The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1880-04-02
Neatness at the Barn.

1t is not necessary for the farmer to build
a highly ornamental edifice in order to have
neat and attractive appearance in his barn
and about his barn yard. Specimens of neat
ness and purity are sometimes seen where
the owner could afford only cheap and imper.
feet structures. The management depends
on the man, not so much on the character of
his buildings Nevertheless, when the owner
takes the pains and incurs the expense of
finished erections, he will be more likely to
feel an interest in keeping every thing in and
about them in good condition.
1t must be confessed that there is great
room for improvement in the majority of
farmers in this country, although much pro-
gress has Leen made, and number-happilv
n very large numGcr-are models in this re-
Spect. We have seen barns and stables kent
as neat az o parlOr. Some men think this is
attended with too much trouble and labor
like the boy who combed his hair once a
month"; and finding it difficult and painful,
was unable to comprehend how any one could
endure to do it every day. 1t is not the pro-
cess of cleaning that we recommend, but Keep
ing clean. A nursery man was asked how
he killed the weeds in his 35.acre grounds
81 do not kill Them" was his answer; 81 al.
low none to enter or grow"
We mention few examples of deficient
CuTc III inlS PARTICULAR. Among HOOu man
ayers, the common recommendation and use
of manure cellars is a frequent cause of foul
air, which more or less pervades the building,
Injuries the sweetness of the hay, and com
pels cattle and horses to breathe noxous odors.
Manure should never be kept in barn base
ment without the constant use of absorbent
in the shape of straw, chopped stalks, sand or
dry peat, to hold all the etfluva The difficult
ty will be much lessencd as farmers learn lie
advantages of drawing and spreading
in winter, as we have frequently r.u
mended. But care is necessary even for %,
small daily accumulation,
No animal is So badly abused as %. pig, iu
being thrust into apartments 81 Gich are per
mitted to become polluted from uc2icc, The
hired man, 10 whom We gave the PIGS in charge
thought it Il great hardship that wg required
him to clean their floor thoroughly twice day
But he ultimately found it much the easiest
i'll the long run, as each daily cleaning, was u
mere nothing. Pigs are naturally clearly, if
they arc only permitted to be SO, and when
comfortably provided for thrive better and
fatten faster; and one would think the farmer
would prefer to eat such pork to that taken
out of a manure hole.
Sweep the barn floor often, sweep out the
horse stalls at least twice day, provide clean
and dry litter for all animals, give them pure
water let their food be sweet and nourshing,
avoid all fetid accumulations shelter your barn
yard from cold winds by evergreens, and keep
every square foot of ground about your build
ings free from offensive rubbish, and you will
not only preserve more self-respect for this
care, but will enjoy the pleasure of giving
comfort to the living creatures under your
control, and what is not least in the eyes of
money-making managers, you will derive a
greater profit, preserve your buildings from
decay, and have place that will sell at high
er price if you should wish to dispose of it,
Country Gentleman.