160 
SOUTHERN CULTIVATOR. 
What wise man would expect to find in a cow the 
agility and speed of the horse ; or in a horse the milky 
fruitfulness of the cow ? And yet, in looking at mankind 
we are often as unreasonable in our expectations; whilst, 
for want of considering the peculiar nature and character 
of each individual, we seek to find qualities in him which 
his nature and character do not admit of, and which form 
his properand distinguishing excellence. 
lartitnltuifll Sejiailnitiit. 
WOEK FOE THE MONTH. 
[May (Latin, Mains) is so denominated from Maia, the 
■most beautitul of the Pleiades, and the mother of Mer- 
cury, one of the fabled deities. The corresponding Jew- 
ish month was Slvan (Esther viii. 9,) the ninth of their 
'Civil and third of their sacred year. The Saxons called 
it the Tir-milch-monath, or Three- milk-month, because 
■cows were now milked thrice a day.] 
THE PLANTATION. 
This is one of the most important months of the year, 
to the planter, and his most vigorous exertions will be 
needed in pushing forward his operations. 
Cmi should receive a thorough working immediately, 
with both plow and hoe, thinning it out, also, to a proper 
‘'stand.” If your crop was planted very early, and if 
it escaped the late frosts, you may, perhaps, have already 
thinned and given it the first working. If so, work it again 
as soon as possible; and keep the ground stirred as often 
as once in ten or fifteen days, until your crop is ready to 
lay by. Remember! that shallow surface culture js alone 
admissable for Corn, after it fairly begins to throw out its 
lateral roots. If the grouud was deeply plowed bejore 
planting, it will now only be necessary to keep the sur- 
face open, free from weeds and thoroughly ‘pulverized. If 
it was not properly plowed and prepared, we fear no 
after-culture can remedy the matter ; but would recom- 
mend a trial of the method described by our correspon- 
dent "M.,” on page 108, April number, as likely to bring 
out a backward and badly “put in” ci'op. 
Cotton must also be carefully scraped and moulded, 
without delay. Let the moulding be done immediately 
after scraping, as great injury is often done to the young 
plants by exposure of their roots to the scorching and 
drying rays of the sun. 
Oats, Rye and perhaps Wheat, may be cut, the latter 
part of this month. After cutting your Oats and other 
small grain, plow up the stubble land deeply, and plant 
in Sioeet Potatoes on the level system, described in oui' 
April number, page 121. 
Peas may also be sown, or drilled on stubble land, and 
if a slight coating of manure is added, will make a fine 
crop. Oats, Pea Vine Hanj, Siveet Potato Vines, Oregon 
Pea Vines, &c., &c., should all be plentifully made and 
carefully saved for the fall and winter feeding of horses, 
mules and cattle. 
Plant a large crop of Sweet Potatoes, in hills, ridges, or 
■on the level, as you may deem best. Select a cloudy or 
rainy day, or the cool of the evening, for setting your j 
“draws” — dip the roots in a tliin batter of muck and water, i 
make a hole with a large “dibble” (or pointed stick) — set 
the “draws” quite keep into the ground, and press the 
earth firmly around them. 
Sow abundantly in drills for fodder; also Millet, 
Doura Corn, &c. Make the ground very deep and rich, 
as heretofore directed. 
The, Oregon Pea m&.Y he, worthy of further trial, as a 
forage crop. Have any of our readers tested it fairly for 
hay I If so we shall be glad to hear from them. 
THE KITCHEN GARDEN. 
Continue to plant Okra, Squashes, Melons of the differ- 
ent varieties. Cucumbers, Lima Beans, Siceet Corn, &c. 
Transplant from the hot-bed and warm border, the To- 
mato, Pepper, Cabbage, Cauliflower , Celery, &c. Plant, 
also Snap Beans, Radishes, Carrots, Beets, Salsafy, 
Parnips, &c., for a succession. 
Work all your vegetables thoroughly, but be careful 
not to go too near them with the hoe. Stir the soil also 
around your young trees and grafts; and rub off superflu- 
ous buds and shoots. 
If the weather sets in dry and warm, mulch (with leaves, 
&c.) and water your vegetables. In watering, remove a 
little of the earth from around the plant, at the surface, 
pour on the water, and replace the earth immediately, 
leaving no moist, or wet surface exposed to the drying and 
baking action of the hot sun. If the plants are mulched 
with forest leaves or other litter, the water may be poured 
on, through the mulching, without injury. Rain water is 
the best for all plants; but, if obliged to use well or spring 
water, let it stand exposed to the sun and air for several 
hours before you apply it. 
The Strawberry patch should now receive a careful 
working. The weeding-hoe may be used between the 
rows, keeping, at least, 6 inches fiom the plants, to avoid 
injury to the lateral or surface roots. This will leave a 
space of a foot, which it is our custom to work with a 
prong-hoe of two tines, G inches long and 3 inches 
apart ; any blacksmith can make it. After loosening up 
the earth around the plants with this or a similar imple- 
ment, and destroying the weeds, spread a coat of partially 
decomposed leaves or saw dust underneath and around 
your plants, to keep the earth moist and the fruit clean. 
This belt of mulching may occupy all the space between 
the rows, if you are cultivating solely for fruit; but if you 
desire new plants, it need only extend 8 or 10 inches, on 
each side of the row of plants, leaving a space of ground 
in the middle for runners to strike root. This space should 
be kept open, mellow, and entirely free from weeds. Any 
mulch, to be ot service, must be at least 3 or 4 inches 
thick. By the method herein directed, and the use of 
plenty of water, in dry weather. Strawberries may be 
plentifully enjoyed for several months. The runners of 
staminate and her maqdiro elite varieties should be cut off as 
fast as they appear; The pistillates, generally, are not so 
prone to the production of runners. 
Weeds will now need particular attention. Cut them 
down — rake them off, and totally exterminate them by 
rotting in the manure pile, or by fire. 
THE OECHAED. 
Destroy Caterpillars as directed last month — plow up 
the strips of vacant land between your trees and sow Cow 
Peas, broadcast, to turn under as a manure. Try the ef- 
fect of lime, ashes or sulphur dusting over the leaves of 
Plum trees, when the dew is on, as a preventive to the 
ravages of the Curculio—sAso, try thickly of stable manure 
spread around their roots— apply the wash recommended 
last month as a lemedy for the Peach Borer, and renew 
the application, during this and the two following months. 
If any of our readers are fortunate enougli to have fruit 
tVis year, let them see to it that their trees do not over- 
bear. A careful thinning will add much to the size and 
quality of the fruit left, and prevent injury to the tree. As 
for ourselves, the frost, elsewhere mentioned, has saved 
us all trouble in thinning, for this year, at least. 
THE ELOWEE GARDEN. 
Cultivate, shade, weed,- mulch and water your flowers, 
and observe the general directions for last month. 
Use hard soap to wash your clothes, sud soft t .> 
wash vour floors. Soft soap is so slippery that it wastes 
a good deal in washing clothes. 
