News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1886-03-18
FARM AND GARDEN.
Practical Notes for Work Daring the
Month of March.
from the American Agricuturist.

Month OF Nlarcn.
From the American Agricuturist.l
Farm work in March is more depend
ent upon the weather and climate than
that of any other month.
New seeds and new tools should not
be lost sight of, and it will often pay to
test the former in small quantities;
then, if they do well, you will have
some seed yourself, and may easily get
more. We need not remind our read
ers to be beforehand with their work.
Spring grains can hardly be in the
ground too soon after the frost is out.
Potatoes follow as soon as there is rea-
sonable warmth in the ground. Grass
seed and clover may be sown with
spring grain, and clover on winter
grain is best s0wn upoc one of the last
light winter SHOWS. The earlier ma
nure is out upon grass and grain land,
the better Even when the manure is
intended for a corn crop, and not to be
plowed under until the first part of
May, the gain in the growth of grass,
will more than compensate the loss by
the action of rains and drying winds,
except upon hills and spots where the
land is especially exposed to the wash
ing by heavy rains. 1t is rare that the
month passes without warm and dry
weather sufficient to put the ground in
condition for blowing throughout the
great middle corn and grain belt of the
country.
LIVE Stock NOTES. neglect of
stock in the spring, entails heavy loss
ho 1alI
this true with horses that have to carry
the burden of spring work Without
making superfluous flesh, they should
be gradually fed up and kept at work
sufficient 10 harden them, so that when
the blowing has to be done, they will be
in good working order You must not
stint the supply of food to the cows that
are fresh, or they will lose so much
flesh that the milk yield will be
materially cut down all through the
summer, for the COW will look after her
own flesh, before she will devote herself
to the milk pail. Give the calves and
young things generally, that generous
caresthat surely starts them on a success
full career. Neglect of the young is the
first step toward shittless farming, The
cold rains and north winds of this .
month, are much more trying on all
kinds of live stock, than colder and
drier weather. For this reason keep all
stock housed that can be- Do not al
low warm days to deceive you into
keeping the animals out at night, when
they are likely to become painfully
chilled.
ORCHARD AND FRUIT GARDEN
March, is of all months, the most diff
cult one for which to assign any SPECIAL
work. 1t stands in the calendar as the
first month of spring, but In the North
ern States, it is most frequently the last
month of winter.
1t is the latest time to which those
who propose to plant fruit trees or
small fruits, can safely delay ordering
them. If in doubt as to what varieties
to plant, consult an experienced fruit
grower in the neighborhood.
A family orchard and fruit garden,
should include varieties to cover the
season. For an orchard near a market
town, a good share of early apples will
pay well.
The injuries to young trees by grid
ling by rabbits and mice, are numerous
If any of the inner bark is left on the
wound, apply thick plaster of cow
dung and loan, bound on with bagging
or other coarse cloth, to keep the parts
moist until they can heal. If complete
ly girdled, then gratis must be inserted
to bridge over the injury.
When trees are received from the nur-
sury, unpack them and heel them in at
once, but do not plant until the soil is
well prepared.
1t is mistake to graft old trees too
early. Wait until the buds of the tree
begin to swell.
Grape vines, currents, etc., that were
not pruned in fall, should be attended
to now, before vegetation starts.
The Tent Caterpillar is in many places
aest only to be kept down by destroy
-~rheyz MACPHERSON now
in bands near the ends of the twigs.
Cut off and burn before the warm DAYS
hatch them. The moths of the Canker-
worm, in mild season come out of the
ground early. Bands of stiff paper
around the trunks, smeared with tar to
arrest the ascent of the wingless female,
are the simplest protection
KITCHEN AND MARKET GARDEN. -
Cabbage and other plants that have been
wlntered under glass in cold frames,
need close attention; they should be
exposed, to harden them, whenever the
weather will allow
Hot beds are to be started six weeks
before the plants can be safely set in the
open ground. These need close atten-
ton in airing. The suns heat in a
closed bed, will destroy the crop in
few hours
For family garden, enough plants
can be raised in boxes in the kitchen
windows, with less trouble than in hot
beds.
Vegetables are of two kinds, hardy
and tender. The hardy, such as peas,
parsnips, beets, onions, cabbages, etc,
may be sown whenever the frost is we'll
out of the ground. Sweet corn is a
tender vegetable, and whenever the
ground is warm enough for corn plant
ing, then beans, tomatoes, cucumbers.
squashes, and all others of that family
may be risked.
To have early potatoes, keep the seed
potatoes IN warm room to start the
eyes.
Peas, of the round kinds, may be
planted very early; the wrinkled are
more tender.
Rake off the coarse litter from the
asparagus bed, and carefully fork in the
fine manure.
Secure pea bush and bean poles, be-
fore the leaves appear.
Provide all needed implements. Have
q seed-drill and hand cultivator, unless
the garden is very small Turn the
manure heap, and add water if too hot