The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1877-05-18
Agricultural.
Agricultural Topics.

At late meeting Of agrculturists held At
the East experimental farm, the following
matters of interest to farmers were discussed:
Simpson Preston read his essay enttl
"Clean Tillage and no Weeds, the Neat
Farmers Motto" The subject was well dis
posed Of that farmers should not let their
farms grow so many pernicious weeds, al
though some OF them may have the elements
OF valuable medicinal qualities He took
strong grounds against letting grow upon
the farm weed that contains so much nic
otipe; thought it might make the consumer
poor. That the county of Lancaster produ-
ccd $2,000,000 worth of tobacco, in the use
of which it was worse than thrown away,
and in its evil effects, next to spirituous
liquor, and thus condemning the policy of
catering to the morbid tastes and appetites.
Alexander Hodgson took exceptions to some
portions of the essay, holding that it was
legitimate business, growing tobacco as well
as corn. That tobacco in its use did not pro-
duce crime; that there many practical uses
ing it.
John l. Carter read paper on barns. In
our state we have ten quite different types
of barns, he said, and it might be well to
consider which is really best adapted to the
present needs Of the farmers of this section,
The prevalent kind in this vicinity is usual
ly called the Chester county barn. This
form of barn seemed no doubt best adapted
to the wants of the farmer few years ago
when an important branch of our ag.icul-
ture was the grazing of steers, for which
considerable yard room was required for
winter quarters, also the shelter afforded by
the overhanging straw sheds As these yards
were large, much straw was required for bed
ding and as wheat was not permanent crop
economy OF straw required its storage in
these sheds, and the great area over which
the manure was spread subjected to a loss
without this shed covering. But the pecu-
liar shape of the barn involves the use Of
heavy timber and strong work to support
the wide roof and swinging front, and much
additional expense is in their constructi.H
which can be measuraby avoided by bui 4
ing on the other style, usually called a
Lancaster county barn. These barns are
built with two stories, the upper story 16 to
Is feet high, 40 ByF5O feet wide and length
indefinite; the floors are placed adjacent
and in number according to the length.
This kind of barn does not require much
heavy timber, is convenient to fill, and easy
to thrash from or get hay out of. Hay keeps
better in them than in double decker barns.
But perhaps the most important advantage
they possess is the superior stabling they
command of light and ventilation, mo occa-
sion for sub earth ducts.) A very important
matter is well appointed COW stables. With
well arranged windows they can Re made
light, and with tight fronts can be made
warm. Warmth, light and ventilation are
completely at our command. With these
conveniences cows can be judiciously kept
in their stables half of the time. If so kept
they will consume less feed, give more milk,
and have better health In large dairies
but few cows should be let out to water at a
time, thus saving exposure and abuse.
One of the most serious losses dairymen
suffer from is from the above causes, while
getting their daily drink. l have noticed
several times the past winter one of the f.
nest herds in the county turned out in the
storm, made togo across two or three fields to
race to drink, and have seen them plung-
ing headlong down steep hill ON the full
run, and sinking half way to their knees ev-
cry jump. This is all wrong. We should
keep our cows like the Dutch do their feed
ing steers-quiet and free from exposure
Cows are more abusive to each other and
more restless than steers, hence the greater
the necessity for confinement in good sta
bles. 1t may be urged that the Lancaster
barns afford no shelter for the manure, but
with their small yards the depth of the ma
nure requires all the rains that fall upon it
to keep it in good condition. The Dutch
manure piles are really nicer to handle and
spread, and the quality equally good with
that kept under our wide sheds.
The subject OF barns ELECTED considera-
BILE amount of experiences from the different
farmers as to keeping quantities of hay in
stone or wooden structures for barns-most
of them contending that the modern struct-
ures were the best, that hay or grain needed
ventilation in process of curing while in the
barn, although instances were cited where
the hay cut very green and put into the NOW
came out in most excellent condition.