MARCH. "Who was it that so lately said, All pulses in thy heart were dead- Farm Work for the Month. With the opening of spring, as the wintry weather clears up, and March winds dry off the ground, everything must be put in motion, and nothing omitted from the necessary preparations to make a fair start, and keep pace with the movements of the season. The first great work of the year's operations is PLOUGHING. This embraces the proper breaking up of all sed-land, and all such as may be prepared for seeding down to grass for two or more years. It is to be borne in mind, constantly, that it is not mere cropping and its results that we are aiming at, but progressive and lasting improvement, and that of this, the very foundation is good ploughing a thorough breaking up, of that which we cultivate, and breaking from such a depth as will continually increase the bulk of fertilized soil. Below the very deepest we have yet reached, there is a lower depth which we need not fear to invade one or two inches farther. This for the permanent improvement of the land. For the present crop, and as a point of mere Vol. I.-No. 9. labor-saving, one good, thorough ploughing is equal to three, imperfectly and indifferently executed. In any ordinary soil, we should not be content with less than seven inches, and the nearer we can approach twelve the better. The subsoil plough will readily break to the depth of fifteen inches. There may be soils that form an exception to the rule of deep ploughing, and which, from some hurtful property of the subsoil, need to be deepened gradually, but they are so rare, we think, as not to give any concern in our ordinary operations. Where there is risk of harm, the ground should be deepened in the fall. A deep soil is the very first requisite for the successful cultivation of almost every crop. Summer crops, so very uncertain in a shallow soil, are, in a deep one, almost insured against the vicissitudes of the season. Planted in a bed of twelve inches, our all-important corn crop, would not fail of a good yield, one year in twenty. Except on the lightest lands, three horses to a plough are necessary to break sod-land properly. As ample strength of team, as well in number as condition, is most necessary to the success of farm operations, see to it now, that any deficiency is promptly supplied. The master should bestow the most careful supervision, to ensure that the plough, the gearing, and every other requisite be in proper order, and that his work be not slighted by the plough man. On a tobacco plantation, the land devoted to that crop should be the first sod broken, and broken so deeply, that the turf shall not come again to the surface, during the after working. OATS AND BARLEY. These crops are usually sown upon such lands as have been cultivated the previous year in corn and other hard crop, and not thought suitable for wheat. As clover seed is usually sown with them, or should be, unless under the system which makes wheat to follow oats, at least a hundred weight of some good super-phosphate should be sown on the surface in immediate contact with the clover seeds. Sow at the very earliest time that the ground may be in order, ploughing in the seed with a light furrow. Then sow immediately, clover and grass seeds and the fertilizer, and follow with a heavy roller. CLOVER SEED ON WHEAT FIelds. Examine the not get rid of by any after care. bulks frequently, and whenever there is the least warmth, and, indeed, whenever it is found to be getting very soft, it should be, at once, well shaken out, and hung up for a thorough drying. or laid lightly in another bulk. The most expeditious and effective way of getting the crop into "condition," that is, fit for packing, is to hang it up and suffer it to be well dried; and then to take the first opportunity when it softens sufficiently for safe handling, but before the heads get soft, to put it into a large bulk and cover with tobacco sticks and heavy weights to exclude the air, till ready to pack. STOCK. Give stock of every sort especial attention in The Vegetable Garden. If clover seed has not yet been sown on wheat fields, wait till the frost is out of the ground,accordance with suggestions of last month. leaving it cracked and open. Then sow and follow with roller. This implement will cover the seed sufficiently, and be very beneficial to the wheat. Six quarts of seed to the acre is not at all too much. It is a wasteful practice to put this costly seed upon land not properly prepared for it, but otherwise no price would justify its omissión from an ordinary rotation of crops. ORCHARD GRASS. Sow seeds of this valuable grass at the same time that clover seed is sown, and put it in by the same operation; this is the best of the grasses adapted to our soil and climate, when a strong and permanent sod is wanted for grazing, as well as for a crop of hay. It makes good hay, little inferior to timothy if not allowed to get too ripe. It starts very early in spring, endures drought well, grows late in fall, makes a large aftermath, and bears close grazing, indeed, makes the better pasturage by it. It is fit for the scythe at the same time that clover is, and the two should be sown together. A bushel of seed to the acre is the usual quantity, sown with other seeds, but two bushels is not too much to ensure a thick