Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1868-11-13
NO. 40.


chem in conical heaps, on TOP of the
ground, where it is dry and we'll drained.
and covered we'll with straw and earth
This makes them more secure, if we'll COW
cred, than when put in pits in the ground.
Twenty to fifty bushels may be put into a
heap. Potatoes should not be exposed to
sun and air longer than necessary to dry
off the external moisture. Their quality is
very soon impaired, especially by the ac-
ton of light. a-bagas should be stored
where convenient for feeding. They re-
quire less covering than potatoes-indeed,
are not seriously damaged by pretty hard
freezing. If potatoes are not thoroughly
protected against frost they will be destroy
ed, and before severe weather sets in they
should have another covering of straw up
on the earth first used, and then an addi-
tional covering of earth.
Let 20 time be no ~ lost in fatteninc pen
hogs Let the best practicable economy be
used in feeding. If grinding of the corn
can be effected, great saving will be made
in feed, and if it can be boiled or steamed,
there will be still greater economy But if
neither be practicable, at least have the
corn thrown on close plank floor, when
everything will be eaten clean, and no
waste from tramping in mud or dirt. Fat,
tening hogs should be made in all respects
comfortable should have dry but not
too warm bed to sleep on, sufficient pro-
lection against weather, with shed opening
to the South, and be we'll supplied always
with clean water.
BEEvEs AND SHEEP.
For the same reason, all stock to be pre-
cared for the butcher should now be fec
with the utmost regularity. The same fooC
makes much more meat in moderate
weather than when it is cold. Our obser
vation teaches us that in the moderate fal
weather there is peculiar aptitude in oul
domestic animals to lay on fat They are
free from the annoyance Of insects, and the
temperature combines with this circum.
stance to give them comfort and quiet, two
necessary aids to Improvement in condi
ton. Both sheep and beef cattle must,
therefore, be fed early, though they can
not be forced SO rapidly as hogs.
WINTER ARRANGEMENTS.
These should include everything neces-
sary for the comfort and health of animals
The confinement we necessarily impose on
our stock is an unnatural condition, and
they are liable to suffer more or less, unless
after providing suitably for their comfort.
They must have protection from the direct
pelting of storms and :from the prevailing
cold winds. For horned cattle, well COW
cred sheds, open only to the South, are
perhaps, on the whole, the best winter ac-
commodation. Not that there would be
the same economy of food as in close sta
bles, but because of the vital necessity of
the amplest supply of fresh air, and the
difficulty of furnishing this in close stables.
without exposure to cold draught, which
may produce dangerous infammatory dis
eases. Cattle seem to suffer little from
the cold if they be kept dry, and this lat
ter point should have special attention.
All water from the roof should be we'll
thrown off, SC that it may not interfere with
their comfort, nor shonld they at any time
be allowed to plunge through mud to get
to water, Or under pretense Of any neces-
sity of making manure Of the coarse mate
rial of the farm yard. Cattle should be
we'll supplied with dry bedding working
oxen, milch COWS, and calves, should have
separate apartments. Horses should, if
practicable, have boxesw where theymay freely
turn themselves, and not be tied to halters
or confined in stalls.
Sheep, unless they are being fed for the
butcher, should not be confined at all, but
should have shed to which they may have
most healthy when they have the largest
liberty. Provisions, of course, must be
made for ewes having lambs, that they
may be entirely protected against aggres-
sion of every sort.
Stock hogs should have accommodations
apart from other kinds of stock, with shell
ter open to the sun, and dry bedding. If
they can have woodland range at the
same time, it is the best provision that can
be made for them. Let them by no means
be allowed to lie in heaps of manure, or
filth, which cause diseases of the skin and
other affections.
Water should, if possible, be provided
for stock in the yards. that they may be
mud, or sliding on ice While eubsisting
on dry food there is much greater neces-
sity than at other times for plenty Of water,
but, unless the supply is convenient, cattle
will often consent to go without it for a
Ong time, sooner than overcome the OBJ
stacles to getting it.
MANURES.
During the winter months large accu-
mutations of manure can be made, if the
be gathered with diligence. If
compost be needed, let the stable manure
1e composted with woods mould, or any
,ther good, rich earth. The manure may
oe thus greatly Increased in quantity. But
mere accumulations of coarse, raw materi-
Il in the yards, do not effect that purpose,
lnless there is a due proportion of rich
manure with which to compost them.