Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1860-03-15
Letters From a Farm No. 4.

year when there is an apparent drain upon
the resources of the farm, without cores
ponding income, is nearly passed, and the
providt mt husbandman may soon expect to
receive return for his care and labor through
the long winter months.
But as the profits Of the dairy, and other
farm.stock, the coming season, depend much
on their keeping through tho winter, so it
will be found hat an increased profit may DO
expected for the best attention to their wants
for the remainder of the time they are kept
at the barn.
Formerly farmers did not think it advisa-
bic to feed grain to COWS, considering it the
most profitable to sell the same but expert
ment has proved, concusively, this course to
be wrong, and, in face Of this evidence, many
farmers, perhapswe should say most, prefer
feeding their grain to their stock, receiving
more than the highest cash price in return.
Perhaps some may deem this " visionary in-
vestme Mt" but, in our opinion, it is a " solid
reality" We have practiced feeding meal to
COWS for several years with the best results
give about two quarts day to each COW,
composed Of equal portions of corn and oats,
ground together.
The milk is of superior quality, and we
make as much butter from our COWS while
feeding them with hay and meal as in good
summer pasturage. The hay is of good quail
ity, as we take pains to secure the best for
this time Of year; also commence giving
meal short time previous to the season Of
milking. A reliable farmer says he makes
double the amount of butter from his COWS,
by the addition of meal to their feed, and
we might quote other instances, but that is
unnecessary.
And this is not all the COWS come to grass
in good condition, and in fact, are better
through the season, presenting quite con-
trast to the half-starved animals of some far
mers, who think dollars worth of hay or
grain cheated out of their brute charge is so
much gained.
Sheep should receive attention at this sea-
son of the year. There being now little or
no snow, they will eat but small quantity
of hay, and the grass they get is not sufficient
to keep them in good condition. A little
groin given to them each day, and perhaps
corn is the best will repay the cost in the en-
hanced value of the sheep, and also save the
lives of some lambs, that the ewes might not
otherwise be able to raise.
Now is the time for selecting calves with
which to replenish the stock of the farm, and
although some may consider this not worthy
If notice, yet it matter that commends it.
self to the notice Of every intelligent farmer.
If " like begets like we are at no loss how
to determine our selection due regard to the
parents would govern us--but some attention
to the points of the calves themselves, is also
necessary, as it will not pay to keep inferior
animals. Select the best, dispose of the
poorest should be our maxim, and this not
only with calves, but all kinds of stock. We
have seen aocks of sheep nearly run out"
by continually selling off the best nothing
can be more detrimental to the interest of
the farmer than to permit this deterio ,tion of
his stock; it will taSe years to rectify the
error.
1t would be better to dispose of inferior
animals at any price, than to keep them; for
what farmer wishes to have them seen, or
make apologies for their appearance We
should so improve our animals, that the poor
est will bring good price; VIC shall then
have reached point that will not only be
gratifying, but profitable to ourselves And
this point is not beyond our reach; it only
require little effort to get started in the
right direction, and we shall surprise, even
ourselves, in the result.
But farmer friends we will not tire your
patience further, and if in reading this arti-
Gle you find anything that is not correct, eli
Their in theory or practice, please give your
views, or experience, that we may entertain
no erroneous ideas, and receive our thanks in
return. FARMER.
March, 1860.