Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-12-06
Hints for the Work of the Month

past, there has not been much TO encourage
farmers in their work, except perhaps, the gem
eral feeling that bad tmes' could not last for
ever, and at length change must come. After
many seasons OF patient waiting the looked for
change has arrived, and as we go thro lgh our
barns and granarieS, and consult our acco ms,
we may find that our work this present year,
has repaid us for many past poor ones. There
are exceptions here, as In all other business.
Until recently, dairying was diScOuragfn5 in
deed, but with The advance In prices 10 more
than double the rates current only three months
ago, cheerfulneSS has succeeded to deSpon-
dency.
THE PROMISE FOR THE NEXT YEAR is also en-
couraging; greatly increased breadth of wheat
has been sown, and the weather has been IA
yorable for its growth. Indeed in some cases,
the wheat and rye are too vigorous and if
warm weather occurs with rains this month
the growth may be too luXuriant.
PASTURING FALL GRAIN.-If the fall grain is
in danger of jointing. it should be paStured
without delay. 1t is often a great help to the
wheat or rye, to turn sheep or calves upon it.
the soil firmly about the roots. II no other
stock are available for this purpose COWS may
be let into winter grain fields.
TOP DRESSING.-If manure is needed for WIN
ter grain. now is the time to apply it. 1t may
be used fresh and coarse, without losing much
In value. Even straw spread over the wheat
against extremes of both heat and cold, and
preserves the crop during sudden and severe
changes OF the weather.
SURFACE DRAINs.-If not already made, ample
drains should be provided TO free the fields from
surface water Drains that have been plowed
out, may need clearing in places with spade or
hoe, that the water may pass of readily In
laying out open drains, the slopes should be so
made, that the water will not flow off too
rapidly, with gentle inclination only; in this
case much of the water will soak into the soil,
and will not wash away either the soil, or any
manure that is On the slopes.
THE GRANARY AND CRIBs.-A large quantity
OF grain is stored awaiting higher prices: This
may be wise or otherwise. One thing to be con-
sidered Is the loss by shrtnkae.oo and wastes in
the granary and crib, Wheat In tie granary !S
subject to injury by the Weevil and the Grain
Moth. This damage may be prevented TO some
extent, by shifting the grain, and running it
through the tanning mill. Corn cribs are al
most always infested by rats and mice. A YER
min-proof crib may be made by covering the
posts and lower corners with tin or sheet iron,
which may be painted for preservation. The
loss by these causes will average 10 per cent,
and often more. of the value OF the grain, but it
may De, In part or wholly, avoided, by care
and pTecaut on.
FODDER STACKs.-As a precaution against
rain, and melting snow, the tops of fodder stacks
straw, tightly bound about the top of the stack,
or to stake thrust down into its center for
few feet.
Ice PoNps.-Every house and dairy, however
small the latter may be. should have supply
or ice. II there is no pond, a small stream may
be damned and the water backed up, to make
a pond. considerable supply may be pro-
cured by making of boards a large box foot
deep, similar TO mortar bed, and claying the
joints. II this is filled with water, in cold wea-
Their an exposure OF two or three days will be
sufficient to make cake Of ice, which may be
put up in this shape with little trouble.
A LARGE BLOCK OF ICE has been made in the
mouse itself, by making frame OF boards in
the center, and gradually filling it up, so that
the water freezes Solfdly each night. Additions
In hight are made to the frame as required, and
the sawdust is packed around it, In this way
solid block OF ice, 10 feet each way, weighing
over 80 tons. has been made during the winter
by means OF hose from pump. Such block
OF ice wastes very little in the summer.
POTATOES AND ROOTS.-PitS and cellars should
be examined as TO the condition OF the contents.
II too warm, ample ventilation must be given
at once freezing temperature will not in
lure roots or potatoes II they are exposed to 1t
but short time. If they are found too warm
In the cellar, the heaps should be turned over
ard well aired. The best temperature Is one
just above the freezing point.
