The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-01-22
FARM AND GARDEN.

sight, rs the summer days waue, to
see the hocks OF Turkeys coming home
from the woods aud pastures at night
fall with full crops. If the farm has
not been overstocked with these birds,
they have very largely made their liv-
ing upon grasshoppers, crtckets, worms,
and other small fry. The regular food
they have had has been rather to keep
them wOnted than to supply any lack
OF forage. AS tho ccol nights come on,
and the supply Of insects declines, the
business OF tattening properly com :
mences. 1t should be remcm bered that
plump, well-dressed turkeys not only
bring higher prico in market, but en-
hance the reputation of the producer,
and make his market sure for future
years. The turkey is one Of the finish
ed products OF the farm, and one of the
greatest lnxuries in the market. The
farmer should do his best in preparing g
his flock for the shamblcs. The main
business now is to lay Oh fat. and the
birds should have every night and
morning tull supply Of nutritious
and fattening food. Instinctiyely the
turkey follows his feed, and if the sup
pl y Is abundant at the tarm-yard, he
will not stroll far from home. Boiled
potatoes, mashed aud mixed with meal :,
and fed moderately warm, Is very
excellent feed, both to promote growth
and to fatten. If the pigs G be rob-
bed Of a part Of their milk, and it bo
mixed with part OF the hot potatoes
and meal, it will very much improve
the dish. 1t is very desirable to sup
ply the place Of insects with some kind
of animal food, and butchers scraps is
one Of tho cheapest and most desirable
forms Of food for poultry. Grain should
bo given at least once day witt! the
soft and warm feed. Nothing Is better
than sound corn. The Northern corn
is thought to contain more oil than that
OF Southern growth. Old corn should
always be used for this purpose. The
new corn keeps them too loose. In
feeding only 50 much corn should be
thrown out, as tho birds will eat UP
olean. Take a littlo time to fcod them,
and study aesthetics as you watch The
1ridoscent hues upon the glossy plum
ago. There Is nothing more charming
upon the farm In the whole circle oi
the year than Il hundred or two of these
richly-bronzed turkeys feeding near
tho corn-crib. You can afford to enjoy
the disappearance Of coru while tho
turkeys arc increasing in weight.
HINTS ON Horse KEEpING.-Tho
J
six, or even ton feet wide, If room can
be sparel.. Loose boxes are imp, rtanL
for horses OF great value; in such stalls
they can get perfect reposc by changing
their position, recover from the fatigue
OF hard days drive, and he ready tor
their TASK the next day. The best food
adapted to the horse Is oats and hay of
tho best quality, occasionally varied
with bran mash, with turnips or car
rots as All alternative. The growth
and development Of bone and muscle
depend greatly on the food they eut.
1t IL important to select such AZ contains
all tho elements needed to form tho
bone and muscle Of the horse. 1t is
sclf-cvident that the nutritive matter
supplied by tho food must be equal to
the exhaustion or natural waste Of the
body, 10 keep upconditlon. Tho horse
that Is about to be driven on Journey
needs hardening by cxercisc-prepar-
Ing by sweating out tho body to purify
and increase the circulation Of the blood
and alsO by handwriting tho legs 10
make them firm ana elastic--a pruDar-
alton IN some degree corresponding
with that attained by n horse that is
daily driven on the road for ordinary
work. For ono week from tho start
they need daily exercise, commencing
With eight or Ten miles, and gradually
increasing to twenty per day. This
exercise, with appropriate food, will
harden their muscles, strengthen their
limbs, and prepare them to perform
their tasks without giving out on the
road, materially declining in tlosh, or
seriously cxhaustiDg their physical
powers. If wo perform long drives
With horses accustomed to short work
only, tho sudden transition from lndo-
lence to great cXartion will relax their
muscles, weaken their joints. deprcss
their spirits Ynd break down their con-
stitHtion. Tho leading cause OF so
many valuable horses being spoiled by
long drives IL being short OF work.
Ihey arc not prepared for such severe
excrtions. Condition will Drcpare
their work cheGriully, last out. with
sound limbs, and prepare their consli-
tntional yigor tor future usefulness.
DRY EARTH AS BEDDING FOR SToCk.
There is nothing more useful IN pro-
noting tho health and comfort of stock
during tho winter season, when nni-
mails have to be housed and fed. than
dry earth. While 1t ls the most nbun-
dant, cheapest and easily acquired OF
all aDsorbcnts and disiniectants, it is
almost entirely neglected. Straw makes
very imperfect bedding. 1t serves
no purpose whatever, as an absorbent
and only indiiferently we'll for keeping
she animals clean. Farmers who have
comfortable barns and stables for their
stock should, during tho dry seuson in
she fall, anu before freezing commences,
Xather from roads and sources of supp.v
that are convenient, and store under
cover, enough pulverizcd dry earth to
keep the stalls and sleeping apartments
OF their stock we'll supplied through
the winter. A good bed Of dry earth is
1ar more comfortable for hogs than ono
OF straw, but both should be used.
For keeping The stables where milch
COWS are sheltered and fed, clean and
sweet, fine dry earth is superior to any
thing else. Tho liquid voiding of the
animals Is absorbed and all smells pre-
vented from pervading the premises.
A dusting or dry earth bamishos ver-
min from stock, and Is at once tho sim
plest, most convenient and harmless of
all remedies for, or prevention Of, ver-
min. AS a saver Of manure for those
who value this source Of farm wealth,
dry earth is the most complete. There