166 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
[May, 
Contents for May, 1875. 
Bean and Pea Weevils. Illustrated .. 18G 
Bee-hive, Voices from the.... 176 
Begonias, Tuberous-Rooted. Illustrated.. 184 
Blacksmith-Shop, Farm.3 Illustrations. .179 
Boys and Girls’ Columns—Aunt Sue’s Chats—Value 
of Metals—Doctor’s Talks—Curious Bible Notes— 
Aunt Sue’s Puzzle-Box—May, and May-Day—Kind 
of Lead in Pencils—True Dog Story—Some Strange 
Insects — Long Saturday Afternoon—Easter .. 15 
Illustrations .186-192 
Butter, Warming Milk for. . Illustrated. .180 
California Nutmeg. Illustrated. .184 
Calves, Pens for.4 Illustrations. .182 
Catalogues Received.197 
Clamp. Useful. Illustrated.. 181 
Colts, Way of Breaking.2 Illustrations. .182 
Corn, Thinning.177 
Dairy, Pennsylvania.4 Illustrations. .172 
Flower-Garden and Lawn for May.167 
Fruit Garden for May..167 
Garden Helps, Little. 2 Illustrations. .187 
Greenhouse and Window Garden for May.16S 
Harness, Mending.. Illustrated. .182 
Hickory, Budding the. .187 
Hitching-Strap for a Horse. Illustrated. .1S2 
House, Convenient.6 Illustrations. .172 
Household Department—Home Topics—Shirt Bosoms 
and Collars—Stoves—Rat Trap—Don’t Touch the 
Children.3 Illustrations. 187-189 
Kitchen Garden for May. 167 
Lambs, Care of. Illustrated. .182 
Liquid Manure Cart. Illustrated. .182 
Lobelia, New Double. Illustrated.. 185 
Market Report for May.168 
Ogden Farm Papers, No. 63—Sheep Raising in Fla. 
—Churns—Milk.. 174 
Orchard and Nursery for May.167 
Pigeon, Baldhead. Illustrated.. 177 
Science Applied to Farming.175 
Sheep-Raising in Virginia. 183 
Shoes for Plows.2 Illustrations.. 180 
Soup Bunch. Illustrated. .186 
Stallion “Nightshade”... Illustrated.. 165 
Stock Farm, Western... Illustrated. .177 
Straw Mats. Illustrated.. 186 
Swine Trade at the West.176 
Walks and Talks Correspondence.198 
Walks and Talks on the Farm, No.. 137—Clover— 
Barley—Lambs—Raising Pigs.178,179 
Wood, Sawing by Horse-Power.3 Illustrations. 181 
Work, Hints About. 166 
INDEX TO “ BASKET.” OR SHORTER ARTICLES. 
169 
Apple Pomace. 
Ayrshiresand Alderneys 
'Color of..170 
Bogardns Mill... .169 
Book on the Horse.169 
Calves, Four at a Birth..199 
Canal. Suez. .199 
Cart, Tumbler... .197 
Cattle, Stray.170 
Cheese, Adulteration of. .170 
Chicken Lice in a Stable.171 
Colorado Horticulturist. .169 
Corn, Fertilizers for.171 
Farm Accounts.197 
Fence Posts, Preserving. 171 
Flax, How to Grow.-169 
Green Clover, Saving... 171 
Hen Manure, How to use.199 
High Priced Sticks.169 
Hints About Work.169 
Hogs vs. Dogs.197 
Humbugs, Sundry...*. .170 
Jacks and Mules.171 
Jerseys for Cheese.170 
Keys. Many in One.199 
Milk, Effects of Food on.169 
Moss and House Plants..169 
Oats, Hulless.169 
Once More.171 
Paint, for Tools.170 
Plan for Barn.171 
Pond Muck.199 
Potash for Potatoes.199 
Poultry Diseases.170 
Poultry, Trouble with...199 
Profit from Cowand hensl97 
Pump for Stock Farm... .171 
Rain, An Inch of.199 
Rain, Where does it come 
From.199 
Salicylic Acid .199 
Salt or Piaster.170 
Salt. Pork for Cows_..199 
Shaving Horse.197 
Sparrows.199 
Stables, Ventilation of. .170 
jSubsoiling, Effects of_171 
Suburban Homes, N. Y..169 
Tar for Shingle Roofs...170 
“ Thoroughbred ” and 
“ Full Blood”.169 
Timber Lands, Value of. 170 
Trustworthy...169 
Tale and the “Chinee”.199 
Village and Country 
Houses.169 
Warts, To Remove.171 
Windmills.170 
—“H. W. B.,” Chicago. There 
are lands that would be injured by siibsoiling. It is only 
those with compact clay or gravel subsoils, that need this 
process. Many sandy or light loam soils, with open sub¬ 
soils, are sufficiently loose, and need compacting rather 
than to he made more open. 
