Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1868-09-15
RANGES FOR HENs.-The following

more common blunder made by the
inexperienced than in the estimate
they make of the space required for
a flock of poultry. Not less than half
an acre of ground, at the very least
and two-thirds should be in grass
is sufficient to keep a flock oftwe!ve
in perfect health the year round. An
would be gained by giving
even more than this. Yet how often
do we see focks of thirty or forty con-
fined during the whole year to space
hardly one-half of this. To keep a
flock of such size in health, it Is no
test even if they thrive the first sea-
son in such limited quarters. The
second or third season, at most, roup
and vermine will begin to make their
inroads, and after losing half his young
broOds, the farmer concludes that
raising chickens does not pay-and 1t
ought not to under such bad manage
ment.
WEAVING COLTS.-When a colt is
about four months old. if he has had
proper care and training. and if the
dam is to be used in harness, or if she
is breeding again, he Is old enough to
be weaned. Surprising, as most far
mers are obliged to do, that the mare
has had to work more or less since
dropping her foal, and that the colt
has been allowed to follow the dam
when at wOrk-the attachment be-
tween the two has become very strong.
If separated entirely and at once, and
if the mare is nervous and high-strung,
she will perhaps refuse to work, act
frantic, kick and do everything else
she ought not, and would not do. but
for the separation. On the other hand.
put the colt into ever so good a pas
ture, feed him grain and do everything
you maybe will run up and down
by the tence-perhaps try and scale
it, &c, to get to the dam, until he has
run off every bit OF flesh on his bones
Now what's to be done?
We would place the mare in stall
wide enough for her and the colt, then
we would halter the colt and tie him
so that he could get to the manger
but not reach to the teat. 1t may be
necessary also, to change somewhat
the halter of the dam, so that she can
not turn sufficiently to allow the colt
to suck. Water the colt freely, but
the dam as little as possible, for a few
days at least. If possible feed the
colt a dOuble-handful of oats twice &
day for two or three weeks before
you attempt the weaving. Increase
the quantity Of oats a little at wean
ing time, even if you withdraw the
ertr0 ration by-and-0y.
Standing by the side of the dam he
will be more quiet and after u little
forget his teat. The mare, also, vii
leave him more readily in the stable
while she labors, especially when She
finds him on her return. To facilitate
the drying up Of the milk in the mare
take little soft soap and smear il
over the udder 1t may be necessary
to draw out some milk first for d few
times, to ease her distress. After a
few days, especially if the mare is
again breeding, milk will not flow very
readily and be diverted naturally 10
tue rIIiOtyV tVa', qua. eIlO'iouSH ottc
mare may call her colt She will refuse
to let him suck. If possible, the colt
should have the best of pasture anC
the company Of other colts of bis owl
age, and the daily allowance OF ia,
oats, or a handful or two Of meal mix
ed with wheat bran should be gjve1
every day.
The latter years of our life on the
farm, we never allowed the colts t.
/ follow to the field, but kept them i'll ;
loose box in an underground stable
during the day. When the mare
came home aud were watered at night
the colts were allowed a play spe!
and also at noon while the dams wer,
feeding. The colts kept in bette
flesh and gave a great deal less trou
bic at weaning-RuraL World.
HARVESTING FIELD BEANs.-Tak,
five rows at a time. Commence OF
the middle row; pull up as many hill
as can conveniently be held in tn
hands, and then place the handful
with the roots up, on the row. The
pull the two rows on each side, AM
place the handfuls round the first o
the middle row. Pull a few space
ahead of the heap and bring the hand
fuls back. Then proceed as before
Sometimes the beans are put in cor
tinuous windrow. The work is uSr
ally done by boys, and if the crop j
clean, a boy will pull half an acre
day. The heaps or wiudrOws shout
be moved or turned every day or two
and if the weather is bad the GRO
must be carefully watched, and ever
opportunity seized to turn the heap
and get them lighted up. A littl
, neglect may spoil the crop, or at lea;
, render manipulating necessary. O
, dinarily there is little difficulty i
curing beans in this way, provide
they are not neglected. When suff
GENTLY cured they are thrown int
heaps of convenient size for pitchin
If the beans are dry and hard, an
! the vines perfectly cured, they can |
i. moved away like hay or grain; but
! little green, it is better to put the
: on poles laid across the beams in tt
e barn, where the air can circulate thr
$ them. Careful bean growers frequcn
b ly stick short stakes in the field, al
D place the beans around them, thatt