THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 



87 



CALENDAR OF AGRICULTURE, 



The first month of the year is generally the 

 stormiest period of the winter — in frosts, heavy 

 snows, deluges of rain, with violent winds ; but 

 sometimes with intervals of fresh open weather. 

 The latter times are very suitable for ploughing 

 grass lands for Lent crops, as the season affords a 

 time, before sowing, for efTecting a pulverization, 

 and it does not, by a lengthened exposure of the land 

 in a ploughed state, reduce it to a hard battered 

 condition. The ploughing also of stubbles for 

 green crops must be done this month, and ended 

 if possible. 



When frosts and snows prevail, the attention of 

 the farmer will be directed to carting-works of every 

 kind ; of stones, to drains and roads, of fuel to all 

 householders on the farm, and of dung from the 

 cattle-yards to the fields when it will be wanted for 

 the fallow crops. Lay the heap in a lane or in a 

 convenient place in the field ; make it an oblong 

 square in shape, sloping at the ends, to allow the 

 loaded carts to pass upon and over it. Spread each 

 load evenly over the heap of about six feet in height, 

 dress it neatly, and lay earth on the edges : the heap 

 should have a dry lair, and level. 



In fresh weather, continue the cutting of copses 

 and underwood, the cutting and splashing of 

 hedges, the scouring of ditches and roadsides, and 

 clear water-courses ; cut drains to half the depth, 

 to be finished in summer. Flood water-meadows 

 and lay dry occasionally. Sow winter tares and 

 spring wheat on lands cleared of turnips, and on fal- 

 lows missed in autumn. Collect and prepare artificial 

 manures, and keep them under a dry open shed. 



The live stock of the farm of every kind will 

 demand the most constant attention of the farmer, 

 if he would rear the animals into profit, and derive 

 advantage from his labours ; never forgetting the 

 great effects of minute care in increasing the pro- 

 duce of land. Supply the cattle in the yards with 

 fresh straw daily, and give turnips or other roots 

 early in the morning, that the cattle may eat during 

 day-light, and be seen when choked or swollen. 



Turnips are better drawn fresh from the field daily 

 as wanted; but the danger of heavy snows covering 

 them from use, renders necessary a heap at the 

 homestead, containing a few weeks' supply. The 

 yards must be littered with straw frequently, thinly, 

 and evenly. 



The milch cows will now begin to drop calves : 

 feed with succulent food, with steamed roots and 

 chaffs. Suckle both veal calves and for weaning : 

 when milk is exposed in the pail, the valuable parts 

 in the gaseous fluids go off by evaporation, and 

 hence the superiority of suckling over hand-feed- 

 ing- If any dairy produce be wanted in butter and 

 cheese, a portion of the cows may be used for that 

 purpose, and the other for rearmg calves. Allow 

 ample food in every case. Have the calf ])ens di- 

 vided into single apartments, about four feet by 

 eight feet, opening into the cow-shed from the end 

 or from behind, if the width of the shed admits. 



The sheep flocks must have fresh turnips daily 

 from the field, rooted, but not topped, and in se- 

 parate fields when lodged in different flocks, as 

 ewes, keeping flock, and fattening lots, as arranged 

 after autumn. The lambs of the last year and the 

 fattening flock may be confined on the growing 

 turnips, or be fed on a ley or stubble field. A two- 

 horse cart-load will be sufficient for forty fattening 

 animals, and for one hundred store sheep, in a day. 



Feed work-horses with cut chaffs of clover and 

 straw, with oats and beans ; and give a feed of 

 steamed potatoes, when done work, in the twilight. 



The piggery must not be neglected : feed largely, 

 and litteraraply. Rear the store pigs with rawroots, 

 as potatoes and beet the fattening hogs with 

 steamed roots, chopped and mixed with meal served 

 regularly thrice a day. No stock pays better for 

 attention than pigs. 



Feed poultry with light grains, and steamed po- 

 tatoes, mashed and mixed with meal, under a shed 

 or cover, and have the lodging-house comfortably 

 fitted up, and heated if possible. Separate apart- 

 ments for each kind of animals are preferred. 



CALENDAR OE GARDENING. 



Kitchen Garden. 



The inclement weather of this period of the year, 

 reduces the operations to little more than to sug- 

 gest. At all events, they who wish to have lettuces, 

 salads, and radishes early, must be possessed with 

 frames and lights. We do not allude to forcing, 

 but simply to protection with some kinds of lining 

 of dung, fern, or straw, laid so thick around the 

 box and lights or brick pits, as to exclude frosts, 

 which last for many days. Admit the fresh air 

 daily in fine intervals : close sashes at night, and 

 cover with straw mats in freezing weather, which 

 is a very effectual defence. 



If the weather and ground he open, the green 

 and white cos lettuce, and the brown Dutch, and 



also a sprinkhng of short-topped radish, may be 

 sown on a warm border; the earth must be free, 

 open, and rich, to promote quick growth, and straw 

 and fern thrown over them during hard nights. 

 Sow radishes twice. A httle horn-carrot, a drill 

 of round spinach, some mustard and cress may 

 be sown, but often with httle success. Peas and 

 broad beans should be sown at least three inches 

 deep, in soil enriched in the autumn. Earth up 

 peas and beans if any be ready, in the driest 

 weather. Transplant cabbages from the seed- 

 bed. 



If frosty, protect the frames and cauliflowers 

 under glasses, celery by a couple of boards laid 

 sidewise, or by straw on each end of the ridges : 



