Riches & Happiness: 1845

The editor of the Maine Farmer's Almanac is often a very opinionated social critic. He holds nothing back in this "Farmer's Calendar" essay from 1845.

Riches take away more happiness than they bestow, but one must have a soul to feel this: there can, therefore, be no soul in that clod of clay, mimetic of humanity, that is determined to acquire riches by hook or by crook, by foul means, if fair ones are not available to that end, and that would sell his soul for gold, had one been bestowed upon him, and the arch-fiend could be wheedled and coaxed into trade with a greater jockey and swindler than himself. What we have in us of the image of God, remarks the pagan orator, Demosthenes,—is the love of truth and justice:—how small the portion, then, of mankind in whom this image remains perceptible, even in Christian communities, at the present day.

Economical Habits & Christian Virtue: 1865

This is, in my opinion, a wonderful "Farmer's Calendar" sermon. One that surely applies to our profligate and wasteful modern culture. It comes from the Maine Farmer's Almanac of 1865.

Let no one think meanly of an economical habit, but rather let every one esteem it a Christian virtue worthy of a high place in the Christian character. Indeed it is one of the results of uprightness of heart, for only the unfaithful steward wastes his Master’s goods. True there are those who advise economy because it favors the accumulation of riches, and these judge rightly of the means to the end: for most men become wealthy rather by what they save than by what they earn. But there is for the practice of this virtue a higher reason, which rests upon the fact that we ought to use carefully what we have as choice gifts from the Creator, the products of the field, the mine, and the ocean, are gifts to us; and he who wastes them robs mankind, and hence thwarts the beneficent Being working for our good. Moreover, He sets us the highest examples of economy, for in all His works He never wastes a single particle of matter. Though He has ample material for framing worlds, there is not so much unused as will feed the tiniest mite; so that in His works as in His Word, He commands to gather up the fragments that nothing be lost.

Wisdom For Raising Children: 1850

This March "Farmer's Calendar" essay is from the Thomas’s Old Farmer's Almanac of 1850. The advice is timeless....

Friendly reader, I have nothing to do here about soldier training; but for the proper discipline of our sons and daughters I have a heart-felt interest. “Train them up,” says Soloman, “in the way they should go.” An important inquiry, then, is the way. How should they go, and where should they go? Shall they be under any regulation, or shall they go whensoever and wheresoever they list, like the idle wind? Who shall train them? As to parents, there are some who incline to take the guidance of their childrens’ education, and would train them for heaven; while others have little care about it, and let them train themselves for quite a different place. I feel a special concern for farmers’ boys. You, my young friends, who may be accustomed to peruse this little calendar, in candlelight evenings, will do well to consider (in case your parents have given it up) the danger that approaches you when allowed to have your own way, as you please, like a wild colt without bridle or halter. Think not that to labor is disgraceful, as some foolishly do. “If you do not need labor for food, it is capital for physic,” and not costly either.

The Woodlot in March: 1856

Well, neighbor Hardoak, let us to the forests hie! March is the time to be cutting wood. This "Farmer's Calendar essay comes from the Old Farmer's Almanac of 1856.

Hark! ‘tis the woodsman’s axe. “Some stately oak, or pine, which nods aloft, and proudly spreads her shade, the sun’s defiance and the flocks’ defense, by stroke of laboring hinds subdued, loud groans her last, and, in cumbrous ruin, thunders to the ground; the forest rumbles, and hill, and stream, and distant dale, resound!” So does the poet tell the story, how we, laboring wights, annually to the forests hie, to supply our fires for the comfort of ourselves, our friends, and, mayhap, the wayfaring stranger. This is a stirring month with the elements, and it behooves us to bestir ourselves too, in preparation for spring work, which should not be allowed to catch us napping. A wise farmer will watch his wood-lot, and see that there is no waste; for since the introduction or rail-roads, we are pretty well assured that “wood is wood.” The iron horse is an all-devouring monster, and is ever calling for “more fodder.” This month and February are the time and season for cutting wood, which should be piled while green, and thus seasoned under cover. Depend upon it, this is first-rate economy. I presume neighbor Hardoak, that you have tested the truth of it.

Sheep & Lambs in March: 1869

This "Farmer's Calendar" excerpt is from the Maine Farmer's Almanac of 1869.

