AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST 
U A NO A BY. 
Calendar of Operations for January, I860- 
f We note down sundry kinds of work to be done during 
the u'mntli, not so mucli to afford instruction to practical 
■ as to call to mind tlie various operations to be at¬ 
tend, d lo A glance over a table like this will often sug¬ 
gest some piece of work that might otherwise be forgotten 
or neglected. Oar remarks are more especially adapted 
lo the latitudes of 38° to 43° ; but will be equally applica¬ 
ble to points furllier North and South, by making due 
allowance for each degree of latitude, that is, earlier for 
tiie South, later for the North. 
Tins table will be much fuller, and more important 
daring the plasring season when there is a greater varieiy 
of. work to be done. 
Explanations.—/ indicates the first ; m die middle ; 
ami l the last of the month.—Doubling the letters thus:/', 
or mm, or U, gives paitieular emphasis lo the period indi¬ 
cated —Two letters placed together, as fni or ml, signifies 
trat the work may be done in either or in both periods in¬ 
dicated ; thus, work marked/m. indicates that it is to be 
attended to from the first to the middle of the month.] 
FarsBJ. 
This is the season for the thought crop. The seed 
may be obtained from the past year’s experience of your¬ 
self and others, and books and papers will furnish a still 
wider choice. New thoughts are both capital and lools. 
Thinking men command success. Let the home depart¬ 
ment receive due attention. Settle outstanding accounts 
and, as far as practicable, start square w ith the year. Im¬ 
prove the farm cn paper. Lay drains and build walls 
with pen and ink, plant fields with pencil and ruler. Get 
the whole farm and its future operatiop.s by heart, and 
thus be ready for the coming campaign. Then enlarge 
good fanning into good ‘-neighboring.” Start the farmers’ 
club, urge forward neighborhood improvements, better 
loads, superior school-houses, and whatever the public 
need. These labors will fill the leisure of Winter pleas¬ 
urably and with profit. For other operations the calen¬ 
dar of last month needs but few additions. 
Barns and stables are, or should be in part, factories for 
working up Summer produce into stock for the market 
and manure for the farm. Make the most of the raw ma¬ 
tt rial Suffer no waste. Cut coarse fodder and mix with 
meal, shorts, etc. Save liquid manure by using muck, 
saw dust or other absorbents. See subsequent articles. 
Breeding Animals —Keep thriving, but do not overfeed. 
Good shelter is humane and profitable. 
Cattle if half starved w ill eat almost anything, but pay 
for nothing. Feed regularly, giving roots with dry food. 
Give water at least three times a day. Keep them warm, 
provide plenty of bedding. Use the card frequently. 
Break steers. Handle heifers to prepare them for milking. 
Cellars—Waleh against frost. Cover exposed bins of 
l oots or apples with straw. Shut the cat in at night—rats 
will be frightened away if not caught. 
Corn—Shell for market. First, select the best for seed, 
If neglected until now. Grind and cook that fed to swine. 
Farmers’Clubs should be established in every school 
district. Invite your neighbors to join. Two heads are 
better than one, and all the heads in a neighborhood set 
to thinking, will bring out much of value. 
Fencing Stuff—Cut and prepare while the weather fa¬ 
vors. Make gates, and hole, or pin posts under cover, 
stormy days. 
Grain—Secure from dampness ; expel rats and mice. 
Hemlock and Oak Bark—Market early that prepared 
for the tannery. 
Ilc-mp and Flax—Break and prepare for market. 
Hogs—Keep them in comfortable pens. Supply with 
leaves, straw, dry muck,'sawdust, etc., tor bedding and 
lhanufe. Cleanout the pens often. Give cooicd food, 
and. an occasional treat of barn sw eepings, cut key, ot 
for a change. Turn in the male for Spring pigr, ff, {f 
not already done. 
Horses—Treat them as they deserve, with wertet, ii til. 
statics, plenty of bedding, and a liberal allCTra’rci cf 
grain. Give carrots frequently. Keep well shod ltd 
sharpened, and blanketed when standing out. Erl an Hr 
and halter-break colts. 
Ice Houses—Build above grotnnd convenient to tfce 
i w iling, if not. provided. Secure a full supply of iio. 
‘Tovidu for drainage and ventilation. 
Implements—Repair broken and look for new-. 
ne advertisements and catalogues of dealers. Keep 
wood-work painted, and coat iron with tallow and resin 
to protect from rust. Oil running gear of horse powers, 
fanning mills, etc. 
Lumber—Cut surplus forest growth for boards, posts, 
lies, cabinet work, etc., if it can not be done in Sep¬ 
tember, which is preferable. Take out old trees and 
give the young grow th a chance. 
Manure—Make it from every source ; stable, pen, privy, 
muck-bed. and kitchen-drain. In eaclt of these are the 
elements of grain, grass, flit cattle and swine, full pockets, 
and prosperity. 
Marketing produce is conveniently done at this season. 
