Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1883-04-27
Farm Work for May.

May is very busy month on the
farm, and every hour of labor should
be so planned as to tell most effectu-
ally. There is danger of haste, and of
doing the work in an indifferent man
ner. Thesgreat error of leaving un-
done the things that should now be
done, arises from want of plan of O.
perations 'sAs we SOW, so shall we
reap" aud this is the month Of sowing
planting. Do everything in thor
ough manner, and keep abreast with
the demands of the season Push the
work and do not let the work push the
farmer.
Corn Planting.-Over large part
of the country, this is the month for
planting our leading grain crop. Ma
ny make the mistake of putting the
corn into the ground before it is ready.
Corn is semi tropical plant, and It's
grain should not be planted until the
soil is arm and mellow. "Corn plant
ing time is when settled weather has
come. There is no better guide than
that used by the Indians, who put in
their maize when the leaves of the oak
are beginning to unfold. Some far
msrs watch the apple orchard, and
plant when the blossoms appear. If
the kernals are put into a cold soil,
they either remain dormant or rot, and
nothing is gained, while, should the
terminating grain be overtaken by a
cold spell, the field has to be replaut-
ed. The corn plant has only short
season for its growth, and requires the
best provisions for reaching maturity
before the frosts of autumn come. The
corn ground should be we'll supplied
with manure in an available form for
the rapidly growing plant. This man.
ure needs to be near the surface, and
thoroughly mixed through the soil.
that the many fine roots NAV find it
readily. Those who have practised
putting quantity of some quick act
ing 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 kernals Of
the superior varieties should be used.
1t will pay to get seed that has been
grown especially for that purpose,even
though it costs much more than the
common graia taken from the crib
To keep cows 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
it with hot water, and stirring in the
corn. Among the best of scare crows
are those which make some sort of
motion and produce noise. 1t is not
best to use gun unless fired without
shot or ball. Grows 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
a young corn plant, they are seeking
the maurader that lies hidden at its
base.
Meadows and Pastures. The frosts
of winter heave the soil and it is we'll
to pass roller over the meadows and
pastures, to firm the surface and make
it smooth for the moving machine
All stones loosened by the frosts must
be removed; large ones, if not needed
for building purposes, may be sunk
out of reach of the pillow. Meadows
may be much injured by live stock
running over them early in 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 fur
nish full ration, or nearly so.-4mer-
ican Agriculturist.