The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1874-12-24
Winter Approaches.

we reproduce the following timely re-
marks from the Prairie Farmer As
we write, the first snow-fakes of the sea-
son come eddying past the window. The
wind bears down from the north and
whips the gold and crimson leaves from
the trees. The tender plants have with
cred in the frost. Though the sun may
shine brightly on the morrow, all nature
bears the impress of dying season
that winter is at hand, and that the field
of labor of the year is over. Before the
winter closes in upon us, however, there
are various chores about the house, the
barn, and the farm that should be at
tended to if one wants the reputation of
being thrifty, tidy farmer. Out in the
field, perhaps, lies new reaper, a rake,
a plow, or some of the smaller tools of
the farm. These need shelter as much
as the stock you feed, in an economical
sense. See to it that all implements are
properly oiled and housed. 1t will save
you twenty per cent. in durability, Over
yonder the fence is down, q stake is
broken, or board is off. The rails or
boards, if upon the ground, will lose
more in the course OF the winter than in
years in their proper places. There are
drains whose outlets should be seen to,
or they will add tenfold to the labor of
getting them in order in the spring ;
besides, at that time there is so much to
do that you will hardly find the time to
look after them at all. Perhaps there is q
drain to be made; now is a most excellent
time. A new fence is to be built now
is most excellent time to build it. The
roads are in excellent condition for the
fall rains have not yet set in. 1t is true
that the ground is rather too dry for
digging post holes or driving stakes, but
the ease with which hauling can be done,
and the comfort of working in the beau
tiful Indian summer days more than
compensates for the trouble with the
hard ground. OF corn-gathering it is
not necessary to speak. That is mat
ter that all farmers attend to; we are
now merely mentioning some of the Oft
neglected matters of the farm. About
the fields, the garden, the house-yard
and the barns are bits and pieces of
boards and timbers that may be saved by
carefully collecting and piling in we'll
protected place. There are weeds that
have gone to seed in the garden, the
yard, and along the roadside in front of
the mouse. IL WOulu nave Deen Iar DPU-
ter to have attended to them two weeks
ago, but much good may be done now
by collecting and burning them. The
grape vines should be laid down and
generally covered with slight protec-
ton of hay or straw. The vegetables
should be gathered and carefully pitted
or stored in the cellar. And that same
cellar-is it clean and wholesome If
not, before packing away the winters
fruit and vegetables, have it as cleanly as
the parlor above. The cellar drain must
also be looked after. How about the
supply of fuel2 Can you find n better
time in all the year to get in an
ample supply! Get it into the wood
shed or house, if you have one, and if
not construct o cheap one. The wife and
daughters deserve this at your hands,
and that it not only be got in, but that
it be prepared for use ; that there be
plenty of kindlings, and no grumbling
about furnishing them. The walks about
the yards and to the barns and to the
out-houses should be prepared for the
wet, sloppy weather of winter and spring.
This also is due to the women of the
household, to whom you look for COM
fort and happiness in your home. There
are hundred and one more little chores
about the homestead that will suggest
themselves to the members of the farm
er's family. Heed them well for the sake
of comfort and for economy's sake"