Year: 1861

From the Rural Register


FARM WORK FOR JULY,


In no month of the year, are the nergies
of the farmer and planter, especially in the
Middle States, more severely taxed than in
July. In backward seasons, like the pre-
sent, when the corn has to be worked thro'-
out all the period of harvest, the demand
for constant and laborous excrtion becomes
doubly pressing. Yet at no time perhaps
within the memory of many persons now
living has there been so great necessity
for keeping up to its fullest capacity the sup
ply of agricultural products. What our
views on this subject are, under circum-
stances of singular difficulty and danger and
so closely connected with the welfare of the
Republic, we have set forth in separate
article. What may yet be done. and what
is imperatively required to be done to pro-
mote the vigorous growth of existing crops,
to prepare for others, and to harvest such as
are approaching maturity we now proceed
to state The operations on the farm then
comprise


II The Cultivation of Corn.


We have said that corn is remarkably late
in this latitude, and it therefore bchovcs all
| ~ho would encourage the vigorous and pro-
ftable culture of this, the noblest of the
cereals, to keep their cultivators busy in the
field, and take due care that the soil be made
as light as it is possible to be; that it shall
be free of weeds, and that the effects Of
drought shall be obviated by frequent hoe
ings, and especially by the constant use OF
fbo 70 1,1, &c
unquestionably great mistake to plough
the corn after it has reached the height OF
three feet, for by that time the lateral roots
will have formed a perfect network of fibres
in the intervals between the rows, and the
only action of the plough, if run to any
depth, would be to lacerate them, and there
by do serious injury to the plant. The
shovel plough is not open to this objection,
and moreover, pulverizes the soil much more
efficiently. The cultivator should invaria-
bly, tollop and not precede the shovel plough,
so as to leave the ground as level as posi-
BILE. The old process of throwing furrows
to the corn, and leaving channels in the
middle of the intervals, particularly on roll
ing land, is a relic of bafbarous system,
and ought to be abandoned. On low mea-
III - ,cs u aaas c,
channels to be left for drainage, the method
may be advisable, but under no other cir
cumstances. Deep ploughing in the prepa-
rations for the crop, and level culture sub
sequently, except in the instances referred
to, are indispensable to the production of
large crops Of corn on all soils which arc
not above the ordinary standard of fertility.
Harvesting.


In the Middle States, wheat harvest al
most invariably commences during the first
week in July. The proper time for cutting
wheat, however, must depend upon the con-
dition of the grain. When, that if squeez-
ed between the thumb and forefnger, has
acquired the consistence Of tough dough,
and is entirely free of it's milky state, and
especially if the stem below the ear is dry
and beginning to bleach, then it is time to
commence the harvest, and the sooner the
work is done, the plumper the grain will be
and the heavier the product. 1t has been
our practice for many years. to recommend
harvest drink, and as its merits have been
well attested we republsh the recipe:


Harvest Drink.-Ten gallons of cold wa
ter one gallon of molasses; one quart of
cider vinegar; one-quarter pound of ground
ginger These ingredients, well mixed to-
gether, make beverage as refreshing as it
is invigorating.


The seed Of this fine forage plant may
be sown up to the 10th of the month A
light rich sandy loan, or an alluvial, is the
soil best adapted to its growth but, with
proper culture, it will grow we'll On any soil
except stiff heavy clay. Sec Ru1al of
last month. Sow broadcast


Seed per Acre.-When for hay, 1 bushcl
per acre; when for grain, pecks per acre


Fertilizers. 20 two-horse cart loads of
the well-rottcd stable manure, or $50 lbs
Manipulated guano.


Time Of Cnting.-When about one third
of the seed begins to turn yellow--if delay
ed later the loss by shattering is very great.


Broadcast Corn.


If there is any likelihood of winter PROV
ender falling short, SOW an acre or two of
broadcast corn during the first week of the
month. Make the ground very rich, for
the additional expense will be amply repaid
by the increase of the product.


Quantity Of Seed per- Acre.-sow , bush
els of seed per acre.


Fall Potatoes.


Keep the vines we'll cultivated and hoed,
free of weeds, and take care that the soil be
perfectly loose and open. Potatoes will not
grow freely in close, compact soil. If any
further fertilizers appear to be needed to in
crease the vigor of the growing plants, scat
ter over the drills a mixture of 10 bushels
Of wood ashes, | bushel Of plaster and !
bushel of refuse salt This will suffice for
an acre, and under any circumstances the
application will prove beneficial.


Sheep.
The worms which infest the head of sheep
may be prevented from affecting them, by
providing trough under cover in the pas
ture, and spreading over the bottom of it
three times week as much tar as will cover
it, and then sprinkling salt over the tar
In getting at the salt, the sheep will smear