Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1884-04-11
April OH the Farm



Early Pens. Among the first crops to
be planted may be cassed early peas.
Those who have warm land may plant
early in the month with reasonable
prospect of having green peas large
enough to eat by the Goth of June. As a
market crop the early pea does not pro-
mise as well as very late pea, because
of the fact that large quantities are
brought from the south and soldat very
low price. while when the late peas come
in, the market is comparatively bare, and
they would command very high price if
other vegetables did not in a measure
take their place.
To grow good early peas, not only good
seed should be planted, but the land
should be in high condition, SO that the
plants shall not want for anything. One
of the best fertilizers we have ever used
in connection with barn manure, is fine
ground bone. This furnishes phosphoric
acid in large quantities, and experience
proves that it causes the plants to pro-
duce at least one third more peas, than
those that have only barn manure ap-
piled to them.
Early Potatoes. AS rule early pota-
toes should be planted in April, unless
the plants be started under glass. To
get potatoes early, snd Il good crop, the
land must be not only well manured, but
it must be thoroughly prepared before
planted. for to plant on hard cold land,
as was formerly the custom, is but to in
vite failure, so far as relates to very ear
" potatoes. To bring the potatoes for
ward early, the land should be well warm
ed up with liberal quantity of manure
thoroughly mixed with the soil this will
enable the plants to start off with vigor,
which is very important if good crop is
to be obtained early in the season.
The quantity of the potatoes depends
so much on the size of the stalk, that it
should always be the aim of the cultiva-
tor to secure good vigorous stalks at the
start to this end he should see that the
potatoes which he plants are in healthy
condition, with large prominent eyes. A
crop of early potatoes depends more on
the quality of the seed, than does a crop
of late ones.
Spring Grain. Spring rye and barley,
as we'll as oats, should be got into the
ground as eaily rs the ground will work
we'll. By sowing early the plants will
get n good start before the weeds make
their appearance, and the ground will be
wet enough for all Of the seed to germin-
ate. If grass seed is to be sOwn, the
work should be done as eally as possible,
and have the soil work we'll. Never SOW
oats with grass seed they are too heavy,
shading the ground 80 much that the
Young grass plants grow up 80 tall and
weak, that when let into the sunlight they
wlther and die. If any crop is to be
sown with grass seed barley is one OF the
best.
Moving Lauds. AS soon as the snow
is OFT the ground moving lands should
receive especial attention. If manure
has been spread on during the fall, or win.
ter. an effort should be made to remove
all large Jumps that will not readily pul'
yrrizt aud the stones should be picked
up, 81 that when the mower runs oven
the grorud the knives will not be broken.
The spring is II coed time to level of any
uneven places, for II done soon after the
frost leaves the ground, the earth is soft
and can be worked much easier than al
ANY other season, aud if little care bt
taken the grass roots can be set right side
up, so that they will grow Mt once, ano
scarcely show that they have been re
moved A few houiB work in the moving
field mt this season Of the year, will MAKE
; the harvesting Of the crop, MT only muel
more pleasant but much easier.
, Tree Planting. The month of April II
) the season to plant trees this is worl
!, that needs much preparation. To hav'
an orchard grow to the best advantage
: the whole land should be well prepareC
! by deep ploughing, and thorough manur
| ing; this is work that can never be dom
; SO easy, or so well, after the trees are set
} as before. If the land be wet and of
character not to readily drain of the wa
ter naturally, undertaking should b
resorted to. Good orchard land is usual
Ily of character that requires under
draining.
In planting an orchard every effor
/ should be made to get, not only goo
trees, but also those of good variety. l
5 is not good policy to rely on others Tor
g knowledge OF the eating qualities OF an
= fruit, as each individual has taste OF hi
s own, and no one can tell him which h
D will like the best. While some person
: think the Lawrence is one OF the mos
| delicious pears, others soon tire OF 1t, an
: prefer second rate pear that is not
3 sweet so with the Bartlett, while man
t think it one of the most excellent pears
some prefer other pears that ripen at tn
same time.
II one is to set an orchard to grow fru
o for his own table, he should consult th
Q tastes of those who are to sit at his tabl'
> but if the orchard is for growing fruit K
Il market, then the public taste should I
n consulted, which may be very diferei
y from his ovn The public taste beir