THEIFARMER'S MAGAZINE.? 



539 



CALENDAR OF AGRICULTURE. • 



Continue during the first part of June to pre- 

 pare the land for turnips, which are sown as 

 speedily as possible during the last half of the mouth. 

 Use farm-vard dung in a warm or soapy condition, 

 not v^holly cooled, but in the latter fermentation. 

 Open drills at 26 inches distance; spread the dung 

 evenly along the furrows in a quantity that no bare 

 ground is left ; reverse the drills over the dung. 

 Sow the turnip seeds on the fresh tilth, and in dry 

 seasons roll the drills lightly to exclude drought 

 and retain moisture. In sowing turnips with 

 auxiliary manures, as bones, guano, ashes or rape- 

 dust, use Hornsby's drop-drill, which sows two 

 rows at regular intervals of nine inches, the manure 

 and turuip seed mixed together, which affords a 

 ready food to the young plant. 



Plough pared and burned lands with a light 

 furrow, and produce a fine tilth by ample har- 

 rowing, before sowing the seeds daring the 

 latter part of the month. If the land be 

 clayey and stiff, sow on the furrow slice, well 

 liarrowcd. On loamy soils reduce the land by work- 

 ings, and drill it; well mix the soil and the ashes. 

 Sow rape and cole seed for winter food. Plough 

 lands from which winter tares have been consumed; 

 harrow the surface into fineness, and sow the turnip 

 seeds in rows by means of a machine with 

 lengthened coulters to make ruts. Sow in broad- 

 cast the headlands of the turnip fields; and use 

 short dung that is easily covered. 



Horse and hand hoe beet-roots, carrots, and pars- 

 nips — allow not one single weed to be seen. 



Potato drills, not rolled after beiug planted with 

 sets, may now be harrowed ; plough deeply the in- 

 tervals of the drills with the miniature plough, which 

 is the best implement yet devised for stiff-bottomed 



lauds; keep the hand-hoes and scuffler constantly 

 going, break all clods, and pulverize the soil very 

 dee|)ly and freely. Fiae earths arc essential to all 

 root crops. 



Continue the feeding, in the yards, of cows and 

 horses, with clovers and vetches; feed amply, provide 

 abundant litterirg, and convey the suiierlluous liquid 

 to the tank ; but it is best when absorbed by straws 

 and culms. 



Cut all tall weeds from among the graiu crops ; 

 allow not any weeds to perfect the seeds on pastures, 

 in fences, or on road sides. Many seeds arc winged, 

 and carried by the wind to a distance, and propagate 

 very rapidly. 



Finish the shearing of sheep this mouth : exaniiiie 

 the animals closely, as they pass through bauds at 

 this time, in the mouth, the shape, the quality of the 

 wool, and inthegcneral appearance. An inspection of 

 the animals at this time, and the putting upon them 

 distinctive marks, will very much assist the sorting 

 of them for the tupping season in October. 



Put mares to the stallion every fortnight. Wean 

 lambs by placing them at once beyond hearing the 

 bleat of the ewes, and give them the best grass on 

 the farm. 



Hay eutting"will commence this month. Ted the 

 grass quickly behind the mowers; put into cocks, 

 spread them out and cock it again, and carry to the 

 rick. Employ plenty of hands, at least six to each 

 mower. Turn clovers in the swathe without tedding-, 

 as much shaking loses the leaves, which are the 

 best part of the plant. Put the grass into large 

 cocks, which may stand in the field for a time. When 

 hay gets damaged by rains, the quality is somewhat 

 recovered by mixing salt in the ricks 30 lbs. to a 

 load. 



AGRICULTURAL REPORTS. 



GENERAL AGRICULTURAL REPORT FOR 

 MAY. 



Although the weather has been by no means warm for 

 the time of j'ear, arising from the numerous clianiies in it, 

 ve;;etation has made considerable progress; and in most 

 parts of the country it may be considered seasonably for- 

 ward. In our large grain districts, the young wheats have 

 continued tD wear a healthy appearance; and very few of 

 our farmers appear disposed to doubt the return of an 

 average crop. Of course, as yet, it would be premature to 

 offer any decided opinion on this important matter ; but 

 certainly present appearances are very favourable. As re- 

 gards the spring crops, which for the most part are growing 

 rapidly, our advices are satisfactory. Very few replough- 

 ings have been found necessary ; and the loss of plant has 

 been smaller than for some years past. 



A highly interesting report on the subject of the progress 

 of agriculture in the United State?, under the fostering 

 nHuence of Congress, has just come to hand. A bill has 



been lately introduced, with every prospect of success, for 

 granting to the several states 0,340,000 acres of land, for 

 the purpose of promoting and encouraging agricultural 

 colleges, and schools for the mechanical arts. There is to 

 be apportioned to each state a quantity equal to '20,000 

 acres for each senator and representative in Congress, to 

 which the states are now respectively entitled. This is un- 

 doubtedly a wise measure on the part of Congress ; and it 

 is to be regretted that a similar scheme could not be carried 

 out in the United Kingdom. Amongst other matters re- 

 ferred to in the report in question, we are informed that 

 over 400,000,000 acres had been granted to fifteen states, for 

 the establishment of universities, prior to 1854. This may 

 appear a most startling announcement; but we are informed 

 by the Secretary of the Interior that the United States 

 still possess one tJiousand million of acres yet undisposed of! 

 When we consider this enormous quantity of uncultivated 

 land, and the energy of the people of America, we can 

 scarcely anticipate anything short of a rapid increase in the 







