The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1864-02-03
Work for the Farm, Barn, and Stock
Yard.

Animots.-All animals OF the farm
should be glad to see their owner, and in
fact every other person who has to do
with them. Nan should be recognized
as their best friend. Colts and steers par
ticolarly, should be petted and handled
constantly. Treated thus, they will new
er need breaking If there be stable
boy who plays with the horses by pinch
ing or pretending to pinch their flanks,
keeping himself out of the way of kicks
aud bites, no wonder they become vicious
The same boy in passing through the cat
tie yard will crack the cattle over the
back with fork handle if they are caught
standing in the driest parts of the yard
when he wants to pass. The result is nj
ways the same-a yard Of wild cows and
ugly steers to be afterwatd "broken" by
fear and goad. Feed roots to all classes
of stock particularly TO those which may
be breeding, and by this means counter
act the tendancy to constipation.
Cdlves dropped in February can sci
dom be afforded fresh milk. They should
therefore be weaned as soon as possible,
and fed with skinned milk, clover tea
and Cruel.
Covs,-zIt is common practice TO have
cows come in about 40 to 60 davs before
they can be turued out to pasture. This
makes March or even April, tho calving
timo in this latitude. Still many cows
come in in February. They ought to
have good hay, daily feed of cut roots
slightly salted, and little meal sprinkIed
on this. For few days before calying
they should be removed to roomy stall
or loose box to get little at home in it.
They should be looked after, but let alone
unless in serious trouble. After parturi-
tion give a warm bran mash made with
scalding wafer, and let the COW return TO
her ordinary feed, increasing the amount
of roots and grain if the flow Of milk is
great or exhausling.
Horses.-See hints in last months cal.
endar. If, as often happens in winter,
horses coat is full of dirt and scurf which
crrrying appears TO develop but not re
move, change of diet is needed. If
possible, feed roots and also give free ac-
cess to salt. In absence of roots, bran
wet with plenty of'warm water may be
partial substitute, especially in cases Of
constipation.
Hired men, if not already provided for
the season, should be secured in February.
The best men are usually engaged first.-
Many immigrants are expected this spring,
among whom doubtless are some good
farm hands.
Maple Sugdr.-Several warm days
will cause the sap to flow, and the first
flowings are richest in sugar, SO there
should no time be lost, but preparations
be early completed.
Potatoes.-Keep seed potatoes in the
coolest part of the cellar, secure from frost.
Examine Others, removing decayed ones,
and rubbing of the sprouts that will Start
if they be kept warm.
Poultry.-Examne carefully for yer.
min; grease, or butter, whitewash the
roosts. Clean out the nests, put in fresh
straw, and whitewash the whole poultry
house.
Roots are a substitute for green feed,
which no good farmer ought to be with
out. Sort over all kinds, separating the
soundest TO keep latest into the spring
Feed the partially decayed and wilted
a: once. Be careful not to feed decayed
turnips, cabbages, or rutabsgas to mich
cows-the milk will TASTE Cook before
feeding all that are not entirely fresh aud
sound
Wood-Cut and haul tire-wood for
next winter.
Cions may be cut during mild wealth
or, any time before the buds begin to
swell; keep in cool cellar in damp earth
or moss. Root grating, where it is car
ried on extensively, will afford sufficient
indoor employment. Ample directions
were given in January. Those who do
grating by contract are desirous to begin
their season as early as possible; but ci-
ons put in too early are exposed long
while to cold drying winds, and are less
likely to succeed, than il inserted after
vegetation starts.
Manure and compost may be hauled
TO places where they will be reeded in
spring. We have so often insisted upon
the importance of sending orders to the
nurseries before the springs business
opens, that we merely allude to it now.
Horse Rddish.-This may be dug
whenever the ground is thawed. If not
marketed or used at once, cover with earth
in the cellar to keep ii frcsh.--Ameyiean
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