THE FARMER'S CALENDAR. 755 



our readers to grow the lointer squash. They are nearly as DaK 

 table as sweet potatoes, and are much more easily kept durin- the 

 winter. ^ Try the Hubbard or 3[arroiv ; both are excellentlthe 

 former is probably the best. 



To keep bugs from melons, pumpkins, and cucumber vines 

 mix flour of sulphur and fine coal dust together, sprinkle the vines 

 with water, and dust them with this mixture. It is deatii to all 

 bugs. 



Beay^s may be planted by the middle of the month. Add planter 

 to ji generous manuring. Plant in rows thirty inches apart, and 

 let the stalks be two or three inches apart in 'the drill. Tlie red 

 and brown Yalentine are both good. The six weeks' kinds are 

 earlier, but not so good as those mentioned. Beans should be 

 greased before planting, to prevent them from decaying, whicli 

 they often do, when not greased. Turning any kind ol" liquid 

 grease on them is sufficient. 



Fruit Trees. — Prepare the ground thoroughly before trans- 

 planting trees from the nursery. Do not dig^a "hole and set the 

 tree into it, as is often done ; but dig a mellow bed from one end 

 of the field to the other, or where jou expect to plant your row 

 of trees. Now is a good time to scrape off all the old, rough bark 

 from young fruit trees and burn it. You will thus not only im- 

 prove the fruitfulness, growth, and appearance of your trees, but 

 will destro}' innumerable eggs and larviB of insects, which will, 

 by and by, attack j'our fruit, if not destroj-ed. 



Boot Crops. — Farmers are beginning to see the necessity of 

 growing root crops of various kinds for feeding stock, and also 

 for cleaning and ameliorating the soil, by alternating them with 

 the cereals. The most valuable root crops for the farmer are ruta 

 bagas, mangels, carrots, and beets. The ruta-baga, or Swedish 

 turnip is so valuable for feeding neat cattle and sheep that every 

 farmer should cultivate it extensively. A few acres of well pre- 

 pared soil will yield a large quantity of winter food for animals. 

 Cotswold, Leicester or South Down sheep cannot be properly 

 wintered without ruta-bagas. Carrots are so valuable for horses 

 that every farmer should raise enough to furnish a few pounds 

 daily, to be given to them with other food. Mangel AVurtzel and 

 beets are plants of the same family, possessing similar propertie.i- 

 and requiring the same treatment. Both are long keepers, and 

 they are about equally good for milch cows. They do not pos.sess 

 as good fattening properties as the ruta-baga, but they yield 

 heavier crops per acre. 



The mangels should be sown this month. Carrots the last of 

 May, or first of June. Ruta-bagas in June or July, and turnii)s 

 not before July. 

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