AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
218 
a third more of hay to carry a cow through 
the Winter by this method, and with the 
best of hay she will not come out in good 
condition. Warm stables are a substitute 
for fodder, and an animal sheltered in them 
is much more easily kept in high flesh. 
Then, by stabling animals, we can save all 
the manure, which is quite too large an 
item for farmers in this age to throw away. 
Many who have large farms, and do not 
wish to build a barn large enough to holdall 
the hay and grain, build several small barns 
in different meadows. These save the cart¬ 
ing, both of hay and of manures. In no case 
should hay be foddered out to cattle without 
some kind of shelter. A hovel opening to 
the south can be made very cheaply, and 
with light walls and thatched roof, it will 
keep cattle quite comfortable. They will 
save the cost of building in a single Winter. 
Now is the time to put them up. 
ORNAMENTAL TREES. 
There is quite too great a dearth of these 
about farm houses. Nothing renders a home 
more attractive than rows of stately trees 
along the roads that lead to it. They occupy 
land that can be used for no other purpose, 
and in a few years become valuable for 
fire-wood or for timber, if one can afford to 
put them to that use. But when once 
planted, and adorning the road-side, and by 
their beauty adding value to the farm, few 
would feel that they could afford to cut 
them down. We learn to prize many things 
that have no pecuniary value. Plant elms, 
maples, oaks, lindens and ashes, and watch 
their future growth. Unconsciously the 
affections will cling to them, and we shall 
find them strong ties to bind us and our 
children to home. 
RENEW THE FAILING FRUIT TREES. 
Some have died with age, after long and 
fruitful lives, trees planted by your prede¬ 
cessors upon the farm. You have enjoyed 
the fruit of their labors, and it is meet that 
you should plant for others, even if you 
never see their fruit. Some trees of your 
own planting hre already dead. It is not 
strange that every planting is not a success. 
All crops fail sometimes, and the fruit¬ 
grower must have his share of failures. 
Trees, well planted, are much more likely 
to live than to die. Plant pears and apples 
this Fall, from the best nursery near you, 
and let vour children bless you. 
THE FARMER’S HOLIDAYS. 
The fairs where the best stock and the 
best products of the farm are put on exhibi¬ 
tion, should have your patronage. Go up to 
them, as to a feast erf the soul, and take your 
wife and children with you. It is a needed 
recreation, after the labors of the Summer, 
and you can not fail to gain some new hints 
in culture, in stock and crops, that will profit 
your next year’s operations. But farmers 
should send up the best of their products, 
as well as go themselves. Every farm 
should be represented in the county fair. 
We hail with great satisfaction the multi¬ 
plication of these societies all over our land, 
and the increasing multitudes that come up 
to them every year. Put down the fairs as 
a part of your programme for October. 
CALENDAR'OF OPERATIONS. 
OCTOBER, 1857. 
[We note down 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 40° to 44 1 -’. A little allowance must be 
made for each degree of latitude—earlier north—later 
south. This table will be made out anew every month, 
and adapted to the season of each year 
Explanations.— The letters, f. m. 1., refer to Jirst, mid¬ 
dle , and last of the month. 
Doubling the letters thus : ff., mm., or 11., gives emphasis 
to the particular period indicated."] 
FARM. 
October is still an important month for the farmer, in 
which he husbands with care the remaining crops of his 
Summer’s toil, and with an eye to the approaching Win¬ 
ter forestalls the wants of his household and of his flocks. 
Any of the operations detailed in our Calendar not at¬ 
tended to last month should now claim early attention, 
and among the varied sources of recreation and amuse¬ 
ment which should occupy some portion of the time dur¬ 
ing the Autumnal months, do notneglect the 
Agricultural Fairs—but show by your own countenance, 
and the presence of your family, that you take an inter¬ 
est in the improvements going on around you. Examine 
with a critic’s eye the contiibutionsof stock of all kinds, 
the farming utensils, and the products of field, garden and 
orchard, and see if there are not some things in one or all 
of these departments which you might profitably adopt. 
