AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST, 
341 
CALENDAR OF OPERATIONS, 
DECEMBER, 1856. 
[We put down here a summary of various operations, 
many of them very common ones, it is true, but a simple 
catalogue like this will often suggest a piece of work that 
would otherwise be forgotten. The Calendar is adapted 
to the latitudes of 41° to 42°. A little allowance must be 
made for each degree of latitude—later north—earlier 
south. This table will be made out anew every month> 
and adapted to the season of each year. It will also be 
greatly enlarged at the planting and sowing seasons. 
Explanations,— The letters f. m. 1. refers to first , mid ¬ 
dle , and last of the month. 
Doubling the letters thus: ff., mm., or 11., gives emphasis 
to the particular period indicated.] 
FARM. 
The field work of the farm is nearly cut off, and there is 
now very little absolutely requiring attention. If, however, 
the work which should have been done last month, was 
neglected at the proper time it should be attended to at 
once. 
During the long winter evenings, and other leisure mo¬ 
ments, look up those back numbers of the Agriculturist* 
which were laid aside with only a cursory reading during 
the busy months, and study their contents with care, re¬ 
reading even as far back as the commencement of the 
volume. With the remembrance of the last severe win¬ 
ter fresh before you, look about and see what can be 
done to guard against losses then experienced or inconve¬ 
niences then suffered. 
Buildings, both for man and beast should be examined, 
and battened, shingled, or thatched, as may be required. 
Painting may be done during mild weather, and will wear 
much better than if done, in or upon the approach of 
warm weather. 
Barn Yards—Keep well supplied with muck, leaves, 
loam, &c., and guard against drainage or conduct the li¬ 
quid into a compost pit, if the yard is washed. 
Cattle and Horses—See that all are stabled at night in 
warm quarters and have litter to lie upon. They should 
also be kept under cover during stormy days. Put balls 
or knobs on the horns of such cattle as are inclined to be 
tyrannical. 
Cellars—Attend to the directions of last month, if not 
already done, ventilating freely, but excluding frost. 
Cistern—Build ff. both for house and barn. 
Compost Heaps—Look to, turning and adding to as 
necessary. 
Cows—Feed cut roots to those giving milk, and watch 
those about calving. 
Draining may still be continued in moderate weather, 
where there is not too much water. A little frost need not 
prevent this useful, wprk. ; -oil i . m >1 jj — - 
J?9f$9fif?y , tl)<j dijr^tipps, ,of 
last month under this head, see that there is a good pile of 
Jd^tSandTafas-ready'fob fencing in the spring,' and at leafet 
one yharli "supply of wood, not only ..at the door, but outand 
ajpLunclpr .cover. See article in anptlier colunpi, 
under “ A rainy day visit.” 
i4 M)dd < e'r— 1 Gtivdito stbbkiifprbperqVihiUitifes, cutting com 
stalkfc 'and Eeitheu stedming by putting into a barrel or 
hpgsftpjap^ aqd,. popping qn hot. watpf ?; poyefing with a 
bhpjket; or in mild weather mix with warm water stirring 
ih 1 a litVl'd Indthri rtieal: H’dy arid f fetraw 1 Will also " 1 spend 
better by being cut, and is much better for. horses especi- 
.ally.iilK.Li tmoJtf lui.. -Mil S.-cmilo,: 
, Fowls—Give meat, now that the supply ol insects is cut 
off,'to indifc'e layiii^; scraps flbin the mltch'eVs, b'r dead aifi- 
mats fed out will ans wer this purpose. See article else- 
-wfteij?, .... . tnl ;<(t , : .... 
Frost—Guard against its entrance in the cellar, and pro 
’tectWal&i'pijpey.' 1 ' 1 ' onv. , too ^ 
Hogs^See thatvtliey 'are:provided- with wirrrmapart- 
rppnts, and, gpq^ bqddiqg / Givqjthqse fattening a full sup-! 
ply of co,rn arid other solid food previous to killing. Keep 
yard's well supplied WlthiriUck and leaves; throwing in a 
few turfs'ofccadionally. f.-ti i .iuiii<>-. •. ■ ..i.i n:. /<> II, 1 
i.Ho^es—Let their stebl^s be yvqTO), jand .vye^l,. littered. 
