Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1877-12-15
From The american Agricul;rist.
Hints for Work.

Clear Fields and Smooth Roads are necessary
when machinery is used. All work to this
effect done now, will be doubly repaid in saw
ing of time, labor, and repairs in harvest time,
OF iu the preservation Of machines.
Good Shelter for the Stock is absolute ccon-
omy with warmth there must be an ample
supply Of pure, fresh air We must keep our
stables as warm and dry as we eau; but pure
air, with severe cold aud plenty of food is pre-
ierable to warm, impure stables, with food
saved.
Regular Feeding, if not generous. is better
than food given 10 excess for few days, and
then stiutcd, or food given plentfully, but at
irregular periods Animals do not thrive nn-
less perfectly contented. and never permitted
to get hungry. The same hours for feeding
should be kept regularly throughout! the whole
season.
A Good Hay Cater will save its cost in one
season. Hay or straw is not made more nu-
tritious but it is more easily msstcatel when
chaffed aud a saving Of exertion is equiva-
leo, to saving Of food.
Straw when cut aud mixed with two quarts
of corn-meal to the bushel, is equal to the same
quantity Of the best hay.
Horses should be fcd in proportion to their
work. An lille team may be wintcred upon
hay alone; when working lightly, feed Of
grain at noon, will be sufficient with hay
morning and night
Ground Gypsum spread upon the floors, will
prevent the puugent odor common TO stables.
| This vspur Of ammonia is hurtiul to horses
eyes, and the frequent cause Of ophthalmia,
and resulting blindness. with which 50 many
horses are troubled Throw a few pailfuls Of
water upon the floor first and then scatter a.
round shovelful Of the gypsum.
Fresh Air should enter the stables at tie
bottom, aud the foul air escapo At tbe top
Make small sliding doors for ventilation. and
cover them with wire netting or laths. to ex-
clude verniu.
A Pair Of Cards should be kept in every
stable for use on cows and oxen. To clean
these animals from adheriug filth, before card
ing them, use hoe that has been worn down
in the garden, with the handle sawn Oh foot
long, then use the card until the hide 10 clean.
Card well about the neck and other parts
which an ANIMALS tongue cannot reach.
Calves and Yearlings may be made to in-
crease in size aoj weight considerably and
make a large quantity Of fine manure, by
keeping them in roomy shed, belliug them
deeply with cut straw. Of leaves, and feeding
we'll With plenty Of bedding, the shed need
not be cleaned out until spring
Sheep and Lambs should be kept and fed
separately, else the stronger will crowd and
rob the weaker; when in separate pens each
tbrycs better, as the food can be properly ap-
portioued.
Roots are better pulpoi, than cut, for sheep.
There arc very cheap machines that cut roots
into fine sbreds or pulp, which will soon save
their cost in the improved condition Of the an
imais thus fed.
Pigs will thrive all the better if kept warm
aud dry. Every piggcry should have close
pen warmed by a stove, for early arrivals
Of young pigs Many a litter Of igs drop
ped in the middle Of winter might be saved
BY having Scme means Of keeping them warm.
a good fire, a blanket for the sow, and a
drink Of warm Cruel would thus be worth
many dollars every year.
Poultry-Early pullets viii now lay, if
treated to a mess Of warm food once a day.