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THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 



CALENDAR OF AGRICULTURE. 



This is the first month of winter, and begins 

 the labours of the following year. The crops of 

 the preceding year are manufactured for use, and 

 applied to the respective purposes. 



Regular thrashings of grain are required, in or- 

 der to supply the yards with litter, and the cutters 

 with chaif ; litter the yards often, thinly and evenly ; 

 keep the surface level, and spread over it any sub- 

 stances of different quality; cut chaff of hay and 

 straw 'mixed for the work horses, the fattening 

 bullocks that are tied up, and for being steamed 

 for the milch cows. 



Su|)ply to the cattle in the yards, by break of 

 day, an ample meal of turnips, rooted and topped 

 for the fattening animals, and with the tops attach- 

 ed for store cattle. Wooden cribs with latticed 

 bottoms suit well, as the rain and filth escape 

 downwards. The turnips should be all consumed 

 before night, to prevent accidents from choking 

 happening unseen. Give milch cows cabbages 

 and beetroot, and a daily meal of steamed meats. 



Feed work horses with chaff of hay and straw, 

 a portion of grain, with steamed roots, as potatoes 

 and carrots, once a day, or in the evening. 



The different sheep flocks require the same care- 

 ful treatment in the ley or stubble fields, and on 

 the grown turnips. Dry beds and shelter are es- 

 sential, and near to the food that is being con- 

 sumed. 



Young horses in a yard or paddock require 

 ample feeding with chaff and corn mixed, and 

 potatoes and carrots ; provide soft food of some 

 kind, as the first winter's treatment has great 

 effect in stamping the future animal. 



Feed pigs in the sties with steamed roots and 

 meal, and in the store yard with raw food, as po- 

 tatoes and beet. Use ample httering, and keep 

 all dry and warm. 



Supply poultry with light grains and steamed 

 potatoes mashed with meal. AVarmth and shelter 

 are essential to these animals. 



Gather stones for useful purposes, or raise from 

 the quarry, and carry to the lands to be drained, 

 which may be well done in dry weather on grass 

 lands. Fill the drains as soon as dug, to prevent 

 the falling-in of the earthy sides. 



Flood water-meadows. The main channels, con- 

 veying gutters, and the flood gates must be cleared 

 out, and put into current going order. 



Cut underwood; plant forest trees ; open-drain 

 plantations ; make new fences, and repair old ones ; 

 collect earths and composts ; make and clean roads, 

 and cut open ditches— this month favours the latter 

 purposes, befor* the wiater floods and snows com- 

 mence. 



Take up Swedish turnips in dry weather, dress 

 the roots neatly, and place the bulbs in store for 

 winter and spring use. Raise also common turnips 

 for a month's provision : in mild weather the fresh 

 condition may not be preserved for a longer time. 



Plough stubble grounds for the next year's fallow 

 crops, and for wheat fallowings the furrow must 

 be deep in seven or eight inches, in order to afford 

 soil for the future workings of the land. If the 

 weather permits, the fallowing may be done on 

 the lands intended for early green crops, as pota- 

 toes and beetroot. The spring work is much 

 expedited even by a partial preparation of the 

 ground. 



Lay dung and composts on grass lands during 

 dry and favourable weather. 



Sell and deliver all grains as thrashed — monopo- 

 lizing and keeping in store are seldom profitable 

 in the end. It is condemning capital to idleness, 

 and prevents the healthy circulation. 



CHEAP FERTILIZING COMPOST. 



Sir, — The fertilizing effects of nitrogen in mamire are now 

 well known ; and if we can fix it frc m the air, as nitric acid, by 

 cheap materiah and easy management, we may do much to- 

 wards making up our deficiency in guano. Chemists are 

 aware that alkalies tend, not only to absorption, but even to 

 the formation of acids ; and some recent experiments seem to 

 iadicate something like this in their action on the atmosphere 

 which contains the elements of nitric acid in inexhaustible 

 quantities. We need not, however, go more into theory here, 

 as agricultural readers like to come to the point, and after all 

 experiment must decide. 



The cheapest alkali is a mixture of lime and salt, which to 

 act effectually on the air, must be mixed with some material 

 that will allow the air to pass through ; nothing fitter for this 

 than bark from the tan pits, though possessing little or no 

 manuring value of its own. Coal tar contains a little ammo- 

 nia, with much soluble carbonaceous matter, and, well mixed 

 with the lime, salt and bark will give them a little of a soapy 

 character, favourable to diffusion in the soil, and increasing its 

 offensiveness to insects, 



These considerations lead me to suggest a mixture of lime 

 and salt with used bark and coal tar, as a compost to produce 

 and absorb nitric acid from the air j say two tons of lime with 

 one of salt, the salt mixed well with the lime as soon as slaked, 

 beaten together, like mortar, and set in a compact heap for ten 

 or twelve hours ; and meanwhile four or five cwt. of coal tar 

 {s9y an old oil hogshead three-quarters full) well mixed up with 

 five tons of used bark ; and the whole then put together, to 

 react upon the air. The heap should be turned over once or 

 twice a month, oftener in warm weather than cold. 



The heap would be best where there is a good current of 

 air; but so far sheltered by trees or otherwise, as not to get 

 often flushed with rain, so as to wash out the alkali; nor 

 should it get too dry. 



The above are the chespest materials. 



Where pilchard lalt is at hand, lo as to coet but little ck- 



