258 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
Calendar of Operations for Sept. 1859- 
[We note down sundry kinds of work to be done during 
the month, not so much to afford instruction to practical 
men, as to call to mind the various operations to be at¬ 
tended to. A glance over a table like this will often sug¬ 
gest some piece of work that might otherwise be forgotten 
or neglected. Our remarks are more especially adapted 
to the latitudes of 38° to 45° ; but will be equally applica¬ 
ble to points further North and South, by making due 
allowance for each degree of latitude, that is, earlier for 
the North, later for the South. 
Explanations.—/ indicates the first; m the middle ; 
and l the last of the month.—Doubling the letters thus:./', 
or mm, or ll, gives particular emphasis to the period indi¬ 
cated.—Two letters placed together, as fin or ml, signifies 
that the work may be done in either or in both periods in¬ 
dicated ; thus, work marked, fm. indicates that it is to be 
attended to from the first to the middle of the month.] 
Faosa. 
The agricultural year may be said to commence this 
month. New plans are to be laid and preparations made 
for the coming season. Part of the seed, the wheat and 
rye, are to be “ sown in hope,” and fields intended for 
next year’s planting to be cleared of surface stone, drained, 
the stumps removed, and other necessary preparations 
made. For draining especially, the time is propitious. 
The fields are now mostly clear, there is comparative 
leisure where wheat is not extensively sown, but little 
rain will interfere with out-door operations, and the heat 
of Summer no longer oppresses. Now, loo, is the time for 
storing the magazine with abundance of the farmer’s am¬ 
munition-manure. “ Well begun is half done,”—begin at 
the manure heap, and you may expect to end well with 
next year’s harvest. Boundary and other permanent 
fences may now be erected, let them be put up as near 
as possible, for all time. 
Agricultural exhibitions are being held in most coun¬ 
ties, and claim the attention of intelligent cultivators. 
Visit them and take specimens of your best crops to in¬ 
crease the attractions. Premiums are secondary con¬ 
siderations but premium crops and stock pay the best. 
Barns and Hovels—If some of the stock went through 
the last W nter unsheltered, resolve that it shall be the 
last Winter. Prepare to erect additional buildings early. 
Beans will need pulling and drying, m, 1. When prop¬ 
erly cured, the haulm or straw, makes good sheep food. 
Beeves—Begin to give additional feed to animals in¬ 
tended for beef. A little extra food now, will save many 
bushels of corn in cold weather. 
Buckwheat will need cutting, m. It cures, handles, 
and threshes best when cradled and bound. It should not 
get so ripe as to shell out badly in the field. Thresh as 
fast as carted in. 
Butter and Cheese making are supposed to be going on 
\iriskly in-doors. September and October are the best 
months for laying down butter for Winter use. 
Cabbages—See Kitchen Garden. 
Cattle—The cows are now beginning to shrink in milk, 
id require some of the soiling crop to keep up a full sup¬ 
ply. The garden will furnish turnip and beet tops, cab¬ 
bage trimmings, corn stalks, etc., which should be fed 
out to the cattle. Give the animals a frequent change of 
pasture, turning them upon the fine rowen crop where it 
is not to be gathered. 
Cellars will soon be wanted for storing vegetables and 
fruits. Let them be well cleansed, and properly regulated. 
There is much saving in arranging them conveniently. 
Corn—Select the earliest, most prolific, and best for 
seed, tracing up by a few' husks and hanging in the loft or 
granary. Cut and shock as soon as ripe, or upon the 
first severe frost. The grain will be heavier, and the fod¬ 
der much better than when exposed uncut in the field to 
alternate storm and sun, frost and heat. 
Cisterns—If these conveniences for both house and 
barn were not built as directed last month, the present is 
a suitable time. Wells may also be dug. 
Draining—Continue the directions of last month. 
Eggs—Now that the fowls are laying more than are 
wanted in the family, and the market price is low, put 
away a good supply for Winter. We have invariably had 
good success with them, when packed in common salt. 
Fences should be carefully watched now that the pas¬ 
ture feed is short and the corn field looks tempting. 
Forests—Continue to cut aw'ay, ff, those intended to re¬ 
claim for tillage. 
Grain—Thresh early, especially if stacked in the field 
where rats, mice, squirrels, and crows feed upon it. See 
that granaries are in proper order. Make them proof 
against rats and mice. 
Hedge Rows and Bushes—Clean up any allowed to 
grow till now. 
Hemp and Flax—Pull, m, 1, and spread for rotting. 
Hogs—Separate those to be killed this season, and give 
them extra feed. They should be in first-rate condition 
when the ordinary fattening season commences. Cook 
file food rather than feed it out in a raw state. They are 
capable of making much manure. 
