The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1854-11-25
Agricultural.
From the American Farmer
WORK FOR THE SEASON.

COLLECTING MATERIALS FOR MANURE
Avail yourselves of every possible opportuni-
ty throughout the month, to collect and
spread on your barn-yard, cattle-yards and
hog yards, every species Of rough matter,
such as we described last month. If you
have more than you can conveniently use in
such places, form the residue into compost
heaps; combined with barn-yard and stable
manure, in the proportion of one load of the
former to two of the latter. Those who wish
to give premanence to the improvement of
their soils, will have so oncr or later to adopt
this plan; for organic matters, animal and
vegetable, are essential to the healthful and
productive capacities of every soil.
STIFF CLAYs.-All stiff, tenacious clay-soil
intended for spring crops, should be ploughed
in the fall, or winter, as opportunity may
offer. The ploughing should be performed
when the ground is neither wet, nor dry, but
moderately moist. The furrow slices should
be turned at an angle of about IS degrees, so
as to lap and expose the greater surface to
the alterations of freezing and thrawing.
The ploughing should be done deeply, say
from 6 to inches, the latter depth BEST I'M
less the soil be wet one. If wet, it should
be drained before being subject to deep
ploughing.
In the spring. as soon as the ground is suf-
fcicntly dry to admit the horses without
poaching, it should be rolled with heavy
roller, and pains be taken to close up the
seams of the burrows; this done, it should be
narrowed until fine filth be obtained. If
you contemplate manuring the field, spread
your manure on evenly and plough it in, say
from 3 to inches in depth, roll, harrow, and
roll again, when your land will he fit to re-
cevc your spring crop.
lit is desirable to save the spring plough
ing, you may apply your manure at the time
of your fall, or winter ploughing, as from the
absence of heat, the decomposition of the
manure will be but comparatively trifling,
and consequently but little loss of the volatile
gases, particularly if the ground be rolled
with heavy roller after being ploughcd in
fall or winter. If the lands ploughed in fall
or winter. should need lining, we think it
may be safely lined at the time, as we sus-
poet that before spring the lime will have be-
come tolerably mild, so much so, at least, as
not to materially disturb the ammonia Of the
manure.
Corn STALks.-Thcse should be ccono-
missed for food, as from the wants of winter
provender, they will bc needed before grass
comes next spring.
Corn CoBs.-Permit us again to advise
you not to sell your corn on the cob, but have
your corn shellcd, and keep the cobs for food
for your cattle. By crushing and steaming
the cobs, when mixed with cut straw or hay,
they make an admirable mess for dry CATTLE
whereas if a quart of meal be added to each
mess given, if made into slop, mich COW
will not only thrive well, but contribute gen.
crously to the pail.
Mich Cows.-Upon the score af humanity
as well as interest, we again make an appeal
that these creatures shall be well cared for.
If you expect them to give milk in quantities
you must feed them with such food as will
enable them to secrete it; messes of good Stops
in which meal or bran is mixed with cut fod-
der, clover and other hay, which should be
given them thrice day, or straw, will do
this; they should be kept under cover, in
comfortable, well bedded stalls, which should
be kept clean; they should be curried and
rubbed down night and morning, in mild
weather; they should be permitted to take
cxerci SC in the barn-yardin the middle Of the
day; be sailed, or receive the salt, ashes and
oyster shelllime twice week, l or 2 OF. at
a time, and be watercd three times day.
YoUNG CATTLE, of all kinds should be pro.
vided with warm, dry sheds, facing the south
east. have access to yard, be so fed as to
keep them in healthy condition; for if stint
cd with food when young, their growth will
be arrested. Many an animal, for want of
proper attention to their feeding when young,
has been dcspoilcd of fourth of the size it
would have attained under good Treatment
WORKING ANIMALs.-Every animal that
labors, whether he be horse, mule, or oxen,
should b e generously fed three times day.
be provi ded with good. warm, well-bedded
londeings, should be watcred at every meal,
be curred and brushed down night and morn
ing. Their stalls should be kept clean.
Plaster or diluted copperas water should be
sprinklcd over the back part of their stalls
twice or thrice week; and receive salt, or
the salt, ashes and lime mixture twice a week
at least.
SHEEP.-Thesc should should have COW
cred shed, opening into a yard. Cover the bot
tom of the shed and yard with mould from
the woods, or other rough materials; sprinkle
plaster over the surface twice week, and
once or twice week cover the floor of the
shed with fresh straw. Feed them regular
ly three times day.
DRAINING Wet LANDS. by draining such
lands as may be called wct lands, you will
increase their productive powers, diminish
tho labor of work inp them imnroye the ouaI-