Buchanan County bulletin and guardian., 1868-02-07
s.,ss ana srsgestions aor February

u
III we were in some somi-tronical
climate we might lind an abundance
OF work to do this month in the fields,
and even IN cultiyating the growing
crops, hut ia the more rigorous climate
NJ the West and Nor,h-Wes 81, tie hard
frozen sol, perhaps deeply covered
with snow, prevents much active ost-
door labor, 50 far as the direct work
Of the farmer is concerned. Once
again We call attention to the inpor-
1nce of using the months Of Winter
in getting well prepared for the more
pressing work of Spring.
Ii the suggestions we have repeat
cdly made have been followed, the
general plan OF the farm work for the
year has been decided upon. If not
this matter should be seen TO at once.
After deciding about how much OF
each OF the grains you will raise, how
much OF your land you will devote to
pasture, meadow, ect., decide how
much labor vou viii need TO do your
work. and make arrangements TO So
cure whatever hired labor You will
ncci as soon as possible. Better Ia
b0rcrS can be secured, and at less
rates than in April or May next, and
enough work can be found to keep
them employed during the intervening
time in all ordinary eases. So, too, If
YOU viii need additional teams, bny
The horses, mules. ar oxen now: Get
them accustomed 10 your way OF feed
ing, and get them in good condition
b. lore putting them to severe work IL
Spring, 1t you find any Of yorr labor
crs, either human or brute. to be
worthless you can make be;tes ar
rangemcnts than if Won had no testing
os them until their services were urg-
emily needed.
This suggest the Importance Of hay
ING distinct understanding with each
workman. There should be a clearly
written contract. signed by both par
Ties. for the protection ofeach against
possible attempts to deiraui BY the
other.
The farmer can spend day, per
haps, in no mere profitable way than
in carefully examining all the imple-
ments and machinery he VIII need
during the year, Wherever anything
i found needing repairing this should
be seen to At once. II any neev iel-
elements viii be needed get them
now, When Won caa take time % get
good ones, aud those best suited 10
yonr use.
Clean out all the cave tronghs.
sweep heavy snow from all roofs, nail
securely ANY loose boards on hoaSe,
barn. sheds, or fences. Time May be
taken now to make gates and iit the
posts to be put up wien needed. See
10 the fences all over the farm; a
board or rail blown off may lead
some unruly animal % break downt the
entire fence.
In reasonably pleasant weather
there is much outside work that can
he attended to. Wood for use Al the
house, au1 timber and lumber for
building or repairing, may be drawn
whore wanted.
The care Of the stock vii, however,
he to most fariners the principal work
of the month. This must be seen TO
every day, and il is most important
tha. il be well done. The general
features oi the NiAter care st all
domestic aiiRals have been so often
given By Us that repeating them in
detail Is not necessary.
II / I, = /
on ice. or slippery roads. They should
be fed with regularity blanketed
when lef, standing in the co'a. and
kept clean and comfortably warm in
the stables. It is not advisable to
have them very fat, bat they should
not b. allowed to gov poor.
All cattle, and cspeciall! milk COWS,
should be sheltered from tle storms
and winds and kept IN good condition
by reasonable quantity eft suitable
food. Letting cattle get in good heart
and flesh 10 Summer. only to grow
poor aud weak Ia Winter, does no
pay.
Sheep should net be closely con
fined, although they, OF course, need
shelter. both from tie extreme cold
ana vet. Do not sacrifice yotu flaek.
if you have FEED FER them. Keep the
best al least, and give them good care
Now that the iatleael hogs have
been disposed Of DO not allow tht
stock hogs, and pigs. 10 suffer fer care
Grain is high in most places, AMI il
shonld lie economical IN use by only
being iea ip u clean place, and 10 aui
mails 80 kept as to get the most good
for il. Rural inaerican.