Sheep and lambs are going to require special care these raw days. A good many lambs are lost every year for lack of a little seasonable attention. When they are chilled the best remedy is a warm bath, Take them into the house and douse them in all but the head. The water must be several degrees above the blood heat, or it will do more harm than good. Heat it as hot as they will bear; let them stay in twenty minutes or more: then wrap them up dry and warm and keep them near the fire. The ewe’s milk is best for them, but if she doesn’t give enough or won’t own them, cow's milk is good. It should be new milch cow’s milk if possible, but farrow cow’s milk will do if sweetened with molasses. It should be given warm by means of a flase teat, though lambs have been raised by suckling them on the cow, but it is a troublesome experiment. If a lamb lives to be four days old and sucks well, it will usually do well. The best grain for sheep is oats, and the notion that they don’t need any water is too absurd to talk patiently about.

More Selections from March "Farmer's Calendar" Essays

Thomas's Old Farmer's Almanac: 1887

They say it is the early bird that catches the worm, and so it is he
who gets the best early vegetables who takes the cream of the market and sets the best table at home. Such being the case, the hot-bed must be made about the first of the month. A good hot-bed can be made with a depth of a foot of manure at the bottom. Look out and have the manure all right before it is to be used. Pitch it over in time to have it well heated. It is of no use to put cold manure in a hot bed. It is the heat that is to do the business. It is worth while to look about and get a few good points from the market gardeners.

Thomas’s Old Farmer's Almanac: 1852

Who now loves bacon and eggs? If any, let him save his bacon. Go about it,—no flinching, for the flies may step in and make a deposit that will not be so very agreeable.

Dudley Leavitt’s Farmer's Almanac: 1858

Let hens have a house with a sunny aspect. make plenty of nests for them in covert places, for it is a liking of theirs to be a little secretish. Give them lime, oyster-shells, and refuse meat, and they will repay your care with an abundant supply of nice white eggs.

Thomas's Old Farmer's Almanac: 1874

There is no other month like this. Cold, sleet, rain, snow, and sunshine. But we must make the best of it. there is the cellar to be cleaned out. Might as well do it now as any time, and a great deal better than put it off till the spring work begins to press. If any of the roots or the cabbages are likely to rot get them out. Sort over the pototoes for planting. Look over the casks and tubs, and put every-thing to rights. See that the beef and pork are packed all safe to keep into hot weather. Sweep off the cobwebs dangling here and there, and whitewash the walls and timbers. The bottom ought to be hard and smooth and often swept. The health of the folks up stairs depends a great deal on the sweetness of the cellar at this time of year. You can’t be too careful about the drains and the ventilation.

Thomas’s Old Farmer's Almanac: 1869

Give breeding sows a warm, dry pen by themselves. Feed them some raw roots. They are healthful and greatly relished. A little charcoal is good for them now and then.

Thomas’s Old Farmer's Almanac: 1862

It is time to begin to bestir ourselves. Is that manure forked over? I take it you have a barn-cellar. Who would be without a barn-cellar in these days, unless he has covered sheds over his whole barn-yard, as some do? There is some objection to keeping hay and live stock over a tight barn-cellar, after all; but it is infinitely better, on the whole, than throwing out the manure to lie under the drenchings of the eaves, to smutch up the sides of the barn. An abundance of absorbing material, like dry peat muck or loam, will obviate the difficulty of the cellar in part, and proper ventilation and a tight door will also help.

Picking Rocks: 1882

Years ago, I picked rocks when I worked on a farm. My two sons have picked rocks for neighboring farmers. One of the farmers drives a backhoe through the field and the boys put rocks in the bucket. If it's a big rock, the backhoe can dig it out. Another farmer uses a skid steer loader for the same job. Even with such modern machines, rock picking is hard and dirty work. But imagine (if you can) how much more work it was in the old days with crowbars and shovels and horses! Here's what Thomas’s Old Farmer's Almanac has to say about the subject in the "Farmer's Calendar" essay of 1882.

It is not very nice work to pick rocks, but it is a thing that must be done, and there is no better time than the last of this month. It is fun to see how easy so many rocks that are firm in the sod at other seasons, come up now that the ground is moist and soft, and a live farmer can take hold and clear up the mowing lots just as well not. No use to spoil the scythe when the crowbar will do the work so well.

Feeding Horses: 1875

This excerpt comes from the March "Farmer's Calendar" essay in Dudley Leavitt's Farmer's Almanac of 1875.

