The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-12-08

winter, as a covering OF them, prevents
that alternate freezing and thawing which
is so. injurious to the plants. A cover
ing two inches in depth will be necessary,
and this should be kept from blowing away
by the pressure of twiggy branches spread
over 1t. Decayed leaves produce that val
liable manure known as leaf mould, which
is so highly priced by the florist. In the
| construction of hot beds, dead leaves are
very useful, as layers of them between
LAYERS of manure moderate the heat and
retain it for a long time. For littering stock
and absorbing liquid manure, dead leaves
are of great value. Large quantities should
now be collected and kept in sheds for
future use.
HUsKING GLovEs.-"Rural," writing for
the Chicago Tribune, throws in these sensi-
BILE remarks about protecting hands while
performing the universal farm work of this
season OF the year: It is a little curious to see
the boys fix up their hands from the sharp
husks. Two years ago 1 advised pine tar
for q coating to the buskin gloves and
mittens, and some gave ita trial, and also
used it on Halls husking glove
but m ost people laughed at the idea.
though it is found a great saving OF the
glove. This year the Hall husking-glove is
doubly armed with brass plates, and yet the
application of tar to the leather will be
found useful, as it CLOSES down at once and
prevents the husk from cutting the leather.
| mention this IS this glove has come into
general use. Some use buckskin mittens
armed with a common steel husking pin
and these need an application of tar daily.
Have the tar warm and apply a light coat
ng-no so that it will run of, or in any
way besmear your clothing. The tar soon
fills the pores Of the skin, and makes it al
most as hard as iron and adds greatly to the
wear.
THE CHINcH BUe.-The chinch bug is be-
ooDos,o aIpnOot mi uaruo1 IN ffo da0frnoti0n
The Illinois correspondent of the Country
Gentleman writes thus of its new places of
habitation: The chinch bug has appeared
in a new role. he is poisoning horses and
cattle to an alarming extent, especially the
latter. There Is scarcely a stalk of green or
dry corn standing in Illinois at the present
time which does not contain more or less of
these insects on it, partially secreted be-
tween the lower part of the leaf, where
it envelopes the stalk, and ais be-
tween the inner and outer husks of the ear.
In some cases there are a few only, but in
some others the stalk and ear, being
stripped, are black and foul with them.
When horses or cattle are confined princi-
pally to green corn fodder of this kind, they
are exceedingly apt to fall of in flesh, be-
come very ~costive, and in some cases die
outright. The ickness following poisoning
by this bug resembles in many respects the
first attack of Texas cattle fever. The reme-
dies usually adopted are mild cathartics and
a change of green pastures-second n third
growth of clover bringing the patient around
in the shortest time.
SUNDRY MArTERs.-Upon stormy days
there will be found plenty of occupation in
repairing harness, cleaning and putting
away tools, working in the carpenters shop,
repairing grain bags, etc. Such work is
recreation. AS this is the season for selling
poultry, let there be a good supply kept for
home use, and those which are kept for
for, so that they may lay early.
The poultry house should be kept clean
and well whitewashed, it it has not been al
ready done. Keep the plow running in the
corn stubbles until the ground is frozen.
The long evenings should be devoted to
study and domestic entertainments, in which
the younger should be joined by the older
ones. There are few things which will more
readily make farm life agreeable to chill
dren than the pleasant evenings which
may be spent in a farm house,
with books, papers, toys and games, in
which the old folks renew their youth again
IL is the want OF this companionship which
makes country life so generally dull and un-
inviting to young people. All young ami
mails need liberal and kindly treatment, and
watchful care. The farmers eye should
ever be on the alert to discover the first sign
Vi OA0 oA0 "AOh AOAA0g ~ hO0Ad NC
remedied at once.
} THE WAY TO BLANKET HORSESHOE
few people. comparatively, understand
now to blanket a horse to protect him from
! contracting cold. We frequently see the
blanket folded double, and laid across the
> rump,and part of the animals back, leaving
r those parts of the body that need protection
entirely exposed to cold storms and chilling
winds. Those parts of the body OF a horse
which surround the lungs require the benefit
of a blanket in preference to his TANKS anC
? rump. When we are exposed to a current
OF cold air, to guard against any injury from
contracting cold we shield our shoulders
L neck, chest and back. If these parts be KEEP
}. protected, the lower part of the body viii
S endure a degree OF cold far more intense
G without any injury to the body, than if the
lungs were not kept warm with suitable GOV
4 erlng. The same thing holds in the protec
ton ofhorses. The blanket should cover tb,
neck, withers and shoulders, and be brough
around the breast AMI buttoned or buckleC
= together as closely as a man buttons his oyer
! coat, when barring mis- bosom. Let the
= lungs of a horse be protected with a heavy
= blanket, and he will seldom contract cold
even if the hindermost parts of his body ar,
q not covered. We refer more particular,
. to blanketing horses that have be-
. come unusually warm by violent exer
, ertion or hard driving, and expos
ing them to a current of cold air Will,
8 standing still. Many of our best teamster
n protect the breast of their horses by a piec
of heavy cloth, about two feet square, hang
" ing down from the lower end OF the collar
5 This is an excellent practice in col,
weather, as the most important part o
q the animal is shielded from the cold wind
especially when travelling toward a stron
current. The forward end of the hors
, blankets should be made to fit as closel
around the breast of a horse as our gal
ments fit our bodies. Most horses will cor
y tract a violent cold almost as soon as a mar
if not blanketed while they stand still, afte
having been exercised so violently as t
~ produce prOfuSe perspiratiOn. So long q