Rensselaer Union, Volume 7, Number 32, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 April 1875 — Spring Work. [ARTICLE]

Spring Work.

The agricultural editor of the Wesk Chester (Pa.) Republican gets off some rather rich advice to his farmer patrons, about the kind of employment suitable to the season. We copy some of his hints: As a matter of course, plowing will be in order, and for the rapid prosecution of which plows will be needed. As soon as the snow has disappeared sufficiently th# farmer may gather up the plows and harrows left in the southeast comer of the ball field after last fall seeding. Doubtless they are somewhat rusty by the winter’s exposure, but it is not necessary to scour them, for the stiff sod will soon accomplish that. Doubletrees will also be in demand. These will be a little more difficult to find, but they are either attached to the rollers or are down on the potato Eatcli where they were last used, or peraps they are in the hen-roost, where they were carefully placed out. of the weather. Now is a good time to look up ydur harness and grease them. If they need any repairs be sure and grease them first, and then carry them to the harness-maker. If he is a member of the church he w ill not swear much. Potato beetles may now be thawed out. This may be done in various ways. With some fanners thawing out will not be necessary, as the bugs were removed to the barnyard last fall with the weeds from the potato patch, and after being snugly sheltered all winter in the manure are now ready to be transferred to the field for spring planting. Plant six inches apart in shallow rows, and be sure that eaeh one has two eyes. If these hints are attended to a sure crop is guaranteed; not one will need replanting. Fences which have been prostrated by the winter may now be propped up. It is not necessary to repair them effectually; that may he left until a more convenient season. This will apply especially to line fences which cannot be seen from the public railroad. The weak places will most likely he found out by your neighbor’s cows some night about the time your com is six inches high. This is not a good month for sowing wild oats, nor in fact oats of any kind. The seeds of charity and brotherly Jove may, however, be sown with safety, and if judiciously cultivated will yield a paying crop. This is a rare kind of cereal, ana farmers are recommended to sow none but the pure seed. House flies may be taken from their nests and treated to a warm hath daily. If they are not well grown by the first of May you can safely conclude that there will be a poor crop this year. Sitting liens should be looked after this month. There is no farm produce yields such a good return for the money invested as spring chickens. The reason for this is apparent. Good eggs for sitting can be procured for thirty-five cents per dozen. This, with a good hen, which can be obtained for nothing, completes the outfit. Set the hen in some out-of-the-way place on thirteen eggs, never less nor more; and , always remember that an even number will not hatch. During the period of incubation the hen will eat nothing and therefore will be inexpensive. At the end of three weeks, if the hen attends strictly to business, the chickens will make their appearance. By this time angle-worms will be ripe and the young birds will feed npon these. At the end of two months the thirteen chickens will be ready for market. If retailed in West Chester they sell at thirty cents per pound; each chicken will weigh a pound; thirty times thirteen are $3.90. Deducting the cost of thirteen eggs at thirty-five cents per dozen we have remaining $3.55. If the hen is paid any wages the profits will not be so large. N. B.—The eggs must all be marked with the owner’s name, in black ink, previous to sitting. It is sometimes preferable to write the date. Garden work comes on apace, and the successful gardeners are those who find the early worm—the tomato and cut-worm variety. To bfe a skilled gardener requires practice and a keen eye. To be able to distinguish at a glance a tomato-vine from a jimson weed, or a young cabbage from a half-developed mullein, are points that mark the astute horticulturist. In regard to that staple article, peas, never plant the trellis kind. It costy more to procure the sticks than the crop will realize in the market. Horse-radish may be transplanted the last of the month, and so may beanpoles. The latter will require some little attention in the way of watering. Plant in rich loam soil, three feet apart eaeh way, and cover up the root well. —Dr. Engel, of the Prussian Statistical Bureau, estimates that there are 150,00 ft stationary engines in the world, with an aggregate of about 3,500,000 horse-power; 50,000 with an aggregate of 10,000,090 horse-power; and 5,255 ooean steamers. _ —Bind a slice of lanon on a felon or whitton as soon as it appears and it \yjll soon relieve the suffering, and in nine cases out of ten cure.—ifuraf New Yorker ,