Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1864-12-15
DECEMBER WORK TO BE DONE.

Undertaking may now be done when
the weather is not too severe the surface
of the ground being frozenfor a few inches,
will not prevent bitches being dug, while
the sub-Soil, thrown to the surface by fire.
qucnt frcczings and thawings, will soon be-
come well pulvcrizcd
The old system of digging drains with
spades is at least twice as expensive, in
practice, as the improved method of loosen
ing the earth with the lifting sub-soil plow
FrEL-Place fuel under cover Cut and
draw wood from swamps while the ground
is frozen. Woods cut down at this time
will sprout again.
MANURE-Thc manure heap is the far
mcr's capital, and must receive daily attcn
tion throughout the year. Especially at this
season may its value and bulk be uscfully
increased by following our repeated coun-
sells Draw muck from the SwampS for COM
posting with farm-yard manure next sum
mcr. Continue to gather leaves from the
woods, to be used for bedding cattle, in the
hog-pens, or directly i'll the compost heaps
Collect the remnants of old wood-piles
and compost them.
If your compost heaps are under sheds
and refuse to heat, either turn them in mild
weather to encourage fermentation, ormake
holes in the top Of the heap with a crowbar
and pour i'll large quantities of boiling wa
ter or spent lye. The burying of a few
heated bricks in manure heap will often
engender fermentation or lump of I'M
Stacked lime in compost heap will cause
fermentation, from the amount of latent
heat rendered present during the Stacking
pf linn If &c Il oll
and the mass will soon be in fair heat in
deed, the pile should never be to dry or the
contents will fre5ang and thus much Of its
value be dissipated.
CATTLE, ETC Commence feeding roots to
cattle. at first sparingly they should be
sliced or pulped before being given to the
animals. Carrots may now be fed to horses
two quarts Of carrots and two quarts of
oats are better for a horse than four quarts
of the latter
Provide pure water toryour cows instead
of driving them a mile for it, manuring the
road, and subicctlng them to the annoyance
of dogs etc. See that the master beasts
do not tyTaniZc over the weaker ones Cure
them by separate confinement for time
Cut your corn stalks instead of feeding
them whole, and thus Use the stalks as well
as the leaves. If the stalks are hard and
dry, fill large cask with them after cut
ting, and pour boiling water over them,
covering with a blanket, and they will swell
up to their original plumpncss and be ten
der If the cattle then refuse them, put
some salt in the hot water before stcamirr.
Cattle can be kept in good condition on
cut corn stalks, steamed When the stalks
arc put III the barrel, sprinkle in a small
quantity of Indian meal before the hot wa
ter is thrown on them. Cattle require a
change Of food occasionally, and should not
be given at one time more than they will
cat. In case any be left in the trough, il
should be removed as soon as possible
Keep the troughs clean. When cattle are
kept III the stable, they should be curricd
regularly every day Cattle, poorly kept
III winter, take half the summer to regain
what they have lost Keep the stables
warm and well ventilated. 1fyour manure
is in the cellar under the cattle add plenty
Of muck or some other absorbent. to pre-
vent the gas from rising and rendering
the air of the stable unwholcsome. Get
everything ready for hog killing
Iaeep-Oil and corn meal, given in small
quantities with cut hay, TO sheep during