Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1884-03-07
iGIslCILTe itAL.
March on the Farm.


| lFrCm the Massachusetts Ploughman.l
The Wood Pile.-That the wood for an
other season may have the advantage of
the March winds to dry it, the farmer
should have his wood for home use all
sawed and split early in the month. To-
let wood lay in four feet lengths until
warm weather comes is very poor policy
the wood not being worth near as much
as when sawed in short lengths and split
in small pieces early in the season, thus
giving it chance to dry rapidly. III the
wood is not worked up before the busy
season comes on, ii is very likely to be
left to lay over until after harvest time.
Such wood never gives satisfaction, be-
cause 1t will not produce much more than
half as much heat as wood that is worked
up i'll winter, or early spring, and housed
before hot weather.
Farm Stock. To keep the stock on the
farm i'll the best condition through the
month Of March requires more effort than
to keep it through December. 1t is the
practice OF many intelligent farmers to
keep their best hay to feed out the last
part of winter claiming that it is better
to change from poor to good hay rs the
and bad together and feed the same pro-
POlb illlOuSlhNp tIO "lhACl hilh
spring
One reason why the feed should be bet
ter as spring approaches is the mich
cows are about to drop their calves, and
the sheep their lambs. At such time it is
important that tho hay that is to be given
should be sweet and nutritious, and that
it should be fed out with hand governed
by intelligence, that the highest state of
health should be secured. If the hay be
rich and sweet it is not necessary to feed
cotton seed or other rich meal. which 30
often seriously Injuries both COWS and
sheep when given freely just before they
come IL.
Early Chickens Those who desire
carly chicks should set the eggs this
month but to have chicks come out the
first Of April and DO we'll, it is necessary
to have good warm house and an open
shed that is in q sheltered place open to
. the South, where in pleasant weather the
chicks may sun themselves and get the
fresh air. To shut small chicks up in a
tight house is but to invite disease and
early death therefore those who have
not good place for the chicks to air
themselves in, had better wait two months
before setting any eggs.
The Hot-Bed. Everyone needs a hot
, bed to start early vegetables but it is not
everyone that can properly care for one );
for unless constantly watched, the young
plants may be entirely killed by over
heating. The sashes need to be lifted as
/, soon as the air gets hot enough, and if
the best thing is to be done it needs to be
raised twice first, just enough SO the
morning sun will keep the plants warm
enough, and when the sun gels well up
raise considerable higher, or if pleas
ant day, ..to open entirely In our change
able climate it is often necessary to drop
the sash in the middle of the day, to keep
, the proper temperature, SO the farmer
vino works most of the time away from
home cannot tend hot bed as it should
4 be unless he has some ono at home that
he can rely ON to assist him in changeable
weather. A hot bed we'll cared for is Il
great convenience as well as luxury.
Buying Trecs.-If any trees, shrubs or
/ vines are to be set the coming season, it
is best TO decide early what number is
; wanted, and also the varieties, the latter
t should be carefully considered. Never
decide on Il variety because ii is new. First
get supply OF old varieties that are
. known to be good then it will be time
] enough to experiment with some Of Inc
new varieties it being safe to conclude
] that not more than one in ten will be
equal to the best OF the old varieties.
, IN buying trees buy of some reliable
, acquaintance, or Of some nursery man
! that has permanent abiding place, then
;, if the trees are not what they should be,
. there will be some chance to get redress.
{ Cutting Scions. .-Sciops should be cat
before the Luds swell and packedin moist
earth, keeping them in dark, cool place.
In grating small trees TIE scions may be
, cut aud set the same day, so they may
when set in large trees If set Just before
the buds break open, but as this is not
! always convenient it is, MS q rule, best to
cut them in March and keep them until
wanted ; scions thus kept may be set with
success after the trees have leaved out
: Purchasing Seed. Whatever seed may
, be wanted should be purchased early in
, the season. by so doing, as rule, better
! quality will be obtained, and ID will
q give time To- test its terminating quail
ties. Those who wnit until few days
o hgto5o the iced is wanted to plant, are
l. often dirappointrd either 10y not getting
Q the variety they want or getting second
e quality OF seed. The successful farmer
4; u5uHlly lays ont lis plans one or two
e uionths "a aivauce by SO doing lie often
u saves niue. time end expense and is much
= better able ,o .,"romplish what he dc
+ sires.
!, Hauilug on Manure Manure that is
to he spread on grass land, which is some
n what low, should be out and spread be
fac the trlst is out of the ground enough
V to make the surface soft. Better spread
|, tae manure on the snow than to try Il
d cart over snch land after the frost is out
Il At the present time it is the practice o.