The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-10-05
AGRICULTURE.

New Mich Cows.-Some farmers
at times have large number Of new
milch COWS. A word to them on the
bare to be given such COWS, to prevent
trouble and loss, will be timely. II
they, have not been managed we'll thus
far, by allowing good care in feeding
and a proper quality of food, it is now
too late to remedy 80 serious mistake.
The neglect, If there has been any, will
necessitate greater care at the present
time. Some farmers feed cheap fodder
to dry cows, but it is losing economy.
Others feed in this way for fear Of an
overflow of milk In the bag. Indeed,
we have lately seen In some agricul-
tural departments OF our exchanges,
advice to feed sparingly and with
coarse food before the COW comes in, to
avoid the usual risk Of trouble with the
bag full of new milk. But If there
were danger which such course
would avoid, the condition Of COW
from such feeding would be greater
bic with new milch cows bag If she
be rightly managed. If the udder in
clines to DO hard and compressed, wash
1t occasionally with warm water and
CASTLE soap a few days before she comes
to new milk. This will remove any
such risks, which Is not incurred by the
udders being ovcrcharged with milk,
unless the bag has been dry and relax
cd from the daily tension which In
milklng-time it is accustomed to, rem
dering it less supple and yielding to the
pressure Of Incoming milk. Thus the
milk "cakcs," as tho farmer says.
While a COW, whether dry or In the
milk. should never be poorly fed, yet
OF course different feed is suited to
different conditions, and If properly
given and the COWS kept In a healthy
condition, there is little danger from
within few weeks Of milking, she
should receive daily Il little meal and
shorts, with plenty OF good hay. Shc
should not be made to stand tied be-
tween two sticks, as though doing pen
ance, but tied with bow or chain ;
and we had just rs soon she should
remain In this place as to be let loose,
for few days, as is the custom. Be
particular not to allow coming-in COWS
out among young cattle and oxen,
where they may be injured; and do not
drive them over Ice or allow them to
drink great amount of water. These
precautions taken, then give the new
mixers for few days hot mash and
u warm place to stay in. 1t will great
ly diminish the chance of loss, and keep
them iii healthy state.
SuRINKAGE or WMEAr.-1n order to
ascertain tho shrinkage which wheat
unlGrE0rS from evaporation, when
held In the bin over winter, Il very i'll
tcresting experiment has been tried on
tho college farm. About six months
ago, n long sack was filled with 200
pounds OF winter wheat, accurately
weighed. On November II, 1879, this
was placed in grain bin in the barn :;
and in order that tho grain in the sack
might fairly represent the average OF
tn It in the bin-the bin held about 100
bushcls-the sack of wheat " rs sunk in
the grain Is fur as possiblc-say 10 an
this position it has remained six
months, or until May II, then 1t was
brought forth and again weighed. Th s
second weighing showed u slight in
crease on that of six months before
the weight being 200 pounds, plus Il
fraction Of one pound. This result was
most unexpected to us; and we can only
conclude from 1t that, during such sea-
sons AZ those of l870-S0, wheat shrinks
byeval orat on mono at al. The shrink
aye so ofton complained Of by m llers
and others, doubtless comes chiefly
from 'rattage,' leaks in the granary,
and other obvious sources of waste.
The slight Increase in weight Of this
sack OF grain, is attributable to Il slight
variation Of the scales in weighing. 1t
is an Interesting fact that this same
sack, when exposed to the rays Of the
sun at temperature of 05 deg. from
] | 40 A. NJ. to 3 T.. NJ, shrunk exactly
onc-half pound.
CIDER WINE.-.O three gallons OF
new, unfcrmontcd cider, add nine
pounds of sugar; dissolve the sugar by
stirring 1t we'll. Put it into a sweet
kcg, and let 1t stand four weeks; then
strain it through cloth strniner, and
put it either Into bottles or jugs; cork
tightly, and it will keep for any length
OF time, as nge improves it. Every
house. keeper knows what a luxury and
convenience pure, ,unadulteratcd wine
Is In a family, either for cooking pur-
poses or medicinal uses. Maple sugar
IS as nice for wine as any other.
AMMoNIA-So useful to agriculture
and the arts is compound Of nitrogen
and hydrogen; and for long time
some method OF utilizing tho nitrogen
OF the air In Its production has been
sought. The desired result has at last
been attained by two European chem
lists. who cause hydrogen to unite with
atmospheric nitrogen in suitable appar-
atus by the aid of electricity. The
economy of this process has yet to be
shown.
Pillows.