Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1866-05-10
agricultural.
Hints about Work.

to how much it will take to carry the stock
we'll through the winter, that 1t is the ex-
ception rather than the rule that farmers
can feed hay, grain and roots as literally
in the spring months as the needs of their
animals demand Mich cows that have
lust come in, or that drop their calves du-
ring this month. before they can be turned
to pasture, need first-rate care and feeding
or the flow of milk for the whole season
NAV be essentially diminished Young
cows especially should be ted IN way TO
develope as much as possible every milk
producing quality, for this VIII influence
their value throughout their lives. The re-
newal of their coats is great tax upon the
vital force of neat cattle and horses, and at
this season they are more benefited by reg
ular and thorough carding than at any 9th
er When supply of roots has been kept
through till now, feed them out. so that the
transition from dry fodder to grass VIII! not
be too sudden and produce securing. Nhen
cows are first turned to pasture, give them
a little less than their usual feed morning
and evening, putting them IN the pasture
few hours only in the middle OF the day.
They will do much better for it. The same
is true of beeves which will fatten rapidly
as warm weather comes on, if gradually
accustomed to grass, their meal and hay
being kept up just as usual. Otherwise
they are apt to scour and fall OFT consider
ably. Calves if kept i'll warm comfortable
and clean quarters and fed regularly, will
increase in weight very fast. All their food
should be cooked, even the hay; at least
all the meal shorts or bran which Is min
gled with the SKINNED milk, should be thor
Ouphly cooked. When calves are tattened
upon the COW, it is a fact worth remember
ing that it is not the cows which give the
richest milk, that will bring up the most
calves or fatten them the most rapidly
When milk cannot be sold, it is often very
economically disposed of by putting two
calves to a good cow, and messing" them
twice day besides. Calves will seldom
quarrel. so it is best to allow a week or
fortnights difference in their ages.
Sheep.-We are strong advocates for
shearing sheep unwashed. They may thus
be sheared much earlier there is little
danger of their taking cold the GOODNESS
of the weather is supposed to influence a
more rapid renewing of their covering and
bv the time the summers sun beats down
hot and scorching upon their backs, they
are sufficiently protected not to be blistered,
as sometimes happens i'll late shorn tiocks.
All tiocks ought to be dipped after shear
ing Unless the ticks office are very thick,
the dipping should be postponed till war
mer weather than we usually have in May.
The gradual accustoming OF sheep to grass
is quite as important as the same treatment
for neat cattle. Do not withhold the grain
but keep it up until after the flock is we'll
established upon grass They should also
be turned to grass gradually, two or three
hours day, in addition to their full regu-
lar feeding of hay, etc. No one should
overlook the great value of his stock as ma
nure makers This will in many parts of
the country make it very remuneratlve to
have the COWS all yarded or stabbed at night,
and the sheep folded The farmer rarely
classIfies his
Sicine as Beasts of Labor yet when the
best use is made of them, they do an i'm
mense amount Of hard work in the course
of the summer in roofing over and mixing
the manure and compost heaps, converting
weeds, etc, into manure Corn scattered
over the heap now and then will encourage
diligence, and few handfuls dropped here
and there into holes 30 to 80 inches deep,
will secure great upturning and mixing,
which would otherwise have to be done by
the fork.
Pomtry.-All kinds of young poultry
should have good care, especially when
veIy young One of the best attachments
to poultry yard is low shed feet wide,
open to the south and closed by light lat
tice wo. k that will not keep the un out
Here young turkeys and chickens may
safely spend a few weeks. The hens being
cooped under the sheds. The ground should
of course be dry, and covered with ashes
and the surface shoveled off and the ashes
renewed frequently. One secret Of success
with chickens is, keeping them dry ; this
in connection with cleanly quarters, seal
ded or cooked food and pure water always
before them and always fresh will secure
fine healthy focks.
Grass and Grain Fields may receive top
dressings of liquid manure nd other ferti
lzers if applied early. Little, however, Cal
now be done, even upon spring grain, OF
which timely manuring and sometimes roll
ing after the ground has settled after hare
rains, may be of great service. The atten
tion of the farmer must however be chief,
directed to his
Hoed Cr0pS-No hurry or lateness of tht
season should be allowed to cheat the crops
out of we'll prepared and manured soil
Sorghum and Broom Corn are cultivated ol
the same 6, neral principles. Potatoe
should be put into the ground as early a
possible Late sorts for the main crop ant
for winter use should not be planted wit
rank termenting manure, it induces a sue
culent growth and predisposition to tn
blight and rot Lcached ashes is exeellen
manure for potatoes. AS a rule, plant thre
or four inches deep, and harrow thoroughly
when the top first appear above ground
This kills a crop of weeds does the potatoe
good, and saves work
Sugar BeetS and Mangel Wurtzels-Ever
good farmer ought to plant some of one G
the other of these roots for his mich stOcl
Sow wien the ground is warm, in deep ric
soil in good tilth, putting the drills "a
80 inches apart. They may be thinned ou
during the summer, and afford excelleR
green fodder to any kind of stock "kept up.
Other root crops Parsnips, Carrots, ma
be sowed in the same way, the drills closer
however
OniORs.-Old onion raisers will have look
ed out for good seed long before this
There is little beside fresh seed in the coun
try, but the demand for this renders it nee