The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-03-06
fifteen drops of diluted phosphoric acid in each
glassful is recommended as a means of greatly
retarding the advance of old age.
Early Spring Work.

1.-THE early bird catches the worm;" as gen
eral rule the early farmer makes the money
The one who has his oats first sown his potatoes
first planted, his ground first ready for the corn,
his garden vegetables first in properly prepared
ground; in short who is the earliest in his work
in its season, is the farmerwh raises the largest
crops and makes the most money; and with good
reason. He drives his work instead of being
driven by it, and has time for doing it we'll His
products being early, sell for better price.
Early vegetables early poultry early lambs and
calves, always command the highest figures.
His corn, wheat oats, potatoes, vegetables, ETC.,
have the entire season for growing and matIlr
ing. But this early work requires earlier plan
ming and preparation. AT the far South, garden
and field operations begin this month. Further
North good deal may be done even now. Let
us enumerate, by way of reminder some of the
many things to be done or thought about before
ths time comes for action:
Corn-stubble may be speedily broken down
while yet frozen by dragging over the field
long pole with horse hitched to each end. The
manure may be hauled to the field over the
ground while yet frozen, and no ruts will be
made by the wagon wheels Plows and harrows
may be repaired at home, and taken to the shop
to be sharpened. Harness may be cleaned and
oiled; fields laid off into lands for blowing:
washouts be filed; seedcom shelled and seed
oats well cleaned in the barn while it is yet
stormy outside Drags, rollers, cultivators and
seeders may be looked after and got ready for
use. Such little things as whif6etlees chains
oil-cans and water-jugs should be gathered and
stored where they can be reached at once.
Spades, shovels, hoes forks etc, should be
frightened, sharpened and repaired, if in need of
it. The NOW may be filled from the hay-stacks
The summers supply of wood should by all
means be cut and stored under cover.
Rails, posts or boards for repair
ing fences may be hauled to their
places and the wood lot cleared up. The farm
should be well supplied with gates and now is
good time to make and hang them, or have them
ready for hanging. Set the ash leach; smoke
and store away the years supply of pork;
strengthen water fences and gates for the spring
freshet. Pile and burn rubbish, and haul out
the chip dirt Repair the fences blown down
by winds or torn down by stock Look after
the well and pump, and clean the cistern ready
for the spring rains Remove garbage thorough
~ from the cellar Clean out the poultry house,
and have new nests made. Have the yard tidied
up. Pry or blow out stumps, and clear off new
ground ready for the pillow. Take out or bury
large stones.
Clean off the garden take The dead canes out
of currants, gooseberries, raspberries and black
berries; trim the grape-vines; cart manure on
the ground; start early vegetables in hot-beds;
select seeds, and buy any needed; select pota-
toes for planting, and look after the asparagus
and strawberry beds. Grub out orchard tress
that the winter has killed. prune and pile and
burn limbs removed cover with wax any wounds
made by rabbits mice. Scrub down the orch
ard trees with suds from the weeks washing
Scale the dead bark off of old trees Manure the
soil. Look after the bees Trim Usage orange
hedges and burn the brush. See that you have
good cocks in the poultry-yard. Provide for
coming calves and pigs.
In short, do spring work at the earliest posi-
BILE moment, and endeavor to do tia little earlier
than ever before There will be plenty of work
left when spring does come The more time, the
more thorough preparation of the soil for crops;
and the more thorough its preparation the bet
ter the crops. Much time may be saved by hav-
ing things ready One should not have to hunt
whifietrees, repair harness and implements,
have plows sharpened, or go to borrow, in the
spring Have everything ready.