Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1882-11-18
THE FARM AND HOUSEHOLD.

planting two posts where there Is 4
fence to rest on, or four where there
is not, allowing for q pitch to carry
off the water; lay bean-p0les oppo
site the way of the pitch and cover
with corn-fodder or straw or boards.
In using through the winter, avoid
as much as possible the sun side and
close up again We have not found
that setting the cabbage upside
down in the rows, as many do, Of
any advantage, as we have kept ours
for more than twenty years in the
way we mention in a good, sound,
perfect condition, through the win
ter into spring, and could even up
to first of May if desirable. We see
other methods recommended, and
they may answer just as well, but as
to our own we speak from a long eX-
perience. - Germantown Telegraph.
Milking heifer for the first time
requires patience, for they will al
most invariably kick, In such a case
put a broad strap around the body,
Just in front of the udder, and buckle
it up moderately tight, and as soon
as she gets quiet, (f0r she may dance
around little at first,) take your
pail, sit down and 90 to milking, for
she is as helpless as a kitten. DO not
attempt to use rope instead of
strap, for it will not answer. This
is much better method than tying
the legs, etc, as it does not hurt the
animal in the least. A few applica-
tions of the strap, with plenty of pa
thence and kindness, will cure the
most obstinate case.
A Massachusetts poultry breeder
states that it requires in that State
to keep a hen one year 0ne-half
bushel of corn, one-half bushel of
oats, one peck of barley, and a small
proportion of meat. He figures the
outlay at $135. Ten dozen eggs are
taken as the average, estimated at
% cents per dozen, or 81 80 for the
whole the profit being $1.45. The
estimate of 10 dozen eggs is low
one, while the price, perhaps, is
above the average.
The early maturity of small breeds
give them an early advantage over
the larger kinds. Suffolk pigs will
weigh 300 pounds at seven months.
To Secure this result they must be
fed with skinned milk when first
weaned, mixing with it little bran
and oatmeal, aud gradually increas-
ing the ration of oats till the pigs
have attained such a size that it viii
answer to put on fat, when cornmeal
may be substituted for the bran and
oats,
The best results from wood ashes
are secured by adding a small pro-
portion of common salt. Ashes con-
tain all the mineral elements of the
plant, and they exert a good intlu-
ence in unlocking fertility that
would not be otherwise available. In
burning anything the chlorine it
contains is carried off with the
smoke, and salt, chloride of sodium
supplies the deficiency.
Sheep are the best stock to feed in
orchards. The most approved rule
is to put in more sheep than the grass
will keep, and supplement the feed
by ratiOns of grain. To prevent
sheep gnaWing the bark of the trees
wash the latter with mixture Of
carb0lic soap in water together with
the sheep droppings. This applied
once a week as high up on the trees
as the sheep viii reach is effectual.
A good hurdle Enclosure to protect
sheep from dogs or wolves may be
made by stalking yard-wide cloth SO
as to form fence. The cloth need
not come down to the ground, and
should be given a coat of oil to make
it more durable. 1t is said by those
who have tried il that this is pro-
lection against wolves as well as
dogs.
One advantage of pasturing sheep,
and one which greatly promotes fer
tility, is that these animals naturally
select the highest points in the field
for reclining at night. AS these
spots are usually less fertile, the feed
consumed on the low lands helps to
bring up what needs furtilizing most
and thus an equilibrium of fertility
ris deserved,
In washing calicoes in which the
colors are not fast, be careful not boil
them, but wash in the usual way
soap, and rinse with hard water
For dark colored goods, add little
salt to the water; for light, little
vinegar.
To remove stains on spoons caused
by using them for boiled eggs, take
little common salt, mOisten be-
tween the thumb and finger, and
briskly rub the stain, which viii
soon disappear
Glue, when mixed with one fourth
part glycerine, is found TO have an
elasticity and piiabiIity which pre-
vents its cracking when dry. A
German chemist in Nuremberg has
called attention to this
To cure felon take 4 pint of com
mon soft soap, and stir IN air-sack
"a limo IN ~ = ~ LL- n---l-L ~ -.