The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1872-12-06
HINTS For FARMERS.

by Orrangc, Judd q Co., New York al
81 90 per annum:
We are beginning TO look back on the
year 1872 and forward to the year 1873.
December Is halfway house, a breath
ing spot. II is neutral ground. The Ia.
bors of the past year are nearly ended I;
those of the new hardly commenced
The days are short, and during the long
evenings we shall think over the past,
and lay plans for the futire. With the
majority of farmers the past year has not
been prosperous one. But let us not
brood over our troubles. IL we have
made mistakes, let us look them fairly in
the fnce. Let US not seek 10 excuse our
selves. Let US acknowledge that they
were mistakes. Let US feel them keenly.
Let them make deep impression on the
mind. There is pleasure, profit, strength,
and wisdom in humility. But do not
brood over blunders. II will do no
good. Better treat them as you would
hollow tooth. Have it filed or have il
out. 1t does no good to let it ache. We
need to forget the things that are behind
and to press forward. We need courage,
faith, hope, energy. The man that sees
lion in the way, and who will not take
his hands out of his pockets for reason of
the cold, will not make a successful
American farmer. 1t is difficult for US
TO comprehend the character of the age
in which we live. Things move so rap
idly that we must be wideawake or we
shall be left behind.
We greatly mistake the signs of the
times il we are not about to introduce a
better system of agriculture, better
breeds of animals, and higher condi-
ton of farm-life. But the first i'm
provement must be in ourselves. We
must think more and work to better adj
vantage. Never allow yourself to say
"Ihaue not time to do anything that you |,
ought to do. 1t is rarely true. You
may not have strength, or energy, or in
-riination. Very few Of us have learned
how to economic or husband our energy.
We waste it worrying, or dreaming, or
modify wishing instead of working. 1t
will do no good to complain of "hard
times" They are hard. And We deep
ly sympathize with, and would not say
harsh word to a farmer with a family
dependent on him who has pressing debts
to pay and little to sell, and that little
not worth in market the cost of produc-
ton. There is no remedy except 10 hope
and to word. To a man who does not
work times are never good. To one who
does, there are fair prospects ahead-we
think never better or brighter.
BE CLEAN IN TIE HOUSE.
There is much dirty work to be done
on the farm, and farmer should dress
appropriately to his work. But there is
no reason when his work is done for the
day why he should sit down in the evening
with his pantloons stuck in his boots.
We cordially dislike foppishness, but
cleanliness is one of the cardinal virtues.
The farmers or the farmers son who does
not make himself and his clothes clean
before he sits down at night has some
thing yet to learn in regard to the pleas
ures and advantages Of quiet country ,
life,
ANIMALS.
Next to himself and his family, far
mer's tiought and attention should be
turned to his animals. If we look upon
them as machines for the conversion of
straw, stalks, roots, hay and grain into
beef mutton, wool, milk, pork, eggs, etc.,
we should never forget that they differ
very materially from ordinary machines,
that we can start and stop when we please,
aud stow them away when not in use.
The animal machine is always running,
winter and summer, night and day, and
a farmers first care should be to see that
i is always running to some good pur-
pose.
HORSES.
If pos ible, work the horses moderate :,
ly during the winter, and let them have .
grain enough to keep them in good con- .
lition. A horse that has been over :,
worked and surfeited with grain may he :,
The better for winters run at straw A
stack But this is not the usual condi- :,
.ioaaf farm horses, As rule, Il would :,
be better to keep tsi,.-istt
work them regularly. Labor is compar- !.
,tively cheap in winter, and there is !,
much work that can be done with advan- !,
age, especially il ii has been prepared !;
IN advance. Gravel may be drawn for 4
he roads; stones or rails may be drawn )
Tor fences; manure may be drawn out !,
md spread ON the fields; plaster can be Il
lrawn from the mill; apple-trees can be a,
pruned and the branches drawn off at :,
he time and not left on the ground; grain :
IAN be taken TO the mill and ground, not Il
merely Us ii is wanted; but enough for ),
he whole year. Draining-tiles may b. J
procured, lumber drawn, wood brought to
he house and sawn; straw, hay, and corn
talks may be cut into chaif with horse
,ower machine. In many places hay u
nay be drawn to market, and a load of 4
manure brought back with profit and at ~