Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1867-10-23
agricultural.
No Cattle-NO Manure.

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the stock on farms is the basis of all
genuine Improvement, the source of fertility
and productiveness. 1t is, therefore, for the
interest of every farmer to keep as much as
he can keep well and to manage it in such a
manner as to make the most of it. This does
not imply that he should overstock so as to
be Obliged to stint his cattle and keep them
poorly. but it is obviously for his interest to
keep as much he can properly feed, as
much as the farm can be made to support in
good condition. If farmer will adopt this
as his general rule of management, ne will
find his farm gradually improving on his
hands.
Many farms are SO situated that they will
winter more stock than they will summer
The pastures may be poor and unproductive,
covered with bushes and rocks, or limited in
extent as compared with the moving lots
Then it becomes necessary to clean up the
pastures, cut the bushes, topdress, and thus
nut them in a condition to carry more stock
and do it better, or else to resort to the sys
TEN of soiling in part, at least, In order TO
keep the requisite amount OF stock through
the summer. The pastures should receive
special and extra degree of attention and
pains should be taken to improve them
But if a farmer can summer more than he
can winter well, he should take pains to i'm
prove his moving lots so as to cut more grass
raise roots and other forage plants. so as to
provide as large amount of feed as pos
sible for winter. Some farmers in the
habit of buying cattle or sheep in the fall to
feed through the winter and to sell in the
spring. This is to consume the produce on
the farm instead of selling it. and if the
purchases are we'll made, the stock well cared
for and the market favorable, they will make
a good thing on the stock itself and have the
= in
a fair price for the hay consumed, and the
manure is left for the care and trouble at
tending the transaction, it is generally con-
sdered for the advantage of the farm. Cows
to come in In the spring, oxen that Will be
constantly improving, or sheep well purchased
paw veil but the kind of stock will depend
a good deal upon the facilities for taking
care of it and individual preferences. We
do not pretend to advise es to the particu
lar kind, the main point being to have enough
to make the largest and the best quality of
manure that the food is capable of making
The true policy is to sell the products of the
farm on four legs if it can be done.
Now with a sufficient amount of stock, the
problem is to make the most of the situat ton.
and to do this need a considerable quanti
ty of litter for bedding. Straw Is undoubt
ly, the best for this purpose, but many
farmers have not enough for this purpose
Meadow hay is more common, but IT makes
quite inferior manure, though many of
are compelled to use it for want of some
thing better. Leaves are excellent and now
is the time TO secure them if we are likely
to come short of bedding. If it is a little
trouble to get them, it is well to bear in
mind that they are worth it all and more too
in the form of manure. Many sand to
mix with the manure and for bedding For
summer or warm weather, especially if the
manure is to be used ON stiff lands, it is first
rate, and it will pay under such circum-
stances, to secure a large quantity of it and
put it under cover, in some convenient place,
where it may be kept dry for use. If, on
the other hand, the land of the farm is light,
we should prefer muck or something of the
sort. or a mixture of clay or stiff loan.
Manure, to be well preserved, should be
kept under cover, away from the wash and
drenching of the caves, either under a barn
OF under covered sheds. The manure of the
barnyard is injured more by exposure to rains
than to the sun or the wind, though perfect
economy would avoid exposure to either.
We have great faith in muck or meadow
mud, in connection with farmyard manures.
Two parts of the former with one Of the
latter, may be used to advantage. 1t not
only increases the bulk, which on most lands
is important, but it absords vast amount of
urine. which might otherwise be lost, and in
its mixture it becomes very powerful fer
tilizer of itself. The labor of mixing and
forking over is very considerable, it is true,
but it must be recollected that a good deal OF
it comes when other work is not very pressing
The great point is to have plenty of feed,
plenty of stock to eat it, and plenty of ma
terial for litter and for mixing with the
manure to absorb and retain the liquids of
the yard and the gases which might other
wise escape. 1t is better to buy feeding
substances than to be compelled to buy
manure, better for the farm and better for
the pocket--PLoughnadn