Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1880-01-14
[From the American Asri0u">
Farm Work for January.

lay out his his WORK 10 auVanlaSV' WIN
ont knowing precisely how he stands
withregard to his business. The be-
ginning of the year is the appropriate
time for ascertaining it. Frequently an
account of BUSINESSES kept for month
or two. and then neglected. II 1t 10
only to encourage habits OF regularity
aud perseverance, it will be time well
.pent to keep an account, not only Oh
money affairs, but record ofevents Tor
avery day. This tends 10 beget prompt
ness and system in every detail OF farm
rork and IN business affairs, that FORE
sight and economy which are every
where the prime essentials to success
Keen Record of the events OF each
davis work, and farm-life. One OF the
BOYS or girls should do this. A BOOK
will be needed, ruled with plain lines
on which to make the entries; put down
the condition of the weather, the work
done. and by whom purchases and
sales made, indeed, anything that may
be needed for future reference. or that
should be entered in the account book
which will thus become valuable and
interesting record Of the farm.
Make an Inrentcry:-Put down every
thing you possess, from the farm ITSELF
to the small tools and utensils, and
value each item fairly. Enter the
money on hand, and also every debt
owed. This property owned, ana
money on hand, will be on the other
The balance will show just how the
farmer stands. This account will be
the account Of Stock.
Purchases and Sales, are entered in
the daily record, and from that into
purchase and sale book; except the
cash transactions, which go into tho
cash book.
Tie Cash BOok.-Every payment and
receipt of money for purchases, sales,
or for wages, should be entered IN the
cash book; this should be done every
evening. and before it is forgotten; all
these entries are transferred TO ledger
to the proper accounts. The work is
very simple and easy, and there are
farmers girls who keep all their fathers
accounts IN the most accurate manner.
Fuller directions for keeping farm &C
counts, were given in the American
Agriculturist for January and February
1879.
Hiring Nen.-A farmer should try to
make work fora hired man, or several
ifpossible. Ifke can find profitable
work for them, he is making money for
himself. A few months wages spent in
procuring or making manure, draining,
clearing of stone, getting out stumps,
or otherwise making the farm more pro
duetive, will be well invested.
Keep the Stables Clean clear out the
manure every morning, and scrape or
cart off all filth from the animals. The
stable should be made so warm, that
the manure will not freeze at night;
lower temperature will either demand a
larger amount Of TODD, or the animals
will fall Off in condition.
Cut tie Lttcr.-If the litter is cut into
3-lnch lengths. or even smaller, it viii
hold more moisture, will make better
and finer manure, and will keep the
animals cleaner than long litter. The
gain in the quality Of the manure, in
one year, the saving in time in the
handling, and increased effectiveness
OF it, will pay good interest on the cost
OF windmill, and a fodder cutter, 10
do the cutting. But ifthe stormy and
disagreeable days are chosen to cut up
straw for this purpose, and abundant
supply can be made. A broad axe can
be purchased for $3.50. and with this
and block. a minute. Two persons,
one to hold the sheaf on the block or
plank, and the other to use the axe,
would soon cut up a ton Of straw
Where hardwood saw.dust, dry swamp
muck, OF pine straw can be procured,
these make excellent litter and manure.
Economy in Feeding, is very i'm
portant consideration. In some cases
half the feed used is wasted. Cutting
the fodder has proved saving OF one
third to one-half. Where but 1e head
ofstock are fed. if the feed Of one-third
or one-half can be saved, 1t 10 simply
large increase Of the resources Of the
farm, and is sufficient to pay the cost
of q good cutter and the time expended
in cutting.
Watering StocE.-The supply OF water
IN winters a source Of trouble. Ice
gathers about the troughs and other
drinking places; pipes freeze and burst,
or become chokod, and many other
inconvenience occur. These may be
avoided by methodical management.
Have regular watering periods, twice a
day. Fill the troughs from the pumps
or cisterns, and drive the cattle 10 them
and see that they drink. When all are
supplied, empty the troughs, and either
cover them or turn them over. Have
no flowing water in the yards to waste
and freeze, or become ice-cold for drink"
ing. A cold drink will reduce the milk
from the COWS 10 per cent or more.
WooD AsHEs.-The value of ashes
as q fertilizer, depends principally upon