Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1865-02-23
Agritaltnral.
NOTES AND SUGGESTIONS FOR FEBRUARY

Winter wanes slowly. The early riser
finds the dawn gradually encroaching Oh
the prolonged darkness here and there an
untimely lamb sends forth piteous wall,
and occasionally an hour of sunshine speaks
warmly of advancing spring bnt lowering
clouds and fitful storms quickly warn the
impatient buds to bide their time and not
trust the apparently relenting heart of
winter. These hints of the coming season
should not be lost If full plan of opera
tions for the year be not perfected, lose no
time in lis completion. 4 map of the farm
will be Of great assistance i'll this work. 1t
need not be an accurate survey of each lot,
though this would he more satisfactory ; a
plain outline of boundaries and measure
ments taken with marked pole, will be
sufficient. Great caution should be exer-
csed in making radical changes. Many
have been tempted by the high price of
sheep to sell out an established dairy, or to
seed down their green fields, and are up to
their eyes in wool, if indeed it has not been
pulled over their eyes Equally unwise is
an immovable convervatism, than can not
be attached from following the good old
ways" Many will find sorgham culture
worth trial an acre or more of roots for
next winters feeding should not be forgot
ten perhaps less grain and more fruit will
give better returns The most successful
campaigns are always first developed on
paper in good plans.
animals of most kinds kept on farms at
the North are in an artificial condition, to
which however they have become habitu-
ated by long training. 1t should be the
aim of the owner to make their circumstan-
ces as nearly natural as the case will per-
nit. Thus succulent food, in the shape Of
roots, should accompany dry fodder shell
ter should not preclude fresh air oppor-
tunities for exercise should be allowed !;
warm litter for comfortable rest is essen
tial in short, comfort and profit are al
most inseparable. The morals of the stock
yard should be carefully watched. A vic
ious horse or unruly steer is intOlerable.
Prevention is easy train up young ami
mails with kindness, and they will return it
with interest send to the slaughter pen
incorrigible brutes, though made so by bad
management
Ashes, fresh from the fire, should not be
emptied into wooden smoke-houses. 4 few
smouldering sparks may be sufficient to fire
the structure, destroy its contents, and
cause great loss at least the lower part
should be brick or stone.
Bags, Barrels, Baskets, etc. used for mar
keting, or kept at home, should be plainly
marked with the owners name and resi-
dencc. A branding-iron or marking-plate
and brush will save much loss. Improve
lcasure by putting all in repair.
buildings. roofs from too heavy
Stn fraf,
paint where needed, fasten loose boards.
keep manure away from sills, oil rusty
hinges, see that fastenings are in order, and
all repairs promptly made Get out timber
for sheds sufficient to shelter all stock
study economy and convenience in plans.
Birds.-Prepare neat houses for martins,
hlucbirds and wrens, 10 be put up about
the house, fruit yard, and farm. The occu-
pants next season will pay good rent by
destroying multitudes of insects, aud sing
grateful thanks
Butter brings golden prices; make the
product Of the same color, with carrots
strained into the milk through the stomach
Of the COW.
CaireS dropped in February will bring
large prices in March, but at present prices
Of butter and milk, will cost largely to fat
If to be raised, wean early, and feed well
with skinned milk, clover tea and Cruel
Keep we'll sheltered. Wheat -four boiled
in milk checks scours.
C0WS.-Dry off six to four weeks before
ca'ving. Give generous feed of hay and
roots, but not much grain. Cut hay or
straw steamed and a little bran or meal
added, is profitable. Keep the skin healthy
by frequent carding and brushing Those
about to calve should be turned loose into
separate, roomy stalls Watch their time
TO give assistance, if needed, but do not in
terfere, unless absolutely necessary, and
then use gentle means. Allow the calve to
have the milk for a day or two Its effect
IS medicinal and necessary to the newborn
animal. After calving, give the cow a
warm bran mash, made with scalding wa
ter, and afterward her ordinary feed, in
creasing the amount OF roots and grain to
promote the flow of milk, and prevent the
exhaustion OF the animal.
Debts contracted before the war can now
be paid at half price thatis, owing to high
prices half the produce required then will
suffice now. Lift Mortgages rather than
buy carriages or other non-essentials. A
pinching time will come.
hOyS.--t tiitt Win Sphl ltISh ShboIS III
urging your representatives at the LegiSla-
ture to protect sheep from the ravages of
destructive ours, by strong laws.
Farmers ClubS-The meetings may be
made interesting by committees appointed
70 investigate the report on various sub
iccts as new crops proposed, new imple-
ments, the condition of farms in the vicinity,
etc; by correspondence with other similar
associations, and occasional Joint meetings
of the clubs of township. New facts and
experiences worthy Of general notice,
should he communicated to the public jour
nails
Food for cattle and hogs will be improved
and economical by steamng. A good ap-
paratus, especially for this purpose, will
pay where many animals are kept A large
kittle will do
Graia.-Carefully study price lists. and
improve good weather for marketing pro-
ducn.
Horses.-A few carrots with their grain
will aid digestion and appetite, and improve
their coats. Exercise daily. Train colts
so that no breaking will be needed, either
Of spirit or of harness. Keep working and
carriage horses sharp shod, well groomed,
and blanketed when standing out, or in
Gold ~ blaS aftor ovor,;co