The Portland daily press., 1877-03-26
THE FARM AND HOUSEHOLD.
March Framework.

season OF leisure, bringing somewhat of
rest after the close of the winters work.
While it is true that actual labor on
the soil must be suspended still longer on
account of the continued presence of frost
and snow, vel great deal of profitable work
may be wisely expended now, and even
more appropriately than at any other time.
March closes the winter and opens the
spring, and therefore it should be mainly de-
voted to the work of completion and prepare
ton; under these two heads of finishing
up, and and getting ready, the farmer will
find enough in this dull month to keep two
busy hands at work. Every new undertake
ing requires room; and it is always impeded,
and can never be successfully completed SO
long as obstacles remain in its way. Now, as
farmers winter and summer work are en-
tirely unlike and distinct, they should never
be intermingled and all winter jobs should be
thoroughly done up before anything new is
begun. Without any foreign helps or sug-
gestions from another, every farmer for him
self should survey the ground, and as he is
the best judge, decide what unfinished work
on his premises need speedy completion.
We need only briefly to mention in such con-
nection the great proprlety, not to say ne
cessity of closing all logging and wood haul
ing operations-of preparing finally wood for
an early housing, of repairing and storing
away sleds and sleighs, of suitably protecting
the contents of the ice-house, of transporting
to market hay, straw, potatoes and such
farm products as can be proftably disposed
Of; of bringing back lime, plaster, and such
fertilizers as the farm requires, and also the
supplies for the household. Although we
have said that the earth cannot be cultivated
at this season, it occurs to us to remark that
one of the usual spring operations can be as
well done now as at later period, and that
Is the sowing of clover or other grass seed;
which on some accounts had better be at
tended to at once, as the snow enables one to
see what ground has been Travelled over, and
whether it has been evenly seeded.
We are inclined to believe that farmers
should make an innovation in their long es-
tablished practice of waiting until the APP
proach Of summer before hauling out the con-
tents of their barnyards and cellars. Those
who are so situated that they can do this job
OF heavy work on the last SHOWS of winter,
find 1t to be measure of economy both of
time and strength. The additional reasons
in favor of the change, that the live stock and
their food are thus protected from all I'M
wholesome emanations from the accumulated
heaps, and that whatever teaches from them
after removal goes where it belongs and
where it will do the most good, is of no small
consequence.
All the materials used in fencing, posts.
boards and rails may also be more conveniently
deposited now at the proper places on the
farm, as the same facilities for transportation
are afforded and the spring work is thereby
so much forwarded.
At no season of the year should more care
be bestowed upon live stock, as the exhaus-
ton and debility occasioned by excessive
labor, or close confinement, or by adding to
the increase Of flock OF herd, must be repaired
and suitable preparation made for the de-
mands of spring and summer. A change OF
food is frequently necessary, or suitable ad.
ditions are required, and special pains should
be taken to remove from the bodies of ami
mails all filthy accumulations, whether arising
from vermin, manure, or change of coat.
We have referred to removals from barns
out Of regard to the health of animals, and
with greater emphasis would we urge that
the life and health of the household should be
preserved by thus early emptying the cellars
Of all decaying and perishable vegetable mat
ter. Probably before the close of the month
roots could be removed and safely deposited
in some shed or barn-the few on the outside
Of the heap that might be touched by frost
could be given to the cattle, or if lost entirely
would be of small account when weighed
against the life Of the body.
The great body of farmers require none of
these suggestions; it is only necessary to re-
mind those who are proverbially negligent
that even the present month is full of golden
opportunities; and lest our aim should be de-
feated by excess of recommendation we omit
several topics worthy of consideration which
we trust will not be foreign to each ones
own suggestion and experience.