Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1865-04-13
shoats for manure makers. Give good care

the organs OF nutrition 1t is peculiarly
sensitive to cold, to wet and drafts, and
horses are liable to take cold. They should,
therefore, be well fed and groomed, aud
blanketed when exposed, quite as well as
in midwinter. Be careful about letting
horses that are shod get loose in the lots
together They are playful, and in their
play often kick one another severely. Hors-
es intended for the market should never be
used before the plow nor for hard labor
Neither should those used for fast work on
the road nor snowy carriage horses 1t
makes them stiff and awkward and will Sc
riously affect their value.
IyTiqati0n.-Tons of good fertilizing mat
ter are carried off in small streams, which
might be conducted over our farms, espe-
cially grass lands with great profit Turn
streams of muddy water from the highway
on fields so that it will spread over a large
surface Fine earth, horse-droppings, etc,
washed from the beaten track will increase
the quantity of grass quite as much as
top-dressing of manure, and the water,
aside from what is suspended or dissolved
in it, is of great benefit.
Observation-Disclosures no new kinds but
those that have been well tested Look
out for such as will require the least force
to work them. If possible. procure those
made near home, that in case of break
down they may be repaired at the least ex-
pense If wheel of a reaper or mower
were to break, and one were obliged to
send four or five hundred miles to the fac
tory for new one he would probably sus-
tain .mnch loss before it could be put in ruu-
ming order again. Protect all tools and
implements from rain and sunshine.
Improvements This should be the watch
word of farmers during the entire year
Improve the fertility of the soil by better
system Of management, and by making
more manure. Improve stock by disposing
of inferior animals, substituting better
ones and improve the man himself by
reading good agricultural papers, and in
every way gaining and communicating
useful knowledge.
Manure-If possible spread good dres-
sing of barn-yard manure upon corn ground
unless you have short supply, and it is
fine enough to be applied in the hill. When
barn-yard manure is hauled to the field sew
eral weeks previous to being plowed under,
put it in close heaps to prevent loss by
evaporation, and if possible shovel a little
soil over it, Spread no faster than it can
be plowed in. Make compost rich in ma
nure, when fine muck can be obtained, for
manuring Indian corn in the hill Where
dung heaps heat, devise some means for
pumping the liquid over it, which teaches
from it.
Meado,cs.-Keep all kinds of animals off
meadows in the Spring if you would have
good crop of hay Better pay double
price for hay than to allow animals to Craze
on meadows. Mike light, long-handled
mallet, and knock to pieces all the drop
pings of animals on meadows and pastures
Pick up small stones in heaps, and haul off
as soon as the soil will bear up a team If
ashes, leached or unleached, gypsum or
lime, or ground bone is to be sowed the soon
er it is done the better
OatS-Sow as early as practicable
Drill in both ways using half the desired
quantity each time. Sow not less than
three bushels per acre, with all the light
kernels and foul seeds removed
PasteTes.-Never allow animals to Craze
on new y-seeded pastures before the grass
has good start The feet of heavy ami
mails destroy much grass. a. first let cat
tie Craze about two hours, then yard them
On new land where the blue grass starts
soon, feed it off early in the spring, and
keep it short few animals like it after
seed-stalks appear.
Ploooing-Never plow heavy soils when
wet, because as soon as the surplus water
has settled away they will be as compact
as before. Pow dry portions of a field
first, and aim to plow heavy soils when
they are just moist enough to pulverize we'll
Never plow with dull share or point and
grind every part of the plow until the
earth will slip off readily. Hearth adheres,
plOw runs harder, holds ha der, and does
its work imperfectly
Potatoes. If it has not been done already,
select the best for seed. AS the largest
eyes are best for seed, save the seed ends
of those that are used for cooking, and
start them in small flower pots, or oyster
kegs, placed on the shelf in the kitchen.
They CAL be turned out of the pots and
transplanted in drills as soon as danger
from frost is passed Better pay double
price for ripe seed Of fair size selected when
dug, than to plant potatoes that have not
been raised and assorted with care
Rye.-SOw spring rye as soon as the soil
has settled and is dry enough to plow. The
straw will be needed next fall for binding
corn stalks, and it is considered better than
other straw to cut for horses. The grain
makes the best kind Of meal for teams
Seed can be obtained in most seed stores.
Roots.-Every farmer ought to raise
roots enough to feed his horses and neat
stock, including calves, from peck to half
bushel day, on an average, and have
enough for his sheep besides. Calculate to
get with good cultivation, 800 to 1000
bushels to the acre. Begin in April to pre-
pare the soil, manuring well, plowing deep
ly. Harrow thoroughly Sow parsnips
and carrots in April and mangels in May,
rutabagas in June and sweet turnips in
June or July. Select few of the best
beets, turnips, carrots and parsnips before
they are fed out, and transplant them for
raising seed. 1t is quite as important to
raise and select seed for roots with care as
it is for a crop of cereal grain.
Sheep.--Keep their yard dry and well
Uttered, and protect them from cold and
wet storms. Sheep dislike wet yards and
leaky roofs as much as a cat hates a wet
floor. Give them a few hemlock or pine
boughs to browse at least twice week,
even when they receive daily allowance
Of roots. Keep watchful eye on early
lambs. When chilled, warm them tho
roughly by the fire. When tbnv, cannot