.Qover Ypr blankets, when put up, and guard against giv¬ 
ing cold Water immediately after a hard hrivk Catrotsi 
are eicbl’lent tb feed instead of tdoiAiuChifefaSii. ( 
Manures—Examine heap?,to see if fermentation isigoing 
,on as it should. If too dr^they will fire-fang, t^u? destroy¬ 
ing their fertilizing properties'. ' Opening them to'ihe rains 
'fend cold weather, orpOirring-water upon them f'wHt pre 
yient it. If there isnof.sufficinnt .yyarmthturi), them, over 
^Continue to collept leaves and ^nuck to ipixin. Sprinkle 
plaster freely with heaps, in the stable's, &c. ‘ ' , *' 1 
• ■ Plowing stiff cldyey bail's when not fiWen tfriff 1 be hilvAh 
; tggeous, by exposing the subsoil to the action of frosts,, anc 
fheit.winterquarters.^ J 
Roots—Cut before feeding to stock, Which should b( 
!l fibA^daiiyiB%y.sAhl)l^d'''iiifllcfdhlV /: 4(5airtfs 
good for horses, as indeed they are for cattle and sheep. 
and a few hundred bushels in a large stoc.k, besides saving 
hay, will materially improve their condition. Give 
moderate quantities of rutabagas to milch cows after 
milking, else they will give a turnipy taste to the milk ; 
even then, change frequently to carrots or beets. 
Roots for family use, keep better by being covered with 
earth or sand in the cellar or put in tight barrels and mats 
thrown over, placing them in a cool part. See last num¬ 
ber. 
Sheep—Have racks for feeding both sheep and other 
stock. Keep homed cattle from running among them, and 
by all means see that they are sheltered at night and dur¬ 
ing storms. 
Stacks and Stack Yards—The practice of taking stock 
half a mile each day and feeding them exposed to the in¬ 
clemencies ofthe season is alike destitute ofeconomy and 
humanity, to say nothing of the ill taste and slovenly ap¬ 
pearance such places usually present. Far better draw 
the fodder of whatever kind to the bam and feed it eco¬ 
nomically under cover. 
Tools—Putin order during leisure moments and lay 
away for next season. 
Turnips and Cabbages—Harvest ff. if not already done. 
Give tops to cattle and sheep. Gradually cover the straw 
or ventilator at the top of root pits as the weather becomes 
severe. 
Water—Provide pure, by cisterns or wells in the yard, 
instead of taking cattle a quarter or half mile with an ax 
to cut open a pond or brook, thus wasting their manure by 
the way, and often injuring themselves by slipping down 
upon icy paths. 
Wood—Collect as much as possible previous to heavy 
snows, and pile up in accessible places or take directly to 
the house. Have at least one year’s supply, not only 
drawn up, but cut, split and piled away under cover by the 
time spring work commences. It is poor economy to 
leave the hay or harvest field for a load of wood, or to 
wait meals until cooked by srecn fuel. Wood cut at this 
season will sprout again. 
ORCHARD AND NURSERY. 
Apple Trees—Standards may be set out ff., or until the 
ground freezes ; the roots should never be exposed to a 
freezing atmosphere. Seedlings may now be root grafted, 
placing them in boxes of earth in cellars or pits. Scrape 
rough bark from old trees, thus destroying many eggs de¬ 
posited by the codling moth. Cut, or rub caterpillar’s 
eggs from twigs wherever they can be found. 
Figs—Cover with earth or carry to cellars ff. 
Fruit and other deciduous trees may still be pruned, 
although it is better to leave Wife 1 &iftihk bfiargeliinbs till 
February., . , 1 -,ij vii,,ho» >= i. - - >■<••;!. 
Grape Vines—Tripi catlings at any time (lur¬ 
ing the month, when the sap is not frozen. 
Label Standard tiefe!, 1 espAetWly \Dieffe 1 y6U Expect tO 
take grafts or buds. Serioustinjuries have resulted from 
inqtteption to this, wftol^sqijaffe^f peach and: 0 ther y trqes 
being sent out which ivere not true to name without any 
ddfeign-of dishohest’y on' iliil iftftlllPHid growdf. 1 'Painted 
WQOdfenlabdls written pif wiflyariijeficil before the paint is 
qjjijte dry and attached, by long cgpppr,wires. ; w.ill answer 
very well. The wires wiif require lengthening occasion- 
ally boals'hbfto eutrinto the bfirk. 1,1 *«-• -••/■** *-.|**u 
Manure those trees which ate Unthrifty or unproductive. 
