The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1872-03-22
Farm and Garden.

season as possible, IL Is necessary 10 uss
artificial heat in forcing them at an
early date in spring, when the soil out
side is not in suitable state of warmth
to favor their growth. This may be
done in various ways, and the precise
method must be determined by circum'
stances and conveniences. On the sub
ject of forcing potatoes the Ohio Farmer
OF recent date says: "Shallow boxes
may be used of any convenient size, six
inches deep. Put in some three inches
of rich loamy soil, and even it down
smoothly. Put in layer of potatoes,
either cut or whole if cut, place cut
side down. Cover with more soil TO the
height of the box, leveling off the top
and wetting occasionally. Place in
some warm place near the kitchen stove
or other convenient place. If growth is
too rapid, keep dryer and cooler; if too
slow, keep wetter and warmer Harden
off before planting out by exposure
gradually to sun and outside air. When
the ground is in suitable condition to
transplant, take the boxes to the place,
take off the ends and sides and separate
the plants carefully, being careful not
to separate them from the parent po-
tato. Set so the upper will be just bit
above the surface. The time for stor-
ing potatoes should be from five to
seven weeks beiorc the time generally
customary to plant field crops of the
same"
Take Care Of tie Mesp.-Sheep will
now require better feed and more care.
Nothing tests the judgment of the
sheep farmer more than thawingweather
and cold transforms. The great enemy
of sheep is dampness. No sheep will
thrive in damp, close quarters, or with
fermenting manure under them. Even
young lambs will stand dry cold far bet.
ter than moist warmth. As lambing
time approaches, it is well to have tha
ewes in small hocks, and there should
be convenient pens for putting the ewes
and lambs by themselves for few days.
Keep close watch of the ewes, but do
not be in haste to assist at Landing, I'M
til it is necessary. If lamb gets chilled
wrap him up in flannel and take him to
a stove. If nearly dead, put the lamb
In pail of warm water, as hot as you
can bear your hanos in. Many lamb,
almost dead, has been saved
in this way. See that the lambs get
milk enough. A lamb will sometimes
suck warm milk from bottle, furnish.
ed with an India-rubber nipple, when
it has not strength enough to suck the
eve. Give the ewes good hay and bran,
and roots, if you have them. But it is
very desirable to save few roots for the
lambs in April and May. Oats are bet
ter for the ewes than corn, and this year
nearly as cheap.
Treatment Of Brood Mares.-Keep your
brood mares, now heavy with foal, in
good flesh; not "hog fat" but in full
condition, as if the intention were to
require from each one her full share Of
spring work on the farm. 1t is serious
fallacy-the not uncommon opinion
that brood mares toward the end of the
period of CESSATION, should be thin in
flesh. Let them have plenty Of exer-
else, but no hard work for the last three
months of their pregnancy. If worked
at all, let them, in this latitude, be
safely shod until all danger from slip
ping on icy roads is past. Give each
one a box stall in the stable, and see
that she is in it during nights, and in
all stormy weather. Proper attention
to the health and comfort of the dam
henceforth until foaling time, will al.
most certainly repay you with sound,
healthy foal, and that without calling
to your assistance the veterinary sur
geon. Under any circumstances keep
off the "hoss doctors = the mare knows
more than they do. Difficulty in foal.
ing is rarely experienced in the case of
mare that has been kindly cared for,
and is in robust health and good condi.
ton and when difficulty does come, it
will be increased nine times in ten, by
a "hoss DOCTOR" if you call one. Ifyou
need professional advice or aid at all,
get competent veterinary surgeon, if
within reach. The next best, unless
you have had some experience yourself,
is to call some sensible neighbor to adj
wise you what to do, and, if need be, to
assist in doing it. The sheet anchor,
however, is the health and strength of
the dam; and these conditions are
within your own control.
Chicken Cholera.-Ground and pulver-
lied black pepper and table salt is said
to be an effectual remedy for the disease
called the chicken cholera. The two
articles are to be mixed together in
about equal quantities, and given to the
diseased chickens in teaspoonful doses,
mixed with little water, putting il
into their mouths and forcing them to
swallow it.; the dose to be repeated as
the occasion may require, until they are
relieved.
Clover as Shdde.-There is probably
no other plant in the world of such
value to the farmers for the purpose
1t furnishes the most perfect protection
to the soil during the fierce dry heats OF
the summer ReinO a stantlv do.