THE LEISURE OF WINTER.-While there Is al
ways something to do about a farm, the winter
season offers considerable leisure for the
farmer. For the best use OF this time, nothing
can be more profitable than to procure and use
a small select library of books Of an instructive
KIND To read for amusement only. is not rec
Kind can be procured in such form as to be in
teresting and.agreeable.
MANAGEMENT CT MANURE.-The barn-yard Is
the field for winter work. Much may be done
here by skillful management. Manure, so long
as 1t Is frozen, remains unchanged, and the
preparation of the manure in the best manner
foruSe in the spring makes no progress. Make
central heap in the yard, and by means OF a
few plankS and wheel-barrow move The man
ure from the stable each day to this heap. II
the heap IS built up square; and made feet
high, 1t will keep warm in the coolest weather.
and while warm Ii will ferlnent and rot
TURNING MANURE.-A large heap may be
turned by beginning at each end and throwing
OH the manure TO a distance of about 8 feet;
gradually move it from each end, until there
are two heaps. After the manure has re-
manned In this way for few weeks, replace the
two heaps, making one heap again, thus turn
ing the manure very thoroughly twice. In
turning, the manure should be shaken thor
oughly apart, and all the Jumps broken. Two
loads OF manure so treated do as much imme-
date good, as Will three OF coarse lumpy stuff.
SWAMP MUCK.-Where there is supply OF
swamp muck, as much OF 1t as convenient may
De usefully spread over the yards, pens, and
stables. as an absorbent. II swamp muck con-
tainS per cent nitrogen, some has been found
to contain even more, ton is worth $40 for this
ingredient alone at its market price. No ordi-
nary stable manure IS so rich in nitrogen as
that. A muck bed may well be said to be in
valuable, for one acre feet deep furnishes
$500 tons, having value, at the above figures
equal TO twenty live thousand dollars.
How SWAMP MUCK MAY BE USED.-Afuck dug
In the winter will freeze and fall into a line
powder. II put in heaps. with lime or ashes, II
Will heat and ferment, and will not freeze, but
viii be changed TO loose texture, and can then
be handled with ease. In this condition it is
pest ntted Tor use In compostS as an absorbent,
or TO put on the land.
CoMPosT HEAPs.-If there is not sufficient
rain TO keep these moist, water should be sup
them. Decomposition is arrested when the
heap becomes dry. A few barrels OF water from
the well will soon start up heat and decompo-
Sit1on in dry pile OF compost
MAT ERALS FOR CoMPOsTS.-In several of the
states compost heaps may be made of muck or
earth for basis; 10 this may be added leaves
cotton-seed, ashes, gypsum. night soil, stable
manure, trash from the fields except weeds in
Seedl. and all the Stops from the houses and
cabins. plenty OF water should be aided
BY turning the heap as previously described,
the compost VIII be fine enough to use In the
hill for corn or cotton. IL desired, bone-duSt
may be added, but fine artificial fertilizers Will
be better II used by themselves
H0RSES.-No animal should be permitted to
fall of in condition at this season. II is difficult
to restore an animal when all the food and VI
tally are required TO resist cold and the hard
ships OF stormy winter. Horses that are not at
work still require good and sufficient food, and
warm shelter. Exposure to storm may throw
the whole system out OF order and do mishief
that months OF effort may not repair. Preven-
ton Is the better plan. Good hay. with a few
ears OF corn and an occasional warm bran
mash, Will keep horses In condition but good
daily grooming must never be forgotten.
THE DAIRY.-Dairy animals are worthy OF the
best care. good cow returns her value every
year in milk and butter, and In some localities
the manure almost, If not quite, pays for her
feed. The richer the feed the better the ma
nure. At any rate, a COW is one OF the most pro
ductive of our farm animals, and the better She
is, the more profitable. Only good COWS should
be kept; as barren tree would be rooted out
OF an orchard, SO should poor cow be dis
carded nom the dairy. Every dairyman or