Keep an eye on market reports. Bell when a paying 
price is offered. Be careful to have a full understanding 
in making contracts, and do a cash business as far as 
practicable. 
Plowing w hen the ground admits, benefits heavy soils ; 
tiie frost will crumble them. Insects and noxious weeds 
will also be destroyed. 
Poultry will pay in marketable currency for warm 
quarters, and good care. Feed with cooked grain, po¬ 
tatoes, and refuse meat, until they sing. Allow free ac¬ 
cess to water. Provide them with gravel, also pounded 
oyster shells or lime, and ashes to w allow in. 
Roads—Allow none to remain obstructed by snow drifts. 
Keep sluice ways and bridges in order. 
Salt all stock at least once a week. A little on cut feed 
will give a relish, benefiting cattle and saving fodder. 
Sheep— Turn the buck with the ewes. ff. See article 
on page 12. ICcep separate from other stock, allowing 
warm sheds for shelter. Give a few roots daily, and an 
allowance of grain to breeding ewes. 
Wood should be secured, cut, and seasoned under 
shelter. Cut decaying and fallen trees. Provide a year’s 
supply in advance, 
©reissu'd asad Nairsery, 
Trees are now taking their Winter rest, and need but 
little attention except to preserve them from injury by 
cattle browsing the lender shoots, or rubbing and barking 
the trunks. In Southern latitudes, grounds may be pre¬ 
pared and trees planted out. Where immediate effect is 
desired, large trees tnay be removed in Winter by digging 
them up with a large mass of frozen earlh attached, and 
resetting in holes previously prepared : but a good, per¬ 
manent growth can not thus be secured. In a short time 
such trees lose vitality. It is betterto transplant younger 
trees and wait a few years. 
Keep all standing water from the grounds by surface 
drains now, and by thorough underdraining as soon as the 
season will allow. 
Pruning at thio season is not advisable. The wounds 
are liable to crack fro.n hard frosts. In mild latitudes it 
may ansivar, but late Summer is better. 
Examine trucks and branchos for caterpillar and oilier 
eggs, and clear off rough bark and scale. Protect against 
rabbits by lying thick tarred paper around the trunk. 
Heap up a tnonnd of snow and trample it firm about the 
tree to ieep off mice, especially near Walls and hedges. 
Ciono may be cot at any time when free from frost, and 
buried in sand in tho cellar for Spring use. 
Provide a full supply of implements, stakes, labels, tal¬ 
lies, etc . for another season. 
E££8«8Bs«Bn asud Fi’sait GardCfia. 
Tho work in this department will be mostly on paper 
this month, where new beds may be laid out and other 
improvooffint® marked. Catalogues and other sources 
may be consulted for new varieties of seeds. In latitudes 
permitting it, ground may receive preparation for early 
vegetables. 
Bean, Hop, oai Grape vine poles, pea brush, etc., may 
now be soesred while cutting the supply c-f fuel. 
Cold fTritacs—'Ventilate when weather permits, and 
protest fi-isa ectrerc cold with extra eoverirg. A snow 
blanket trill do them no harm. 
Catijrcc cf-sasrMRs and {/cncberries may etili be made 
and till be£:c i printed. 
Rot-2 si rtinseind Pcixx—Prepare f>r ear ! y use. 
Estra itarly 7 3 jotiblss arty be form in them. 11, but Feb¬ 
ruary ie tcStsr ibirct iir.tr/ rv.rpoar. 
f£«*'irfex £—3 ltd b.x.t j ran! i.cep Iron frost, and 
medrrV.tlpircirl. ii . t'to ) i ' x:t or y t :n-l cui-: 
Llaspbi.T£3c.c—.‘i Jlrolti )}03-?i-r»fl In'; month, and 
rtpiaco the Gf t :fi If vt vinca! f .wa.y. 
IlNubatb l'.t fi Til! Mill Ix-rmch forwarded by 
cemring with ara -vj) n Mf 'I rrn!, f 11 rt v;i!h manure. 
ftaid*—'Pot-t t>;< > n hi: jf r i; r, it 13 supply. Examine 
Files otored, and j t wS apt i ■<* mlt I. 
Twneh or p'on \-» t ns arnfotl to lighter, clayey spots, 
v/'tan wtfaSksr p® .viilr- 
FltotSGfer OirtTfT.em cnM Inavra. 
Protect creffl-eaja ati.d '.her shrubbery from being 
broken by motv, or ice. A blight jarring after a storm 
will usually be snfioient. IVith the juniper and yew it is 
a good precaution to pass strong twine around spirally lo 
keep them compact. 
In Southern States, and wherever the ground can be 
worked, walks rnav bo graded and hardy shrubs and de¬ 
ciduous trees planted. New walks and other improve¬ 
ments may bo planned for. 
Prepare labels and stakes for Spring use, lying them in 
neat packages to facilitate the operations of a busy season. 
Examine the flower pits and frames, and admit air every 
mild day, but keep closely covered during heavy frosts. 
