The Texas Almanac for 1869 and Emigrant's Guide to Texas. Page: 12
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i2 TEXAS ALMANAC.
FEBRUARYo
THE -PLANTATION.
MOST of the business of last month may still be continued. It must be
borne in mind that the range of climate and of season in a State of such vast
extent as Texas is very considerable. It is not, therefore, possible to come
within an average range of less than a month in these hints. Above all,
keep the plows going whenever the state of the ground will allow of it.
Plant Irish potatoes and sow spring oats, although it is now quite late enough
for either. During wet weather, in addition to the items named last month,
sort over and shell seed-corn, which should always be selected in the field
and housed by itself, previous to gathering in the crop. Pick over sufficient
cotton-seed to plant a part of the crop, from which to select the seed of the
year following; without some such practice, all seeds deteriorate. Plant corn
during the first favorable weather after the 10th or 20th, taking care to cover
shallow.
Sow two or three acres of good land in corn in drills, 2i to 3 feet apart--
invaluable for green fodder. Break up the ground intended for sweet pota-
toes, if not done before. Frost, even slight as it usually proves thus far
South, is a powerful agent in pulverizing mould for covering seeds; and the
sooner the cotton ridges can be exposed to its action, the better.
It should never be forgotten that the best possible security we can give our
corn crops against the droughts that so frequently occur, in Western Texas
especially, is to plow deep and plant early. In this way crops of 20 to 80
bushels per acre have often-been made without a drop of rain after the corn
came up. in all Western and Middle-Texas, corn-planting should not be post-
poned beyond February. Better risk a frost and replant, than plant later.
But be sure and plow deep.
GARDEN CALENDAR.-FEBRUARY.
KITCHEN GARDEN.--Uentral Texas, etc.-Continue to sow, to plant, and to
tend, as in January. Plant-a few melons, squashes or cymblins, cucumbers,
snap-beans, okra, etc., protecting the young plants when needful. They may
possibly be cut down ; but to have early vegetables, we must plant early, and
risk the result, using what precautions we may. Plant out all sorts of aro-
matic and pot-herbs ; carrots, parsnips, and turnips intended to produce seed
-they should have been hung up in some dry place in December. Another
sowing or two of spinach may be made in soil rich enough to force it, as it
will quickly run to seed. More peas should be sown for succession; the same
varities named last month, as also any of the taller sorts. Sow, also, early
corn, radishes, lettuce, early-and summer cabbage, and -he main- crops of
beets, carrots, parsnips, and salsify. Continue to set out early cabbage plants,
in ground richly manured.
Tnn- FRUITr ARDEN AND ORCARD.-To succeed in -fruit-growing, we
must raise- our own trees; prepare the ground properly, Studying the right
soil and location for the different fruits; plant with care and in good season;
and bestow such a degree of attention and of after-tending as so valuable a
crop deserves. When it is thought desirable to plant trees of Northern
growth, do so merely as a means of bringing about the.acclimation of the
variety, by propagating it as often as may prove necessary upon ao ated
stocks, adapted to locality, soil, and climate. The whole experime : yet
in its infancy amongst us. Texas is- destined to be one of the fruit
countries on.this-continent,-but-.more skilland attention-are.requir:
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The Texas Almanac for 1869 and Emigrant's Guide to Texas., book, 1869~; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth123774/m1/4/?rotate=90: accessed May 21, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.