The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1871-12-16
Farm Talk.

The proper management of farm stock is
very much matter of experience; careful
watching, simple precautions, and remedies
applied in time, will generally lead to sue
cess. On my return home, last month,
after an absence of two weeks, found two
of my most valuable COWS severely afflicted
with caked bags. No milk could be drawn
from the affected quarter; they took little
food and were in a bad way generally
Careful examination of the horn and tail
showed no signs of the distemper, and l
was at loss what to do. A relative from
Vermont and large dairyman, came to
visit us the day after my return, and at
once sought his advice. After examining
the animals, he recommended tablespoon
full of saltpetre. "But," said I, sis there
no danger, that is powerful dose. -
" Never mind, ;" said he, "put it down, and
repeat the dose in twelve hours, and if
necessary, again in twenty-fours, but prob
ably two will be all that will be required.
We dissolved the saltpetre in hot water,
and after cooling, poured it down from
bottle, two doses was sufficient, and We
soon had them in healthy milk again.
Last spring l purchased in the New
York horse market fine team of blacks,
for farm work, believing good animals the
cheapest in the long run. Some of my
neighbors who think fifty or seventy-fve
dollar horse good enough for farm work,
laughed at me for my extravaganza, as
they called it. They think no farmer can
stand such needless OUTLAWS long, and as
for ploughing with such a team; "Why
they will tear everything all to pieces"
WELL" said l, "come to ME next fall and
l will show you whether it pays or not. J"
l put them to the pillow the day after their
arrival, and after the first days work,
found them as we'll behaved as l could
wish. They are five and six years old, and
with good care have gained constantly
throughout the entire farm work season.
Neighbor Small was remarking yesterday
how much they had improved. "Well,"
said l, "some of you laughed at my extrav
agance when 1 bought them, but they have
done good service, and are now worth thir-
ty per cent. more than paid for them, an
advance which I can realize any day l
choose, to sell. Isn't that better than your
cheap stock, constantly growing cheaper?"
AS an evidence of what the enterprising
reading farmer may do, if he will keep
posted and take advantage of the times. l
wish to mention that last spring declined
to buy four to six weeks old pigs at $500
piece. This fall bought them weigh
ing so to 100 lbs. at from $500 to 5000,
thus saving the trouble and expense of
keeping through the summer. 1 simply
watch the market reports, and when saw
them quoted to 6 cts. live weight, |
bought. Now some of the old fogies say
am lucky, but I tell them not so; l have
simply kept my eyes and ears open, and
try to make profitable business of farm
ing, just as merchant makes a profitable
business by buying at the proper time
We must learn to improve our management,
the muscle less. 1t is nonsense to tolerate
those whining fellows who are constantly
ringing in our ears, Farming don't pay
Nothing would pay with them, and the
sooner their mortgages are foreclosed and
more enterprising men take their places,
the better. There are certain features of
agriculture which are providential we
cannot control the drowning rains, or the
scorching Suns, but l can point to thou
sands of acres of cultivated land which
have not produced half crop the past sea-
son, from lack of management and proper
care. Some of these fields will describe,
as examples, in a future communication.
In repairing my stables this season, have
constructed cutters to receive and convey
the liquid manure to tank built under
ground. have also excavated sink hole
in the centre of my barn yard, and am now
pre- barring a tank adjustable to any farm
wagon, for hauling it out and spreading on
the land. \ portable pump will be used to
fill this ia nix. l propose to make the ex-
pertinent, and hope next year to give an
intelligent uinion of the value of liquid
as compared with solid manure: am sat
isfed, how. yer, of its virtue and value. Of
course, where farmers have facilities for
saving it 10y absorbents, such as plentiful
supply of muck, leaves, etc., or can con-
struct cellars for all, so that the solids will
absorb an preserve the liquid, it is just
as we'll AMI somewhat less expensive
Those VIII" apply the liquid to land should
be caution at first, until experience teach
es them WAT crops are most benefited by
it; they need not fear, however, to use
literally OH all grass levels, and at almost
any season of the year; except when too
large to drive over, before haying, pasture
lands may he dressed at any time.
The Copy Hook.