Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1855-02-24
Work for the Month.

We are now in the midst of winter-but
winter has its charms and duties. This is ge-
nerally regarded by other occupations as the
most leisure month in the whole year for the
farmer 1t is supposed that the threshing is
done-grain and pork marketed-and that the
farmer is out of a job-nothing to do but sit in
the house-ride to town--hang about the tav-
crn or country Store-or engage IN any recrea-
ton that may chance to turn up. But, not so.
70 the industrious and economical farmer, the
duties of this month are quite as numerous and
imperative as those of any other month III the
whole year. All kinds of domestic animals re-
Quire more care and attention at this season
than at any other. If neglected now, cattle
and sheep will be very likely to come out in
the spring in bad condition.
If You expect to carry your sheep through
the winter, so as to have them come out safely
aud in good condition in the spring, they must
be kept constantly comfortable They must be
fed often and regularIy-have free access to
good Water-be sheltered fIom the cold winds
and storms; and, when kept in large numbers,
the weak and strong should be separated into
different AockS. These remarks apply with
equal force to all other domestic animals A
great loss is frequently sustained by feeding an
imals not sufficiently often, and giving them
too large quantities at Il timc-the fodder be-
ing impcrfcctly eaten, and large quastity
trampled under foot. Feed often-at least
three times day, at regular hours, and in such
quantities as Will be eaten up clean. The
younger animals, such as the last spring calves,
and the weaker Of an older age should be Sc
parated from the older and stronger ones
Mich COWS, at this season, require special care
if YOU would have them yield liberal supply
of milk. Besides dry fodder they should have
a peck of bran, scaldcd in pailful of water,
with a little salt, morning and evening; or what
is better, a feed of bran slOps and carrots al
tcrnatcly. They should also be kept dry and
warm Working horses should be well cared
for. They should have large, warm stalls, with
dry litter. We often see horses thrust into
stalls not wide enough to admit of their lying
down, except in crouching position on their
legs and feet. Stalls for horses should never
he made less than seven feet wide The horse,
10 rest easy, wants room to lie sldewlSe, and
extend his limbs at pleasure
Look to your fruit trees-see that the rab-
bits and mice are not barking them. Remove
all grass and litter that will afford material for
their nests. Coarse manure or litter of any
kind should never be put around fruit trees in
the fall If there be snow on the ground tramp
it down solid around the body of the trees
The long winter evenings afford leisure for
study and investigation in relation to your call
ing Provide Yourself with agricultural books
and papers, such as treat upon the plants and
animals you are raising Read and reflect
and don't forget to get up rousing big club
of subscribers for the BRADFORD REPORTER"
which will contain choice selection of A gri-
cultural reading, of itself worth more than the
subscription; to say nothing of tales, essays,
anecdotes poetry, news, politics, &c.