Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1874-01-07

while away a portion Of the farmers time, ate
which, although the hands may be idle, there
much heal-work to do. The new year is tn
time for laying plans for the future. and no EN-
ployment needs more careful thought than thi
matter of laying plans. The better the pia1
the more profitable will be the work. No worI
needs more planning than fsrming.-
1t is not a business to be done on the spu
of the moment; and at the commencement Q
the year the whole future labor Of the seasol
should be laid out distinctly and t%houghtfully
Then when the emergency comes one is pre-
pared for it. This is the great secret of success
in all business, and it is that which often ena'
bles the less able and confident man to come oui
ahead of his more sangaine and more capable
neighbor. Now is a good time for commencing
a farm record, q book in which the farm should
be mapped out, the plan of work for the season
written down, the needed supplies Of seeds, etc.
noted, and in which at the close of each day
there should be recorded the condition of the
weather and the various occurrences worthy OF
being remembered. Especially should be set
down such things as the farm operations, births,
of animals, pay ments and receipts of money, en-
gagements or contracts, and all under the pro-
per dates. Such a book is an interesting study
in after times, and is useful as a guide to future
work and calculations, and has often saved mon-
ey by reason of its being able to furnish either
direct proof or corroborative testimony of pay
ments or contracts.
A sharp eye is of the greatest use at this cold
season. Stock needs watching with care, No
falling off in condition should be permitted. A
little extra feed now will do great good, and
VIII doubtless save a large expenditure two
months hence. Besides, it is easier to keep up
than to bring up the condition of an animal,
Cellars need ventilatins and extra protection
against sudden cold snaps.
A plentiful supply of water is quite indispen-
sable to; the welfare of farm stock. lce-cold
water is injurious and w~asteful, A bucket of
such water will destroy the good effect of several
good feeds. The water-trough should be kept
free from ice, and it should be empticd as soon
as the stock has been watered. Many people
believe that sheep can live without drinking,
but this is & great mistake. All animals fed
upon dry feed need water frequently. Snow is
no substitute for water.
Young stock need especial care, and exposure
to damp in mild or thawy weather is more
hurtful than dry though comparatively severe
cold.
Manure shsuld be gathered and worked with
care. If allowed to freeze it remains unaltcrcd
until late in the spring. That intended for root
crops should be worked over, and piled up neat
ly with straight sides and fiat top, so that it
may receive as much moisture as possible. La
tor spent in working over manure is well spent.
Three turnings will bring it into a condition for
use in early spring.
Oil-cake meal will be found a very valuable
to the feed jlst now. Dry feed tends
to a constipated condition, which soon shows in
staring hide and tight skin. A pound or even
a few ounces of linseed cake meal, which
costs about a cent and a half a pound, given
each day to horses and cattle will loosen their
bowels and improve their health. Calves and
sheep should also not be neglected in the distri-
button.
Vermin should be watched for. A weekly al
lowance of sulphur given in some salt will tend
to keepdown vermin. Sulphur rubbed up with
lard makes a good application against lice if
rubbed along the spine of an animal infested.
Whale-oil is also a good application. Carbolic
acid and kerosene should be used with caution,
they may do more harm than good if too freely
used.
In starting q heavy load on a sleigh be certain
if possible, help the team by moving the sleigh
ahead a few inches with lever at starting.
Horse -shoeing is a very important as well as
expensive item A horse should be kept
sharp shod in Writer or not shod ut all. Many
a good horse is ruined for want of attention to
this matter.
Farm horses kept in the stable and only
worked occasionally, should be fed and man
aged with care. A common mistake is to let
them do nothing for several days and then
&C put them through" A sharp trot for a mile
or two until the sweat starts will do no harm,
but rather good, provided they are rubbed dry
afterwards. But to drive them rapidly eight 81
ten miles, let them stand in the cold for an hour
or two and then drive them rapidly home, and
give them little care when they get home, is
thoughtless and cruel.
A warm bran-mash is u good thing to give a
horse when he is brought home hot and exhaust
ed from a long journey. Blanket him at once.
and rub his ears aud legs, and then rub his
belly and TANKS and such other parts of the
body as can be got at without wholly removing
the blanket. If your man thinks this too much
trouble, and will not do the work willir gly,
discharge him. Better part with a man than
lose a good horse.
Cows that are expected to calve in March or
April should. as a rule, he dried off this month.
New milch-cows, or cows that calved last fall
should be fed literally with food favorable to
production Of milk. such as roots, bran corn
stalks, clover hay, and three or four quarts of
corn-meal per day. Warm Stops or cooked food
will increase the flow of milk, Warm and well
ventilated stables are also essential. If the cows
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