Preserving' Fence Posts. — “B. G.,” 
Delaware Co. The various chemical processes for pre¬ 
serving timber, are all too costly for application to fence 
posts. They can only bo economically applied when a 
large number are to be operated on. Posts may lie made 
more durable by filling tlie holes in which they are set 
with large stones, so that air may circulate about the 
lower part of the post, and that no earth shall touch it; 
also if the post is washed with thick lime wash every 
few years. The process of painting posts with oil and 
charcoal dust, does not prevent decay in their interior. 
Calendar for May. 
Boston.NJh'ng- 
iV. Y.City , Cl., 
Philadelphia, 
Washington, 
land. j\ . 
1 ork 
Maryland, 
State , 
3 lie hi- 
jetew 
Jersey. 
1 irginia .Keii‘ 
(fan 
Wiscon- 
Penn. 
Omo. 
lucky. Missou- 
$ 
sin. 
Iowa, aud 
Indiana 
and 
n. 
and 
Cali - 
Oregon. 
Illinois. 
fornia. 
$ 
vj % 
% $ 
’<i 
1 
Mo'n 
rises. 
II 
V} £ 
o ^ 
H.M 
H.M 
FI. M. 
H.M 
FI 
.M 
H. M. 
H.M 
FI .M 
FI. M. 
1 
S 
4 55 
7 0 
2 59 
4 59 
6 
56 
2 56 
5 2 
6 52 
2 54 
2 
s 
4 53 
7 1 
3 21 
4 57 
6 
nr 
3 20 
5 1 
6 53 
3 20 
3 
M 
4 52 
7 2 
3 44 
4 56 
6 
58 
3 44 
5 0 
6 54 
3 45 
4 
T 
4 50 
7 3 
4 8 
4 54 
6 
59 
4 10 
4 58 
6 55 
4 13 
5 
w 
4 19 
7 4 
sets 
4 53 
7 
0 
sets 
4 57 
6 50 
sets 
6 
T 
4 48 
7 5 
8 52 
4 52 
7 
1 
8 47 
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6 57 
8 40 
7 
F 
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10 14 
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7 
2 
10 7 
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6 58 
9 59 
s 
8 
4 46 
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11 23 
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3 
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4 54 
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morn 
4 49 
7 
4 
morn 
4 53 
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11 55 
10 
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4 44 
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0 ft 
4 48 
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4 52 
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11 
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4 43 
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4 42 
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7 
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7 12 
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8 
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9 
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15 
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4 39 
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2 3S 
4 43 
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10 
2 38 
4 47 
7 6 
2 37 
16 
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4 38 
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2 58 
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11 
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17 
M 
4 3? 
