Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1884-02-16
ra.M AND HOUSEHOLD.

EARLY SPRING WoRK.-'Thc early bird
catches the worm," as a general 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 farmer who raises the largest crops
and makes the most money; and with
good reason. lie drives his work instead
of being driven by it. and has time for do
ing it we'll. His produces 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
maturing. But this early work requires
earlier planning and preparation. At the
far South, garden and field operations be-
Gin this month. Further North Il good
deal may be done even now. Let us emu
merate, by way of reminder, some of the
many things TO be done or thought about
before the time comes for action
Corn stubble rlay be speedily broken
down while yet frozen, by dragging over
the field long pole w it'll a horse hitched
10 each end. The manure may be hauled
10 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
ami oiled; fields laid off into Islands" for
blowing; washouts to be filed; seed corn
shellcd and seed oats well cleaned in the
barn while Is is yet cold and stormy out
side. DragS, rollers, cultivators and
sce,lcrs may be looked after and got ready
for use. Such little things rs whtlle-
trees, CHAINS, oil cans and water jugs
should be gathered and stored where they
cah be reached ut once. Spades, shovels,
hoes, forks, etc., should be frightened,
sharpencl, 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
repairing fences may be hauled to their
places, and the wood lot cleared up. The
farm should be well supplied with gates,
ana now is Il 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
F,v Ia -t,,.if,
freshets. Pile ana burn rubbish, and haul
ont the chip dirt. Repair the fences blown
down by winds, or torn down by stock.
Look after the well and pump, and clean
the ci>lern ready for the spring rains. Re-
move garbage thoroughly from the cellar.
Clean ont the poultry house and have new
nests made. Have the yard tidied up.
Try or blow ont stumps and clear off new
ground ready for the plow; take out or
bury large stones.
Clean of the garden; take the dead
canes out Of currants, gooseberries, rasp-
berries and blackberries; trim the grape
vines: cant manure on the ground; start
early vegetables in hot-heds; select seeds
and buy any needed; select potatoes for
paintings; and look after the asparagus
and strawberry beds. Grub out orchard
trees that the winter has killed; prune,
and pile an burn limbs removed; cover
with wax ANY wounds made by rabbits or
mice. Scrub down the orchard trees with
suls from the weeks washing. Scale the
dead bark of of old trees. Manure the
soil. Look after the bees. Trim Usage
grange hedges and burn the brush. See
that you have good cocks in the poultry
yard. Provide for coming calves and
pigs.-Awsrjs1a Agrjcul,TiSt.