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NEW ENGLAND FARRIER. 



May 



now going on more rapidly than ever. Rea- 

 son, humanity, and intellectual exertion are 

 becoming more and more prominent. In the 

 use of the physical forces, we are just learning 

 what it is 'to have dominion over the earth 

 and to subdue it.' Steam, electricity, the 

 printing press, the paper-mill, and a thousand 

 other new arts are changing human conditions, 

 human employments, human habits, and hu- 

 man characteristics. Mind is becoming more 

 and more the standard of man. The human 

 mind is becoming one of the great forces of 

 creation." 



It is not only pleasant to observe these ever- 

 recurring changes in the aspects and economy 

 of nature, but delightful to contemplate them 

 with reference to Him who rules and guides 

 them all. Properly observed and studied, 

 they greatly enlarge the mind and fill it with 

 grateful and peaceful emotions. Let each 

 "magnify his office" in this charming month, 

 by a prompt and cheerful attention to duty, 

 whatever that may be. 



The earth, having cast off her wintry vest- 

 ments, is now, by power of frost and snow 

 and heat and chemical changes, ready for the 

 hand of the husbandman. If he sows gener- 

 ously, he will be likely to reap abundantly. 

 But ]\Iay demands that her work shall be 

 done at its appropriate time, when wind and 

 sun and rain shall exert their proper influence 

 upon the crops and bring them to perfection 

 in due season. 



The Early Grains, not sowed in April, 

 should receive attention in the first part of 

 May. 



Early Potatoes are more profitable for 

 market than late ones. There are various 

 ways of starting them ; in a box or barrel by 

 the kitchen stove, where it is moderately 

 warm ; in a sunny corner out of doors, cov- 

 ered with fresh horse manure ; or in a box of 

 fine, rich loam kept in the kitchen window, 

 where the sun's rays will reach them. 



Im)ian Corn, is an important crop. See 

 that the soil for it is fine and mellow, and well 

 manured. Select the seed with care, using 

 only that which was perfectly ripened and re- 

 ject the tops of the ears. 



White Beans, pea beans, always command 

 a remunerating price. Leave a space for this 

 crop, and have eight or ten bushels more than 



the family need, for sale. They are easily 

 cultivated, harvested and marketed. 



Roots for Stock. — We should feel as 

 though neglecting a duty if we omitted to urge 

 the cultivation of roots. Try them in a small 

 way, at least. Let the rows be nearly three 

 feet apart, and the plants, if mangolds, beets, 

 or ruta bagas, at least twelve inches apart in 

 the rows. Mr. Gregory, in his excellent re- 

 port, says even more than that. 



Weeds. — Do not allow these to get ahead 

 of the crops. It will be an up-hill work if 

 you do. 



Pruning. — Let this work go until the mid- 

 dle of June, or any time in October. 



The Garden. — Make it rich and stock with 

 a variety of vegetables, such as peas, string 

 beans, shelled beans, early potatoes, cabbage, 

 beets, carrots, parsnips, cauliflower, onions, 

 &c., &c., all of which, with your excellent 

 salted pork, will make healthful and econom- 

 ical dinners and breakfasts, the succeeding 

 mornings, fit lor any one to feast upon. It will 

 be found convenient and economical, and save 

 cash which would otherwise be expended for 

 fresh meat. 



Plough deep — pulverize thoroughly — ma- 

 nure generously — be death on weeds — tend 

 the crops faithfully — keep up a calm and 

 happy temperament, and with the blessing of 

 Heaven upon your efforts, you will reap abun- 

 dant and paying crops. 



MANURE HEAPS IN" THE FIELD, IN 

 THE SPHINQ. 



It is a common practice to haul manure 

 from the barn to the fields, and leave it there 

 in large heaps. Some persons do this in the 

 winter by the use of the sled. 



Manure left in this condition should have 

 more care than it usually receives. It should 

 be kept from exposure to rain and the sun, 

 else more of its salts than ought to be spared 

 will be washed out, and its gases evaporated. 



It is common to overhaul these heaps and 

 break up the lumps and mingle the whole. 

 A large proportion of farmers do this but once ; 

 others twice, and some three times. 



This is an important and greatly economical 

 operation. When it has been thrown over 

 and laid up lightly, it soon begins to heat, 

 especially if the weather is moist and warm. 

 Great care should now be observed not to let 



