Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1871-02-08
agricultural.
February on the Farm.

Under this head the Massachusetts Plough
man makes some excellent suggestions part
Of which We copy:
We have always thought that most farmers
could accomplish q great deal more IN winter
than they do. How much might be done to
increase the manure pile every winter
Proper attention &c bedding cattle, occasion
ally forking over the manure under the barn,
che free use o. sand, and other absorbents in
the stalls, getting up a few loads of leaves
and Spreading them regularly in the cattle
peEs, in a thousand ways, in fact, = farmer
can plan to increase the aggregate amount
and value Of the manure heap.
But there ought to be plan about all the
work Of the farm. IN this winter weather
the chores, Of course, occupy considerable
time, and demand the first attention All
she cattle need pretty close watching at this
season, cows and young stock especially
You know the old saying that an animal well
-Tintered is half well summercd. 1t should
De the study of every farmer to winter his
cattle well, to try TO have them come out in
the spring in a thriving condition. There is
a vast difference in this respect among farm
ers. Some winter much better than others
In the hands Of some, cattle seem to thrive
naturally and without any great effort, while
The reverse is the case with others
We need not repeat what we have 60 often
said about the free use of roots Of some kind
at this season. A few Of them every dav
xiii sweeten large mass of the second
quality of hay. They make very palatable
change and 20 far TO preserve the health and
spirits of the animal They are TO cattle
what apples are for boys, good thing well
bestowed. Most farmers come rather short
of turnips or ruta bagas, on account Of the
drought. and many lost their mangolds also.
but 50 far as our observation went. the man
colds rather had the better Of it, for they
made rapid growth after the fall rains
Fortunately the ir0sts held off late and the
roots continued to grow till they were pulled
from the ground.
Do not fail to get up all the frewood you
wiu want, and make a liberal allowance at
that We are in favor of keeping a years
supply on hand and we'll housed for use. 1t
i Just as well after getting started, and es-
pecially if YOU have room to house it, which
not every farmer has. Did you ever consider
what economy there is in using dry fuel over
and above using it green or half dried If
wood is green or full Of water you have TO
expend a certain amount OF heat in expelling
the moisture aud all this amount Is so much
loss.
The Tech1loLogisf says one cord of wood,
cut and split fine, and corded up beneath a
shelter wlile il Is yet green, viii furnish
more heat after it has become seasoned than
two cords Of the same kind of wood which
has been continually exposed TO the alternate
influences Of storms and sunshines. Here is
something for farmers to think Of. A saving
Of one bali OK the amount Of wood usually
consumed by those who have left their fuel
tot doors Is an important item, net only in
the absolute amount Of wood that may be
saved, but IN the labor that Is required to
work it up. More than this, contemplate the
convenience and luxury Of a quick, lasting
and hot FIRE, when compared with the per
plexitics incident TO the incessant kissing
and simmering of poor fire and the stew.
ing and frying that must be endured before
one can get the FIRE up TO a baking heat.
This Is a matter worth thinking of, because
the fuel consumed is something of an item
when the labor of preparing it Is taken int
account.
We need not say that the ashes should be
carefully saved to apply to the land in tn,
spring We do not suppose any intellgen
farmer Is so foolish TO sell wood ashes L
Is a great deal better TO buy them, and they
are worth more 10 use than the ashmen vii
pay for them. We say save all you max
and buy all you can, and if you have to par
twenty or twenty-five cents a bushel for goo
pure wood ashes you had better take them
Only be sure they are not half coal ashes