in
value by ''weathering," and 1t Is well to have a
years supply constantly on hand. Fall plow-
Ing for spring sowing has the benefit Of fallow
to some extent, and the earlier it is done the
better. 1t improves heavy clay land more than
light sandy one. In time Of drOuth look
for and locate all springs or any indications that
may lead to supply of water. 1t is sometimes
necessary to deepen wells which fail to furnish
sufhclent water. Weeds should not be allowed
to 60 to seed 1t is not enough to pull them up,
as the seeds already formed will ripen and pro-
pagate the pests. The only safe method is to
burn the weeds; throwing them on the manure
heap only increases good seeding.
LIVE STOCK IN MIDSUMMER.
This is trying time for all kinds of farm anil
mails; pastures are usually short, old grain is
high, and the new not in the best condition for
feeding. 1t is we'll to make the most of wooded
pastures. where the animals can enjoy the shade
during the hot days. and get part Of their Nv
ing from the underbrush. A good supply of
fodder corn helps to keep the cows up to their
full flow OF milk. and the other live stock in
good health and flesh. Horses are often ex-
tremely annoyed by flies especially when in
shadeless pasture. 1t is best to let them stand
IN dark stable during midday, and turn them
out near nightfall. Horses, when at work,
need the protection of f1y-sheet. This is
easily made and prevents much frettlng 80.
should be pastured as far apart as possible
Place some Wethers with the lambs to lead the
flock. and in few weeks the lambs will be en-
tirely weaned.. Pigs for early fall market need
to be pushed vigorously, with abundant feed at
the trough. The apple orchard makes a fine
pasture for swine. The falling fruit is usually
Wormy, and the pigs in eating it, destroy hosts
of insects, to the mutual benefit OF the swine
and the orchard.
THE FRUIT GARDEN IN AUGUST.
AZ soon as the raspberries are off cut away
the stems that bore them and encourage the
new stalks. .Blackberries often color long be-
lore they are ripe; for home use or near mar
ket let them be ripe; if to be shipped to dis
lance they must be firm. Cut away all suck
the first signs of mildew. and apply sulphur;
hand-pick the beetles and large caterpillars !;
keep the laterals pinched back. leaving one leaf
OF the new growth; remove shoots which start
where they are not needed; keep bearing shoots
well tied up. Strawberry plants lavered in pots
may be set out. Can or dry surplus fruits.
AUGUST WORK IN THE ORCHARD.
The cultivatOr, whether of orchard or garden.
has never season of leisure; but if there is any
month. except in winter, in which work is the
least pressing, it is the present Recreation
may well be taken now. One may recreate both
body and mind in various ways, as with fish
ing excursion, camping out, etc, without other
object than rest and change. Excursions to the
lakes or to the sea-shore will be preferred by
many. A profitable kind of recreation is to visit
the orchards and gardens Of others; relief from
nome cares is obtained, and much NAV be
learned. Cultivators, as rule. gladly welcome
others who are interested in the same pur-
suits. Preparations for the fairs should not be
lost sight Of Encourage the local fair by COM
peting for prizes. and, If any are awarded, be
sure and take the money. Nothing destroys
the common interest in the fair SO quickly as for
those who do not think they need the money to
decline to take the awards. If only twenty-five
cents, take 1t and be proud Of it,. Newly
planted trees will be helped by mulch; keep
off late insects, and do not allow weeds to
grow. Budding will begin this month Keep
close watch on the pickers. Early apples
and pears are often more profitable than late
kinds. Assert and pack them IN attractive man
ner: Dry surplus fruit and use the windfall
apples to press for vinegar.
KITCHEN AND MARKET GARDEN
When crop OF any kind is of, at once clear
up the refuse; much good food for COWS. pigs or
poultry may be saved. Spade or plow the
ground. manure if need be, and put in some
other crop. or sow to buckwheat. to be turned
under later. Sow this months spinach, for fall
use, next month is early enough for the crop for
spring; beets, Of the early kinds tor greens: tur
nips, of the Yellowstone, Aberdeen. and Cow
Horn varieties, and bush-beans for picking and
late use. Some of the early peas may Weld a
crop, but II the season is unfavorable. mildew
will take them. The hoe is the great imple-
ment this month, whether in the form of the
hand-hoe, or the various kinds of cultivators.
and should be used freely, whether there are
weeds or not, for the benefit OF the crop. Cab
Dage, celery, etc.. grow all the more rapidly,
II the surface of the soil is kept light and
mellow. Thinning is rarely overdone; ruta
bagas should be at least ten inches apart.
If carrots, late beets, salsify etc. still stand
too thckly. draw out for use those that crowd
one another. Egg plants must be kept free of
the ColoradO-beetle; place hay or straw under
the fruit. to keep it from the ground . Sweet
corn stalks, as soon as the ears are gathered.
should be cut up; and If not needed by the COWS,
cured for winter; burn all "smutted" stalks. -.
hoe melons as long as the vines will
allow, and after that, pull large weeds by
HAND; as the fruit approaches maturity.
place a shingle or thin board under
1t, to promote equal ripening. Harvest onions
when the tops fall over, and let them cure few
days In the sun; store in any airy place, where
they can be spread. Sweet potatoes should be
kept free from weeds. and the vines moved to
prevent them from taking root. Keep toma-
toes tied up to the trellis watch for the large
worm. which eats foliage and young fruit. and
hand-pick. Weeds are the chief care this
month, and ''pussley' is a sure Indicator of the