Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1859-10-06
farmers department.
Calendar of Operations for October. 1859

Farm-October brings with it labor enough
to keep the farmer steadily employed. Before
the end of this month most crops will need to
be harvested The turnipS are still growing,
and except at the far north, may be LETT IN
the ground until next month. Some of the
corn will probably remain unhusked at the
close of the month"; but it is always best to Sc
cure all that is possible before cold weather and
late Autumn rains set in.
We are quite Of the opinion of the farmers
widow, who wished it would always rain on
nights and Sundays, so that hired men might
rest" but we think the occasional rest furnish
ed by rainy day to all workers on the farm
proprietor aud boys as well as hired men
is a valuable recuperatiye of strength and yigor.
Rainy days should in part be devoted to read
ing and thought still, as many persons will
not improve the time thus, and as work for
dull weather, by having under cover fence
posts and rails to be fitted, gates, or portable
fence to make, muck to be manipulated with
manure, grain to threSh or clean apples to be
ground into cider or prepared for drying, and,
other jobs that can be attended to when field
work is mpraeticable.
BuildingS-Wait not for cold storms of win
to compel outside repairs The windows aud
shutters of the house need examining, the roof
may want few shingles, a crevice lets in the
storm behind the cattle stalls of the barn, and
batten is off near the horses. Repair then
early, and make provisions for sufficient for all
the live stock during Winter.
BeeVeS-Compete fattening and kill before
very cold weather 1t will cost less in warm
weather.
Cattle-As the Fall pastures are getting
short, some feeding will be needed There is
much refuse about the gardens, such as half
grown turnips, and their tops, cabbage trim
mings, small beetS and carrots, unripe tomatoes
cucumbers and squasheS, the remnant of the
corn patch, ect., which may well be fed out
now, in connection with the field pumpkins
Cears-Look to the drain, that no water
be allowed to stand in the cellar.
CisternS should be provided for the barn if
no we'll or Spring water is convenient. Con-
struct them before Winter sets in.
COrn.-Select seed, if not already DONE
and shock any fields still standing Husk
early and save the fodder in good condition
for feeding. Avoid putting the corn in green
or wet condition into large bins or cribs, with
poor ventilation. Save all the stalks and
huSks for Winter feeding of cattle.
Draining is good month for this
operation, and the sooner it is now done the
better before Fall rains set in. See that open
bitches on wheat and rye fields and elsewhere
are clean to carry off the surface water during
Winter
Farmers Clubs.-Now is a good time to
form them as the evenings will afford good
opportunity for weekly meetings to discuss i'm
pOrtant agricultural topics.
Forest leaves make good manure, and also
fine bedding for all kinds of stock. Collect
large supply.
Grain.-Thresh out as fast as practicable.
1t can be kept with less waste after it is threSh-
ed. In winnOwing, take especial care to screen
ont cookie and other foul seeds. Save the slraw
for bedding or to cut and mix with gronnd feed
for cattle and horses next Winter 1t is too
valuable to be wasted.
Hogs-Fatten early, as it takes less food to
do it in mild weather Grind the corn and cook
both meal and vegetables before feeding If
the corn can not be ground, boil it until soft
Do not neglect their manure apartments
Make the hogs pay their way in part.
Ice HouScs.-Construct Eow rather than
leave until near the time for filling. They
need cost but few dollars.
Indoor Work butter making is
going on by day, the heightened evenings allow
of a systematic course of reading or the young
er members of the family may take up a series
of studies, to very good advantage. Give your
wife a sewing machine now that the Winter
clothing is to be made up, and dispense with
the annual services of the seamstreSs, who has
usually been employed for weeks at least, at
this season. PAIRING apples is an evening op-
Grafton i'll many places. With good machine
the work may be much facilitated.
Manures-Manufactur all that is possible
drawing up the muck deposit, pond or canal
sediment, collecting saw dust, spent tan, and
forest leaves as abSorbentS. Turf from the
road sides or headlandS may also be added,
especially to the compound in the hog yards,
throwing in little corn to induce roofing CT
turning over of the mass Continue to work
the muck swamps until excessive wet drives
you from the claim We have even seen a
pump rugged in a pit which one worked while
the other shoveled out muck. Draw a large
quantity to the buildings for bedding and an
absorbent Of liquids. 1t pays.
Paint Buildings and Fences now, rather than
leave them until Spring. There is less danger
of flies and dust now aud the paint hardens
better than in warm weather.
Pow stiff OF cayey soils, turning them up
to the action of air and Winter frostS.
Potatoes Complete digging, before frost
has injured them, and store for Winter with
as little exposure to sun as possible.
Poultry require greater supply Of meat or
fish as their insect food dirIinisies Cleanse
their roots often, and barrel the contents for
home guano. Pack away a quantity of eggs
In salt, or pickle in lime water for Winter use
and market
Pumpkins will need housing, before hard
frostS. By keeping them in a cool. dry place
under cover, until freezing weather sets in, and
then in a drycellar or other place, out of the
reach of frost, pumpkins may be kept for table