II covered with snow, leave it on for a Winter protection. 
At tiie South v lieie there is little frost, trees and shrubs 
rnav be planted, layers arid cuttings putin, grounds laid 
i 
out and dug, or trenched, and hardy annuals and peren¬ 
nials sown. 
Gk’Ceis-ESoksses. 
The object of this department being prcservaiion rather 
than growth, care will be necessary in regulating the 
temperature. If made too win m, the plants w ill be forced 
too rapidly, and as colder weather alternates with mild, 
"ill be subject to injury, without great pains. The heat 
may range from 33° to lo 0 . It should be sufficient to dry 
the air. 
This apartment should be kept scrupulously neat. Rc- 
move.dc-cayed leaves, stalks, etc., from the pots, and stir 
the earth in tiiern frequently. Sweep and dust the floors, 
and syringe the plants occasionally. 
Air should be admitted through the upper ventilators, 
but, not i i foggy or damp weather. When very cold the 
houses must :>e kept closed and covered with shutters <o 
mats, removing ihem and ventilating on mild clear days 
As the plants tend to grow toward tho light, ihe pots 
should be turned occasionally. 
Bulb's—Water moderately, except for a rapid growth, 
and remove lo the parlor or forcing house those wanted 
for blooming. 
Insects — Check, a ii h tobacco smoko and soap-suds. 
Oranges, Lemons, Oleanders and Myrtles beginning to 
grow, will need moderate waterings, arid more light. Ex¬ 
amine the trunks for scale or oilier insects. 
Water mo lerately most of the plants in this collection. 
They require very little while in a slate of rest. As they 
push into growth increase the quantity and give more 
frequently. Tepid wider maybe used to ai]vamage, and 
it is better !o apply it during the .middle of ihe day. 
IBoJ-HSoaises atsd Cotssca*va£©fies. 
Sudden changes are most severely fell by rapidly grow¬ 
ing plants. and great watchfulness will now be required 
to maintain steady heat. From 70° to 80° is most favor¬ 
able, varying according to the nature of ihe plains, and 
the rapidity of forcing. Too high temperature at night is 
injurious, as plants are naturally accustomed to a decline 
of a few degrees during darkness. 
Air is in good part the life of plams, and should be fre¬ 
quently renewed for their us . Admit it ihrough the up¬ 
per veuiilators lo avoid a cool draft, during the middle 
of the day and in clear weather. 
Azalias—Syringe and water more freely asthey.incrcaso 
in growth and begin to bloom. 
Bulbs—Bring from the green-house as wanted for suc¬ 
cession of bloom. Change the water of those in glasses 
at least weekly. 
Calceolarias—Repot those needing it, and turn frequent¬ 
ly lo secure upright growth. 
Camellias should now show a fine bloom. Water once 
or twice a week and syringe the foliage. Avoid welting 
thefiovvers as this will hasten their decay. 
Carnations—Stake those in bloom, and water often. 
Shift those which are pot-bound. But in cuttings for a 
Summer stock to bloom in the open grounds. 
Cinerarias will need especial watching as they are fa¬ 
vorites of the green fly. Tobacco fumes are the best an¬ 
tidote. Repotting will be necessary in many instances. 
Cuttings and Layers of many grow ing plants may now 
be made to advantage, especially of those kinds intended 
for bedding out in Ihe Spring. 
Fuchsias—Select young vigorous plants, and prune, to a 
good head. Those decayed and unsightly, may be worked 
up for cuttings. Repot growing plants. 
Grapes, in the early houses are beginning to color, or 
even ripening off They require a dryer atmosphere with 
very .little water at the root. Air freely. Later houses 
require more care. Rome need pruning, thinning, syring¬ 
ing, and an application of sulphur io destroy the mildew 
according lo the amount of forcing they have received. 
Insects—Prevention is better than cure. A moist at¬ 
mosphere, frequent washing and syringing of ihe foliage, 
hand picking, elc., are the best preventives. For a cure, 
use tobacco fumes for llirips arid green-fly, soap and wa¬ 
ter for scale, and a sponge or syringe and clear water for 
ted spider. 
Peach Trees, Nectarines, Figs, etc., in pots, shook! now 
be placed in a warm part of the house, repotting if neces¬ 
sary. With proper care, watering occasionally with li¬ 
quid manure, they w ill fruit during the latter part of June. 
Petunias, Verbenas, Pelargoniums, etc.—Plarft cuttings 
and layer for an increase ofstock. A large number will 
bo wanted for massing in the Spring. 
Pines—These begin to show fruit. A high ternpernluro 
is needed, say, 80° to M”. Water each week. 
Potting— Many plants need an cai ly shift to pols of a 
larger size, and cuttings inserted last month are now 
ready to pot off. Have a heap of polling soil at all times 
in readiness w hole it will not freeze. 
Seeds of many out-door annuals may now bo sown for 
early planting in the borders as soon as made up in the 
Spring. 
