The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1878-02-07

DRINK FOR Fowls N WNTER.-The
neglect in the care Of fowls, which is
most common In winter, Is in supply
ing them with water. More fowls die
from this cause than from any other,
snd even if they live, the fowls lose
desh and become unthrifty. Many q
foSl found dead in the yard will often
weigh no more than its bones and
feathers Want of water Is the cause.
In cold weather, chickens win often
remain on the roost nearly all day, and
the little time spent in eating Is not
enough TO enable them to drink, unless
u 10 very conveniently placed. See to
1t that every chicken not only eats but
drinks. il you would have them thrive.
To insure this. there is nothing better
than setting pan of milk In some shell
tered place, on the south side Of the
barn or hen house. The milk 10 also
favorable to egg production. In cold
weather, take the fowls from the roosts,
il they will not come down otherwise,
when you are feeding and watering
them.
DIVERSIFIED HCsBANDRY.--Afa farmer
for the Country Gentleman says:
In times like the present, when gen.
erSl business is dull, and so much dis
trust prevails in business circles, II be-
comes necessary for the farmer TO pro-
tect himself by economizing and maxi
ing the most of his income and re-
sources. He should, as far as in him
lies, produce what 10 necessary to his
own Eustenance, and winch is to be con.
sumed on bis own farm. Even when
that product costs as much as IL It Is
purchased in market, he will find il
economy in thus doing. I am aware
that specialties In production reduce
the cost of that product, but there is
the risk of market; and il the main
reliance is resting here, a loss is seri-
ously felt. II instead Of the single
crop, the energies are divided among
several, there will be rome which will
pay profit. If marketed, or if COZ
sumed on the farm, thus much is
actually saved and added to the income;
at all events we have something of our
own to sustain life, instead of going to
marx with an empty purse.
In everyday lite find that II one
man in a community makes a little
more money than his neighbor, by pur-
suing legitimate business, or a speciality,
his neighbor's fingers itch till he has
tried something Of the same sort; and
thus it is till a whole community OF
farmers are pursuing the same spe-
cial:y, or make that leading product.
Sometimes this results in success for a
term of years, but eventually there is
a change and failure results. Often In
dividuals lose all the savings of life
time before they are willing to change.
| could name many small farmers who
have made specialties their dependence
and who have within a few years be-
come bankrupt. Others in the same
neighborhood have produced more
diversified crops and have gra6 ually
added to their possession till now they
can live at their case. When first start
ing in life, each had an even chance,
so far as capital goes.
Could we be always assured Of favor.
able seasons, constant markets, and
ordinary influences, speclalties In farm.
ing might answer as well ss any; but
even In the best of seasons untimely
frosts will come. insects will revel in
the fields; let the prospects OF the
farmer be ever 80 valuable, rust, with
numerous other ills, will beset US on
every side. When such fatalities meet
our expectations, how serious the con-
sequences. Having entrusted our hopes
In the keeping OF one frail bark, when
that strands, or goes down. our expec-
tstions go down with it. Five or ten
years OF steady, moderate profits are
better than the same amount of profit
in single year, followed by several
years of no profits, or a loss. Steady,
small profits are better and moro sure
of giving competency, in the long
run, than large, uncertain ones. Bet
ter then is it for us, small farmers Ger
taiply, to divide our energies among
such products as our farms are adapted
for. Altogether any one particular
product may only give us small profit,
the aggregate fills the pocket. The
moderate showers OF rain are beneficial,
while those which come in torrents are
oftener productive Of damage.