Manure—Among the other labors do not neglect the 
manure yards and heaps. Dig all the muck possible be¬ 
fore the swamps are filled with water. 
Pastures need examining to see that the feed is suffi¬ 
cient. A frequent change is desirable. 
Plow, ff, for rye and wheat, unless it was done last 
month. Turn the soil over 8 to 10 inches deep. 
Potatoes—Unless for present market, or to clear the 
ground tor Winter grain, it is usually better to leave po¬ 
tatoes in the ground until October. 
Poultry may generally run at large, during this month 
without injury, and will lay the better for their freedom. 
Rowen—Cut, ff, unless it is wanted for Fall feed, or to 
leave over Winter, as a protection to the grass roots. 
Root crops are growing rapidly this month. Keep the 
ground well stirred with the cultivator and horse or hand 
hoe, and suffer no weeds to grow in the rows. 
Rye—Sow', ff, m, if not done last month. See that the 
seed is well cleansed. A strong brine will float any oats 
and chess among the seed and they may be skimmed off. 
Sheep require the same care as last month. As cold 
weather approaches get them in good flesh for Winter. 
Soiling Crops—Cut and feed as wanted, ff, m. Any re¬ 
maining should be harvested and cured while the weath¬ 
er is still favorable for doing so. 
Sugar Cane for Grinding should be cut, or begun upon 
at latest, as soon as the frost has killed the foliage, which 
will be, 11, in some localities. There will be a large 
quantity to manufacture this season. The grinding and 
boiling should follow close upon the cutting. Boil in 
shallow pans with a free circulation of air around them. 
Timber may still be cut to good advantage, in accord¬ 
ance with the directions of last month. 
Timothy—Sow with wheat and rye, or by itself for a 
future grass crop. 
Turnips—Thin late sowings, feed early ones, and keep 
all well hoed. Sow more of the quick growing varieties 
on vacant ground, ff. 
Wheat should now be put in as early as may be, on 
deeply plowed and finely pulverized soil that has received 
a good coating of manure. Many complaints of winter- 
kill are owing to late sowing. The growth is not suffi¬ 
cient to protect the roots before Winter sets in. Where 
it can be done, use the drill in sowing. 
OrcSiard and. Nursery. 
The orchard is now yielding some of its choicest fruits. 
The earliest apples are mostly gone, but their place is 
well supplied with the Autumn varieties, whiie peaches 
and plums, in localities where they still flourish, are in 
their prime, and the Bartlett and other Fall pears tempt 
eye and palate. To gather and properly care for, or 
market these, will consume a good portion of the fruit 
grower’s time. The nurseryman has not finished 
Budding peach and other late growing trees. Those 
buds inserted last month, also need looking to and fresh 
ones should be put in where the former have failed. 
Drying Apples—Commence in the early part of the 
month to pare and dry the Autumn fruit which would 
otherwise decay. Leave no parings, or bits of core in them, 
and dry quickly w'ithout getting them wet if you wish a 
fine, light colored and salable article. 
Evergreens—Better leave transplanting them till Spring. 
If they must be moved this Fall, do it, ff, m, keeping a 
ball of earth about the roots. What little pruning they 
need may well be given them now. 
Fruits—Gather early varieties with care, picking by 
hand. Do not wait for Bartlett and other peats to soften 
upon the tree, but pick several days before they ripen and 
allow them to mature in the market, or on the fruit shelves. 
Late fruits should remain on the trees till next month as 
their keeping qualities would be injured by early picking. 
Hoe Nursery rows still, to prevent late weeds from 
seeding the ground. A cultivator, plow, or horse-hoe run 
between the rows frequently, will do most of the work. 
Be careful not to bark the trees. 
Insects should now be dislodged as they are preparing 
their Winter quarters. Examine apple, pear and peach 
trees for the borer. This is the very best month to probe 
him in his hole with a small flexible whalebone. He will 
readily be found by the chips or sawdust at the collar of 
the tree. Clean the trunks of small trees from scale by 
washing with soap suds, or potash and water. 
Labels—Procure a good supply for marking young 
trees set or sent out in the Fall, when you will be too 
busy to prepare them. See that standards are properly 
marked, and that no wires are cutting into the branches. 
Land intended for Fall or Spring planting should be 
thoroughly manured, cleared from small stones and other 
obstructions and deeply plowed and subsoiled, or trenched. 
Layering may still be done, ff, m, on new wood. 
Manure—Provide bountifully, as directed under ‘Farm.’ 
Pits of peaches and plums, also apple and pear seeds 
should be planted as soon as cleaned out, or put in boxes 
of earth. They rarely vegetate well if dried. 
Preserving Fruit for Winter—In accordance with di¬ 
rections previously given, put up a good supply of pe*rs, 
peaches, and plums for Winter use. 
