r DEVOTED EXCLUSIVELY TO THE IMPROVEM ENT OF SOUTHERN AGRICCLTUK 
VOL. XIV, AUGlJSTA7Gr3lAVri856. NO. 5. 
WILLIAM S. JONES, Publisher. DANIEL LEE, M. D., and D. REDMOND, Editors 
SEE TERMS ON LAST PAGE. 
^Mantatinit ^cnnamij anb Histellanij. 
WORK FOR THE MONTH-(MAY.) 
THE PLANTATION. 
May is a very busy month for the planter, and no time 
must be lost, if he desires to make good crops this sea- 
son. 
Corn, not already brought to a “stand,” must be proper- 
ly worked at once, first “running round” close to the row 
with a long scooter, after which use a long shovel, and then 
keep the ground stirred between the rows, as often as 
once every ten or fifteen days, running quite shallow with 
a harrow, cultivator or a horse-hoe, followed by hand 
hoes to clean and mellow the space between the hills. 
Do not break any roots, or use the turning plow, at all, 
in working this crop, except to “lay by” with ; and even 
then it is not necessary. 
Cotton must be brought to a “stand,” and scraped and 
moulded without delay. The moulding must be done as 
soon after scraping as possible, so that the roots of the 
young plants may not be left exposed to the scorching ef- 
fects of the sun. 
Oats, Rye, and perhaps Wheat, may be cut in some 
places, the last of this month, and the ground afterwards 
planted in Sxoeet Potato “draws” or Cow Peas. Try the 
level system for Sweet Potatoes — also the plan recommend- 
ed by our worthy and experienced correspondent, John 
Farrar. 
Cow Peas should be now sown broadcast or drilled in 
on deeply plowed and v/ell manured land. If intended 
for hay, the land must be rich ; if seed only is desired, 
moderately fertile land will answer. 
Sweet Potatoes should be planted extensively, as here- 
tofore recommended. Select a rainy or cloudy day, oi 
the cool of the evening (from 4 P. M. till sundown) foi 
setting your “draws”— dip the roots in a batter of watei 
thickened with fine rich soil, make the holes witha point 
ed stick (or “dibble”) — set the “draws” deep into thi 
mellow ground, and press the earth firmly around them. 
Sow Corn in drills for fodder— opening the drill wide 
and deep with a long shovel, and scattering the corn along 
in it at the rate of about 3 bushels per acre. It may be 
cut when in the tassel, and fed green, or dried for winter 
use. Sow, also, Millet, Dourah Corn, Chinese Sugar 
Cane, (IIolcus Saccharatus) &c. — making the ground 
very deep and rich, as previously directed. 
THE KITCHEN GARDEN. 
Transplant P^gg Plants, and continue planting Snap 
Beans every ten or twelve days. 
Hill up Bush Beans, before blooming, to keep them 
upright when bearing. 
Work carefully around Melons and Cucumbers, with a 
pronged hoe — prune the vines so as to distribute the fruit 
equally, and if the striped bug is troublesome, try the ef- 
fects of sprinkling the vines with weak camphor water, 
which is made by tying up in muslin, a piece of gum 
camphor as large as an egg and infusing it in a barrel of 
rain water. To prevent the wind from bundling up the 
vines, throw a shovelful of dirt upon them, here and there. 
Sow Cabbage seed the latter part of this month, for fall 
and winter use. Flat Dutch andi Bergens are the best. 
Try also, the genuine Buncombe seed, if you can obtain it. 
1 ransplant Leeks — they will be fit for use all next win- 
ter. 
If you are raising Onions from the black seed, thin out 
the rows and transplant. Such transplanted Onions will 
come in late, and last till Christmas. 
Finish cutting Asparagus by the middle of this month, 
or the first of June, at farthest. 
Continue to plant Okra, Squashes and Melons of the dif- 
ferent varieties. Cucumbers, Lima (or Butter) Beans, 
Sweet Corn. Transplant the Tomato, Pepper, Cabbage, 
Caulijlower, Celery, &c. Plant Carrots, Beets, Salsafy, 
Parsnips, &c., for a succession. 
Work your vegetables carefully, and be sure not to in- 
jure the roots with the hoe. Water in dry weather, re- 
moving a portion of soil just around the plant before 
watering, and replacing it afterwards, to prevent evapor- 
ating from the surface. 
The Slrav:berry patch should receive a good working 
with pronged hoes, to avoid injuring the roots. After 
thus loosening up the soil, replace the mulching, and 
there will be little trouble with the weeds for the remain- 
