Nebraska advertiser., 1856-12-13
farnrrrs' 9epartmetlt.
From the Rural New yorker.


on the alert. Barns, cattle sheds and
sheep yards need to be put in such
order as viii warrant the greatest pro-
lection to the animals to be placed
therein. Feed what and when you will,
it is of no avail, animals cannot be
kept in good condition if exposed to
the seventies of the season we are
entering upon. True economy would
dictate the comfort of stock, for to re-
invigorate system impoverished by
harsh treatment, undoubtedly costs
more than to keep it in readiness to
supply the demands of nature, not to
mention the greater tendencies to
disease developed by lack of food or
want of protection from storms and
cold. There is another point, connect
ed with stock raising-upon which
much of the logic of reason and argu-
ment ought to be brought to bear
that should receive the attention of
those interested. Give then, the best
yOlsr barn and grandrg affords. In
stead of marketing the cleanest and
sweetest of the hay and feeding out
such as was poorly cured or musty,
reverse the mode. The richer the food
the richer the manure--the more of
concentrated fertility possessed by the
latter the better for land and crops,
both of which have direct relation to
the pockets Of the owner. Keep no
more stock than can be aCintered aueH.-
If, however, you should run short of
long fodder, cut up into small pieces
an inch or an inch and half long
the corn-stalks and steam them. A
bushel will make good meal for an
OK or COW. We have, heretofore, pub
lished cheap and convenient mode
for performing this operation, but
thinking it may prove of value to
thousands in our now more extended
! circle &c readers, givo tho rnuthed FOR
the baaeft0f those Who nidg De driven
Into close nhTtBrs iil the s1rnrnisssriat
department before returning Spring
clothes the pastures IN their vernal
robes. Take box-made water-tight,
and fitted with close lid-that will
contain one or two bushels Of stalks,
cut as directed, and, after filling it
with the fodder, pour into it a pot-full
of boiling water, close the lid and let
the steam do the work. When the
water has become luke-warm the stalks
will be cooked sufficiently to be fed
cut. For mich COWS it will be, to
them, an agreeable addition to stir ap
bran or mill-feed in their mess and
they can be kept in this manner in
good condition with but little hay
Take stroll among the homes of your
domestic animals-see that everything G
is conveniently and comfortably pre-
pared-hold yourself in readiness to
give an affirmative response to the
query Are you ready?
The long winter evenings are here
: again, and isolated as the farmer is,
the question naturally arises in what
manner is he to spend them? So much
of life is made up of the hours of Ma
ture's darkness, that our prosperity
may depend upon their right use. The
labors Of Spring, Summer and Autumn
are Of such character as to almost
, deprive the farmer Of any opportunity
for mental development, but Winter
t gives the time for obtaining fund oi
information that will enable him, wher
the season of toll returns, to work with
confidence and earnestness that is its
own guarantee of success. Have yOr
s with the agency of neighbOrs formed I
club for the discussion of agriculture
2 topics, the relation Of experiences
3 and the comparing of matters relative
to your avocation. The field, garden
and orchard furnish a thousand sub
J iects upon which almost every farme
may give light to his brother laborer
and receive in return practical knoWl
e edge upon points to him clothed d
n darkness. Be observing, andif som
in your vicinity have met with extra
i ordinary success in the culture of an
e crop fathom the reasons therefor, an
leaving the "beaten path" strike ou
. anew in the cause of Progress. Thinl
: > study; lay plans and devise exper
= ments for the coming season, and II
= solve to perform whatever portion {
. . labor is assigned you in rolling forwar
the car Of Improvement. Be a tarms
J or else, by change of employment, see
O1 an occupation more congenial to yoI
tastes. Science is lending its light
E. agricultural pursuits-art and mechal
ical skill are devising and manufactll
, ing aids to its promotion, and he WI
J discards their assistance enters Il
- battlefield Of life half armed. Som
J: = thing beside bone and muscle streng
a. of sinew and power of endurance
necessary to elevate the farmers ca
sy ing; these are neeessaries, but ment
enlightenment must be the directiI