Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1860-01-26

THOUGHTS FOR The GHTFUG.-Most Of the
diseases of sheep are the consequence of debi-
ty
FARMERS who find it necessary to reduce
their aocks, should be very particular in select
ing those that they keep and let none but the
poorest go from their farms.
SHEEP IN WINTER should have fresh air, shell
ter from cold winds, a little exercise, occasional
change of quarters dry, clean lodging, and
nutritious food. A close, damp, low yard is
their abomination.
A CROSS between the South-Down and the
Merino makes a very useful and profitable
sheep. The wool will sell for nelrly as much
as the Merino, and lambs will bring more for
the butcher.
SHEEP are perhaps the most profitable stock
on suitable land, and with good management :;
but on unsuitable soil aad iii management, they
are the least desirable Of farm stock "What
the man is worth the land is woytA" What
the shepherd is worth the sheep are worth
ALI animals should, if possible, be housed,
or provided with shelter. Cattle require much
less food when stabbed, than when allowed to
run at large as they waste little or none. and
comfort is essential to their thrift More man
urc is also secured an object Of great couss-
interests Sheep,if housed, must not be crowd
ed into close stables or houses as disease is
apt to be the result and all animals require to
have their stables well ventilated to prevent
the effects Of bad air. Horses are better fed
from hangers than racks, and sheep should
never have their food so that they draw it
from above, as the grass seeds and chaff fall
upon and fill their wool, iniuring Il materially.
= l.. n
that there are works Of charity and kindness
that more frequently press their claims upon
him during the winter, than any other time
While his happy family is clustered around
the cheerful hearth while his table is loaded
with the bounties which a kind providence
personal industry, and a fruitful soil have given
him while his wood-house is filled his gran
aries overaowing, and every reasonable want
supplied he must not forget there are other
less favored Individuals or families around :;
children destitute Of fire and wood widows
and orphans distressed and destitute all re-
quiring care, and not to be forsaken while the
frostS of winter are upon the earth For the
poor there must be employment; for the lest
tute there must be supply ; and the 'honest
and industrious, or the unfortunate poor, have
claims on the more fortunate, that may not be
disregarded. Well directed charity is one of
the few acts Of life in which both the giver
and the receiver are blessed let no one then
forget the poor
EVERY drop Of milk thonld be drained from
the udder at each milking, for two reasons,
that the last pint taken from the cow will
make more butter than the first quart and
that the cows will afterwards fail to give just
as much milk as is left in the ndder.
HoRsEs should always have plenty of litter
in their stables it answers double purpose :;
first by absorbing and retaining the salts OF
the urine that fall upon it IN q considerable
degree and thus rendering the manure more
valuable; and secondly by preventing in part
that liability to swell to which the feet and
legs Of horse are subjected when standing on
hard or plank floor.
NEGLIGENCE and inattention is as ineycusa-
ble in the winter as in the summer and fire.
quently is productive Of worse effects. How
often do we see farmers suffer such losses in
their dockS and herds from sheer inattention
or idlenesS in the winter, that year Of hard
labor and privaton Will hardly place them in
their first position. If cattle and horses were
looked to as they should be, or If sheep and
swine were not left to get their living by hook
or by crook, we should not see so many walk
ing skeletons harnessed or yoked to the plow
in the spring. or so many carcases around the
fields and roads inviting the crows to their
feast The prudent, careful farmer will con-
slider the winter as the trying time for his
stock, and by shelter. and sufficient food avert
its rigor, and prevent its consequences as far
as possible.