6G AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. [Makch, 
compost heap does not all return to him the first 
or the second year. The unproved stock that 
he brings upon the farm will make all his care 
of stock more profitable, as long as he lives. 
The orchard that lie plants, will yield increasing 
products for a score of years, and children's 
children, probably, will pluck fruit from its 
branches. And the more wise and skillful the 
husbandly, the greater is the need of patience 
and persistent effort to reap its advantages. 
Such husbandry, with a contented mind, is great 
gain. The foundations for success are laid 
broad and deep, and the superstructure goes 
up slowly but surely, for a permanent edifice. 
While fortunes suddenly acquired, are blown to 
the winds, that of the shrewd and patient hus¬ 
bandman lasts for his life time, and is handed 
down, a precious inheritance for his children. 
Calendar of Operations for March, 1861. 
[We note down sundry kinds of work to be done during 
the month, to call to mind the various operations to be at¬ 
tended to. A glance over a table like this will often suggest 
some piece of work that might otherwise be forgotten or 
neglected. Our remarks are more especially adapted to the 
latitudes of 3S° to 45°; but will be equally applicable to 
points further North and South, by making due allowance 
for each degree of latitude, that is, earlier for the South, and 
later for the North. 
Explanations.-/ indicates the first; m, the middle; and /, 
the last of the month.—Doubling the letters thus: ff, or mm, 
or ll, gives particular emphasis to the period indicated.— 
Two letters placed together, as fm or ml, signify that the 
work may be done in either or in both periods indicated ; 
thus, work marked fm, indicates that it is to be attended to 
from the first to the middle of the month.] 
Farm. 
The indications of approaching Spring, will soon 
arouse animate and inanimate nature to new life ; 
cuttle and sheep will grow restless in the yards, the 
grass will break from its long confinement, and the 
buds swell under the genial sunshine. The culti¬ 
vator too will be in haste to start the plow and for¬ 
ward the year’s labors. Indiscreet haste may injure 
the whole season’s growth. Heavy land plowed 
while too wet, will remain lumpy through the Sum¬ 
mer ; plants checked in their first growth, recover 
with difficulty. Have all ready, and wait until the 
soil is in good condition, and Spring fairly open. 
Buildings—Make all secure against the heavy 
winds of this mouth. See that fastenings of doors 
are in good repair. Complete necessary out-build¬ 
ings before the busy season comes on. If any need 
painting let it be done as early as possible. 
Cattle crave green food as the weather grows 
warmer; give them mangel wurzels, carrots, or 
turnips. Keep watch of cows about to calve, to 
render assistance if needed ; give them separate and 
roomy stalls. Prepare cattle for spring work by 
generous feed. If long unused, they should be 
brought to their work gradually. 
Cellars — Remove banking and admit light and 
air as soon as the season permits. Clear out all de¬ 
cayed vegetables and refuse. Save the brine from 
meat barrels for dressing the asparagus bed. 
Whitewash the whole at an early day. 
Clover —Sow, in, l , in the morning, when the 
ground is well opened by frost; or upon a light 
snow—the latter is preferred by many, as enabling 
the east to be made more evenly. 
Draining — Improve the first opportunity for mak¬ 
ing tile or stone drains. Clear out open ditches, and 
use the muck for composting. See page 70. 
Experiments— Prepare for conducting practical 
experiments in some branch of cultivation, and 
record a full account with the results. 
Pences—Repair as soon as the weather permits. 
Grain—Examine that stored in bins. Keep from 
dampness, mold, insects, and rats and mice. 
Hired Men— Where several arc employed, givo 
each his own special work, as far as may be. Every 
team should have its own driver, and the most skill¬ 
ful be employed in the several departments. 
Hogs — Give a little charcoal and sulphur with 
their food occasionally. Allow cooked roots with 
meal, particularly to breeding sows. 
Horses—Give additional care, as the working sea¬ 
son comes on. Guard against galls under the har¬ 
ness ; clean well when returning from work. Blank¬ 
et them when standing to rest in the wind while 
sweating from exertion. 
Ice Houses—Complete filling, ff, if not done, and 
examine drainage and ventilation. 
Manure—Reduce the compost heaps to as fine a 
condition as possible by frequently forking over. 
Cart out heaps to the fields, and cover with muck, 
plaster, or soil, to prevent escape of ammonia. Top- 
dress meadows with fine compost. Break up lumps 
left by the cattle last Fall. Remove offensive de¬ 
posits from privies, sink drains, hen roosts, etc., 
before warm weather. See page 73. 
Meadows—Remove bushes, fallen branches under 
trees, hedge rows about fences, etc. It is better to 
draw out stones in the Fall, than to trample in 
Spring. Allow no stock on mowing grounds. 
Plowing—Wait until the ground will be left mel¬ 
low. Go an inch deeper at each plowing, until there 
is a foot of good soil. Subsoil where practicable. 
Potatoes—For early home use, start a few in a 
hot-bed about the middle of the month, to be trans¬ 
planted as soon as weather permits. Or, bring 
them into a warm room, and allow the sprouts to 
get a good start. Secure plenty of choice seed. 
Poultry are laying plentifully now, if properly 
kept through Winter. Supply with plenty of grain, 
chopped meat, boiled potatoes, cabbages, etc. 
Seed—Procurefimproved varieties, from reliable 
sources, but beware of humbugging circulars prom¬ 
ising wonderful returns from unknown plants. Test 
samples before purchasing largely. 
Sheep—Follow directions given last month. 
Sugar Maples—Tap as soon as sap will flow. Boil 
as soon as possible; use shallow evaporating pans. 
Tools, harness, wagons, etc., should all be in per¬ 
fect repair before the working season commences. 
Wood—Complete the year’s supply, if not done. 
