The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1878-03-07
for the farnler.
NOTES 4 sUGaEaTIess ron MAsCH.

NOTES 4 sUGGRaTIONs FOR MARCH.
The burden Of our suggestions to farmers for
some montns past has been, the Importance Of
preparing for the work that was to come In after
months. IL Is especially frue of March, that il
Is lime for preparation for the active an hnr-
rying iabors OF Spring. If the farmer neglects
getting ready" now, he must do it Afterwards,
70 the sacrifice Of time that should be devoted to
other work, or else he must leave many things
updone, to prove sources of bindrsDce and an
noyance throughout the year.
Every farmer knows bow undesirable It Ii to
he compelled to stop the pillow or drill, because
the team must be used to draw some wood for
daily nse in the kitchen stove, or to leave the
team standing in the field for an hour or two
while the driver is engaged 10 driving ont cattle
that have broken oyor the fence surrounding
the wheat meadow lands, and in endeavoring
to .spatch up the weak places in the fence causel
by the winds Of Winter; yet too many farmers
act on the principle which results In these and
many other equally needless delays.
The weather in March, in all the Northern
States ut least, is proyerbially variable. IL
sometimes happens that there is such Gather
as will allow plowing aud other regular work in
the fields, bat generally this is not the
Every help should be given in the way of allow
ing the land TO become dry; burrows should be
run to allow standing water to run of, or those
already run should be opened, and all obstruc-
lions cleared away. Whenever the condition of
the land will admit Of its being properly done,
blowing should be commenced.
There is some waste in hanling manure on the
fields and allowing il to be exposed to the winds
and rains before it is plowcd under. but some
times this seems the only practicable course for
the farmer. The loss in the manure is less than
would he the loss of time by blowing. Some adj
wise that the manure, whenever hauled, should
at once be spread over the ground, while others
think it should be left in compact heaps until
needed. The character of the soil and the
dition of the manure will have some influence
In determining this question.
All fences that have been injured in any way
during the Winter should now he to. Posts
are often lOosened by the action of the frost, or
boards may have been 1oosened by the winds
in either case present attention will be mnch more
profitable than leaving the work until more
busy season.
Whenever you have occasion to pass into an
enclosure, have gate, or at least pair Of bars,
although the extra time taken with bars will
soon pay for tie extra cost of gate.
The selection and employment of whatever
hired help will DO needed, should he attended to
at once On most farms, sufficient work
now be found to give constant employment to
the regular force of hands, and it is mncb better
to secure men now, if you can suit yourself, than
70 take the chances, six weeks later.
Look over all the tools and machinery that
will DO needed this Spring. If any repairing is
needed, have it done at once. If you did not do
90 when through with them last year, it may be
desirable to give many implements a coat of
paint Make purchases of all machinery you
actually need.
See that the harness is all in good condition,
especially that to be used on young horses. The
use of horse for weeks is sometimes lost by the
attempt to use badly fitting collar.
In the general survey, do not forget the house
and other farm buildings, with their surround.
ings. Take time not only to put these in good
repair, but to improve their appearance so far as
10 practicable. See that everything that will be
needed about the house is provided before the
hurry Of out door work commences.
March il q hard month on most farm animals,
and no good farmer will neglect to give all his
stock good care during this month. Horses
should have daily exercise, to be prepared for
the hard work before them. Young horses espe-
cially, ought to he well accustomed to work be-
fore being put to the pillow or other severe work.
A free use of the comb and brush will be found
to pay. Brood mares should not be overworked,
but may be used in moderation without any
injury. - -s-s-s-3
Mich cows should have roots or other green
food, If possible. Cattle often lose flesh rapidly
at this season of the year. If you have kept
them in good condition until now, little more
than usual care will be well rewarded now. In
most places cattle raising bids fair to be profit
able for years to come, and farmers should con-
slider well before killing or selling their best
calves.
The same care that every good fock-master
has taken of his sheep during the winter, will
need to be continued. If any of the ewes are
about TO yesn, remove them from the rest of the
flock, and give them quiet place. Let all the
sheep have daily exercise, unless in stormy
weather.
If you have early pigs, it will be profitable in
many sections, to feed them well through all the
spring and summer, SO as to slaughter them in
the fall. Keep all the "store hogs" in good con-
dition.
We assume that by this time our readers have
the general plan of their work for the season ar
ranged, subject of course, to such changes as
may be made necessary by the weather aud IN
foresecn accidents. 1t is always advisable in
every business to have definite plan of opera
tions, and farming is certainly no exception to
the general rule. In arranging this plan, past
experience will avail much, and the indication
of prices should be carefully studied. The two
extremes of following closely in beaten track.
and Of making sudden changes without good
cause, should alike be guarded against 1t is
rarely advisable to engage very largely in new
things until, by personal experience, it is deter
mined that they are what they purport to
be. For most farmers, We believe, a system of
mixed hdebandry is preferable to exclusive at
tention to any one interest. If any of our read
ers have been engaged for years in a system of
farming that has proved profitable, we would
advise them to continue in it, except on the
clearest evidence that q proposed change will
prove rs desirable as it seems.
While the winter is the best time for reading
and thought to the hard-working farmer, no one
should neglect tn these things, even in the most
or become mere working machine. If he does,
he neglects part of his duty, and degrades rsth-
or than honors his calling.
We would urge all farmers to keep careful &C.
counts with their farms, of all work done and
all money expended, so that the exact amount
of profit and loss can readily be determined.
Not only keep an account of these things, but
make note Of each thing of interest you discov-
er in the various operations you are employed
in-both for your own benefit and that of others.
PLANT EARLY-A correspondent of the Raral
Nep Yorker, in advising early planting says:
Peas should be the first put in the ground. As
soon ~ hole can be dug deep enough to put in
the seed, have them planted. The ground should
be prepared In the fall. The best crop of peas
we ever had was put in during thaw in Febru-