The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1868-12-12
FARM and HOUSEHOLD.
HINTS ABOUT WORK.

Buadiags.-PrOtect cellars against the
frost, by banking up earth against exposed
and thin foundation walls. Stop windows,
except well glased Ones with strawy litter,
protected by stakes ON the outside, to pre-
vent hens scratching it all about. Pumps.
cisterns, hydrants, and water-pipes need
similar protection if exposed. Horse ma
nure and litterisbetter than any other
packing we know of to keep frost out Of
water-pipes. 1t is a good thing to line
stables which are against the sides of old
buildings with strips of board tackled on
so that swamp hay or straw can be stuffed
in between them and the weather. boarding.
1t makes them much warmer, and saves
fodder in proportion.
Neutrality-suspicious. stables may be warm,
but without ample provision for ventila-
ton they will be unhealthy. The stock
will be found soft their feed" and ailing
in various ways. With sufficient ventila-
ton, which is easily secured, warmth and
healthfulness are entirely compatible.
Chatting, Soaking, Steaasiag Folder.-The
economy of the cutting box is very gener-
ally admitted nowadays, and with chatting
hay, and straw, and stalks, comes soaking
as matter of course. The expense of
steaming fodder leads many of us who do
not feel as if we could afford Prindle's
steam boiler, to devise sOur-grape reasons
why we and our cattle are just rs well off
without, while, nevertheless, all who do use
steam are loud in praise of its economy
We have not come to grinding hay yet,
but that will be the next step, in all proba-
bility, for its advantages have been asserted
in Europe.
Roots.-Feed sliced, chopped, or mashed,
in such pieces that COW or "young crit
ter" will not choke itself. 1t is rarely best
to feed more than quarts of carrots a day.
Their highest effect is observed when fed
with other roots, grain, etc. Common
turnips are the first roots to lie fed as they
soon grow pithy and lose much in value.
Fb1dering.-If any reader of the .igri-
euturist continues the wasteful practice of
foddering upon the ground around stacks
it. Put up Temporary racks, under cover if
possible, and check this great waste.
Lice Stock Of all kinds should he looked
to daily; they should be fed and watered
with the regularity of clock-work. The
card, brush, and curry-comb will, if fire.
quently used, not only promote health and
cleanliness, but effect great saving of fod-
der, while at the same time the paradox of
sharpened appetites will be observed. A
well-cleaned OK, whose skin has its pores
thoroughly opened twice week by the
friction Of the brush and card, feels we'll,
and will eat cOarser fodder with better
relish than an uncleaned one, and eat it
cleaner, and it will do him more good
them, so that their natural craving may he
satisfied. Salt and ashes is good mix
ture, and few sods, thrown where ami
mails can work them over, will be mumbled
and chewed often with relish which
makes it evident that it is no unnatural
appetite, but that they get something which
the pastures would supply in summer, and
which their systems need equally in the
winter.
Co@s.-Do not dry off for the mere sake
Of saving labor. 1t is injurious to the milk
ing qualities of both the COWS and their fe-
male offspring. The milk-giving tendency
should be encouraged to the utmost if milk
is an object with the breeder. Feed we'll,
hot n
Young Stock should be maintained con-
stantly growing, and not exposed to the
weather, if simply for the sake Of economy
of fodder and in the production of manure
We have repeatedly said, pine lumberis
great deal ceeaper than hay as means Of
warming stock, for fodder is little besides
fuel, to maintain the internal heat in ex-
posed animals.
Horses.-We do not believe in keeping
horses as warm as other stock in the win
ter. Always rub down and blanket one
that comes in wet or tired. Never expose
a horse to drafts of air, or let him stand in
the wind, if it can be helped, and if obliged
to leave horses in the wind always blanket
them. In the stable, pull off the blanket
soon after horse is cooled off. A horse
ought to have good portion of hay daily.
High feeding without it gives him neater
barrel, but it is unnatural diet, and of
course less healthful. The good grooming
and regular care and exercise of city horses,
and those fed in the same way, make good
in measure the defects of this diet, while
farmers horses, that live on dry hay and
corn stalks the winter through, and are
only brushed off little, to get the hay
seed out Of their foretops, Sundays, remain
healthy (if they do) on account of their
more natural fare.
Stcine.-As a rule, kill family pork when
the weather becomes cold enough. It re-
quires 50 much more feed to make pound
Of pork in cold weather than when it is
mild, that it will not pay to continue the
fattening. Market hogs, ifthey have warm
quarters, may be held for short time if
the markets are crowded, but it generally
pays better to hold pork for few days
rather than swine, if the weather be cold,
SO that it will keep well.
Sheep.-Feed SO as to keep them gaining;
if fattening, feed pretty freely, being care
full that none get too much, and none too
little grain. A sheep overfed few days is
apt to get seriously off its feed and run
back SO that it will hardly recover it's former
stand all winter. Litter the yards freely.
american 1oriculturisf