1871. 



NEW ENGLAND FARRIER. 



207 



left in a light and porous condition, most ad- 

 mirably fitted for the percolation of rain water, 

 the admission of air and heat, and the very 

 valuable atmospheric action which will take 

 place in such a soil. 



Now if the soil is turned over by a plough, 

 the pressure of the mould board upon the fur- 

 row-slice, as the plough proceeds, will com- 

 pact it, and leave it much heavier than it 

 would have been if left undisturbed until 

 nature had got through with her operation. 

 Would it not be more economical, so far as 

 the labor of preparation is concerned, and also 

 be in a better condition for the crops, not to 

 disturb the soil until it will crumble when 

 moved and fall into a fine and porous mass.? 

 After this later ploughing, the more finely the 

 soil is made and the more thoroughly it is 

 mingled, the greater certainty there will be 

 of a paying crop. 



Water Courses. — All the water courses 

 on the farm, whether they are carefully laid 

 drains, open ditches or brooks, should be ex- 

 amined — if they were not last month — and 

 cleared of obstructions, so as to allow all sur- 

 plus water to pass readily away. Some drains 

 may remain entirely inoperative for a year to 

 come, perhaps, if this slight matter is not sea- 

 sonably attended to. 



Sowing Seeds.— Oats do much better for 

 being sowed early, than most other grains. 

 Before the middle of April is not too early, if 

 the soil is in prime condition to receive them. 

 Barley will do well if not sown until nearly a 

 month later. Some farmers think it does 

 better. 



Turning to Pasture. — As a general thine, 

 most persons turn tiieir cattle to pasture too 

 early, when there is little or no feed for them. 

 If so, they roam gloomily over the pastures, 

 poaching them with their feet, exposed to 

 wind and rain, perhaps, and lose both flesh 

 and milk, instead of gaining anything. But 

 they should not be kept out too long. When 

 the grass is an inch high, it is better to have 

 it fed off than to remain longer without being 

 cropped. If kept down to about that point 

 through the season, there will be much more 

 feed and of a better quality. It is then sweet 

 and nutritious. 



The Garden. — Do not neglect the vegeta- 

 ble garden, and the women will certainly add 

 * 'nor the flower garden." Vegetables and small 



fruits are not only much cheaper, but they are 

 also more wholesome than much meat in hot 

 weather ; and they are better directly from the 

 garden to the pot and the table than when ly- 

 ing a day or two after they are gathered. 



Plant peas, beans, potatoes, cabbage, corn, 

 &c., at successive times, so as to have them 

 coming on in perfection through the entire 

 growing season. 



Grape Vines. — Set a few Concord or other 

 grape vines. They are easily cultivated, and 

 their fruit will prove acceptable and healthful 

 to all. 



Sundries. — Sow a few radish seeds, and 

 they will bring a refreshing salad, crisp, juicy, 

 and apperizing, with your evening tea. 



Sage seeds, also, to establish roots for years 

 to come, and supply all the sage needed for 

 sausages or sage tea for invalids. 



SuiMMER Savory — pleasant to the eye, to 

 smell, and to season soups. 



Asparagus.— Stock a bed of this with roots, 

 if you have not one already. 



Lettuce. — Refreshing, wholesome, easily 

 cultivated. 



Cauliflower. — Highly relished by many. 



THICK AND THIN SEEDING-. 



As the season for sowing the small grains 

 and grass seed is at hand, our attention is 

 called to the practice about us in relation to 

 the quantities of seeds which are employed in 

 sowing an acre of ground. This varies con- 

 siderably, and in some instances is widely 

 different. 



In several tables before us, recommending 

 the amount of seed to be used per acre, we 

 find the smallest amount of millet to be twenty- • 

 four quarts, and the largest a hushel and a half. 

 In our own practice, from eight to twelve 

 quarts, — varying as the quality of the land 

 varies — is all we have used ; and the growing 

 crop has seemed to justify that practice. Upon i 

 turning to Flint's "Dairy Farming," where he • 

 speaks of forage crops for milch cows, we 

 find he commends millet, and states if it is de- - 

 signed to be cut for green fodder, half a bushel 

 of seed to the acre should be used ; if to ripen i 

 seed, twelve quarts, sown broad cast, about ^ 

 the last of May or early in June. 



Here, then, is the difference of an entire ■ 

 bushel to the acre. No difference in the qual- 



