The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1866-02-16
THE CALEDONlA AN:
agricultural.
Hints about WOrk.

IIorI,na onauts.-On these the farmer
JcpcndS for almost everything OF success.
They are as necessary to most tlllers OF
land on = larcc scale. as is the soil itself
,I.ir GOOD condition for labor is Just so
mn,h capital. The abominable farming
which still in many parts OF the country
regards "spring poor" stock no DISGRACE
f. their owner. and looks upon the condl-
,ion Of lcannc>s, which many oxen and
steer, present III the spring. as perfectly
Natural, cannot come under too strong
r,nrobation. 1t is not only cruel IN the
e<lrclne. but damaging 10 the farmer
OWN Interests to the last degree. Ioof
stock Give out soon in blowing and heavy
work -Four oxen will hardly DO the
work tina, two should. Pluck and endur-
arcc may be accurately measured by con-
dition.
Cars which "come in" in the spring
should have GOOD hay or cut feed (stalks
or straw with bran upon it, and if posi-
II. some roots daily. They at least need
warm sheds aud sunny yards. Good sta
hino at NIGH, Ill co,l weather, and warm
sheltered wards on pleasant days, will
max, not ONLY cows paradise, but re-
ward fine farmer with fine calves, and a
better flow OF milk.
H0rses.-It i quite common for large
hor> to have swollen LEGS in In winter,
e,puially if they are not kept IN regular
use. The same horses i'll summer, espec-
ialIy if more or less in the pasture, are
not troubled in this way. These enlarged
lees inIicate weakly constitution. In a
.~,icm perfectly igorous, these sccretlons
would work off and leave the limbs clean
and smooth The proper treatment IN
winter Is to keep the horse in fair condl-
ton, not fat. and allow him to stand a
parl of each day in roomy box Tor large
stablcl where he can walk about little.
Then he should have regular outdoor ex-
ercisc. no: less than III hour daily. The
Ices should be rubbed dry and clean after
each exposure 10 mud and snow. Indeed,
the more ''elbowgrease expended III
rubbing the leg>, the better.
Brood mares that are kept tied in stalls,
should have an opportunity to exercise
every day, either in the yard or by moder-
ate driving A liberal supply of water Is
also essential, as we have known mares to
">iink " when they did not get drink for a
day or two. Work horses not required
to labor. should he driven moderately at
least once day, several miles. Teams
that are worked hard all winter, endure
the severe fatigue of blowing, narrowing,
etc. much better than if worked but little
during the cold weather.
.Neep.-Eycry animal, whether old OF
yo,,no. that does not get its proper allow
ancc OF feed, or that requires little ex-
ira care. should be separated from the
flock. aud provided with comfortable quar-
tiers and better feed than strong and
healthy sheep receive. A few old ewes
and the weakest lambs may occupy a
small apartment together. Mutton sheep,
IS well as those to be kept over, should
have Il few roots daily, to prevent the
stretches. Ewes that are near yeanln9
should be confined in a spacious but warm
apartment. 50 tiint the lambs may not be
chilled and lost oy exposure to cold.-
IIcmlock ana pine boughs are excellent
ior all kinds of sheep, and are a substitute
jOr roots.
.Suiuc.-Breoding sows require care this
month. DO not feed them much meal.
They require bulky and light food. Skim.
med milk with bran, or oatmeal and boil
I'd potatoes are the best feed The best
feed Tor Young hogs designed for heavy
pork next autumn. is equal quantities OF
cats and peas, ground and mingled with
milk and Stops from the kitchen. Let all
swine have warm and clean apartments,
well supplied with dry straw. Swine will
eat small quantity OF light clover hay.
and il it be cut two inches long. all the
better. Occasional feeds of raw roots OF
amy kind will be good for them.
Waste Of .Jwl.-One way in which
farmers often waste iucl, is by choppine
the loe~ into suitable lengths for the stove
instead OF saving them. The waste il
chips. US we'll as labor, is considerable
Another waste comes from allowing The
wood. after being prepared for fuel, to lie
out OF doors Tor several months, exposed
to all wtather>. Wood should not neces-
s.uily be housed while green; but after
the winds Of March and April have bIowr
through it, it should be got under cover
Otherwise, II becomes "dozy," and loses
much Of its value If housed early, it
will remain hard, almost like anthracite
coal and will Lost y,Iy 1Opr