The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1878-03-07
HINTS FOR

As a general rule. we are sup
posed To have passed through the
hardest of the winter when We have
reached this month 4; but owing to
the variable character Of the
weather for the past three months
We are led TO think that we will Yet
encounter some severe storms before
spring fully opens. Thus YOU are
still afforded time 10 perfect your
arrangements for the coming sea
son. See that everything necessary
is in order, and ready for use. Have
your mind fully made up as to what
YOU intend to do, but do not under
take more than you can perform.
1t is unwise to undertake work that
YOU are not able 10 finish IN due
season. Many a farmer loses more
by getting behind hand with his
spring work than would pay the
wages of an additional hand for a
wear. If YOU feel unable TO carry
the additional expense OF a hand,
plow up less land.
Entertaining IN all wet soils 5
indispensable TO real success III
farming. A we'll drained and we'll
worked heavy soil is rarely affected
by drouth. Every enterprising
farmer VIII do more or less draining
every spring.
Take a walk ove your farm and
make a note Of all you intend do
ing.
Sow grass and clover seed on
wheat early in the spring. 1t is
seldom that the seed is injured by
the frost. Do not spare the seed
and be careful not to miss any land.
Fence repairing can be done at
times when other work is not press
ing.
Do not commence your plowlng
while the land is wet. Much, how
ever, depends on the kind of soil,
and whether it was fall plowed or
whether it is sod. The latter al
ways seems drier than the former.
As a rule, it may be said that no
land should be plowed when it will
stick to a bright steel mold-board.
The principal work of the month
is to get ready, the sowing and
planting. See that the seed is ready
the implements in order, the har-
ness well oiled and repaired, and
the horses in good condition for
hard work.
If your horses have been fed on
straw during winter, 1t is now time
to give them a little hay or
grain. Work very moderately at
first, and especially avoid fast driy-
ing. Get the horses into good con-
dition. TO do this, work regularly,
feed literally, groom thoroughly.
Give a tablespoonful of salt to each
horse every day for a week, and
then after that give the horses every
day all the salt they will eat. The
only reason that animals eat more
salt than sgood for them is because
they have not access to 1T at all
times. At this season horses are
changing their coats and are quite
liable to catch cold. Be careful to
blanket them when they have to
stand exposed to the wind.
Keep your COWS quiet about caly-
ing time. Be on hand to render
assistance if necessary, but do not
be hasty. Pull only when the COW
strains, and pull doynwards. Draw
out all of the milk from the udder.
Some farmers give it to the cow.
We think a bran-mash is better.
Give the cow all the water she will
drink, but take the chill off it. For
a week or two before calving, keep
the bowels open. This can be done
by giving bran-mashes or linseed
tea. And unless the cow is in very
high condition this will be better
than to give medicine.
Clean out the sheds or pens of
sheep. Nothing is SO bad for
sheep as to compel them to stand
or lie upon fermenting manure.
They will do better in the mud than
on fermenting manure. Both, how
ever, are bad. Give a little fresh
straw for bedding every day-just
enough to keep them all comforta-
Bile. At this season the hock-master
needs to exercise all his vigilance,
energy and best Judgment.