Pruning may still be done, if not finished last month. 
Records of both orchard and nursery rows should be 
kept in a book rather than trusted to the memory, or the 
labels and stakes, which are liable to be changed or lost. 
Seed Beds should be kept clean at this season. 
Seeds of some of the ornamental trees and shrubs are 
now ripening and should be gathered and labeled. 
Water the tender seedlings, as they require, drenching 
the beds thoroughly in dry weather, every few days, 
rather than sprinkle them daily. 
Weeds and Grass—Clean about the trees so that no 
screen shall remain for mice to harbor in. 
MItct&esa aimd Fruit Crardeai. 
The ordinary farm garden will not require much atten¬ 
tion during this month, but in extensive grounds culti¬ 
vated for market purposes there will be a good deal of 
“ truck ” for sale, the proper preparation and marketing 
of which, will form a prominent feature in the labors of 
September. Some hardy vegetables may also be sown 
and protected during the Winter as directed on page 278. 
Beans—Late growers, like the Lima, are still in eating 
condition, while most others are ripe enough to pull and 
shell for seed and Winter use. Dry a few of the Limas 
before they are ripe so as to have green beans in Winter. 
Blackberries are nearly done bearing. The old canes 
should be cut out and carried away as soon as the fruit is 
gathered. 
Cabbage and Cauliflowers—Sow, ff, m, for early Spring 
use, to be pricked out in a cold frame during the Winter, 
as directed elsewhere. Early plants are ready to mark¬ 
et, w hile late ones require further hoeing. 
Celery—Earth up in dry weather, m, 11, as needed, 
taking care not to bruise the stalks or cover the crown. 
Tie with soft strings or bass-matting. 
Corn—Late plantings are giving a supply for the table. 
Dry or put in cans or bottles for Winter. Save the ear¬ 
liest and finest for seed. Cut up the stalks and feed to 
milch cow s, as fast as the ears are taken off 
Corn Salad and Kale—Sow, ff, m, to be protected 
through Winter. 
Cucumbers are still supplying the table. Save the finest 
for seed, and gather the small ones for pickling. 
Grapes will be ripening, mm, 1, and may be picked for 
market or wine making. Leave a quantity upon the 
vines until there is danger of freezing, when they should 
be gathered with care and packed for Winter. 
Hoe growing crops often, especially late turnips and 
cabbages. 
Hops—Gather and dry, ff, m, and house the poles. 
Lettuce will make eatable heads if sown, ff. Sow, mm, 
1, to be pricked into cold frames next month. 
Manures—Begin early to collect and manufacture as 
much as possible for next season. There is more time 
now than in the Spring. Collect all the vegetable depos- 
ite or muck you can get to compost with stable manure. 
Melons are ripening and require picking daily, as they 
soon lose their delicate aroma and fine flavor. 
Mushrooms—Make beds, or prepare barrels, m, 1. 
Spawn can be had at most seed stores, unless it has al¬ 
ready been made. 
Onions—Pull and dry those which have ripened. Sow 
seed, f, m, for Spring sets as directed on page 276. 
Parsley sown, ff, m, will form fine plants for Spring. 
Pickles—These may now be made in almost any quan¬ 
tity. Cucumbers, tomatoes, Winter cherries, peppers, 
martynias, nasturtiums, and unripe melons will supply 
the material. 
Radishes—Sow, ff, m, for Fall, and, II, for Winter use. 
Raspberries—Cut out old canes that have done bearing, 
and house stakes for another season. 
Rhubarb—The central or tender stalks of the Linnaeus 
may still be pulled for use or putting up for Winter. 
We succeed well in bottling the rhubarb. 
Seeds—Collect in accordance with instructions else¬ 
where given. See that finest specimens of the various 
vegetables are carefully saved for setting out next Spring. 
Spinach—Sow, ff, and thin out, m, 11, for standing over 
Winter. A small bed sown now will yield early returns 
at a season when “ greens ” will be highly valued. 
Squashes—Summer squashes have mainly ripened, 
and Autumn varieties are jeady for use. They may re¬ 
quire housing from frost in northern localities, 11. 
Strawberries—Plant, ff, m, if the bed was not set out 
last month. Water them unless the ground is moist. 
Tomatoes—Bottle or put in cans while they are plenty. 
They will find a ready home market next Winter and 
Spring. 
Turnips—Keep late crops well hoed, running a small 
plow or horse hoe oetween the rows often. They are 
now growing finely. 
Vegetable Trimmings-Feed turnip, beet, and carrot 
tops, with the loose cabbage leaves, corn stalks, etc., to 
milch cows rather than allow them to decay upon the 
ground. 
Weeds—Keep down and prevent their sowing seed for 
a future crop. 