Guano, lime arjd other strong ; fert.ijizqfs wjijch coulc^ not 
be used with safety in the spring, may be advantageously 
applied now. A mixture.of lirfid arid rriuik is a gooti tta-; 
nureforthe orchard. Muck alone,, putarouhd the- roots! 
of trees, ^ an excellent mulch., . • , f ... ; 
Mice—See articles in this and last month’s number. 
Pear Tides—Like' Applfe Irbesiiiefy still be 1 'set' o’uf'fn 
mild weather. See also articles in present and last num¬ 
ber. , - . j . , . ' 
Raspberries—Cut out old canes and cover with earth or 
Straw ff. if not already done. '- 1 ' ; 1 
i Seedlings and.Seed-beds offender varieties— Cover .with 
leaves.or bruspj or,proteqtip pit^. .. 
.Seeds of many varieties of fruits, sucti as Apple, Peach 
Cherry; : &e., may still’bd sown tin wann localities. * ] 
Shrubs anddowAi-annhing. treesLiTie: upin such man- 
Sttelw 1 tip tdhder tbefeb dftd shrubs' ff., if not dorid last 
montbrl(j| i!.i;liil 4 f ir,.E*oile uiJlR’i 'nil ,1'uiffsi ul I 
JKITCHEN AND FRUIT- GARDEN. ” ! 
. Asparagus.-t Cut. and burp the tops, spreading the, lashe S 
evenly ovej'the ground.. Cover with salt hay, sea-weec) 
or coarse manure. 
' Bean Poles—Put awayvcotleetihginere for next season, 
. , Blackberj-jespCut out old ca^es ranfi^et out qpw opes 
ff., if not attended "to as directed last month. 
' ‘Cabbage and Califlbwer—Rtlrvystff.' aAtllifeep as'dfrfectr 
ted in November .number. ■ Attend tp plants in,frames,' ad| 
miftipg ajr, daily. pplqs?,the -jyea|bei; ; is yery.pqjd ;.^veni 
then a little air must be let m every few days. Pick off 
■afrffeca^ing : 
Celery—Harvest ff. and cover as directed last month. 
Cold Frames—Watch closely, admitting air from the 
upper side each day if practicable. In very severe weath¬ 
er give extra covering of straw or mats. 
Compost—Prepare and turn over. Have materials in 
readiness for hot-beds. 
Currant and other bushes should be tied up to prevent 
their being broken down by snows. 
Grape Vines may be pruned during the month and cut¬ 
tings made for spring planting. 
Leaves—Collect for covering tender plants, bulbs, &c., 
also for manure and hot-beds, keeping the latter under 
cover. 
Lettuce—Attend to in frames as cabbage. 
Mice—See articles elsewhere. 
Mushroom beds—Cover deep with straw or long stable 
jitter, and in severe weather spread mats over them to 
prevent freezing. If exposed to rains, examine the beds 
and remove the wet straw, covering with dry. 
Parsnips—Dig and store ff. for winter use, covering them 
in a cool part of the cellar. 
Pumpkins and squashes—Place in cool dry situations 
away from frost. 
Raspberries—Cut out old canes and cover ff. if not done 
last month. We prefer a covering of earth although if 
they are pegged or otherwise confined down, straw, litter 
or salt hay, answers a very good purpose. New planta¬ 
tions may be made as long as the ground remains open 
and the weather mild. 
Rhubarb—Cover crowns and surrounding earth with 
straw, litter, or coarse manure to induce early starting in 
the spring—Roots may still be set out in open weather. 
Salsify—See article on another page. 
Sea-Kale—Cover as rhubarb. 
Spinach—Cover as directed last month. 
Strawberries—Cover ff. if not already done, with leaves 
if they can be had ; if not, with coarse manure, salt hay or 
straw. Plants need more protection upon heavy soil than 
light,.as the action ofthe frost is more inclined to throw 
the roots out upon the former. 
Tools—Repair if necessary, and put away under cover. 
