The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1866-01-11
AGRICULTURAL.
r.n,, ,voRK FOR JANUARY.

wax Gan be performed in the open air
during the month Of January, but under
shelter and within the house, much
NAV vet be done to facilitate operations
when the spring opens. There are of
course all sorts of odd jobs to attend to.
There is fencing stuff to be gotten out;
rails to be cut, split and pointed; posts
to be hewed, bored and morticed gates
TO be made; implements to be repaired
gears to be oiled and kept in good con-
dition, aud the stock generally to be |
carefully tended, protected from the
inclemency Of the weather and main
tanned in good order and condition
Within the house the plans for the en-
suing season can be arranged, and eve
rything in relation to the future opera
tons on the farm systematised as
thoroughly as possible. Every intelli-
gent farmer should also seek to provide
himself with good library, in which
the best works on rural affairs should
occupy prominentplace. Suchworks,
simply as ready means Of reference,
will always be found valuable, whilst
careful study of the principles they in
culcate, the soils of which they treatand
the suggestions they offer, will frequent
" throw new light upon disputed
points, or verify personal experience
or dissipate long cherished prejudice
With this and the comforts Of the house
hold cared for, even the worst days of
the winter season may be passed pleas
antly and not unpro6tably. The things
claiming attention on the farm are as
follows:
SURFACE DRAINS.
See that the low lying fields in win.
ter grain are carefully inspected every
fey weeks and the water burrows freed
from all distractions that might posi-
bly interfere with their usefulness. If
there are found to be depressions in the
soil in which water will naturally col.
lect by surface drainage or otherwise,
take immediate steps for providing an
outlet to prevent the grain from bccon-
ing winter killed.
WORKING ANIMALS.
We have already suggested that
working animals should be kept in good
dry warm stables, well ventilated and
well bedded. They should be fed reg
ularly three times a day, with little
grain and a sufficiency Of sound hay or
fodder and watered at least twice.
See also that salt is furnished to them
twice a week
Mich cows.
Cows that are to be kept up to their
milk must not only be well fed with
good palatable hay and fodder, but must
also be furnished literally with slops,
containing bran or meal, and also with
occasional messes of cut roots Warm
shedding or stabling is Of inestimable
service, not only as being of advantage
to the general health of the animal, but
in respect to the economy Of food. In
mild weather they should be turned out
for an hour or two in the middle of the
day-should have access to water twice
a day and should be provided with salt
regularly.
IN-cALF COWS AND HEIFERs.
These animals require the same at
tention that is given to milch COWS, ex-
cept that the former should not receive
Stops until few days before calving,-
They should, however, at all times re.
ceive a liberal supply of hay and fodder
BROOD MARES,
Brood mares require particular atten-
ton. They should be moderately fed
with good provender. Their daily al
lowance should be at the rate of twenty
one pounds Of hay or fodder, divided
into three parts, and fed to them in
three feeds--morning, noon and night
seven pounds being sufficient at each
feed. They should have two feeds of
grain day, but not in excess. In the
treatment of brood mares the aim should
be to keep them in good condition, but
to avoid fattening them. If they are
too fat, it is injurious to the delivery Of
the foal; il too lean their physical weak
ness may induce abortion. After foal-
ing, the supply of generous food should
be gradually increased.
YOUNG COLTS AND YOUNG CATTLE,
These should be so fed as to keep
them in grOwi ngcondition. Neglect
in this respect is particularly injurious,
as it tends to stunt the growth, and con-
sequcntly Injuries the future value of
the animal, whether it be intended for
sale or use. The rule is to feed well,