Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1867-12-25
To Protect frees from Nice.

1t often happens during long winter,
when there II a great amount of snow on the
ground. that the field mice in pursuit Of food
gnaw the bark from young apple and other
trees with which they come in contact. II
IL important to see that there is nothing
about the trees u attract them, and that
there is no dry grass, hay or leaves near them
in which they may harbor but alter all
these precautions are taken. there is still
danger of their doing damage, especially to
such trees as grow near the fences. Many
valuable trees have been lost by little neg
ect to guard against the ravages of this lit
tie pest. II one could ALWAYS think to do
it, good preventative is to tread down the
snow quite hard around and close up to the
trunk Of the tree, and thus prevent their
approach The plan we have to recommend
i both simple. and il some parts of the
country quite cheap, and nowhere very ex-
pensive Get wide strips of birch bark and
roll round the trunk Of the tree as far up
from the ground a the snow will be likely
70 reach and it VIII soon curl up sufficiently
of itself to keep it securely in place. and
the work Is done. We have never known a
mouse to gnaw through this covering with it's
two or three thicknesses. When this mater
ial cannot be had. old tin or new, old sheet
iron or new viii answer quite as good a pur-
pose, for doubt very much if the cum
ming little fellows would attempt to pene-
tratc this material. even though prompted
by hunger These substances can remain on
wear after wear. until the bark of the tree
has become sufficiently thick to render it
proof against these yermin. We have found
where some protection was applied. that it
had the effect to keep off the adpie borers,
who generally deposit their eggs on the
trunk Of tree near the ground.
NEvER IDLE.-The farmer can be a loafer,
and yet thrive. Pruning, draining, killing
weeds, making walls, getting out muck,
preparing the manure heap, cutting bushes,
and clearing up around the walls battening
up the cracks Of the old barn to keep the
cattle and horses from freezing; give the
swine warm pen allowing no leaks, if a
shinglc can be found, and no broken panes
for the ornamental work of old hats and rags,
ifa square of glass can be obtained, are few
of the fair weather Jobs which claim his at
tenti0n during the recess of the harvest sea-
son The foul weather Jobs are nearly as
numerous. and their claims nearly as urgent
oo the attention ofevery tidy, thriving farmer.
4 Texan SHEEP FARM-Out ON broad
and glorious prairie, between the creeks of
San Gabriel and Brusky, in williamson coun-
ty, found Messrs. Voorhees, & Crouch, liv-
ing in a very plain and patriarchal style, on
one of the finest ranges | have ever seen in the
State. Over hundreds of acres of their gra-
zing lands, there is not a bush large enough
to hide hen. Their fiocks go off in the
over the beautiful slopes, ard from
many single points the shepherd can over
look his herd of ten or twelve hundred head, I
for two or three hours, without changing his /
position. For such as choose an open range, /
| have never seen finer one. L found their
docks in thriving condition. and NUN bering
between three and four thousand They are
being rapidly graded up by the use of inpor-
-ant bucks, and their clips of wool viii soon
be among the first in the State. These gen
lemen incorporate IL themselves the elements
If success, for they both understand the
nature. habits and wants of sheep, and have
he patience and skill to give their hocks Just
he treatment they need.-Dr Boynton in
Mirror and Farmer.