Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1884-03-25
SeasOnable HintS.

By our Agricultural Editor.
Little as the old established farmer of long
experience stands in need of any reminder
of what should be done at this season, the
host of young men and amateur farmers
who are every year entering the ranks, rem
ders it necessary for an agricultural writer
to repeat some things that may have been
given many times before. 1t is line upon
line, here little and there a little, some
thing for every class. And yet, even the
most experienced may sometimes reap ben
eft from these casual hints.
Grass and clover plats, and wheat and
oats, would be greatly benefited at this sea-
son by a liberal top-dressing OF stable or
barnyard manure, or fine woods litter
Anything that will readily yield per cent
age of fertilizing matter, or that will tend
to attract moisture and nitrogen from the
air, will help the young and growing crop.
And if time could be taken to pass the har-
row over the grain. to loosen the soil and
start the plant to more vigorous action,
much would be gained in the growth and
vigor of the crop, and consequent yield
IL
pense of plaster, are excellent for top
dressing grass or wheat.
From this time forward great pains should
be taken not to pillow land that is too wet to
fall to pieces as fit turns over. Better 90
slow in this respect, and wait till the soil
gets dry, rather than have it get into Jumps
and remain inert all summer. Our seasons
are long enough to grow most crops without
bo v;prr 70 ra1oDt thauo vnvv oar1v
The best thing that can be done with the
ashes that have accumulated from the fire
places during the winter, is, to keep them
dry till the corn or cotton is planted, and
then apply them on the top of the soil i'm.
mediately above the seed, at the rate of a
saucer full to each hill. On stiff land where
the cut-worm is sometimes troublesome,
this practice will check it's ravages. The
ash should be applied as soon as the corn is
planted, by hand that follows behind the
planters. The ashes should be spread
around slightly, and not all dumped down
in one spot. The working of the crop, es-
pecially if the corn is weeded by hand, will
get the material nicely mixed with the soil,
and this small quantity of fertilizer, will, il
good season, (not too dry), insure good
ear of corn to each stalk. Ashes 60 further
and pay better in this way than in any we
know of.
A plentiful and varied supply of fresl
vegetables in the early summer months, i:
a luxury of the highest Importance. Time
has now arrived for planting in the oper
ground, and if proper care and forethough
are exercised i'll the selection of varieties
and the management Of the different kinds
every farmer may have the nice, home
grown vegetables in profusion. Starting
now with early peas, onions, kale, lettuce
potatoes, and others of the hardy kinds, il
a few weeks all of the most desirable sort
will have been planted, and some of then
up and growing. A deep, rich, and mellow
soil is requisite, and constant stirring nee
essary.
Continue to haul out and scatter manure
you will never have too much of it. Plow
every fine day that the land is not too wet
Reserve the barnyard, stable, and cowpel
manure for the sweet potato, a goodly guam
tity of which we advise you to plant. 1t i
a superior and cheap crop for home con
sumption and one that adds very much tt
the comforts of good living. Keep all tn
stock pens, stables, &C., well Uttered witt
clean, dry straw.
If you have not already done SO, SOW
few oats. It is getting late, and they viii
J not be so heavy, perhaps, as the earle
sowed, but sometimes late oats do very well
Ii any event they are cheaper than corn
containing, as they are said to do, ten pc
cent. more nutriment, and less difficulty il
J digestion.
Select seed with great care. Like beget
/ like, and very often the whole question o
profit turns on the variety of seed sown.-
, At any event select the best you have TO
=, Ill -
} grain and small cob, and take only the frs
third of the ear, that being the earliest t.
form and mature.
A good start now is of great importanc
} to you. Try to keep ahead of time, ant
, push your work rather than have you
, work push you. Do not oser-crop, espe
cially if your land is poor, but allow your
l self room for accidents and time to be i'm
, proving your farm. Be diligent and eco
, nomical, and your reward is sure.-Peters
burg Inder-Appe0l.