Barns and Hovels—See that enough are provided to 
house all the stock next Winter. If there is any lack, a 
temporary shelter may be constructed by setting crotclied 
posts into the ground and laying rails over the top, cov¬ 
ering the whole with sedge hay, weeds or com stalks. 
Board up the sides open to storms and cold winds, and 
you will have a hovel which will answer a good purpose 
to feed in by day and shelter animals from the driving 
storm. 
Beets—Dig and store the crops ff. m. or before heavy 
frosts have injured them. Twist or cut the tops without 
wounding the crown. Bleeding is injurious to this root. 
Beeves—Feed ff. m. while green crops are plenty and 
Fall pasturage holds out. They will fatten faster and 
writh far less expense now' than on corn next Winter. The 
pumpkins and soft corn can now be fed out to advantage. 
Buildings of all kinds—Look to early, and repair the 
leaky roof, glaze broken windows, nail on the started 
siding, renew the broken hinges, and fit the tie-ups and 
stables for their Winter tenants. Have everything in 
readiness against the cold and storms of next Winter, re- 
hnembering that the subtle snow finds its way through 
small chinks and crevices. 
Cabbages—Harvest m. 11. at the extreme- North, and 
for keeping through the Winter, lay in a double row with 
heads down, and bank up with earth, leaving only the 
roots out of ground. They should be on dry ground, and 
if to be taken out during cold weather in the Winter tw o 
boards may be laid up against the sides and straw filled in 
instead of covering with earth, or they may De transplant¬ 
ed to the cellar, setting the roots in sand or earth. 
Carrots—Dig and store m. 11. or before the ground 
freezes. Give the tops to milch cows. 
Cattle—Give extra feed now that the pastures afford 
but little grass. Allow no animal to begin a cold Winter 
in thin flesh. Milch cows should have all the refuse of 
the garden, with small roots, pumpkins, cornstalks, &c. 
Young stock should be well fed the first Winter, and now 
is the time to begin. Cut and feed the second growth of 
Chinese Sugar Cane if you have it. 
Cellars—See that they are well cleansed previous to 
receiving fruits and vegetables. Keep well ventilated 
until too cold to admit air. Clear from rats and mice and 
bank up those which will not exclude frost. With ample 
cellar room, many of the fruits and vegetables of the farm 
may be stored away for marketing in Winter at much 
higher rates than can now be obtained. 
Cisterns—Construct these of ample size for both house 
and barn, A little labor and expense now will save 
much time and manure lost by driving cattle half a mile 
during the Winter, and cutting holes in the ice for them 
to drink from, to say nothing of the danger of broken 
limbs from slipping. 
Corn—Select the seed at once, if not already done. 
Seepage 198, last number. Cut up those fields still stand¬ 
ing, and husk early, housing the stalks for Winter fodder. 
If corn is cut, without being previously topi«d, as soon 
as the kernels are well glazed and after curing the fodder 
a short time in the shock, husked and the huts or stalks 
mowed away in the barn, both corn and fodder are much 
better than when left exposed in the fields to sun and rain, 
heat and frost. 
Draining should be continued until wet and heavy 
grounds are reclaimed. 
Grain Stacks—These have stood out as long as profit- 
• storing away in 
airy granaries, vermin proof Save the straw for Winter 
feed and bedding, rather than allow the cattle to trample 
the who e under feet at once. 
Hemp—Complete harvesting ff in. 
Hogs—Commence giving full feed to fattening hogs. 
Cook food where practicable, using unripened corn, pump¬ 
kins, apples, tomatoes, carrots, &c., stirring in a quantity 
of Indian meal. Do not neglect their yards, as abundance 
of the best of manure should be made w hile the fattening 
is going on. 
Leaves from the Orchard and Forests—Collect ft. m. 1. 
and store in large quantity under cover for Winter bed¬ 
ding,.and for hot beds in the Spring. You can not procure 
too many, nor place too high an estimate upon them as 
absorbents and fertilizers of themselves. 
