Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1864-12-15

the winter months, will keep them in good
order, and the extra expense incurred will
be fully repaid by an increase of flesh on
the animals. All young animals should be
kept in good condition during the cold
weather. Have warm and spacious build
ings for the sheep Supply them with
plenty of hay or straw for bedding. Keep
the atmosphere of the building pure by
ventilation
Pigs, intended to be killed in February,
should be put in small, warm pens Feed
at regular times-three times per day
Take good care of your pigs; at this sea-
son feed regularly, but do not give too much
at time.
We have noticed that in different sections
of the country, farmers throw their corn
stalks on their pasture lots in mid-winter
and allow their cattle to roam in search of
the stalks, thus uselessly exposing the ami
mails instead of feeding them in the stable
where they are sheltered from inclement
weather.
Poultry houSes-Feed the fowls regularly
each day, and give them pure water in
! trOughs Meat and cooked Indian meal
will cause them to lay in winter Clean
the henhouse at least once III two weeks
and sprinkle charcoal through the building
| Compost the hen manure with muck or
charcoal it gives as good result as Peru
Wan Guano. Do not sell chicken manure
to leather dressers for 25 cents per bushel ;
it is worth twice that sum on the soil
Decide what improved tools you will re-
quire next year. and procure them in sea-
son.
If you have kept no diary for this year,
resolve to keep one for 1865. Write up
your farm accounts, and ascertain the rela.
tive profit Of your crops.
Start OF join an agricultural club in your
neighborhood, whose meetings may be held
at the houses of members Each farm will
then become an object of criticism, and
care and emulation will thus be excited
F.. ORCHARD AND FRUIT GARDEN-Grapes may
still be pruned. Save the cuttings as rec
omnended last month. Crafts may be cut
and each may be preserved until wanted in
spring.
Scrape dead bark from the trunks and
! large branches of fruit trees, and during
dry weather apply the following wash =
Heat one pound of soda Tin an iron vessel)
red hot, and dissolve it in a gallon of wa
| ter By washing the bodies of fruit trees
twice year with this solution, they will be
| kept perfectly clean and free from the at
taCks Of borers.
Pruning may be done to pear and apple
trees, where the wood is perfectly matured
Attend Immediately to trees not mulched
last month; the mulching, may be done
with charcoal dust or long manure, spread
thickly around the bodies of the trees.
! If the weather be mild and the ground
unfrozen, apply Superphosphate of Lime
around unfruitful trees, digging it in slight
| ly; the rains will carry it to the roots, and
it will become well divided before the roots
get full action in the spring.
| Mound earth around truit trees to pre-
vent them from being girdled by mice, or
! tread snow around them when practicable,
for the same purpose.
| Those farmers who have not at least, fruit
enough for home consumption, should lay
plants remcdying the deficiency the coming
| spring 1t adds much to the comfort and
| pleasure Of home to have full supply of
! all small fruits also apples, pears. peaches,
| etc, etc. The cost and trouble alS trifling
compared with the enjoyment they afford.
| In selecting fruit for garden culture, do not
/ have too many varieties of one kind Of fruit :;
few choice sorts, well taken care of, will
| give more satisfaction to the grower. Old
apple orchards that have been in pasture
for number of years will be mvigorated
by breaking up the surface they are
brought into full bearing by this means,
and judicious pruning. Leave few of
your grape vines unpruned until February ;
ii is said by some growers that a large crop
of fruit is realized when the vines are pruned
i'll February BY experimenting You will
satisfy yourself on this point. Our own
experience is, that November and Deccm-
Der are the best months in which to prunc
grape vines. If you want to save the cut
tings, he sure and prune in December