Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1850-01-21
AGRiCULT URAL.
WORK ON THE FARMS.

WINTER pLOUGHING-As there are
many times during winter, when the ground may
be ploughed without injury therefore, Ii you have
any stiff ciaYey fields that you intend for spring
crops, you should seize every opportunity through
the winter, when the ground IS not wet, TO nave
such fields well pIoughed, taking care to lap the
burrows. so as to ensure TIE water which may fail,
to find drains beneath them 10 carry it of. by
attention to thisrecommendation, you will. through
the action of the frost, have the lenaciy OF such
elav soils broken down. and its texture greatly
improved, as there is nothing, except the aPpli-
cation of large quantities of c0arse manure, mari
or lirae. better calculated through exposure lo
winter freezing ara ihawing, to effect this opJect
than winter pong ing when effectively done, at a
time when the Ian3 is not saturated with wafer.
lfplonrtad when Het. your object will not only
he defeated, aus the soil will remain III bad condl
ton t1roughoat he season.
SURFACE DRAINS-Examiae the surface
drains in your Grain fields, and be careful to have
all impedimeats to the free passage Of the water
removed, as there is nothing which mere tends 10
prevent the wiu,arkiIing OF your gram, than the
keapng it free from flooding through tho winter
and early sprine Keep your grain beds dry, ana
me danger Of beng killed is but tfifng W TN
daep t.llage and well constructed surface drans
you will be able to avoid loss from this cause.
WORKING S'l0Ck--As these generous
creatures have to perform Their razor al thi5 sSd-
son. through every degree Of Indictment weather,
they should be well led, comfortably lodged III
GOOD straw bedding. curried or combed twice a
eay. be well rubbed down wilma brush or wisp
ofstraw, he watered twice day, before eacn meal,
and receive an allowance salt, OF che mixture
of salt. lime and ashes, at least twice a week.
We prefer the mixture of salt, lime and ashes, to
salt alone, and oysersheil n!e 10 that made from
limestone for the sinpl reason that there's near
lytwo per cent. Of phosphofic acid III the foTmef,
thing very essential when combined with iiine,
and forming, in fact, bone earth, to replace the
daily tear Of the bones OF the animals.
FENCING-tIaya you had all the posts and
rails cut, which You think You may need through
the wear? lfnat send your force into tho woods,
have the trees filled, cut up and SPLIT into proper
lengths; then have Your posts and rails, in the
rough, hauled into y4ur barn yards and piled up.
When there You should occupy the time Of your
hands, in all bad weather. in fashioniag The posts,
morticing the necessary holes in them, and point
ing the rails in order that, soon as the frost is
out of the ground in the spring, you nlay go to
work with will. put up any new line OF fence
needed and make the necessary repairs 10 the
old. When we tell you, that you should always
have fencing stuff ready for use, we speak from an
experience ofyears, which was not gained without
cost.
GATES-If the entrances 10 your fields, is
through that troublesome. line-eaiing con.rlvance
called bars, substitute them By gates.