AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST, 
FOIt TICK 
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VOLUME XXIII— No. 5. 
NEW- YORK, MAY, 1#64. 
nkwskuiks-no. 208. 
Knioiv.: idcordlne 10 net of Coneross In the ye«r 1868, by 
■ link', (nil i the District Court of 
Ibr the Southern District ol New-York. 
■ar-Oilur J mnls nre Invited to copy desirable articles 
: ■ ■ . 1 1 1 , ■ . i to Aim <.'<■"■< iffi ten 
American Agriculturist in German. 
E.-u-ti number of this Journal Is published in hoth 
'"unlisli unit German Languages. The two Gdl- 
and eontain, as nearly as possible, 
the sain,' Arlicks and lllustrnllons. The German Edition 
Is furnished atlhe same rates as the English, singly or In 
clubs. A club may be part English, ami pari German. 
Notes and Suggestions for the Month. 
The Twins (Gemini) rule the month of May,* 
according to the notions of ancient astronomers, 
The constellation is marked by two very bright 
stars, Castor and Pollux, named from twin 
brothers of renown in Greece, the latter of 
whom greatly excelled in boxing, as his brother 
did in horsemanship. Thus strength and skill 
are properly symbolized by the sign Gemini. 
Nowhere do they more need to be associated 
than in the cultivation of the soil. Until with- 
in a comparatively recent period, almost the 
only skill developed on the farm was that of 
mere handicraft, and lie was counted a good 
farmer who could strike a straight and well fin- 
ished furrow, swing the scythe deftly, and read- 
ily perform other mechanical operations in ag- 
ricultural labor. But the fertilizing tide of im- 
provement has quickened the growth of ideas 
in this sphere, as elsewhere, and the presentstyle 
of the best farming gives full scope to the high- 
est ability of mind, as well as skill of hands. 
The operations needing attention the present 
month are too numerous to allow of the full dis- 
cussion which this topic invites, and we pass to 
the notice of more pressing practical matters. 
Work for the Farm, Burn, and Stock Yard. 
At this season, work accumulates faster than 
it can be done, as a general rule. A week of 
rain puts every thing back, and then the sun 
and wind dry the soil and push forward vege- 
tation so that mauy a farmer gets nervous and 
half sick, worrying over unavoidable delays. 
Any man who has two or three teams, and as 
many as four or live hands to keep employed, 
may well spare himself much physical labor 
while he plans for the constant diligent employ- 
ment of his men anil teams. If every laborer 
knows exactly what is expected of him, that 
an account of his time is kept, and that his wast- 
ed hours and minutes count to his discredit, if 
not to the decrease of his wages, he will be 
very likely to he a better and more faithful ser- 
vant. The amount of labor accomplished un- 
der a systematic plan, (according to which the 
work not only of each day but of each man and 
team is laid out in general a week ahead, as 
we know to be the case on some farms,) is much 
greater than when the farmer plans his day's 
work during the evening beforehand, or perhaps 
defers it until after sunrise in the morning. 
Barn-yards ought to be so drained that all the 
wash may be saved, not by leading it out upon 
some piece of grass, but so that the liquid may 
be used for wetting the manure heap, or for wa- 
tering the vegetables of the garden, or for dis- 
tribution by means of some sort of watering 
cask, over grass, grain, or root, crops in the field. 
Strong fences, clean sheds, and tidy tool houses 
ought to surround the barn-yard, and every 
preparation should be made for making and sav- 
ing manure in the very best condition for use. 
Barometer. — This instrument closely watched, 
taken in connection with accurate observations 
of the winds, clouds, etc., is a great help to the 
farmer in prognosticating changes of weather, 
and may be relied upon independently of other 
"signs" to give notice of sudden and violent 
showers coming unexpectedly on pleasant days. 
Beans. — See article on field beans on page 138. 
Bees. — Bee-keepers of course read the excel- 
lent hints given under the head " Apiary" (page 
132 in this number) and others will usually find 
their perusal both 'interesting and profitable. 
Bones should never be wasted on a farm or hy 
any one having even a square-rod garden-spot. 
Throwthem into heaps with a mixture of horse 
manure, and stiller (he whole mass to ferment. 
Broom Corn. — Plant the dwarf variety if it 
can be procured. See the article on page 138. 
Buildings. — Decaying matter in contact with 
the timbers or boarding of buildings causes de- 
cay to commence, which continues to progress 
after the first cause has been mainly removed. 
Cabbages. — Sow for main crop, Flat Dutch, 
Drumhead, or Stone Mason, in good garden soil. 
The crop pays at 1J cents per head as feed for 
stock ; 2 to 5 cents is the market price. An ex- 
cellent crop for reclaimed swamp land, newly 
cleared wood land, or soil rich in vegetable mold. 
Carrots. — Sow early, in well prepared soil. Look 
at "Notes" in former numbers, and page 108 
last number for estimate of value and culture. 
Cattle, Cows, Calves, etc. — Give the pasture a 
good start before turning stock upon it. The 
grass makes roots and strengthens itself to en- 
dure the drouths of summer at this time, and a 
week's feed taken too soon now, is paid for hy 
short pasturage, and likely enough many barren 
spots before September. Keep up the flow of 
milk by feeding roots if possible, perhaps rve 
as soon as a good swath can be mown, cut feed, 
straw, or stalks, sprinkled with corn meal or 
oil cake, or in some other way. "Spare the 
calves." The high prices of butter, cheese, 
milk, etc., will tempt many farmers to "deacon" 
their calves, to the detriment of the herd and to 
their own sorrow two years hence. Get them 
as soon as possible accustomed to do without 
milk, or take only skimmed milk. Calves should 
have access to a variety of feed ; sweet hay, 
clover, oat and pea straw, are a good variety, and 
a few oats will be relished, before grass start-. 
Chimneys. — Burn them opt on some rainy day. 
Clover. — Good success has been met wilh 
where clover has been sown after the ground is 
thoroughly settled and warm. More seeds am 
said to germinate and a better set to be obtained. 
Cotton. — In congenial latitudes, sow as soon as . 
the ground can be put in order. At the North, 
sow in protected beds, or under gauze frames; 
transplant like tobacco when there is no longer 
danger of frost. If sowed early in May, it may 
be transplanted in 4 or 5 weeks. Soak the seed 
in brine and roll in ashes and plaster. Occa- 
sional waterings with liquid manure are desira- 
ble at the North, to force a rapid growth. 
Corn. — See articles on pages 137, 138 and 147. 
Some of the improved cultivators and horse- 
hoes will save nearly all the hand labor. 
Dairy. — See article on "Soiling Dairy Cows," 
page 141. Soriie good business men from each 
daily neighborhood should this season look into 
the operation of: 1st. The Associated Cheese 
Dairies, and Cheese Factories. — 2d. Borden's 
plan of condensing milk. — 3d. Some plan of as- 
sociation for butter-making. Keep good cows. 
Draining. — Never lose sight of the advan- 
tages which thorough draining brings with it ; 
and plan all changes and culture with a view 
to a systematic withdrawal of the water from 
the subsoil at the earliest opportunity. 
Flax. — See article in April Agriculturist, page 
110. It is often sown to advantage any time 
during the present month, but better earlier. 
Fences.— During this month prepare the ground 
for line fences, and transplant deciduous hedge 
plants, such as the Osage Orange, the Thorn 
Locust, the Buckthorn and native thorns. 
Grain Fields, if backward, may be encouraged 
by a good dusting with plaster, and by applica- 
tion of Chili saltpeter, or sulphate of ammonia. 
See note in another place on liquid manure. 
Bedge Roivs and Fence Corners.— -If you disturb 