7 16 
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3 25 
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3 27 
IS 
T 
4 36 
7 17 
3 44 
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3 47 
4 4.5 
7 8 
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4 36 
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4 4 
4 44 
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4 '8 
20 
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4 35 
7 19 
rises 
4 40 
7 
14 
rises 
4 44 
7 10 
rises 
21 
F 
4 34 
7 20 
9 7 
4 39 
7 
15 
9 0 
4 43 
7 10 
8 53 
22 
S 
4 33 
i 21 
10 4 
4 as 
7 
16 
9 57 
4 43 
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9 49 
23 
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4 32 
i 22 
10 55 
4 37 
7 
17 
10 48 
4 42 
7 12 
10 40 
24 
M 
4 32 
7 23 
11 33 
4 37 
7 
IS 
11 29 
4 42 
7 13 
11 20 
°5 
T 
4 31 
7 24 
morn 
4 36 
7 
19 
morn 
4 41 
7 14 
11 56 
20 
w 
4 30 
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0 6 
4 35 
7 
19 
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4 40 
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morn 
T 
4 29 
7 26 
0 35 
4 35 
7 
20 
0 31 
4 40 
7 16 
0 27 
28 
F 
4 29 
7 27 
1 0 
4 34 
7 
21 
0 58 
4 39 
7 16 
0 55 
29 
S 
4 28 
7 28 
1 22 
4 34 
7 
22 
1 21 
4 39 
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1 19 
30 
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4 27 
7 28 
1 41 
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1 41 
4 38 
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31 
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4 26 
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2 10 
PHASES OF THE MOON. 
3IOON. 
BOSTON. 
N. 
YORK. 
WASIl’N. 
cha’s 
TON 
CII 
ICAGO. 
D. 
FI. 
M. 
H. 
M. 
n. 
M. 
FI. M. 
IF. 
M. 
New 
M’n 
5 
10 
20 mo. 
10 
S mo. 
9 
56 
mo 
9 44 
mo. 
9 
14 mo. 
1st Quart 
1 
2 
53 mo. 
2 
41 mo. 
2 
29 
mo 
2 17 
mo. 
1 
47 mo. 
Full 
M’n 
20 
4 
8 mo. 
3 
56 mo. 
3 
42 
mo 
3 30 
mo. 
3 
0 mo. 
3fl Q 
i art. 
28 
1 
46 mo. 
i 
34 mo. 
1 
22 
mo 
1 10 
mo. 
0 
40 mo. 
AMERICAN A G R I CIJ L T V RIS T. 
NEW YORK, MAY, 1875. 
May is a busy month. So much work crowds 
upon the farmer that he is in danger of being in a 
hurry. Hurried work is seldom well done. A cer¬ 
tain amount of deliberation is necessary to work 
well, and even to work quickly. To go slowly but 
surely, is better than to go about a thing in a hurry, 
and have the work to do over again. The diligent 
man is industrious in making preparations before 
he begins to work, so that his industry may be 
profitable. Some of tlie most unsuccessful farmers 
are very industrious men, but their work does not 
tell. Every hour’s work in this month, that is not 
done so as to be effective hereafter, might better 
have been left undone. That which is most urgent 
and important, should be done first. Planting and 
sowing will occupy the month, and to do this well 
is the most important business of the farm, because 
as we sow, so do we reap. 
Sliaits .ilaoist Woa-lk. 
Feeding Cattle .—Beeves that have been fed for 
market, should now be finished off as rapidly as 
possible. The appetite will be stimulated by a few 
roots along with the dry fodder, and some exercise 
in a dry yard. The change of coat is accompanied 
by irritation of the skin, and the curry comb and 
brush should be used daily. 
Boot Crops .—Mangels and sugar beets are valua¬ 
ble for stock of all kinds, and a few acres should 
be sown this month. A deep rich soil should be 
chosen, and be broken up well, and manured with 
20 loads of barn-yard manure to the acre. Lay off 
the surface in ridges 27 to 30 inches apart, roll or 
rake the ridges, and sow the seed with a hand-drill, 
at the rate of 5 pounds per acre. The middle of 
the month is the proper time in the northern states. 
A sprinkling of superphosphate of lime or guano, 
will help the young plants. A thousand bushels of 
roots, per acre, may be expected on rich soil with 
good care. Carrots may be sown this month for a 
field crop; two pounds of good fresh seed per 
acre is a proper quantity. 
Corn .—Com planting is on many farms the great 
work of this month. Plow deeply if the soil is 
deep, but shallow soils will not stand deep plowing. 
