Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1857-12-11

I The character Of our climate, and Of our
population, we think, have undergone change
for the better. The cleaning up of our forests
and especially the drainage of swamps and low
| lands, have tended to soften the asperity Of
our Winters. The temperance reformation has
bad happy influence upon the morals of the
/ people, aud energies once wasted ia the tap.
room, are nov peat iu usefid labon = The in
dustry OF the farmer nieets with better reward.
and he is stimulated by the higher price offered
fer all his products to auwearied diligence in
ms calling. The standard Of education is
greatly improved among the people. and The
farmers row upon the stage bring ninc4 larger
share Of intelligence TO their work than The
generations that preceded them, Then, in the
matter of special training aud education. for
their work, tire farmers of to-day are ia advance
of those of fifty years ago. There has been
| steady aud heathtul increase in ON agricultural
| literature for the last twenty years, and he
State aud County Societies, which nov imll
their Annual Fairs, are the creaeiarf7 uf ne
agricultural Press. These Fairs, ,rte.s s1irhHg
Cond&rfod, are one OF the hesr neaijs Of eda-
cation IN 80 Enlaars' al dial ;ya eii9y.a Nc
are approaching sl,G9y, Eul surelS, IL, a sys-
ienatis husbandry. Order will oe int,o !uced
into all the departments of farming, anil men
viii have accurate knowledge OF the wautS If
every crop, and will not hesitate to spend .e
necessary ,ecney aud labor to secure tie bes,
results. Some points arc already settled, and
many more are rapidly approaching a solution
tlur best informed farslerS DO not hybernaIe
like many of the wild aniuia!s They assume
that nan is the lord Of Nature, and eau 50
plan his business as TO labor TO advantage at
through the year. OF course
MENTAL CULTURE
wiil have Its place IN his plans, and Winter
Is tta best time to lay in stores of Knowledge
for future use. Few farmers fud titue in the
Summer Tor that eadiug and rcfecliua which
are essential ia the best methods of i.usbandry.
Not only does mau want to master the general
principles of tue science Of ag i.dEure, and is
kindred sciences, but he wishes to apply these
principles to bis own homestead. there is
probably q considerable variety OF soil in tie
hundred or more acres be owns, and he wants
time TO IHaturc plans for tue ecouomoa! it,.-
pr0yement Of the whole. Evea after one has
stuffed The subject OF drainage, he canpos tyll
draiiisge. The swarips and syale>, Of course.
! most need this Improvement 1t wiI take tirne
/ and study 10 tell bow lnuch further up the
| slopes and hill-sides be may extend his drains
! with profit Some Of his soils ueed lime probably
and it IS question where itcan be best applicj.
and how large 81 Investment lie can afford to
make IN his article. M EU
Wi.h tho markets he has 10 supply, some
crops viii pay great dea! better tn IN Dtlfers.
In some localities he may devote lbs vhGla
farm to one or two leading staples; in otaerx.
varied system d. cropping is the uiore profit
I able course. The questions that arise IN the
/ management Of farm are very numerous, aud
now is tic tnAe for caltiyator to give his at
teniinn 10 them, and determine upon the course
thar is best for him 10 pursue The mind is
cultivated and Strengthened not only by read
| ing, bus BY the discussion of these practies
! questions in husbandry. There is no Ipenta ,
/ growth without reflection.
THE WINTER SCHOOL
is, of course, tie appropriate placs for the chill
dren who are to be the next generation of far
pers. Who does not remember with ran;ure
his schoelboy days, his FIRST Introduction TO that
august Personage, the teacher, and his early
experiences under bis rule
s.What pieasin g sights does yonder group create
Their childish sports, their contest and debate
Man loves 10 see, as ripened wisdom grows.
us fruits enrich the soil from whence ii rose.
But who can view nor sec ret pleasure know
Life vet in bud. and manhood on the blow
y1is then that mans himself, no artful cnse
spreads Ger its young desire its trcacherous
dyes"
1t Is the forming period Of life with them, and
very much Of their future success win depend
upon their advantages in the Winter school
In many parts of the country the sessions, of
the school are confined to this seasou. Far
mers are often tempted TO keep their larger
boys at hona, TO assist in the procuring of fuel.
OF in the caro- of stock. For little present
gam, the future good of the lad is sacrificed
Ihis course is unworthy of any god father.
The boys Of thefarm ought to have tie fall
benefit of the district school and extra advan-
tages as they grow older A good elr.ation
OF toe mind and heart is. te richest inheritance
father can bequeatl to us son.
THE POULTRY oUAnpEEs
| should now be looked after, You perceiye the
| reddening combs Of your pallets, wach indi- I
cate eggs early it they arc kept comfortable.
If left to shift for themselves under the old
shed, or upon the apple tree, your hope of eggs
VIII be nlpped in the bud, il you have been SO
rash as to cherish it, Many farmers are re-
signed to long eggless Winter because they
Will not take trouble to provide for thc biddies
fowls want warm southern aspect, sheltered
from the wind and SHOWS, and must have it if
you want eggs. A pouitry-hcuse ought to be
part OF every farmers esta blishment but if
you cannot have a separate building, finish of
part of the barn cellar, ana put in a window
at the south side, where the sun can look in
upon them for few hoars 10 the day Fur
nlSp this room with pure water, gravel, old
mortar, oyster or clam shells, or bones, all bro
Ken up finely, Put bed of loam or muck un-
der the roosss, and see tlat it is mixed with
the droppings once week. Fowls suffer more
from the neglect Of their feeces, than from
any other cause. Il is entirely practicable TO