sod. It is too expensive, however, for seeding in an ordinary rotation; but where hay and pasturage is needed for a succession of seasons, it is indispensible. TOBACCO BEDS. Prepared for The American Farmer, by DANIEL BARKER Maryland Agricultural College. MARCH. We hope soon to have arrived at the most favorable time of the season for seed sowing, and upon the right use of it will depend, in a great measure, the success of keeping up a plentiful supply of vegetables for summer, fall and winter use. Those who have not yet commenced to make hot beds for the sowing tomatoes, peppers. &c., should lose no time in doing so, and whenever the weather is favorable, and the ground in good condition, preparation should be made for the planting, sowing, &c., of the main crops of early spring and summer vegetables; much has been said of artificial manures, of unfavorable seasons, blight, mildew, &c. But we incline to think the grand secret lies in the proper preparation of the soil, more particularly in sub-soiling and effective drainage. Manures of whatever kind applied to land in an ill-drained condition, we think, is very frequently the cause of disease, and the crops become the prey of in sects. ASPARAGUS BEDS should be lightly forked over If tobacco seed be not yet sown, let there be and dressed with salt, at the rate of about one no delay in getting the ground ready, and put-pound to the square yard-sow seeds for new ting in the seed as heretofore suggested. HANDLING TOBACCO. The stripping should be finished as early as possible. That in the bulks will now require careful looking after. It is liable to heat and mould, and acquire a bad smell, which it will beds. CABBAGE.-Crops of all kinds, unless previously removed, will now begin to cumber the ground, and should be removed at once, if there is any fear of the supply running short until spinach and kale come in. Plant the best of the old stalks in a border by themselves, and they will produce a few good dishes of tender greens. Sow seed of Brussel's sprouts, Scotch kale, and savoy, for fall use. Sow, also, early york and Winingstad cabbage on a slight hot-bed or warm border. Soon as the ground is in good condition plant out cabbage from the fall sown beds. CAULIFLOWERS, under glass, will be growing now that the weather is milder. Remove the lights in warm weather, and give them the benefits of warm showers, but cover up at night when there is any danger of frost. Towards the end of the month prepare to make plantations of those which have been kept under glass during the winter-transplant those raised in heat in January and February under glass. Sow as directed for cabbage; the early Paris for an early crop has succeeded best with us. CELERY.-Transplant the early sown into boxes, or on a slight hot-bed, and sow for succession; the early white and red solid we can recommend for the "Farmer." LETTUCE. Towards the end of the month, some of the best plants that have been wintered in covered frames may be planted out upon a warm border, and others upon a more exposed situation; sow for succession. The only kind we cultivate is the true "Paris Silesian." ONIONS-Sow the main crops as early as the ground is in good condition; for very large ones we plant the small bulbs of last year, or the fall sown plants in very rich ground. The "yellow Danvers" and large red we are well satisfied with. POTATOES.-Do not neglect to plant for the principal crop early as the ground is in good working order. We prefer that the sets should be hard, dark green; and the sprouts (should any have made there appearance) a dark purple; we cover about four inches, so that the hoeing and ploughing between will add to the depth about eight inches of soil. RHUBARB may now be forwarded by placing hand-glasses, or boxes over it, with a little manure round the bottom to prevent the ingress of cold winds. This plant is greatly benefited by copious waterings of liquid manure during dry weather; it delights in plenty of moisture and good living; now is the time to make new plantations; choose deep, rich soil, trench deep, manure heavily, and plant good roots of good varieties, such as Myatt's Linnæus, or Salt's crimson perfection. We have on trial upon the college grounds, some twenty varieties, which we hope to report upon in due time. RADISH.-Sow upon a warm border the early short top, and red turnip varieties. PRAS. For the first crop, Sow the Daniel O'Rourke, or Carter's "first crop." If there is any fear of the seed being attacked by the wire worm, it is an excellent plan after they are sown, and previous to covering them up, to water them well with a solution of spirits of tar, in the proportion of one pint to six gallons of water. PARSNIPS.-Sow for the main crop on good, deep, rich soil, carly as the ground is in good working order; we believe the old hollowcrowned, or Guernsey, to be the best yet. PARSLEY.-A Sowing of the double curled should now be made; clean and cultivate the ground well between the rows planted last sum mer. SPINACH.