The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1900-03-06

Growing in Central North Carolina
What is to be Done7
correspondence of the Progressive Farmer.
have heard of Signs and luck from
my earliest Tecollections-signs of good
crops Of corn, wheat and fruit crops;
then of the signs of the ,diac, Of
lucky and unlucky days. I know per
sons who are controlled by the signs of
the moon in all farming operations
In order to cause corn and wheat to
ear heavy and low to the ground, they
put the seed IN the ground on the dark
OF the moon; thai Is, from the last half
moon on the decrease to the next half
on the increase, the nearer the change
tue better. THey contend that If grain
is soWn in the light OF the moon i5 will
groz tall aud ch4ffy. Some moon
worshippers go so far as 10 claim that
the worm Of a fence laid on da3 K Of
the moon will sink into the ground
They choose the dark of the moon to
plant everything that grows under
ground, such as potatoes, OniOI g, beets,
etc. But il they want cabbage to head
large they want as near the full MON
as possible.
They will not make sauer kraut when
the sign is in virgo; they say kraut
made then will be soft and snell bad,
but if the sign is in the feet or head,
the krauG will be hard and hlnty and
have no bad oder. AS for the kraut,
made lot last August when the sign
was wrong and l never had better
kraut think more depends on max
log and keeping it cieen. PICK IF ali
decayed leaves. d. not use any heads
that are tainted with decay; cut fine
and press rather than pound into a
tight barrel, salt to tas e; cover with
either grape or cabbage leaves. Over
these place some close fitting boards
and cover two inches with salty water;
Dlaca upon the boards haT stone to
keep the kraut from rising, Cover the
COD Of the barrel with a tiphG cloth,
dipped In a strong copperas water.
This Will help keep the msggot flies
away. Set the barrel away u8der
shed or in an cut h1use ;ka' p 1t skinned
off and wash the slime off the sides
OF the barrel and the covering boards,
until the scum ceases TO form. Be
sure never to let the salt water sink
below the covering boards OBSERVE
these directions and will guarantee
that your kraut will not stink but will
oe fcst class
To keep your ground rail from sink
ing into the ground, place a stone un-
der each corner. Ityou b ave no stones
a piece of rail WILL do just as we'll. II
you have no pieces, make pieces by
Cutting up sound ones two or thI ee feet
long; they will 0 just as well.
Now one wishes corn 20 ear we'll and
wheat to fill well. For corn, plant
early in good ground, cultivate early
and Icy bJ early. For wheat, SOW any
time in October, that the ground is IN
a good dry condition. Seed on rather
81 IF, dry, we'll drained clay lands,
well manured and 10 mosS cases the
wheat Will De far in quality and the
yi5ld good. 10 all cases L prefer to
planG or SOW when the conditions Of
the soil or weather are favorabis rather
then TO wait for the noun.
would advise the eame in reference
to all such things es potatoes, beets
and onions. FIR Irish potatoes and
onions caooss the lightes5 an: looses5
soil tnet you have. Plant your pota
toes az such a time tna5 the tops VIII
burst through the ground after the
last killing frost Gt you know when
that time is But If you only have a
garden patcn and the tops are well
above ground, and there Is likely to be
killing frost (Ot that you must use
your own judgment, cover the tops
either with straw, litter or dirt. When
all danger is over uncover.
Sweet potatoes can be raised If
planted in any time Of the moon. Bed
about the first of May; set plants in
well prepared sandy land not too rich.
II you have no sandy land plaEG on
yellow clay or mulatto lanes. Tnese
are best.
A neighbor once observed, This is go
ing to be good year for cor en-
quired, Whs9 He replied. Wasps are
plentiful. There was a fine crop OF
corn made. Last year light crop OF
corn was harvested anO Wasps were
scarcer than usual in this section.
Now, what relation do wasps bear TO
a good corn crop4 IE is simply this: