Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1861-12-19
4mituturaI department.
Farm Work for December

The comparative lcasureS of winter affords
valuable time for learning the silence Of agri,
culture. Mere book knowledge will never
make a good farmer, neither will mere work
ing on farm knowledge and practice must
60 together to secure the best results. The
study Of agricultural works will not only add
to The stock of practicle ideas, but will deyel-
op aud cultivate the man himself. We urge
that all the animals on the farm be well cared
for during the iHclement season, but are yet
more soIicitous that the cultiyator does not
neglect himself Mindpower is superior to
horse power, or steam power on the farm or
clSwhere
Accounts-Settle with all dcbtorsaud cred
itors AT least let accounts be made up and
balance agreed upon, if debts caa not be
Cancelled
Buidings-Saye feed and fuel by excluding
wind and storms, but provide for ample venti2
lation for animals
Cattle-Keep under shelter feed literally,
with frequent change of diet, and allow free
access of water give pleuty Of bedding, aud
keep their skins in good condition by frequent
use of the card and brush
Cellars-keep out frost aud rats sort
over Vegetables that may be decayng
Fencing materials Collect from woods and
from swamps when they freeze, and prepare
rails and posts.
Fodder Racks or Boxes-ProVide them for
all stock ...
Hogs Complete fatteniug and kill as early
as possible Give warm food to store hogs,
and allow plenty cf litter.
- Horscs-Keep in warm, tight, we'll veutila,
tod or RIo,,Lat "a hon mad
cd. Keep sharp shod Give sufficient
exercise use card and brush often.
Lumber and Timber-Draw from the for
est to the mill while sleighing is good.
Manures-keep all the factories employed
Save liquid manures with absorGents Of muck
or waste litter. Much of next years profit
will depend upon the care and skill now be-
slowed upon laying in good stock of good
manure
Poultry-Keep in warm quarters, feed lib
orally, supply with fresh meat, lime, and grav.
cl, aud warm food.
Sheep-Keep separated from other stock
Shelter from storms, in we'll ventilated sheds
Give roots cut fine with hay and little oats
or corn. Salt eegular, and allow plenty of
water.
Tools Keep all under cover repair such
as need it.
Winter Gran-Keep surface drains open,
and allow no stock to Craze or trample the
fields
Wood-Cut and pile ready to draw when
snow falls. Select dying and unthrifty trees,
ard thin out underground.
If any pruning must be done before July
(the season. let it be done now. Not only is
there now more time for the work, but the
out surfaces will harden over before the start
ing of sap in Spring.
Remember that fruit trees repay expense
for manure quite as well as any other crop,
and look out now, aud through the Winter,
for good supply. The lime, hair and leather
scrapingS frcm tannerieS, waste wool from the
cOthiers, spent tan, leached ashes, oyster shells
muck, canal sediments, etc, are all worth
carting home, some of them may well be pur
chased
In snowy countries, care will be needed
to guard against mice which often gnaw off
the bark of small trees near the ground
Tramping drown each fresh fall of snow about
the trees is a good preventive. Shake the
newly fallen snow from evergreen and other
trees to prevent its weight from splitting down
the brancheS.-AmerjcQn AgricuiluriSt.