Here is a table for horse feed given by a Conecticut clergyman, after careful estimates and experiments: “For flesh, indian meal, six qts a day, sprinkled on hay cut from 4 to 6 inches long; for speed, long hay sprinkled with water, and 12 quarts of oats always dry. feed regularly three times a day.” Of all our domestic animals it is well known that none require more systematic care than the horse, and thousands of dollars are said to be lost each year by the careless wintering of farm horses. Too much hay and too little exercise will soon ruin the finest span. Carrots given occasionally will give a silky appearance to the coat. Musty hay or oats should never be fed to them—the best food is always cheapest in the end.

Farmers Are "Lords of Creation": 1864

I love this March "Farmer's Calendar" essay from Dudley Leavitt’s Farmer's Almanac of1864. The author sees farming as a great responsibility and a divine calling. That is, in my opinion, the proper perspective.

Come, friend farmer, what do you think of the business of farming?
You have had a season of rest from bodily labor, or from its
severities, during the winter, and a good time for reflection.
Farmers must think; they are not born to move without mental
activity, and their chance is great for profitable reflection. The vast
scenes of nature are all around us; and here is man, the tiller, the
cultivator of this great globe, placed in the midst of this vast
creation, to improve it, to adorn it, to live by it, and to enjoy it. Yes,
my good friend, you belong to that class who are, thus to speak,
the “lords of creation.”

Selections From March "Farmer's Calendar" Essays

Maine Farmer's Almanac: 1870

All flesh is grass, not only in the metaphorical way in which the words are generally taken, but in very deed and fact. Your ox, when you consider him fairly, is only a bundle of pressed hay, still further reduced and compressed, when you, in turn, devour the ox.

Thomas’s Old Farmer's Almanac: 1855

Providence will see to all things; and he who will not confide in that, let him fidget and fret. As for us farmers, we must be looking out for spring-time and the calls of business. Cheery, my hearties! All agog now for taking time by the foretop!

Thomas’s Old Farmer's Almanac: 1872

No use to fret about the storm and snow. Keep your temper is a good rule on the farm. This way of finding fault with heaven and earth won’t do. Sugar will always catch more flies than vinegar. It is easier far to lead than to drive, and it saves a deal of bluster. There’s only one life to lead on earth and it doesn’t pay to get in a stew about nothing. Let he catle chew the cud and the pigs snore when you go into the barn. it is the quiet strokes that tell. A sour-tempered man can’t keep his help long, and the boys are glad to leave the farm as soon as they can get away.

Thomas’s Old Farmer's Almanac: 1886

Clover should be sown on lands laid down last fall. Red clover is one of the best crops we can raise, and it makes the land better every time. Ten pounds of red clover and five pounds of alsike to the acre is none too much. It is worth while to roll the ground after the seed is sown.

Thomas’s Old Farmer's Almanac: 1893

It is time to start the hot-bed, if early plants are desired: be sure and have the manure hot when put into the frame; and cover the glass with mats and shutters during nights and stormy days. If early chicks are desired, set a few hens in some warm, secluded corner where nothing will disturb them.

Thomas’s Old Farmer's Almanac: 1849

We have sometimes an inclination to spend a few dollars in the purchase of manure, which is the custom of some. However, it is better to make all the manure you can on your farm, and do without the rest, than to hire cash to purchase it with. dig gold out of the ground—be your own miner—you must not go beyond the depth of the soil to find it. the coin thus procured will abide with you better than that which is otained by mortgaging your farm.

(Note: when speaking of the purchase of manure, the author is referring to fertilizer other than animal manure. The word "manure" was, in the old days, used broadly to include any material used to fertilize the fields.)

Thomas’s Old Farmer's Almanac: 1854

The love of ease and the love of grog, combined together, form a most dangerous disease.

Thomas’s Old Farmer's Almanac: 1879

The bluebird and the robin, welcome guests, come to cheer us with their modest song, and the brooks that were bound in ice run leaping and sparkling with new life. Every living thing seems to be glad. No want of work now.

Dudley Leavitt’s Farmer's Almanac: 1860

It is almost as much as any one can do to keep his hat upon his head, and his head upon his shoulders during this windy month! Keep up courage, winter is nearly gone: the sun with his cheering rays continues to rise higher, each succeeding day, as seen at noon, and in a few days will reach the celestial equator, when he will have no declination either north or south.