The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1886-05-08
FARM AND GARDEN HINTS FOR MAY.
From advance sheets of the American Agrical-
t,,r;at for Nav ma In ka the fnllnHinr.

From advance sheets OF the American Agracut-
turist for May we take the following:
Seeding a Neto Laton.-In seeding down new
lawn, the great point is to make the land rich and
mellow. Work it with the pillow, harrow, roller,
and steel rake, until it is fine as garden. If
you are anxious to get the ground covered as soon
as possible, sow the usual lawn grass mixtures,
and bushel per acre of millet or Hungarian
grass. In a week or ten days the millet will COM
pletely cover the ground, and smother all the
weeds. When the millet plants are two or three
inches high, run the lawn mower over it, and re-
peat the cutting once a week. The grass and
white clover will get well rooted before winter.
You have quite respectable looking lawn from
the start, and next winter the millet will be kill
ed. But if you try the plan, do not forget to use
the lawn mower early enough. few days delay,
and it will be too late. The millet will get the
start of you and kill every spear of grass. But if
you will commence early enough, and keep the
lawn mower going, you will get nice lawn quick
er in this way than in any other have tried. L
speak from actual experience.
Fashions on the Farm.-Among the spring
styles annually becoming more prevalent in many
sections of the country, is the Sticking up" of
farmers door yards, gardens, etc.-the improve
ment and adornment of rural homes by making
Of better fences, arbors, etc., and the planting OF
trees, shrubs, and flowers, well as the repair
ing and painting of buildings and the like. This
is a very laudable fashion, for it not only beauti
fes home, rendering its inmates more contented
and happy, but adds to its pecuniary value, an
item that would tell favorably should sale of the
premises become desirable or necessary. The
fashion of thus fixing up about the house usually
extends over the farm, so that the whole premises
exhibit an improved appearance There are bet
ter fences and outbuidngs, finer orchards, more
gates and fewer aggravating bars, and other per-
manent Improvements which tend to render the
md lima LEI
fashion prevail widely, and both the people and
the country will be greatly benefited.
Several other farm fashions worthy OF imita-
ton prevail among good husbandmen. Among
them may be briefly mentioned the care of domestic
animals, thorough and timely culture, promptness
in planting and harvesting crops, the judicious
marketing of farm products, the avoidance of
trading with strange peddlers or travelling agents
Especially those wanting autographs and the
wise style of purchasing only from persons you
know, or such parties as are Endorsed by trust
worthy authorities.
Best Seasons for Planting.-How late we can
SOW or plant with a reasonable prospect OF getting
a crop depends very much or the season, and
somewhat on the character of the soil. We can
plant an early variety of potatoes as late as the
middle of June. But you will, as a rule, get far
better crop if planted in May. 1 have had good
corn planted the first week in June. Rutabagas
have done we'll soan the 4th of July. Mangold
wurzels will produce moderate crop sown any
time in June, but if you want big crop, sow in
May. have had very profitable crop OF beans
planted the middle of june But OF course we
plant earlier if we can get time to do the work.
We plant with drill in rows thirty inches apart,
and drop about six beans in hills fifteen inches
apart in the row. The quantity of seed required
per acre, depends on the size of the beans. The
white Boston Marrow beans require bushel per
acre. Pea beans, three pecks per acre. If you
drill in the seed right along the row, dropping
the beans about an inch apart, you require about
twice the quantity of seed. Some of our bean
more than pay for the extra seed, and for the
extra work in pulling the crop.
Lire Stock Notes.-May is critical month with
farm animals. They are, over great part OF the
country, going "from hay to grass" and are liza
BILE to be affected by the facilitating influence of
the succulent and loosening feed. The only way
to prevent evil effects is to give hay and grain at
morning and evening at first, continuing the
morning ration of hay longer than that of the
evening, until the grass gradually gains in nutri-
tive value and the animals become accustomed to
it. This is equally important for horses, cows
and sheep. Horses that are not put to hard work
are not usually harmed by grass; the clearing
OUT does them good Brood mares, however,
need more substantial feed. Work horses, or
oxen, should also have hay daily, but if the hay
is low, and due consideration for the future pre-
vents buying, they must have grain, which is best
fed ground and sprnkled upon chopped straw.
Fresh COWS generally do very we'll if they calve
within a month after being turned to grass.
There will be little fear of milk fever or of any
trouble incident to feverish condition, but large
mixers will need feed the second week or they
will run down thin