$>rcl8and Non-sea-y. 
The earlier operations can commence in this de¬ 
partment, the better for the trees. Thousands are 
lost yearly by too late transplanting. As soon as 
the frost leaves the ground, replace condemned trees, 
and plant new orchards where needed. Fruit grow¬ 
ing as a business is yet in its infancy in this country, 
and thousands of acres, now yielding a poor return 
of grain or grass, may be profitably devoted to rais¬ 
ing apples, pears, and other tree fruits for market. 
Set out a few more trees this month. 
Apple Trees—Scrape off all moss and bark lice, 
and wash with lye. Leave pruning of large limbs 
until Summer, but take off suckers. Replace poor 
sorts by grafting with choice varieties. 
Cherries, Peaches, Plums, etc.—Let the home¬ 
stead be well supplied; good fruit makes any 
place attractive. 
Cions—Cut, ff, if not already done. Keep cover¬ 
ed with sand until wanted for use. j 
Draining greatly improves land for fruit growing. 
Evergreen Trees — Leave transplanting until May. 
Grafting—Commence, ll, with trees that start 
earliest. Leave apples and pears until next month. 
Insects—The parent of the canker worm com¬ 
mences.to ascend the trunks of trees during warm 
days this month. Many may be destroyed by sur¬ 
rounding the trunks with paper covered with tar 
mixed with oil enough to keep it soft. Remove 
scale from the trunks and main limbs, and look for 
caterpillar eggs near the cuds of twigs. 
Manures — Lime and ashes worked into the sur¬ 
face at some distance from the trunks, are benefi¬ 
cial; also top-dressing with compost. 
Pear Trees — Standards arc valuable for both fruit 
and shade. Let there be plenty of choice 6orts 
around the dwelling. A few dwarfs may occupy a 
place in the garden. Procure seedling stocks early. 
Pruning — Read article on page 82. 
Seeds of fruit or forest trees kept oyer Winter, 
should be planted, ff, in. Sow evergreen seeds, m, l. 
Stocks budded last year—Remove the natural 
growth two or three inches above the bud. 
Transplanting done carelessly, causes the loss of 
thousands of trees annually. Preserve the roots 
uninjured as much as.possible; pare .smoothly the 
ends of those broken. Reset them as soon as may 
be after taking up; carefully straighten out the 
small roots ; set at the depth of natural growth, in 
soil enriched with compost of leaves or muck, ash¬ 
es, and a small part stable manure. 
Kitciieia and Fruit Garden. 
Except in favored locations, few seeds can be 
profitably planted out of doors this month, unless 
the season prove quite early, of which there are 
some indications. Well drained soils may be work¬ 
ed several days earlier than others. It is well to 
take advantage of the first practicable opportunity 
to plant a few early vegetables; as, in case of failure, 
there is only the loss of a small quantity of seed, 
and if successful, the gardener gains time. A hot¬ 
bed prevents failure from a backward season. 
Artichokes—Fork in a dressing of manure, being 
careful not to injure the crowns. Salt and wood 
ashes are beneficial. Make new beds, in, ll. 
Asparagus—As soon as danger from frost is past, 
fork in the manure spread over it last fall, and give 
a liberal dressing of salt. Make new beds, ll. 
Blackberries—Read article on page 83. 
Cabbage and Cauliflower—Sow, ll. in hot-beds, 
or boxes. Give constant heat and little air until 
well started, then allow gradual exposure, to harden 
for transplanting. 
Cold Frames—Prepare the plants for hnoval by 
continued exposure as the weather grows farmer, 
but protect from frost. Sow cabbage, lettuce, rad¬ 
ishes, etc., to succeed plants about to be removed. 
Currants and Gooseberries—Prune and make cut¬ 
tings, ff, if not already done. Put in cuttings and 
set new plants, ll. 
Cucumbers—Start a few extra early in hot-beds. 
Early Vegetables—Read “Hints on Starting Gar¬ 
den Plants early in Spring,” page 79. 
Draining—Try the experiment upon the garden, 
success there, will warrant extending it to the farm. 
Fruit Trees—Plant a few dwarfs around the bor¬ 
ders, ll, if there be sufficient room. 
Grapes—If any must be pruned at this unseason¬ 
able period, to prevent bleeding, try the plan re¬ 
commended on page 81. Uncover protected vines, 
and trellis or stake them up when mild weather is 
established. Fork in a good dressing of leaf mold, 
or chip dirt and bone dust. 
Herbs—Divide and reset roots; sow on borders, ll. 
Hops—Provide poles, ff, m. Plant roots, ll. 
Horse-radish — Dig roots for family use, and for 
marketing, ff. Divide and replant, in, l. 
Hot-Beds—Make, in , l. One of moderate size 
will supply several families with early plants for set¬ 
ting out; an arrangement may be made among 
neighbors to share the small expense. As the sea¬ 
son advances, admit air to harden tender growth. | 
Lettuce—Sow, m, ll, in liot-beds, and cold frames, 
also in open ground on a warm border. 
Manure highly. Use finely divided manures 
which may be thoroughly mixed with the soil, in 
preference to coarse material. Bone sawings, 
muck composted with stable manure and lime, 
night soil, and home-made guano from the poultry 
house, are all valuable. Pieparc a vat or hogshead 
sunk in the ground to receive the sink slops from 
the house, for use in the garden this season. I 
Onions—For home use sow, ll. For general crop, 
April is more safe, unless in a very forward season. 
Parsneps — Dig as wanted for home use or market. 
Leave the finest for raising seed. 
Peas—Sow on warm borders, ll. Place the seed 
for about a minute in water raised to 190°, to de¬ 
stroy the weevil. Prepare brush, ff, in. 
Peppers—Sow in liot-beds, ll. 