Trench or subsoil and ridge stiff clayey soils. 
Turnips—Harvest if., and put in cellars or make pits for 
them in the open ground, covering as directed on page 331 
of last month’s number. 
Weeds and Brush—Gather and burn instead of lcavitig 
them for rats and mice to nest in during the' wlfitfer. mi 
FLOWER GARDEN AND 'LAWN. i! ’ 
There is but little that ciinAe tloiife 'In' tlie FlinWr l G$r- 
deh at thfe season, except seburing lcrulcr plants land 
shr^ibs from bpjpg brpken d^wn by spoyys, or..jpjijr^d;^y 
severe frosts.. To guard against tlje former, the branches 
of low 'shrnbs' and buslWs should "be* tiraWn in and feefeiilAd 
by tying either to the body oir tu stakes. Fbrevefgreens it 
if,.oftppbeneficial t ; q.shake. 9 fff!]e.snow ychjph lodges,ijp.Qn 
tlie foliage, ahd |hovel away from the lower branches . ( 
'Lyfitlef-'i-bises, virifek arifl slirubfe',' Should how be’ Strawfed 
up, ifiuotialready d.ohe, to prbtecfc therayfroiin ifche-sudddn 
in, the ntmosphefe,wfyicIi is:pj^eiji iqjvwbys 
than severe cold. Barrels or boxes, with holes bored, in 
Welti; will answer'd very'gobdpifrpofefe' to piaefe'ovter ’ibiv 
plants.- •: •>.) v: Hlidcil : ;i ,;i s-rtoyvilfirtMM 
,; Tihe La^fj aticipijtbSjpliquldi bq, clpape ( d. .ofAeayes-ayd 
everything put in, neat order. Though,not the season ,ior 
flGIWs^s—there'll inoA^cefeSily'iorAA negie'cfell' ‘WW’lAi- 
sightfy lawn and garden even in the winter foison. "-if 
! PlaptiiigtQf,^rdy, frees,iind. sljtubs m.ay .stijl.Ijej ^ne 
when there is no frost, 
It'ipting iloWeringAulb^ whiicAAKoulU 'haV^ AefeH' ^(iFin 
;during October Or November, are still <outl of! ground, 
pjhqnta], oncp, .^n,d> coypr. with Jea.vqs, as :d}recte,d l^st 
month.. , ,. j 
Lilt dahlias and gladlM'as, A iifiyAVd' stAl 1 remaihiiiH’in 
the ground; and putthem ih dry cellars or other cool> places 
jput.qf tfie^qach ,of frost. , j, . , . ,,f. ,j(j , /f 
Carnations, Pinks, fansjes, Anemones ; Stocks and 
Wail flbWers—TrOTect’m frames or cover 'With 'ifeafttlj if 
not ■attended tb in November, '-ill » ,> i (to Got. • i., J .•» 
GREEN AND HOT "HOUSES 5 . !1 ‘ w 
' These will now need special iittehtidn, morAiiAHicniar- 
ly in regard to heat and ventilation. Both these -matters 
,ar,c .fr^queijtly overdojjf^tjip hqusje bejpg kejit topi;^ot by 
night and top cool by day. The condition of the house 
Aught to approximate 1 ag fl¥afly b.s possible ’to the clfdtfm. 
,'sfance^ under which we find the plantslgrowing inia st&te 
,pf jfji.turp,, a difficult piaj;tpr to apcomplislj .withjpur 
present defective furnaces. As, far as possible,, keep 
Alaiits' groWiiig during 'the' day, and "let'them Wst‘ at 
, Aight'’Camellias will require 1 ffequent? syringing. $. also* 
,Ixoj-p§, Gehssoinjeria®,;,and olhey,plants,>,spfijfpt t,Q xed 
spider.. If not already done, repot, pruijej and put down 
cuuihgs ofFuchsids'. As a genferat th'irig, it is better' to 
tnafeemewplants/than growdhe'old ones,' i If you'Want 
,ia.rge plants, give.pleptypf.pot-rppm^Rd 
Pelargoniums should, be placed near the glass, .and 
Smcliei fii A^cisiLAaVry;' '&ohW oThiie iljacihtiis/’&c., 
hould be placed in the warmest part of the house for early 
