Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1864-02-02
Notes nnd Suggestions for the
Month of February.
from the American Agriculturist.


Animals.-All the animals for the farm
should be glad to see their owner. and in
fact every other person who has to do with
them. Man should be recognized as their
best friend. Colts and steers particularly,
should be petted and handled constantly
Treated thus, they will never need breaking.
If there be stable boy who plays with the
horses by pinching or pretending to pinch
their flanks, keeping himself out of the way
of kicks and bites, no wonder they become
vicious. The same boy in passing through
the cattle 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
always the samoa yard Of wild cows and
ugly steers to be afterward "broken" by
fear and goad. feed roots to all classes of
stock, particularly to those which may be
breeding, and by this means counteract the
tendency to constipation.
Bmlding.-Study to make changes which
will save steps and afford decided convent
ences. Paint lasts a great deal longer If
put on in winter instead of summer. and
Is less likely to be defaced by dust while in
the green state.
Bulls.-Train young bulls to the yoke. In
single yoke or harnessed with gear, much
labor may be done by bull. He will be
quieter for it, better stock-getter, and
much less dangerous in every way. A
bulls will should always be controlled and
| his angernever excited. Insert ring In
the nose Of unmanageable animals.
Cdlres dropped in February can seldom
be afforded fresh milk. They should there
fore be weaned as soon as possible. and
fed with SKINNED milk. clover tea and
cruel.
O. d.. It Z, oo,,,nooo ,1roof;oa. 20 boyo
cows come in about 40 to 60 days before they
March or even April, the calving time 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 sprinkled on this. For few
days before calving they should be removed
to roomy stall or loose box to get little at
home in it. They should be looked after,
but Jet alone unless in serious trouble. After
parturition give warm. bran mash made
with scalding water, and let the cow re-
turn to her ordinary feed, increasing the
amount of roots and grain if the flow OF
milk is great, or exhausting. a
Horses.-See hints in last months calen-
dar. If, as often happens in winter, q
horses coat is full of dirt and scurf which
currying appears to develop but not re-
move, a change Of diet Is needed. If possi-
BILE, feed roots, and also give free access to
salt. In the absence of roots, bran wet
with plenty of warm water may be par
tial substitute, especially in cases of consti-
patton.
Hired men, If not already provided for the
season, should be secured in February. The
best men are usually engaged first. See
hints on page AZ. Many immigrants are
expected this spring, among whom will
doubtless be some good farm hands. See
Basket item on this topic.
Ice.-The ''ice crop" has been unusually
abundant; the character of the ice most ex-
cellent. Still more may be secured, if the
weather is such as to keep it solid, or freeze
it afresh. ' a. 4
Manwes-See sundry articles in this num-
\ Der on a subject SO important both west and
east.
Magle Syar-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
See page 43. as
Potdtoes.-Keep seed potatoes in the cool
est part of the cellar, secure from frost. EX-
anime others, removing decayed ones, and
rubbing off the sprouts that will start il
they be kept warm-s
Plo,oi,g can, very seldom be done this
month with profit. Very dry and porous
soil may sometimes be broken up, however,
and with advantage.
PouHry.-Examine carefully for vermin;
grease, or better 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 without.
Sort over all kinds, separating the
soundest to keep latest into the spring.
Feed the partially decayed and wilted at
once. Be careful not to feed decayed turn
ips, rutabagas, or cabbages to mich COWS
the milk will taste. Cook before feeding,
all that are not entirely fresh and sound.
Sheep.-Some lambs intended to be mar
keted early, will be dropped this MONTH
The ewes should be kept at night in tight,
well ventilated stables, without much litter,
for some time before and after yeaning.-
Pregnant ewes should not be denied exer-
else, nor furnished with stimulating Diet
Some turnips daily are very desirable. Ex-
| ercise promotes health of the ewes, vigor of
the lambs, and full flow of milk--and the
ewes must be forced to take it, in cold +,
snowy winters like the present one.
S,cine.-Store pigswi often pay for their
. keeping by the work they do on the man
ure, and the manure they will make il plenty
of mack has been laid in. See that they do
not pack the manure SO hard that it will not
ferment at all. Encourage them to work it
over by dropping nubbins into holes made
with bar. A breeding sow, irritated by
other animals, fed on corn meal, and withal
little opnstipated at the time Of narrowing,
isapt to be very cross and sometimes to eat
her young. Prevent this by giving a ds.ly
feed Of raw potatoes, or other roots, with
- g.. . II
fat. Give a clean well Uttered sty, and
watch her at the time and after narrowing,
giving her warm bran mash as soon as she
will eat.
Wood.-Cut and haul fire wood for next
winter.
Wool.-See the report on wool market,