Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1880-01-09
Farm and Household.



Iron the American Agreulturist for Jan. ], 1880
H0D do You Stand P-One cannot lay out
his work to advantage, without knowing pre-
cisely how he stands with regard TO his bust
ness The beginning Of the year is the ap-
propriate time for ascertaining IT, Frequent
ly an account of business is kept for n month
or two, and then neglected. II it is only to
encourage habits Of regularity and porsever-
ance, II will be time well spent TO keep an ac-
count not only OF money affairs, but record
Of events for every day. This tends to beget
promptness and system in every detail Of
farm work. and in business affairs, that fore
sight and economy which are everywhere the
prime essentials to success.
Keep Record of the events of each days
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 wealth
er, 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 a valuable and interesting rec
ord of the farm.
Make an InreRtOry Put down everything
you possess from the fern itself, to the small
tools and utensils, and value each item fairly
Enter the money on hand, and also every
debt owed. This is the first work in begin
ming an account. The property owned, and
money on hand, will be on one side Of the
account, and the debts 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 60 into the cash book.
The Cash B0Ok.-Every payment md re-
ceipt 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 transfer
red to ledger to the proper accounts. The
work is very simple and easy, and there are
farmers girls who keep all their fathers ac-
counts in the most accurate manner. Fuller
directions for keeping farm accounts, were
given in the American Agricuturist for Jan
uary and February, 1879.
htep the Stables C7edn clear out the ma
nure every morning, and scrape or card of
all filth from the animals. The stable should
be made so warm, that the manure will not
freeze at night lower temperature will Ell
ther demand larger amount of food, or the
animals will fall off in condition.
Cut Tie Litter.-If the litter is cut into B.
inch lengths, or even smaller, it will 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 fodder. cutter, to do the cut
ting. But if the stormy and disagreeable
days are chosen to cut up straw for this pur-
pose, an abundant supply can be made. A
broad axe can be furnished for 81. 80, and
with this and a block q sheaf of straw NAV
be cut into 3-inch chat, in half 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 or
pine straw can be procured, these make ex-
cellent litter and manure.
Economy in Feeding is very important
consideration. In some cases half the feed used
is wasted. Cutting the fodder has proved
saving of one-third to one-half Where but
ten head of stock are fed, if the feed of one
third or one-half con be saved, it is simply
large increase of the resources of the farm
and is sufficient to pay the cost of good cut
ter and the time expended in cutting.
Watering Stock.-The supply of water in
winter is source of trouble. Ice gathers
about the troughs and other drinking places
pipes freeze and burst, or become choked,
and many other inconvenience occur. These
may be avoided by methodical management
Have regular watering periods twice day.
Fill the troughs from the pumps or cisterns,
and drive the cattle to 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
drinking. A cold drink will reduce the milk
from the cows 10 per cent. or more.