The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1872-07-04
AGRICULTURAL,


TIE WHIPPING OF HoRsEs.-There
are persons who think that the spirit
and temper of horse must be broken
to make him valuable. Professor Wag-
ner, in his work on the Education of
Horses" says
| would caution all who train or use
horses against exciting the ill-will of the
animal. Many think they are doing
finely, and are proud of their success in
horsetraining, by means of severe whip
ping and otherwise rousing and stimu-
lating the passions, and then, from ne
cessity, crushing the will through which
the resistance is prompted. No mistake
can be greater than this; and there is
nothing that so fully exhibits the abili-
ty, judgment and skill of the real horse
man as the care and tact displayed in
winning instead of repelling the action
of the mind. Although it may be neces-
sary to use the whip sometimes, it should
always be applied judiciously, and
great care should be taken not to rouse
the passions or excite the will to obsti-
macy.
The legimate and proper use of t he
whip is calculated to operate on the
sense Of fear almost entirely. The affec-
tions and better nature must be appeal
ed to in training horse as well as in
training a child but if only the pas
sions are excited, the effect is depraving
and injurious. This is o vital principle,
and can be disregarded in the manage
ment of sensitive and courageous horses
only at the eminent risk of spelling
them. L have known many horses of
naturally gentle character to be spoiled
by being whipped once, and one horse
that was made vicious by being struck
with a whip once while standing in his
stall.
1 have referred to these instances to
show the danger of rough treatment,
and the effect that may easily be pro-
duced by i'll usage, especially with fine
blood horses and those Of highly ner-
vous temperament. Many other cases
might be cited, as such are by no means
uncommon. Sensitive horses should
never be left after they have been excl
ted by the whip or other means until
calmed down by rubbing or patting the
head and neck, and giving apples, sugar,
fond. Remember the whip must be
used with great care, or it is liable to do
mischief, and may cause irreparable in
jury.
FARMING IN HARD TIMEs.-When
the best of farming barely pays, there
is no chance for the poor farmer. If
this continues, he must from necessity
drop out and another take his place.
Thus in hard times we are losing our
poor farmers; better are gradually TAX
ing their place.
The best of farming, however good
or poor it may be, always pays. 1t is
the part which is in the ascendant, and
must reap the beneft-fittle perhaps,
but all the more when the prosperous
time returns. 1t will do then to inform
ones self, particularly, about the locali-
ty in which one exists. That has its own
special farming. Work thoroughly
then, or work not at all, as here is the
only safety-proft in poor times, large
profits in good. Fortunes are thus re-
allied, but never by the poor farmer.
1t is a trying time now; it will no
doubt be worse, as that is the tendency
now. If the farm is wished to be saved,
get knowledge on the subject of farm
ing; it is the only way to success. The
hardest labor will not save the land un-
less it is wise labor. Learnt takes
but little-the general principles of ag-
riculture, and then study carefully the
soil and the neighborhood from books
and papers, this can be done up more
readily and successfully. BY observing
carefully, by noting all, and drawing
differences therefrom, the best course
will be perceived, and this will be en-
tirely different from the old usual way.
Who will break away from the old at
tachment and venture on the new
course "a course that will put a man
with the best of farmers. We must first
disencumber ourselves of the thought
that we know it all-of the feeling
rather, for it is more feeling (preiudice)
than thought. Other men do know
more than we; why can't we Rac-
knowledge it? Let us break away
from this thing, and now, else it may
force us away. F.G.
ADVICE ABOUT SETTING HENs.-ThC
following is from a correspondent Of the
Poultry Gazette:
l have been asked how l managed tc
set so many hens with so little apparent
trouble, and such marked success; and
knowing, from my own experience, how
vexatious it is to have perhaps from fit.
teen to twenty five hens sitting at one
time, and upon going into the sitting,
room some day, find two and three on q
nest, and the neglected eggs stone cold
eggs that cost, perhaps, dollar apiece
| | thought it might benefit the poultry