Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1879-12-12
Farm and Household.



On the farm there is less work that must
be done in winter than in summer, and yet
there is little need of idleness. II the farmer
has sons and daughters growing up, and who
can hardly be spared in summer TO attend the
fall school term, extra pains should be taken
now to give them the whole benefit Of the
winter, for educational purposes. If living
at some distance from the centre Of the town.
where the high school or academy is usually
located let the children have one of the hors-
es for daily drive. The education of your
children is just as important to you, to them,
and TO the prosperity of the country, as is
the education of the sons and daughters Of
the lawyer, the doctor, the minister, the mer-
chant or manufacturer, whose business makes
itmore convenient for them to reside at the
centre. Nor will it hurt the horses in the
least to stir their legs n little every day dur
ing the winter. 1t is indeed better for them
than to stand idle on the hard, dry floor Of
their stalls from December to April
II the barns OF sheds are cold and uncom-
Portable, then don't let an idle day pass till
you have, in some way, made them tight and
warm Narrow battens, or even laths, nail
ed over cracks, will help but a good inside
sheathing of matched boards, for stable lin
ings. will make the warmest and most dura-
bic wall Double walls are always warmest,
as there is an air space which is one of the
best non-conductors of heat If the stables
are dark, cut holes for letting in the light
sunlight if possible-and fit them with glass
windows that may be opened or shut, accord
ing to the condition of the weather.
Every farmer should have q room, large or
small, provided with bench and wise, where
many little jobs may be done that cost mon
ey if carried to the mechanic, and often him
der the farmer more than the money cost of
the Job. If such room can take a small
stove, where FIRE can be kept in cold days,
it will pay many times the cost Of fitting up
with bench and a few tools. The boys, too,
will enjoy such workshop, and will not be
any more likely TO leave the farm for having
one provided for their accommodation or
amusement on rainy days. Many farmers do
much of their own carpenter work such as
the repairs on buildings, mending farm i'm
PIGMENTS and tools, and even building new
work, when they are any way handy with
tools With a little previous planning and
getting ready in the fall, good deal of build
ing and repairing might be done during the
winter season, while the farmers time is less
valuable than in midsummer.
Painting, both outside and inside may
well be done in winter, and now that good
paints are sold in market all mixed ready for
use, any farmer of ordinary ability and skill
40 H..
the leisure months of winter. Paint hardens
well in cold weather, and there are no flies to
get impaled ia it to disfgure the work. BY
taking the warmest days, or in the middle of
the day, for painting the north sides, the
work need hardly stop for any but the most
severe cold weather A skilled workman may
be needed for drawing sash, though any care
full patient man will soon learn by little
practice.
If the workshop or any other room is large
enough for taking in a carriage, all the farm
wagons and carts may be cleaned and painted
during the winter. Carriages will last mucl
longer, and need fewer repairs when they are
kept well covered with good coat of paint
and then they look better, which is an item
not to be forgotten, if you would feel tina
you are just as good as your village neighbor
vul,a,, 49,. O. - 1890. l. tine
trips. Were the village butcher to come tC
your door with his cart all covered with fl,
dirt and spattered with blood, you would fine
yourself with poor appetite for his meats
he finds it pays to keep his cart clean; thel
why should you expect good customer il
him if you take your produce to market il
carriages that serve the purpose of hen-roost
in your barn cellar? A little more tidnes
on the part of farmers would pay well for a
the extra effort it would cost
There is no better time than the winter 70
cleaning up aud oiling the harnesses, and tn
shop room, with its stove for 4 FIRE in col,
days, is just the place for such work. Do nc
take dirty harnesses into the house kitchen I
be cleaned, if it can be avoided. 1t is n
place for such work. And while you ar
cleaning and oiling them, see if there are nc
a few stitches needed, for "a stitch in tim
saves nine as you have heard hundre
times, aud it may save your life, for he is nc
the wisest man who, putting his trust i
Providence, starts off his team with trace {
holi-back strap ready to break on the FRI
hard strain.
Wood enough for fuel for years suppl
should be cut and hauled during the winte
1t should also be worked up into stoy
lengths, and piled under cover where it wi
season well, and keep dry till needed Thei
is very little profit in cutting or hauling fl
wood in haying time, for the kitchen fire.
The above are only few Of the man
kinds of work that may be done in whit,
with much advantage and profit and we de
sign only to remind the reader, through thes
lines that it will never do to allow half or
third of the year to pass, without yieldin
something substantial in the way of givin
one living, Each reader, will of cours
judge for himself in what particular dire
ton he can best use his time and ability du
ing this comparatively leisure season of Il
year. OF course he will not forget to add
his store of useful knowledge, by readiI
such books and periodicals as seem special
fitted to his wants
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Build That Ice House Now.
Fa,r,.r nn,, lr;ll ~, To- l.o,,.. III. a,