Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1877-02-15
FARM AND FlREslDE.
How to Increase the Quantity Of Home.
Made Hanures

Made nanures
At the Farmers Convention, held at
Sandy Spring on the 18th Of January.
1876, it was proposed that the under
signed should prepare an essay is to
the best way Of Increasing the quantity
Of homemade manure and although
he strongly objected to his selection
made by the Convention. still, as the
duty was imposed upon him by a very
decided vote, he has reluctantly endeav-
ored to comply with the wishes Of his
fellow-farmers, by submitting the fol-
lowing suggestions for their consider
alton.
The question is certainly one Of vital
Importance as every farmer will doubt
less admit.-for, the yield per acre, the
permanent Importance of the farm, aud
indeed, the general prosperity Of the
farmer, all greatly depend upon the
correct solution of the question. 1t
may be remarked, that gentleman who
have amassed fortune in the city,
frequently remove to the country. aud
become apparently, in a comparatively
short time, very prosperous farmers,
leaving their neighbors, who have been
Flooding on for years, far behing them.
This apparent prosperous farming,
however, must not be allowed to deceive
us, for in these cases an abundance Of
bank stock and liberal supply of
coupons, is doubtless frequently resor-
ted to with the view Of supplying
deficiencies; while. with the ordinary
farmer, who has no such resources to
apply to, the homemade manure pile is
Of vital importance, for that is usually
the only kind Of bank stock to which he
has free access, and upon which he can
draw at pleasure. In the first place it
mgst be economical in ecery particular.
He must waste nothing, neither time
nor material. And very especially must
he keep yigilant eye to the condition
and contents Of his barn yard. He
should never allow vines, straw, fodder
o. any other vegetable matter that
could add probably to his manure heap,
to remain scattered over his farm, Or in
fence corners,-for every thing Of the
kind should be deposited in the barn
yard, where it viii not only act as AMI
absorbent, but it will decay and be pre-
pared to supply the elements necessary
for the growth Of future crops.
During the fall and winter. a boy and
OK or horse cart, could not be more
probably employed perhaps, when the
work upon the farm is somewhat slack,
than to haul leaves from the woods into
the barn yard, the more thorough
II it is kept supplied with appropriate
litter, the less likely is there to be a loss
from the manure heap by the liquid parts
escaping. either by drainage or eyapor-
alton that IS to say, the barn yard
should always be kept dry, and yet no
liquid matter should be allowed to drain
OF.
Another very important subject that
should receive careful attention, IS, that
every animal upon the farm, during the
winter season, should be supplied with
an abundance Of clean and dry bedding.
If straw is scarce, the deficiency should
be neglected, especially the occupants
of the pig pen, though 1 regret to say,
that there are frequently sadly neglec-
ted, greatly to their discomfort. as well
as to the serious loss Of the farmer
Spent ashes, wood-pile dirt, and all
other refuse matter, could find prof
table place in the barn yard.
Stock should never be allowed TO
spend much time in the woods or lawns,
or other places not kept under cultiya-
ton, for reasons that are obyious,-for
il such losses are allowed to occur. the
fertility of the farm, and the pocket of
the farmer will greatly suffer in consc-
Quenee.
The plan, too, that some farmers
adopt Of feeding fodder to their stock in
the open field, instead OF the barn yard,
i thought TO be an Objectionable one.
Not only is the stock exposed to the
cold and inclement winter, but the con-
tents of the barn yard is also greatly
lessoned. No prudent farmer will
allow any considerable portion of his
straw Or fodder to leave his farm. Con-
sumo it all either for bedding or for
proyender.
Where team be accomplished, a most
excellent plan IS to take city horses to
board,-for the farmer thereby not only
secures a home market for his hay and
grain. but he secures at the same time
large increase to his manure pile.
In conclusion, the undersigned would
suggest that every farmer should keep
as many stock cattle and sheep (unless
he keeps dairy as.his farm will con-
veniently support, but no more horses
than may be necessary to work the
farm to advantage. All Of which is
respectfully submitted by
JAS. S. HALLowELL.
amer. Farmer.
Anthrax Typhus Charbon, or more