Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1880-02-13
Farm and Household.


go NAANlAANhN bIllbltulAAAN Abl Etllluk III u
stock Of FIRE wood from the woods, and il
heavy SHOWS come now to interfere with tray
ell, he will find plenty Of work in the wood
yard or shed, cutting and piling fuel where il
will season well and keep dry till needed
The forehanded man will probably, think il
useless to advise farmers to secure n stock Of
fuel at this season, and take it for granted
that everybody knows enough for that with
out being told, but when we see men, as we
too often do, cutting green wood at the kitch-
en- door in midsummer, from day 10 day, as
wanted we feel fully justified in giving an
occasional hint at the proper season.
The Ice Crop. Winter, thus far, has been
so mild there has been very little ice stored
in this section Of the country, and when cold
weather does come, as II is almost sure to-
for a short time at least every one who con-
templates laying in ice should be thoroughly
prepared for quick work when the time
comes II costs nothing but labor, but it
sometimes requires good deal of labor to Sc
cure good stock of ice. Snow ice is not
worth half price, and to have it clear and sol
i'd requires that the SHOWS be scraped off as
often rs they cover the pond. This can usu-
ally be done by horses, but they must be
kept very sharp. Much of the marking cut
ting and hauling can also be done by horses,
with good set Of ice tools, which it will pay
one to own, where there is much of this kind
of work to do Securing ice by hand labor
alone will only pay where ones time would
otherwise be valueless. Who're several farm
ors need supply of ice it may pay for them
to associate together for the purchase of ice
tools.
Fencing and Fencing StUf.-Many farm
ers spend several weeks every winter getting
out posts and rails for fences. This is good
economy if one will build no more fences than
are really needed, but it is very evident that
the farmers Of this country are going 10 spend
less money in the future than they have done
in the past, for fences. There are thousands
Of farms in New England now that the own
ers would be glad to sell for what the fences
originally cost, to say nothing of the repairs
which have been annually required. In a re-
cent article published in the American Agri-
culturist, it is calculated that the present fenc-
ing of the United States has cost not less than
two billions, and that the cost of repairs and
rebuilding these fences, together with the
annual interest, amounts to sum ''far ex-
ceeding the entire cost of the army, navy,
the general Government expenses and pen
sions together with the interest on the public
debt" A man who attempts to live a life
entirely Independent of neighbors and asso-
ciates, may find it necessary TO surround his
domain with costly fences, possibly TO build
meats and TO erect drawbridges, rs in the old
feudal days, but modern civilization points
out far better course and teaches us that
property can be secured at much less expense
where people can agree to act together for
mutual protection aud the greatest good of
the whole.
Our recent fence laws in most of the
States, point in this direction, and require
that every owner of animals shall keep his
own under restraint, but shall not be com
PEELED to fence against those of his neighbors.
SO man now who keeps no domestic animals
need be at no expense whatever for fences.
Village people are beginning to see the ad-
vantages of such laws, and many are taking
away their division and roadside fences, there
by adding very much TO the general appear
ance of their residences aud country farmers
will do well to initiate their example so far as
seems prudent Could we learn to dispense
with all fences except around permanent pas
lures, it would be equal to placing pretty
large sum of money in the bank to the credit
of each and every land owner. But where
fences are really needed, as around pastures,
lanes and cattle yards, let them be such as to
thoroughly secure our animals against damage
to ourselves or our neighbors. Gates are
much more convenient than bars at the en-
trance of fenced enclosures, and now is as
good time as any for building such as will
be needed that they may be ready when
spring opens. Five boards six inches wide,
and eleven or twelve feet long, bolted at the
ends and middle to crosspieces of the same
material, will make a very serviceable gate,
and one easily made or repaired, and when
bolts are bought by the hundred or gross
the cost will be comparatively trihing, for the
number of gates really needed on an ordinary
farm.
The Orrhdrd.-In the orchard there will
be little to do at this season, except to tread
down snow about the trees where there is
danger from mice, which is very rare, except
when the trees stand near old stone fences,
which afford them q harbor; to shoot the
partridges if they get to feeding on the buds /;
and to cut soions for spring grating. Trees
may be trimmed at this season, though we
much prefer the summer or fall months, un-
less a short piece of the limb is left to be cut
off early in July, in which case pruning may
be done safely at any time when most conve-
nient.
Order Seeds Dealers in field and garden
seeds are now sending out their catalogues,
and those who would be sure to obtain a sup
ply of the best seeds should send in their or
ders early, before the stock is exhausted, as
those who order first are surer of getting
what they desire.
Bean Poles and Pea Brush, if they will
be needed next summer, should be prepared
now, and piled where they will be convenient
when wanted
Maple Sugar. In the maple sugar districts
it is time to look over the apparatus and sec
what new will be required, that it may be se
cured before the hurry and drive OF the SAP
So ho tnI
pains TO have all their sugar utensils sweet
and clean, and who do the work in the best
manner, are the ones who always find the
readiest sale, and the best prices. There il
good deal of interest now taken in the man.
ufacture of sugar from beets and sorghum
but where the maple thrives and farmers hay,
the leisure, they will be slow to give up sugar
making from the sap of their maple trees
Maple sugar making comes at season when
little other work could be done to advantage
and BESIDES the fuel is often just where it ii
needed, or requires hauling but q short dis
lance.
The Lice Stock of all kinds will require
watching as the winter advances, to Sc,
that appetite is maintained, and that vermii
do not use up the food that should go t.
flesh or production. Lice may be kept dowr
by free use of powdered sulphur sprinklet
on and rubbed into the hair or feathers.
thorough washing with soapsuds at two diff
ferent times, a week apart, would be sure Il
thoroughly rid the animal of lice, but this OPP
GRAFTON requires mild weather, or the DANCE
of taking cold might be greater than the in
jury from few lice, such as would escap
death from sulphur.
Indoor Work.-The usual winter work 0
cleaning, Oiling and mending harnesses re
pairing and painting farm utensils, and farm
carriages of all kinds, will be in order SO lonI
as any remain that need such attention. w
do not recommend that every farmer who's
time is already fully occupied, should attemp
to do all his mechanical work, especially tn
more difficult portions, but we do believe tina
every farmer would find it for his adyantag
70 have a shop room with stove in il. wher