The Cecil Whig., 1874-11-21
'2atm.
SEASONABLE SUGGESTIONS,
BY THE AMERICAN AGRIcULTURlsT

ID AhE AMkhlCAN AGklCOLI UhlSI.
AT the present time the course of the
markets is closely studied. When to
sell, is a serious question with farmers.
Hitherto they have frequently had the
modification to see their grain pass
from their hands at low prices, which
have been brought about by combina-
tions of spectators and dealers. These
persons, as soon as they have secured
the grain, have put up prices and clear
ed millions of dollars, which by right
ought to have gone to the farmers
pockets. At the present time the mar
ket has been influenced by false reports
of enormous crops in Europe, and grain
has been sold for delivery several months
ahead, at prices which will not pay the
cost of raising it, The London Mark
Lane Express speaks Of Glow stocks at
present with no room for decline, and
that every exporting country complains
bitterly of English rates. This means
higher prices, and if grain is not forced
on the markets, we do not see how they
can be prevented. Fortunately farmers
are becoming better able to act in their
own defence, and having learned to
combine for this purpose may set their
own price on their products, and de-
mand the fair value for their labor.
Some commercial papers pretend that
this is an improper thing to do; that it
is next to criminal for farmers to set
price upon the worlds food. That they
should sell at the earliest moment their
grain is ready for market, and take the
current price for it. But what other
producers do this? None. All other
producers fix their prices, and hold their
produce for them as long as they are
able And this the farmer has right
to do. No other man may fix the price
for the farmers labor. TO do that is
his own personal privilege. But to be
able to watch his own interests closely,
and protect his privileges, the farmer
must keep posted" He must be a
reading man. 1t is by reading, more
than by practical experience, that men
become educated and a mans educa-
tion is not finished while he lives
Ones own experience is narrow. When
one reads, he gathers the accumulated
experience of hundreds or thousands.
The farmer, therefore, must read papers.
His LOCAL PAPER, AS A MATTER OF
COURSE, SHOULD BE READ, BECAUSE
EVERY FARMER SHOULD INTEREST HIM.
SELF IN HIS OWN LOCAL AFFAIRS, and
make his weight felt socially and politi-
cally. This is his duty to himself and
to his neighbors, But in addition, he
should read some paper in which he
may get general view of affairs in
which he has an interest. The AMER
IOAN AGRICULTURIsT located in a CEN
trail point, with editors and contributors
who are engaged in agriculture in
widely distant parts of the country,
has the best facilities for giving gen.
eral view of agricultural matters of the
greatest value to farmers everywhere
1t enters into no competition with local
papers, but acts with and for them
And it is only as far as farmers read
and study the best papers more and
more, that they will be enabled to act
in concert with each other, understand
ingly and effectively. In union is
strength, but that strength is useful
only as it is wisely used
THE FIRST WORK TO BE DONE,
is to attend to the comfort of the farm
stock, neglecting none. Probably these
have been neglected in the hurry of
harvesting and storing crops They
should now be looked to. Every loose
board upon the stables and sheds should
be tightly nailed, the open cracks should
be battened, openings in the caves should
be closed, windows and roofs repaired,
broken floors made sound, and some
extra feed provided. If fodder is short,
it is economy to keep the stock warm
and dry, and feed literally before severe
weather comes. Animals in good con-
dition, will be able to stand some hard
ship in the Spring, and come out better
than those that are stinted now, and
given extra care then. 1t is difficult
matter to bring up poor stock when
Spring is coming on.
HORSES.
Provide blankets for the horses, A
warm blanket will save feed and loss of
time by sickness. Avoid exposure to
cold rains, and if caught in storm.
let the horses be rubbed dry before the
blankets are put over them. Keep the
stalls clean, and on no account allow
manure to gather beneath the horses
feet. This Injuries the hoofs, and often
produces cracked heels. Besides, it
renders the air foul, and is very iniuri-
Gus to the animals eyes. In the effort
to keep the stable warm, proper venti-
lation should not be neglected. The
curry comb and brush should not lie |
idle; their use invigorates the skin.
and promotes healthful secretions.
Milking cows will now need extra
feed. On the whole, more value in milk
will be returned from bran than from
any other feed-not the light husks, but
what is known as bran at country mills.
A winter dairy well managed, may be
made more profitable than summer
one. Dry cows should be kept in good
condition. They are now storing I'D
material for future profit. The future
value of the calf, too, depends upon
how the dam is fed before its birth.
Bran is excellent feed for in-calf COWS.
and it is cheap now. 1t is we'll not - y
waste time in milking caws - -,t
ohiy quart Gay. h"' nat give
TO dry them "r .. 1t will be better
YOUNG STOCK.
All young animals need liberal and
kindly treatment, and watchful care.
The farmers eye should ever be on the
alert to discover the first sign of dis
order, and when found, it should be
remedied at once.