Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1846-02-26
NEATNEsS IN FARMING.

we have somewhere heard the remark,
that with the good farmer, every thing gives
way to his business--that utility is all, and ap-
pearance nothing Hence you are not to ex-
pect neatness about his dwelling, his door
yard being cut up into mud by the farm-wag
on and the manure cart, and the contiguity of
barns, pig-pens. and kitchen, such as convent
ence, and not freedom from the peculiar odors
Of hog yard and rich manure-heap, may dictate.
Now 10 speak bluntly, this is all nonsense.
1t so happens, that in farming, neamess and
thrift almost invariably 60 together. The
same love Of order which prompts the farmer
TO clear his yard of broken barrels old hoops,
fragments of boards and sticks of wood, and
whatever else defaces and defles his premises
also prompts him to have place for every
thing and every thing in its place, which is
calculated to bear upon real and substantial
profit.
Some of the very best farmers with whom
we are acquainted whose eminent success
and heavy profits, separate them in this respect
in bold distncmess from the rest of their neigh
bors, are patterns of neatness and the touch
of their hand in the expulsion of every kind of
nuisance is visible all over their farms. Their
door yards show that the master is ''at home p
the barn-yard, which is not so near the house
that all the butter and cheese manufactured is
neatness, even where all the refuse of other
places is collected for enriching in due time
the rest Of the farm. A farmer of our acquan-
lance, with l60 acres, in whose farm-yard we
could scarcely ever discover wisp of straw
in the wrong place, remarked, ''Oh, don't
attempt to make great deal from my farm
expend so much in Improvements that my
clear profits are only about thousand dollars
a year" Another of those neat farmers, IN
whose fields, cookie, docks. and chess, obtain
no foothod, nor along whose fences solita-
~ elder bush or nettle is ever seen, raised
twenty-seven hundred dollars worth of farm
produce at the prices of 1874 and both of
these farmers live in Western New York,
where prices are comparatively low, entirely
away from the peculiar advantages Of market
which neaness to great cities gives.
Now, let no one say that these remarks are
made at the wrong season OF the year, and
that nothing can be done for neatness and order
in the winter. The same general rule, in
some shape or variation, has an almost infinite
number of applications. The care OF domestic
animals in winter needs pre-emnently the ap-
plication of this rule. No animal can thrive
well in the midst of dirt Even pig does not
love dirt for dirt's sake-he only happens to be-
so much OF philosopher or rather stole that
he is willing TO endure dirt for the sake of
soft and cool bed in summer, for ii has been
found that these animals thrive better and fat
ten much faster when kept clean and well cur
ried.
Horses and cattle are often neglected in
cleanliness We have actually known some
who did not clean the manure from horse sta
bles for months, allowing it gradually to thick
en- under foot with the accommodating litter till
a foot in thickness-and reasoning doubtless
as the boy did who combed his hair once a
month and was aStonished that such torture
and trouble from the operation could BE- endur-
cd daily by other people. A farmer who does
his own chores, can hardly afford TO keep his
horse so finely as the gentleman of wealth,
who has a man for no other purpose but
every one should have his stable floor perfect
ly clean at least twice every day, once in the
morning and once at night before ht,ering, and
oiener would be better. Remember that the
ottener it is done the easier il is accomplished
There are many other particulars where
neainess may be attended 10 in winter. Gate
hinges and gate fastenings often need repair,
that they may shut like clock work boards be-
come loose on old barns and board fences
tools become awkward for use, and need re-
modelling or renewing; and many other
small matters indoors and out, require atten-
ton. We are aware that TO many of our rea-
ders, who are already examples for others,
such hints as the preceding are not applicable
TO such we can say that they need not read
them-like the man who ChiSsled on the stone
ut the fordlng place. "When the water comes
TO this stone II is unsafe TO cross"