-Sow on rich soil for succession the round-leaved; cultivate frequently between the rows to prevent the growth of weeds, and the plants running to seed. The Fruit Garden. See that all fall planted fruit trees are securely staked and well protected against high winds; take advantage of a dry day to draw away the soil from the stems of goose-berry and currant bushes to the depth of three inches, and about three feet in diameter; sprinkle over the space cleared, soot, quick-lime, and wood-ashes, returning the soil; this has a material effect upon the vitality of the gooseberry-caterpillar, and we find prevention better than cure, and it also acts as a stimulating manure. Any old trees intended to be headed down for grafting should be done at once, and all young stalks should be grafted as early as circumstances will admit. All operations in this department should be finished as soon as the state of the ground permits; should the weather prove dry towards the end of the month, see that recently planted fruit trees are not suffering for want of moisture, as is sometimes the case in early spring; a circumstance which will rarely happen except in dry porous soils; and in such cases the ground should be mulched with decayed manure, to preserve it in a uniformly moist state; give the strawberry beds a top dressing of rotten dung if not done in the fall, and as soon as dry weather sets in, give the beds a good watering of liquid roots, and sprinkling over the foliage; they will also be greatly benefited by occasional applications of manure water at the root, particularly while swelling their fruits; strawberry beds should be uncovered soon as danger of frost is past, and a sowing of guano applied, which we have found to have great influence upon the crop of fruit. Plant a good supply of strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and currants, and by no means neglect the grape vine, which succeeds almost everywhere; in planting the raspberry, cut the canes down nearly to the ground, by which means you will obtain good strong canes for next year; old grape vines may be renewed by laying some good, well-ripened shoots two or three feet from the stem of the parent plant. Pruning of all kinds should be completed early as practicable. Set out in a partially shaded border of well prepared ground, cuttings of grapes, currants and gooseberries, of about three eyes each; set about four inches apart in the row, and one foot from row to row; press the earth well to them and keep free from weeds. See that fruit in cellars do not spoil by rotting. The Flower Garden. Mowing and dressing lawns will soon require attention. Lawns having a hungry, sandy soil, and liable in the summer to burn, should have a dressing of manure every fall. We have found a dressing of well pulverized clay obviate in a great measure the tendency to burn. Where the soil has become compact in flower beds, dig it up for the beneficial admission of air; finish the planting and alterations in ground work as early as possible; also, the pruning of shrubs. During the present and next month is the best time to plant roses from pots; young plants of China, Tea, Bourbon, and hybrid perpetuals, will bloom finely in the fall if planted now in good rich soil. Box edging planted now will do much better than when planted in the fall. If the weather prove dry after planting, keep newly planted beds well watered, as if a few plants die, the edging will appear very unsightly during the summer. Divide and plant herbaceous plants, as many of the Astors, Phloxis, Veronicas, and many other strong growing kinds throw up too many flower shoots, it is best to thin them out when about three inches high not only to obtain fine heads of blooms, but also to increase the strength of the remaining shoots. Plant out wallflowers, Sweet Williams, Canterberry bells, &c., not forgetting Delphinium formosum, one of the most showy of herbaceous plants. The early blooming kinds will soon be coming into flower, and, if choice kinds, may be propagated from cuttings as soon as the bloom is over. Sow the seeds of early annuals in patches; a slight covering will be sufficient. Mark the places with small sticks, which will be a guide to prevent any other things being planted too near them. Pansies in beds should be spread out, and their long stems covered with rich earth to within two inches of the ends, these will root and flower finely. Sow seed in boxes filled with light rich earth. Plant out those in pots. BEDDING PLANTS, such as verbenas, geraneums, salvias, cupheas, fuchsias, heliotrope, &c., cuttings of all may be put in pots, or boxes filled with light sandy soil, and placed under glass upon a slight hot bed. Tender annuals for early blooming, such as ten-week stalks, mignonette, balsams, cockscomb, amaranthus, German and French asters, phlox, &c., should be sown on a slight hot-bed, and brought forward in pots, &c. To pass in review all the annuals worthy a place in the Flower Garden, would take up more space than could be spared for the purpose. I will most worthy of a place in the garden of the therefore only name those which we consider "Farmer." SELECT LIST OF HARDY ANNUALS. Ageratum Mexicanum, Alyssum sweet, Amranthus Hypocondriacus, Amaranthus Melancholicus Rubra, Amblyolepis Letgera, Artemesia Annua, Bartonia Aurea, Calliopsis Coronata, Callishoe Pedata, Canary Bird Flower, Candytuft, sweet scented; Candy tuft, new Rocket; Canna in variety, Chrysanthemum Burridgeanm, Clarkia Elegan, Clarkia Pulchella Gran diflora, Dianthus Heddewiji, Eternal, or Ever lasting Flowers, Godetia Lindreyana, Helichrysum in variety, Larkspur, Dwarf Rocket, Limnanthus Douglassii, Marvel of Peru, Minonette, Nasturtiun Tom Thumb, in variety; Nemophila in variety, Anothera Drummondii, Phlox Drumn mondii, in variety; Portulaca, in variety; Ta getus Signata Pumila, Zinnea, the fine double varieties. FOOD FOR HOGS.