Harrow, mark out, and plant as soon as the ground 
is plowed; these operations should follow one 
another as closely as possible. Choose sound well- 
ripened seed, from ears that have been selected 
and kept for this purpose. Reject all moldy seed. 
To keep away birds, some steep the seed in warm 
water, in which a little pine tar lias been stirred, 
and dry in plaster before planting. If the seed is 
sown with a drill or planter, it must not be soaked. 
Crows and other Birds .—Crows are not so black 
as they are painted. On the whole they do more 
good than harm. While they will damage some 
com at this season, they are working for the farmer 
the rest of the year. To poison them is a great 
mistake, as well as an unnecessary cruelty. Keep 
them out of the fields of sprouting com, by scare¬ 
crows or any other devices, but their lives should 
not be sacrificed by shot or poison. The same will 
apply to the majority of birds. Even owls and 
hawks do some good, aud there are methods of 
preventing them from doing mischief on the farm, 
without slaughtering them indiscriminately. 
Crain Fields .—Fine fertilizers of any kind may 
be applied to winter or spring grain. Wood-ashes, 
poultry droppings, plaster or guano, are all valuable 
at this season. 
Meadows .—Do not pasture meadows. There is 
nothing gained by it. It would be more profitable 
to buy hay or roots, than to do this. Any of the 
fine fertilizers before mentioned, are as applicable 
to grass as to grain crops. 
Boads .—This is the best time in the year to repair 
roads. The surfaces of holes or gullies should be 
worked over with the pick and loosened before 
fresh earth is laid on; the union of the old and 
fresh earth is then more complete. Round up the 
center of the road, and lower the side ditches; a 
wet road can never be kept in good condition. 
Mowing Machines .—On rainy days it will be well 
to overhaul the mower. Take out all the bolts, 
clean all the moving parts and gears with kerosene 
oil, then oil them with pure lard or sperm oil, and 
replace the bolts, first putting some clean tallow 
on the screw-threads of the bolts and nuts. When 
all is clean, throw a barn sheet over the machine, 
to keep it free from dust. Scythes may be ground 
up and prepared for next month’s work, and hay 
rakes supplied with new teeth. Any tools or 
machines that are to be procured, should be looked 
after now. Consult the advertising columns for 
information as to the makers’ and dealers’ names. 
Manure.— Nothing that can add to the manure 
pile, should be wasted. Cattle yards should be 
raked over, and the droppings removed to the pile 
every day. Let no stable manure remain scattered 
and exposed to tlie sun and rain. 
Potatoes .—Early potatoes should be put in at once. 
Plant shallow, and earth up as soon as the sprout 
appears ; if frost is feared, cover up in the after¬ 
noon with an inch of fine soil. Plant good sized 
ripe seed, and give small potatoes to the pigs. 
Poultry .—Fowls will do well anywhere but in the 
garden. Provide coops that may be closed at night 
for young chickens, and keep them closed until the 
dew is dried from the grass. Cold and damp are 
the causes of more fatality among chicks, than any 
other evils. Youug ducks are excellent to destroy 
insects in the garden; a hen or two cooped with 
broods of ducklings, will do more good in this 
way, than almost any other remedy, and they are 
self-acting. 
Swine .—Hogs are scarce this season. The-re will 
be a demand for light pigs next fall, and if a good 
thoroughbred boar has not been secured, no time 
should be lost. A newly farrowed sow will take 
the boar in three days afler pigging. She will go 
sixteen weeks, and pigs may be looked for in Sep¬ 
tember. The pigs may be made to weigh 100 lbs. 
by Christmas. Spring pigs, if pushed now, and 
kept on good clover pasture during summer, may 
weigh 200. lbs. by winter. A sow is simply a farm 
machine for the production of pigs, and should 
not be kept idle, and as with other machines—keep 
only the best. See article on paga 176. 
Sheep .—Ewes with early lambs, if not to be kept 
for breeding, should be kept well fed, and separat¬ 
ed from the lambs as soon as there is good grass. 
The lambs should have a little extra food during 
