THE farmer's calendar. 757 



2d. Because the roots sustain less of a shock; 34. because ^entle 

 rams are very bkely to occur and give the aftermath a «roocl°start 

 See remarks about hay-making in notes for July work.*' 



Save labor by using the best implements. Cut with the mower 

 when the clew is off; stir constantly with a good Hay Tedder- 

 rake up at three to four o'clock, and get in at once, or cock ui^ 

 before five, and house the next day. 



The true art of hay-making consists in curing the grass jxist up 

 to the point at u-hich it will do to put into the barn, and no mor,> 

 Most hay is cured too much. If the barn is properly ventilated 

 hay may be put in quite green, and will be relished like grass all' 

 winter. 



On small farms where the horse-fork is not used, much hard 

 labor may be saved by building up one-half of the hay-mow at a 

 time. For instance, with the first hay drawn, fill oneeiid of the 

 bay, up as far as the big beam, then rake down the side, and while 

 this part is settling fill the other half. The two parts being filled 

 at different times, will not settle alike, and of course will not unite, 

 so there will be no use of a hay-knife in winter. The principal 

 benefit of this plan is in lessening the hard labor while unloading. 

 One-half of the mow being lower than the other, the top of the 

 load may be thrown on the highest part, and the balance below, 

 which saves pitching over the big beam. There is still another 

 advantage ; the greatest heat caused b}' foi mentation is always in 

 the centre of the mow, and the seam here gives escape to the 

 gasses. 



Top-Dressing Grass Land. — The best time to apply manure nf 

 any kind to grass is just as it is recovering from liie shock of 

 cutting. Carting and spreading manure on grass land is the best 

 rainjMlay work to set the hands at during the summer months. 



Toads are very useful in the garden. 'Yh&y destroy large 

 numbers of insects. A toad will swallow the largest specimens of 

 tomato w'orms. Carr^' every toad you find about your premises 

 into the garden. 



Green Fodder. — Sow corn in drills or broad-cast at intervals 

 of two weeks. Millet makes excellent fodder. Sow twelve quarts 

 to the acre about the middle of this month. Rye and oats m.iy 

 be both sown for fodder to good advantage. Sorghum is superior 

 to corn for green fodder. Sow in drills two or three qu.arls t<» 

 the acre, and cut just before bh)ssoming. It will soon spring up 

 again, and three crops may be cut during the season. Clover, 

 corn or buckwheat can be sown now to turn under for manure. 



Greasing Wheels.— Tha wheels of all wagons, carts, carriages, 

 mowers, etc., should be oiled, but great damage is often done by 

 oilin<r tod plentifully. Lard should never be used on a wheel, lor it 

 wiU penetrate the hub, and work its way out around the tenons ot 

 the spokes, and spoil the wheel. Taliuio is the best lubricator for 



