The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1885-01-31
Farm Work for February.-The Maryland

Farm Work for February.--The Maryland
Farmer suggests tho following work to be done
on the farm next month:
Now is a good time to do odd chores and to
make the barn and out buildings snug and wealth
err tight. Remember, ga stitch in time saves nine"
few shingles or little paint will often effec-
tually stop a leak which is not only uncomfortable,
but is always spreading to complete destruction
with more than arithmetical progression. little
whitewash often brightens up an ugly spot and
gives an air of neatness that is pleasant and en-
couragng to everybody who sees it. These
little things tell on farm. "a penny saved is a
penny gained" or "worth penny earned" is an
old and proper ruism, ofener said than practiced,
much to the general loss of independence and
comfort. Old fences are to be repaired and new
ones built. These should be built with care and
due regard to economy whether they be wire,
plank, post and rail, or the old "worm" fence, as
they are presumed to be permanent for several
years. Look also to the gates, roads and bitches
and see that they are put in complete order.
Pio,oing.-Weather and condition of the soil
permitting, let all the land be plowed that is re-
quired, especially stiff lands and that which is
covered by thick vegetable growth rank turf,
for the action of frost and the elements Land
should never be plowed when wet, but at this
season may be turned over when more moist than
later in the year.
Oats.-Ifpossible, prepare the ground well and
the better will be the yield.
ToJacco.-Continue your preparation of this
for market assert it well and have it well "con-
ditioned" before packing. Sow some seed if the
soil be dry enough. If brush be convenient and
corn stalks, &C., can be spared we advise a good
burning of the bed, as it dries the earth, enrches
it, and destroys weed and grass seeds and has
many chemical features to recommend this old
plan of growing tobacco plants. Never let your
work drive you. You had better be little too
early than too late, little fast than too SLOW
Never be afraid that you will be ahead too far in
your work.
Orchards.-Trees may now be planted out if
the ground be not frozen or too wet. Make out
list of all fruit and ornamental trees you may
want and send it at once to some reliable nursery
man, who will fill it in proper time and you will
be benefited by being among the frst~to order
and giving him leisure to make good selection
before the hurrying time comes on. Remember,
"frst come is first served" and most frequently
is best served. IF your fruit trees and grape
vines have not already been pruned, do that
work this month. If it be necessary to lop
off large branches or limbs, the stumps,
left should be neatly trimmed and the place
covered with thick coat of mixture of clay
and fresh COW manure, to be occasionally renewed
until the wound is healed. In trimming grapes,
cut off the wood which bore last year, and tie up,
after shortening the young canes of past seasons
growth for bearing this year. Some advise close
pruning while others insist that it is best to leave
an abundance of young wood. A careful judg-
ment should DO exercised, and on this point every
fruterer can experiment and thus test for him
self these opposite opinions. Our experience in
cnes to close pruning and also thinning the
grapes at the proper time.