THE farmer's calendar. 75 1 



cross harrowing. Clover can be sown even on a licrht snow Ashes 

 operate as manure upon the wheat, even in the limited qnantity of 

 eight bushels per acre. They push the wheat forward several davs 

 and in time to escape the hot, sultry days which often prevail 

 about the time of tlie "heading out" of the wheat; and ihuy 

 strengthen the stem, giving it substance and solidity. 



Roads, Drainings, efc— March is the month to make and repair 

 farm roads, lay culverts of wood or stone, and change the grade of 

 paths, yards, etc., while the ground is loose from the^coinin'^ out of 

 the frost. Prepare channels for surface water; and if tliey will 

 wash into gullies, protect them and spread the streams over the 

 surface. Guard against washing in grain fields or fiiU plowed land. 

 The location of springs may be easily seen by the thawing of snow 

 in spots in the fields, and the places which most need underd rain- 

 ing are easily determined. Much underdraining may be done 

 ■while the land is still too wet to plow: and much damage may be 

 done by plowing wet soil. 



Stock. — Increase the feed and exercise of farm horses, and groom 

 well, to prepare them for hard spring work. Keep all horses, but 

 especially mares with foal, sharp shod for fear of slipping on ice 

 patches. Turn unused horses loose an hour or two daily, one at a 

 time, lest in play they kick each other. Groom oxen and cows 

 and feed well, to prepare the oxen for work. Do not tax them too 

 heavily at first; if unused during winter their necks and feet will 

 be tender. Look to cows at calving time, giving personal attention 

 and aid if required. Feed some roots daily, both before and after 

 calving. Remove the calf at once if it is to be taken away, and 

 milk the cow dry; otherwise let the cow lick the calf clean, allow 

 it to suck, and then milk the dam dry at once. See that all cows 

 are milked dry, twice a day, and it is best to milk young cows three 

 times a day. It increases the tendency to secrete milk. Increase 

 the amount of meal fed to fattening animals, that they may ripen 

 up the faster as soon as they get grass. Throw sods every few 

 days to the hogs and poultrj^' if confined ; if possible, let the latter 

 run. Keep sows with young i)igs warmly housed. Isolate breed- 

 ing sows, give warm, well strawed pens. Feed raw potatoes or 

 other roots, sprinkled with a little meal, daily, to counteract any 

 tendency to constipation. Charcoal dust promotes good digestion. 

 Clover hay is good, healthy food, and a few sods will be turned 

 over and munched with grent relish. Protect all young stock from 

 severe weather, rain, or wind. Separate breeding ewes and all 

 feeble sheep from the others, and give extra grain, or roots. Give 

 early lambs especial care. Provide abundant water and salt lor 

 all animals, and watch the health of all, removing those that are in 

 any way ailing, to comfortable but isolated quarters. 



If short of fodder make it up by cutting and cooking what you 

 have with roots and grain. 