Manures—Invest both money and time in collecting and 
manufacturing these, instead of laying out so much to 
purchase them next Spring. Draw- upon the muck swamp, 
the fallen leaves and mold scrapings of the forests, the 
turf and loam from the road sides, and use abundantly in 
cow and horse stables, hog pens, barn and hog yards, and 
under privies. Plow the yards often to assist absorption, 
and clean out the stye, privy and hen roosts frequently. 
Muck—Dig as long, and as much as possible. You can 
scarcely have too much. 
Paint m. 11. those buildings and fences requiring it. 
Autumn is best for this operation as the paint strikes in 
more gradually, and is firmerthan if put on in Spring. 
Plow stiff or clayey soils, turning them up to the action 
of air and Winter frosts. 
Potatoes—Complete digging f. m. and when convenient 
put in lime barrels, or dust a little dry lime among those 
for Winter keeping. 
Poultry require a greater supply of meat or fish as their 
insect food diminishes. Cleanse their roosts often and 
barrel the contents for guano. 
Pumpkins—Gather and house before heavy frosts. 
Expose in a cool place under cover to as much wind and 
air as possible and only remove to a cool dry cellar when 
in actual danger of freezing. 
Root Crops—Expose to sun as little as possible while 
harvesting. If put in stacks or heaps in the field, leave 
an opening for ventilation, closing only in the severest 
weather. 
Sheep—Supply wiili salt, and sec that their feed is 
sufficient. Keep the buck from them at present except 
at the South. Lambs should not come in until warm 
settled weather in Spring. 
Stone Fences or Walls—Build along roads and on lines 
between neighbors where no changes are required. Be¬ 
sides making substantial fences you are clearing lands for 
the plow, mowing machine and horse-rake. 
Sugar Cane—Cut and press ff. any mature field not har 
vested last month. Secure the second forage crop before 
heavy frosts. 
Timber—If not cut last month it may still very properly 
be done. Many prefer leaving it till the fall of the leaf, 
but August and September are generally considered the 
most desirable Seasons. 
Tools—Read article on “Lard and Resin for Tools,” 
and after coating all iron and steel surfaces, put them 
away under cover until wanted next Season. Re-read 
“ Farmer William’s Tool House ” in last number. 
Turnips—These will need harvesting only at the North 
during this month. They will continue to grow during 
frosty nights. Hoe late sowings ff. 
Wheat and Rye—Keep cattle and sheep from eating 
off, unless sown early and having a strong thick stand. 
Even then feed highly if at all, these allowing a good 
grow th upon the ground when Winter sets in. 
Wheat should all have been sown last month. Put in 
ff. any neglected then. 
ORCHARD AND NURSERY. 
In the Orchard the chief business will be gathering and 
storing fruit, which unfortunately, farmers in many lo¬ 
calities find a light task this year. Those who have kept 
their orchards in the best condition have the most and best 
fruit. Many advocate Pruning at this season, and we 
much prefer removing large limbs now than in Winter or 
early Spring, always preferring, however, the Summer 
In the early part of this month, is a good time forplanting i 
new Orchards for which suggestions are given on anothei 
page. Almostevery farmer has some places where a few 
apple, pear or cherry trees might grow without being in 
the way, but on the contrary an ornament and shade about 
buildings, in yards or along fences, A row of Winter 
apple trees may very properly be set out upon either side 
of roads, lanes, &c., doing very little harm, and the fruit 
being unpalatable, until gathered, is not likely to be car¬ 
ried off. 
The Nurseryman will be busily engaged in his semi¬ 
annual harvest, this being the season of Fall sales. To 
fill orders with dispatch, trees should be taken fren? the 
Nursery rows and set in a trench near at hand wit h stakes 
to mark the division of kinds. From such row's a vanetv 
of kinds can readily be selected. 
