Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1877-10-17
THE FARM.

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paration of mold, says: AS early in
November as the leaves of trees can be
collected, let them be brought in a con-
siderable quantity, in close place, and
dressed up there in the form Of a hot
bed. Let this be well saturated with
the DRAWINGS from the dung heap. with
suds from the wash house, with urine
from the stable and COW house, where
this latter article can be procured. Let
this bed or heap be covered and lined
with fresh stable dung, to make it heat.
When the heat is sufficiently subsidized
let the leaves be uncovered and turned
over to mix the dry and wet together
and If moisture is required let them
have 1t Of the same description, repeat
ing the process till all be reduced to
fine mold. This will be ready for use
IN two months from the time of collect
ing the leaves, and to prevent any
waste of the liquid recommended a
layer of maiden earth, ofitwo feet thick,
should be made the substratum, which
would receive any of the valuable liquor
that would otherwise run to waste.
Leaves of slow decomposition should be
avoided, as those of oak, etc, which,
however, are the best for retaining heat
IN hOt-beds and pits. The leaves of fir
should also be avoided, but those of the
sycamore, elm, alder, maple, and all the
soft kinds are better suited for the pllr-
pose. This compost should be kept dry,
IN an airy place, and ridged up, so that
the rain cannot wash out the salts with
which it abounds.
CARING FOR STOCK-A great loss is
sustained by the average farmer who
sells his cattle in store condition, when
every feeder knows that animals pay
better for their keeping in the more adj
vanced than in the early stages of feed
ing. In store condition they should be
fed sparingly at first, then gradually in
crease the food, and since fatten-
ing cattle grow more fastidious in their
tastes, it is desirable to keep the best
hay and feed to tempt them In their last
days. Animals intended for breeding
or for the dairy are benefited by ordi-
nary exercise, but if for the butcher,
the less motion the more fat. Exercise
accelerates the waste of the body the
harder a horse is worked the more food
he requires, hence, in fattening cattle,
the quieter they are kept the more in
crease is obtained from a given quantity
of food. All cattle require quantity
offood containing woody fibre; its bulky
nature commingling with the more con-
centrated grains and feed. seems to de-
tain the whole mass sufficiently long in
the stomach to be thoroughly acted
upon and digested Warmth, COM
bined with good ventilation, is highly
important. 1t is necessary to secure
the latter requisite without drafts, hence
any openings should be at the highest
point, and the best results may be OBJ
tanned by an opening in the Aoof,
divided vertically into two parts; the hot
ar raising and passing out at one part,
while the cold, pure air ~pours down
through the other. The barn should be
warm, yet not SO close as to induce
sweating, which IS weakening and other
wise injurious. The idea that some
farmers possess, that exposure to the
cold renders young stock hardy, is a
fallacy CuhiuatOr.
A HOG PAsTURE.-A good hog pasture
should contain an acre of land for every
five hogs, taking them as they come.
Glover will produce the most food and
the kind of green food that is most rel
ished by swine. AS it does not come
forward very earl y in the spring, and as
it is liable to suffer from the protracted
drouth that usually occurs in midsum-
mer, a hog pasture should contain a
plat of one of the true grasses. Orchard
grass is highly praised by those who have
raised it for hog pasturage. 1t starts
early, grows tall late in the season, bears
frequent choppings, while it is exceed
ing tender In Kentucky blue grass is
the favorite grass for hog pasturage, as
it is well adapted to the soil and climate.
Clover does not do we'll in the south,
owing to the open winters and the ex-
IRENE heat during summer. A hog
pasture should be sown so that the grass
will be cut one year before the hogs are
turned in, SO as to insure a tolerably
strong soil.
A good hog pasture should contain
living water. In the absence of It there
should be well and pump. It is by
no means essential that hogs have mire
to wallow in, but it is an excellent plan
to have pond Of water in which they
can wade during the warm weather If
this cannot be furnished there should be
large trough from which the animals
can drink at any time. A good shade
IS of great importance in raising hogs.
They cannot endure the hot sun without
suffering from the consequences.
Several large, spreading trees, a thicket
OF bushes, or spot covered by bushes
which are covered by vines will afford
an excellent retreat from the rays of the
sun. 1t is cruelty to put hogs in a past
ure in which there is no natural or ar
tificial shade. If there are no trees,
rude sheds should be erected and
covered with poles and straw In lying
ont a place for a hog pasture, provision
should be made for shade The sheds
may be erected for temporary purposes,
but trees should be planted for use in
the future Cottonwoods will grow so
fast that they will afford excellent shade
In few years. They thrive we'll On
any of our prairie soils, and may be
easily obtained in any portion of the
west. A grove of crab apple-trees affords