/52 HOW TO MAKE THE FARM PAY. 



APRIL WORK. 



The Plow, the Harrow, the Roller, and the Clod Crusher will 

 be in order this month. The Clod Crusher is an impleiBent no 

 farmer would willingly do without after he had once tried it and 

 Avituessed its eftects. It pulverizes the ground more thoroughly 

 than the harrow can, and its use is often of as much benefit as an 

 extra coating of manure. The most thorough possible pulveriza- 

 tion of the soil is one of the secrets of large crops. In plowing, 

 deepen the soil a little ; turn sod over flat ; move the soil only 

 wlien dry enough to crumble; prepare the ground thoroughly' for 

 crops both by manure and tillage. Work no wet soil. No 

 amount of harrowing will restore land to the condition it should 

 be, if it be plowed while wet, and dries in hard clods. 



Spring Grains. — The earlier the spring grains are put in, the 

 bettei'. Oats and wheat should go into the ground before the 20th, 

 if it is possible to get the land into suitable condition. There are 

 great advantages in drilling in all grain. However good condition 

 the land may be in, it is very useful to give it a top dressing of 

 some concentrated manure, like gnano, superphosphate, ashes or 

 line compost. It gives the seeds an earl}' and luxuriant start, 

 causes a larger and stronger growth of root and of stalk. Apply it 

 after the grain and grass seed are sown, and harrow or roll it in 



We cannot take too great pains in la3ing down land, to get a 

 smooth and even surface, in preparation for the mowing machine 

 and other implements. 



Early potatoes on warm mellow land, a sandy or gravelly loam, 

 may be planted now. Manure well with well rotted compost. Do 

 not cut the slices too small, and after being cut let them lie a day 

 or two in the sun for the cut surfaces to harden a little before 

 planting. The potatoes iised as seed for the main crop to be 

 planted early in May will bear cutting finer. 



The Garden. — If 3'ou expect to sell what you grow, remember 

 that the earlier you can get a good vegetable or fruit into market, 

 the more you will get for it. Let j-our aim be, therefore, to grow 

 things as earlj^ as possible. But do not confine yourself to early 

 things. The garden will furnish more solid comfort and return 

 more money, for what it costs, than any part of the farm. Now 

 is the time to lay the foundation of a good garden to last during 

 the entire season. Deep culture is the specific against drought. 

 Deep culture and thorough drainage are the secrets of premium 

 crops. Remember this now and practice it. 



Sheep. — April is yeaning time, and the ewes and lambs require 

 a great deal of attention. Give ewes, at ^-eaning time, warm sheds 

 and sunny yards, and be ever on the lookout for chilled or feeble 

 hxmbs ; wrap such in warm sheep skins, give a few spoonfuls of 

 uanii milk-punch, and lay them near the kitchen fire. If far gone. 



