Columbia democrat and star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1867, 1866-11-21
AGRICULTURAL.
HINTS ABOUT WORK.

.
HINTS ABOUT WORK.
HoRsEs.--In November we expect to get
all our stock IN the barns, and should take
good care Of them. There are no animals,
however, that with plenty to eat will bear
the cold 50 well as herses-full gown hor-
ses. ssWeafhering" stunts colts shocklngly
We have no doubt of the truth OF the state
ment, that farmers in Vermont frequently
winter their -horses in an open meadow
with barely asl,ed to run under, giving them
q little hay or straw only during ice storms,
when they cannot paw down through foot
or two of snow and get at the grass and clo-
yer aftermath, which was left for them.
They are said to grow fat upon such treat
ment. Nothing is worse for. horses than
blanketing and two much tendercare. Keep
them clean-tbey can't be too well groom
ed-but let them have fresh air and cold air,
plenty Of it, but not in draughts through
windows, floor cracks, etc. When they are
sweaty, rubthem and blanket them until dry,
and for an hour or two after they are cool.
After grooming, linen cover may beput on
to keep the coat down.
CoLTs ought to be accustomed to being
handled very young, and may be kept IN
stalls or loose boxes. Never use the whip,
but try the efficacy of little sugar instead
Ut viii pay even at l5c. per pound.) Any
young horse is much easier coaxed than
whipped, and punishment is rarely neces-
sary.
BEEvEs should be pushed forward in fat
tening as fast as possible. Be careful not to
over-feed, but judiciously increase and vary
the feed SO as to secure always good appetite
and digestion. Water regularly keep salt
always before them feed ground or cook
ed grain /; never let them worry for a meal,
for be ready as soon as the time comes; also
never prepare their food before them ma
king them wait half an hour, restless and
thrashing about, but prepare for the next
meal while they are eating See that cattle
fed uniformly the same amount of grain,
roots, oil-cake, ETC., daily, or increase with
regularity. Variety and occasional changes
Of feed are well, and most economical.
Cows.-As the quantity of milk decreases
its richness In butter may be made to increase
by proper feeding, and it is worth while to
take advantage Of the very high price which
butter brings. We heartily wish farmers
could realize the retail prices asked in the
cities and large towns for their products
butter IS cents per pound-think of it; get
it if you can-though S5 cents viii pay
Examine hay for instance of ergotized seed
(grown three or fou times its natural size
the effect of disease). This probably is
the cause of abortion In cows, which has
been so disastrous In many sections of late
years. Any COW that is ailing in the least,
should be removed from others. If one of
herd sinks her calf, three or four may fol-
low suit, and probably viii. Filthy stables
provoke abortion.
YOUNG STOCK Of all kinds should be kept
vigorously growing all winter Warm dry
yards, shed or stables, some grain or roots
and plenty of fresh water and salt, with
regular care, viii ensure thrift and much bet
ter sized animals than if the winter treat
ment checks their growth, as is usually the
case. Theirmanure viii be worth something,
too.
SHEEP.-f sheep are in poor condition
now, they must be gradually brought up
feed oats In the sheaf, few daily, and some
roots and good hay. When grass fails, hem
lock boughs once or twice week are good.
Let all have the range of dry yards or fields,
and warm sheds well ventilated The peri
cd of CESSATION in ewes is about months,
(l52 days,) and flock in good order is rare
ly served inless than to weeks. IF sheep
put up to fat at this season, sell in February,
March, or April for enough to pay the pres
ent value, and for all the grain fed to them,
there Is profit. Their manure e VIII be full
pay In many places
PLoWNG.-By all means do as much
plowing this fall as possible. Use plow
that viii lay furrow as fat as floor Plow
in manure deep for corn, potatoes and root
srops, but not for small grains. Leave no
manure on the surface, except the composts
that may be narrowed in. Land is well pre-
pared In this way for seeding in spring to
cloveror grasswithout an accompanying grain
crop
GRAIN FIELDs.-Prevent water standing
anywhere on winter grain or young grass by
SURFACE DRAlNs.-Make surface water
courses to conduct offwater from spots where
it may wash and do damage, by ycutting chan
nels or by bringing on dirt or gravel Con-
tinue
UNDER-DRAINING also, as long the ground
Is not frozen hard Laborers are easier got
m November than at most other times
The bitches must be well filed, and the earth
pounded down, or the water will wash them
out in the spring