Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1867-02-21
Agrifaltnral.
Hints About Work.

the AgriculturiSt goes Southward, it
soon comes upon bare fields and soil
in which no frost remains long. There
spring begins in good earnest a month
or six weeks earlier than in our lati-
tude Al deg. and "spring plowing,"
etc, is there winter work We adapt
these hints to our own latitude, but
are apt to anticipate little, chiefly
in order to have plenty leeway in case
the season is especially early.
Field Work.-Dead furrows in grain
fields and burrows plowed for surface
draining should be clear, so that the
ground will not wash much in thaws.
If grain is badly harmed by frost put
on an even light dressing of muck or
soil or simply roll.
Grass and ClOUer Seed may be sown
if the ground is bare and the frost is
out. 1t is best to be done ON a very
light snow in the case the surface is
not frozen.
Manure may be hauled out to the
distant fields when there is good sled
ding, but it should only be such as is
well composted and which will neith-
er wash nor deteriorate essentially by
exposure. 1t may easily be put in
this condition by the use of muck, but
very little that is hauled to the field
in the winter time is so protected from
the action Of the weather, and half to
two-thirds is wasted.
Buildings-Timber may be prepar-
ed for any repairs, or for new build
ings which may be desired. Stables
and cellars should be opened and air.
ed on warm dry days. A little salt
sprinkled around posts, which form
the foundations of corn cribs and sim
liar structures will prevent their be-
ing harmed by frost This is true of
gate posts.
The Wood Lot affords plenty of
work in cutting fire wood, getting out
framing stuff, cedar bean poles, stakes,
such things. Avoid cutting trees that
are full of sap at this season, or as
soon as the weather is warmer,a as the
maple, beech, etc.
Secure Seed of each kind of grain
it is proposed to SOW this spring. If
you can do so, select seed grain from
large quantity by repeated winnow-
ings. Send for catalogues of seed
men, study them, and order early. At
the same time also
Order Good Farm Ha11ds.-Febru-
ary is usually the time to make the
best engagements.
Working Stock, if not employed,
should not be fed too much grain, but
roots should be in measure substi-
tuted, and if hard worked, feed ac-
cordingly.
Horses ought to be kept sharp
caulked, as ice is more dangerous if
it exists only in spots than when it
covers the ground. Feedfou quarts
of carrots with a handful of ashes and
half as much ginger daily if they get
"off their feed" for lack of exercise.
They are approaching the time when
they shed their coats, and as they are
then liable to take colds, they should
be we'll fed and in good condition
The tax upon the system in renewing
the coat is considerable. Brood mares,
with foal, need especial care, lest they
slip and fall, or in playing strain
themselves, or get kicked.
COlts.-When there is foot of snow
on the ground the time is particularly
favorable to training and breaking
colts to saddle and harness. Gentle
ness, frmness and sugar are the spe-
cifics, with the common sense use of
which, we warrant it easy to break
any colt not made vicious by bad
boys or men.
Oren should come out in fine con-
dition for spring work on little be-
sides corn stalks if these are proper
ly prepared, namely cut up, soaked
and salted with very.littlel mea up.
on them.
Beef Stock may Ihave little in
crease of meal or oil cake when they
begin to shed their ceats.
Co,cs that are giving milk may well
have wheat bran and oil-cake meal
on their cut and soaked stalks. The
earlier they are dried off, the better
will the calf be, in all likelihood, but
if MIXED until nearly time for the new
milk to "spring" tendency to give
muck milk is increased.
Calues intended for veal may very
early be taught to nibb!e hay, and fl
nally to eat good deal, and with
what skinned milk they can get il
their boiled cruel, they will make
rapid progress.
The C,yTyconb should not be neg
lected, its exercise on all kinds neat
stock and horses is great preveI'
tion of diseases and vermin, and is
productive of thrift.
Sheep should be kept so assorted il
hocks that all can get the proper al
lowance of feed Provide warm
shed, feed straw and hay in racks, and
grain in troughs of course, feed
some roots, or hemlock boughs, OF
both. House ewes near yeaning time
where they will have room, warmth
and comfort.
Visit all stock personally the last
thing at night and first thing in the
morning. See that they have water
enough, at least twice day, better
three times. Give salt frequently
and let them stand several hours in
the yards every day if fair.
POultTy.-Set one or two clutches
of the earliest eggs, mating the finest
pullets with the best old cock, as ear
ly in the month as possible, provided
you can furnish the chicks warm, dry,
light quarters. Kept clean, and at.
tended with care, they will make fine
birds, either to improve your own