DEVOTED EXCLUSIVELY TO THE IMPROVEMENT OF SOUTHERN AGRICULTURE. 
VOL. XVII. AUGUSTA, GA., APRIL, 1859. NO. 4. 
WILiIiIAM S. JONES, Publisher. DANIEIi EEE, M. D., and D. REDMOND, Editors. 
o:r=* See Terms on Cover. 
^laEtatinn (Ecnntira^ aitb 
HINTS FOR THE MONTH. 
The Plantation. — The general prevalence of heavy 
rains during the past winter, has, doubtless, retarded the 
'preparation of land for Corn and Cotton, and it may not, 
therefore, be too late to urge upon our readers the great 
necessity of breaking up their lands very deep, as a pre- 
paration for the long drouths which are almost certain to 
follow the deluge which we have been subjected to. It is 
too late, now, to discuss the benefit of deep plowing — it is 
universally admitted by all farmers of sense and experi- 
ence. 
If the ground has been properly prepared. Corn should 
now be planted, immediately — if not prepared, do not de- , 
lay a moment, in getting it ready. Manure heavily — plow 
deep—xxsQ the best and heaviest seed you can obtain, and 
let your after- culture be of the most thorough character, 
working often and shallow, so as to break no roots. Indeed 
these three things comprise the whole system of Corn 
planting, viz : deep breaking up, plenty of manure turned 
under, and a frequent, shallow stirring of the surface during 
the growth of the crop. 
Cotton. — After your Corn crop is well started, push for- 
ward the planting of Cotton without delay. It is very 
important to get an early stand, and much may be effect- 
ed in this way by throwing up the beds light and dry. 
See various hints and sugestions on this subject, in pre- 
vious volumes and numbers. 
Sweet Potatoes.— your main crop of “sets” and 
“draws” this month. If you plant in hills or ridges, plow 
the soil very deep and throw them up broad and flat on 
the summit so that they may catch and retain as much 
moisture as possible. Potato “draws,” or any similar 
plants may be safely set out even in dry weather, by dip- 
ping the roots in a thick batter of black woods-mould, or 
surface soil and water, as heretofore described. 
Irish Potatoes, if not already planted, must be put in 
immediately, or it will be too late for a summer crop. 
They should be dropped 10 inches apart in 3 feet drills, | 
and covered with a thick layer of partially decomposed 
pine straw or leaves. 
Chinese Sugar Cane, for syrup, should be planted as 
soon as the weather becomes settled and warm — a little 
after Corn planting time. The people of the West, where 
the climate is not so favorable for this plant as with us, 
are planting it largely for the production of syrup and fod- 
der. 
Sow, also, Egyptian Millet, but do not let it come near 
the Chinese Sugar Cane, or you will ruin the latter as a 
sugar plant. Early crops of the Cow Peas may also be 
sown. For fodder, we prefer to sow them in the drill ; 
but if intended to turn under for manure, sow them broad- 
cast. Common Corn may, also, be sown in the drill for 
forage. 
The Vegetable Garden. — Attend to all work not per- 
formed last month, without delay. Set out all Cabbage 
plants, you may have, and sow more Cabbage seed to 
head in the summer ; Flat Dutch is the best. Thin out 
Turnips, as soon as they have four leaves, and sow 
more Turnip seed ; Early White Dutch and Red Topped 
Dutch are the best for spring use. Also sow the White 
Norfolk Tujnip ; it will grow larger than the former and 
succeed them. If you have not already sown Onion seed 
(black,) do it at once ; they will come into use in the lat- 
ter part of the summer, when all that were raised from the 
sets or buttons are gone. If you did sow black Onion 
seed last fall, it can now be transplanted. Sow Carrots, 
Beets, (Extra Early is the finest,) Parsnips, Salsify, Let- 
tuce, Radishes, Thyme, Parsely and Rape (for early 
greens.) The White Belgian Carrot stands our hot sum- 
mers best. Also sow Mangel Wurtzel; it will be found 
very good for late use, when the other beets are gone. 
Plant all in rows 18 inches apart. Sow, also, a little spot 
with Celery and protect the plants from the sun. When 
Cherry trees are i« bloom, plant Snap Beans; Early Val- 
entine is an excellent variety, and we are inclined to recom- 
mend it in preference to all others. When Apple trees 
are in flower plant Squashes (Scallop Squash is the best) 
in hills 3 feet apart; also. Cucumbers and Muskmelons 
G leet apart; the Nutmeg and Citron Melons are very 
fine and the earliest ; Beechwood Melon is very superior, 
but a little latter. The Persian Melon, or “I-pahan,” is an 