-A writer for the Western Rural argues in favor of concentrated food for hogs. He says he never knew a slop-fed hog to grow and keep healthy and make as rapid growth, as one allowed the range of good, pasture, and given dry feed, such as corn, or oats and corn, or barley meal. For the "American Farmer." Inflammation of the Spleen-Carbuncle of the Spleen-Spleen Disease of Cattle. This disease has often been taken for Pleuropneumonia, and I therefore take the liberty to furnish some explanations in regard to it. It attacks all kinds of domestic animals, and amongst them even poultry; is highly dangerous, and destroys the majority of them in so short a time, that often death ensues before anything can be undertaken to prevent it. Inflammation of the spleen mostly appears with cattle, swine, and sheep, but not so frequently with horses. The progress of the disease is extremely rapid and destructive, requiring the speediest help of an energetic and careful surgeon perfectly acquainted with.the nature of the symptoms. After these general remarks, I beg leave to offer the following special information in regard to I. Spleen Disease in (attle.-Spleen fever, which often makes very rapid progress, the animal, which hitherto appeared perfectly healthy and sound, is suddenly taken sick during its work or at the trough, and even while eating; it drops down as if stricken by lightning, and death from convulsions ensues in a few minutes. Sometimes the attack is of a longer duration, In such cases the anitwelve to sixteen hours. mals appear to be weak and sullen; ceases to eat; staggers and reals; is either stupefied or excited and wild, and runs from place to place, roaring and bellowing in great agitation. From mouth and nose there flows a slimy froth, often mixed with blood; the eyes are red and covered with tears, standing wide open and emerging from the sockets; upon different parts of the body convulsions are perceptible, and the animal at last expires under these convulsions. Shortly after decease a black, tar colored blood is often seen to emerge from the mouth, nose and rectum; the genitale curl up and show a dark, red or bluish color, and the carcass is rapidly destroyed by putrefaction. But it is not always that inflammation of the spleen is attended with such rapid progress as this; in some cases death does not ensue until a lapse of from eighteen to thirty-six hours. In such cases the disorder begins with trepidation and convulsive fits, perceptible on different parts of the skin. The diseased animal retires from the crib or trough, or slowly and hesitat-, ingly follows the herd in open air; it keeps the head down, is sullen and lazy, pays no attention to others, and moves its feet in an irregular manner; appetite and rumination generally disappear entirely. Milch cows cease to give milk, the animal shows very little or no desire to drink; it is fearful, and looks wildly around; the surface of the body, the ears, horns and mouth repeatedly change from warm to cold; the eyes, at the beginning red and fiery, become dull, and often blood flows from the nose and rectum, the mouth is filled with foam and froth, the respiration difficult, forcible and wheezy, accompanied with gnashing of the teeth; the pulse rises from seventy to one hundred in a minute, and a strong and vehement palpitation of the heart is perceptible. During the last stages the surface of the body becomes cool and the animal dies under convulsions. During my practice, I have witnessed a case where the disease, after a duration of five days, resulted in death; but this is only to be considered as an exception, and to be ascribed to a very powerful bodily constitution. II. Carbuncle of the Spleen.-In many, if not in most cases, there appears in the beginning, or during the progress of the inflammation of the spleen, swellings or protuberances, called carbuncles, on different parts of the body, especially upon the head, neck and shoulders, the flanks or buttock, and even the shanks become covered with carbuncles. These carbuncles mature very rapidly, feeling hot in the beginning, extending perceptibly in height and width, and becoming, in most cases, cold and hard. Upon incision, a yellow, gelatinous matter shows itself under the skin. The carbuncle has been considered a beneficial and natural formation, but it increases the danger when it appears upon the head and neck, rendering respiration more difficult or even impossible. Another danger arises from the fact that they change into inflammed ulcers of the most malignant character. If these ulcers recede, it is in most cases an indication of death, because other parts, especially the lungs, then become infected. In many cases inflammation of the spleen, an accumulation of thickened, tar colored blood takes place in the rectum, which is commonly called loin or marrow blood. symptoms have been erroneously regarded as a special disease, whereas they are only incidental to the inflammation. This inflammation of the spleen being generally a most dangerous disease, which destroys most of the infected animals, it These |