Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1849-12-21
Agricultural.

Makes also an annoy for others. 49, q j. -te
- "a Agricultural ..''' =
From the American Farmer.
Work for December.
Before we enter upon hints for the work of the
month"; it may not be Opportune for us TO state that
SO far as we can nudge from the accounts our ex-
change papers, and from oral statements received
from individuals coming from various parts of our
country we have arrived at these conclusions that
the tobacco crop has been very short one-that the
sctedt and corn crops are much below average ones
that the oGt crop has been unusually short-that bar
ley is fair average crop-ryg good if not better
than it has been for several that potatoes
though the yield has not been large, has been
exempt from the rot than they have been for series
of years. and that the hay crop is small one COM
paratively speaking In thus speaking, design to
be understood as including the whole country with
in the scope of our meaning But taking in our
range SO wide of cultivated land, we feel in
competent, from the facts upon which our opinions
have been predcated to form any opinion as to the
effects upon prices which are to be produced for
where so much land has been under cultivation, the
deduction is fair one, that crops must be much
defective than they have proved, to operate
rously upon the value of products notwithstand-
ing the shortness it is only relatively So and hence
the surpluses must be considerable beyond domestic
demand. In this state of things the effect upon pri
ces will. to some extent, depend upon the demands
from abroad for our breadstufs and provisions. If
these shall prove to be great then we may reasona
bly, calculate upon appreciation Of values. The
anticipated shoFtness in the cotton crop has already
created an increase in the market value of that i'm
portant staple, and have right to look for SIM
liar result in favor of tobacco there be Ion
ger doubt entertained that the aggregate of that
crop is very far below any quantity grown for seVe-
raj wears and as it's consumption has increased is
increasing and will continue to increase, and as the
supply viii advance in value in proportion as it may
be exceeded by the demand, we look forward to
ry great improvement in prices and particularly for
the better qualities.
With these remarks upon crops and prices, we pro-
pose direct your attention to few of the abor
which should be performed this month
ON FARM.
Fattening Hogs-It is fact justified by the ex-
perience of observing farmers that hogs always fat
ten most kindly when the weather is not excessively
cold, in such weather the fat producing portions
Of the food consumed by them go directly to the IN
weather it is diverted from that Office and made to
perform another to wit that of keeping up the heat
in his body. If this view be correct, and we believe
it Isl it should then be object to pen all hogs in
tended for pork comparatively early in the season,
and equally is it object that, when penned they
should be well cared for, and regularly fed By the
term we'll cared for to convey the idea that
their pens shall be calculated to keep them dry
and comfortable. Besides the yard in which they
may exercise, and in which they should be made to
manufacture manure they should be provided with
sleeping apartments, under cover, be we'll supplied
with straw or leaves for bedding In the yard there
should be rubbing post Their food should be CIV
them at least three times day, at stated hours,
their trough should be regularly supplied with clean
water, and occasionally, say once week. be given a
mixture comprised of equal parts of salt and ashes.
e-nrood- Detach hand to cut down sufficient
quantity of fre-wood to last not only through the
winter, but sufficient to all the purposes of
the house and quarters until this time next year
When cut, split and corded up have it hauled into
the dwelling yard and piled up for convenient
Among the comforts of the country life, good warm
freside is not the least tempting; and being alike
conducive to health and comfort the good husband
man should see to it. so that in the stern weather of
winter every one living beneath roof of his may be
insured against the infections of cold Selfnterest
well humanity, enoins it as duty that IN fuel
there should be no stint.
. Winter Ploughing.-It is always conducive to the
Moderation of stiff clays to give them winter plough
ing but this operation must be performed under IA
vorable circumstances; the ploughng must be done
when the soil is free from Cet If clays plough
ed when wet when in state of approximation, they
will continue throughout the ensuing season In a
condition little better than mortar intractable alike
to the plough, the harrow, and the hoe whereas if
the following be done when the soil is moderately
moist and the burrows be kept at ans gle of about
As degrees, drainage will be carried on through all
the mild weather of winter, which, aided by the eff
feet of freezing and hawing will break down the
extu: Of the clay as to render the soil much easier
worked in the spring, besides enabling the labors
thereon to be performed at much earlier period 1t
is but proper however, here to observe, that lands
naturally wet are but little benefited by winter
ploughng, draining being the corrective for such
soils AS to the depth of winter ploughng lands
requiring it, should that we would go deep
as the plough and team would permit us.
Mich Coacs.--Cows giving milk should, in addition
to their long provender, be provided with succulent
food of some kind it matters not whether it be made
of roots chopped grain of kind OF crushed corn
cobs made into slops. Hay and fodder: straw and
they are indispensable to the preservation of the
health of mlch cows; but soft nutritious food is alb
soutely necessary wherever the secretion Of milk is
considered object of moment
Mich COWS should also have warm dry stabling
good beds, be regularly watered thrice day at sta
ted hours, be curried and rubbed down night and
morning be provided with gill of salt thrice the
course of each week. the same quantity of the fol-
lowing mixture, which we deem better: equal parts
of salt, ashes and lime In good weather the COWS
should, in the middle of the day. be permitted to
take exercise in the lane at all times they should
when the weather is not inclement, have access to
the yard attached to their stable or sheds
Young Cattle and CoitS.-These should have sheds
to shelter under IN bad weather and of nights they
should receive moderately generous allowances of
haF, fodder, and straw, and be allowed feed Of
grain, say half gallon EACH of oats, at nightfaI-
They should be regularly rubbed down daily and
thus become accustomed to being handled they
should be regularly watered morning. noon and
night and be sailed twice or thrice week. or given
the mixture recommended for mich cows Straw
holdings or leaf holdings will also be conducive to
their comfort as well as growth Comfortable, warm
beds, of bleak winters night, add much to the
growth of young animals besides economizlng food.