Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-11-27
IaaiIu kfnnebrr Jnurnal.
Farm and Live Stock Notes

Increase the farm library.
Clean out the open bitches.
Colts need plenty of exercise.
A smooth animal coat indicates health.
Preventing is better than curing disease.
Dry off early cows six weeks before
calving.
Be sure that the potatoes are secure
from frost.
Make tramps work tor what you give
them.
It will pay to sort over the beans before
marketing.
The period of CESSATION in sows is about
sixteen weeks.
As a general rule lime should not be
compOsted with manure.
Don't tempt thieving by leaving your
coops of fat chickens unlocked.
1t is bad to neglect the care of service
rams feed good clover hay and little
grain.
Coarse food only for young animals
tends to produce the undesirable ''pot-bel-
ly form.
The loss of an animals hoof, as has
sometimes happened by accident, will be
made right again by nature, II the foot is
supported by sling until new hoof can
grow.
Cold air is heavier than warm air, hence
its tendency is downward To combine a
milk room with an ice house, if the ice
chamber were to be placed directly over
the milk apartment. it is obvious there
would be some natural advantages
Push the fattening of animals for slaugh-
ter az rapidly as possible now. The farther
the matter is deferred into cold weather
the greater will be the consumption of
feed to secure the same gains As yet the
cold makes no great draft on the feeding
TO secure additional animal warmth, while
enough to stimulate the appetite.
Improving the Live Stock The farmer
who finds no interest in improving the
blood of his animals is away behind the
times. Improved breeds come to profit
bearing or maturity much younger than
unimproved breeds. The products for which
they are raised are also far more val
liable in the former. No one should
be frightened from attempting improve
ments because of the high prices OF fash
ionable families. Plenty of valuable
males. that would in short time double
the worth of our farm stock. can be bought
for very moderate price. The first
prize-taking mich cow at "a recent New
York State Fair, Shorthorn, was sired
by bull that is valued at not more than
$3.50, If as much.
Top-Dressng Wheat and Rye.-lf any
fall grain land was not in satisfactory
condition at sowing time from lack of fer
tilzers. top dressing of these may be
applied vet on such to advantage. Ii ma
nure in fine rotted condition can be had,
now is good time to spread it. The
same cannot be said of coarse, fresh, ma
nure, as to this being suitable season to
apply it. Such had better lie until spring
to secure further decomposition. distribut-
ing it very evenly then, before growth
commences.
Winter Management of the Manure
Heap. Much depends upon how this is
done il we would secure the best results
from the winters yield first consider
alton should be to obtain the greatest de-
gree of decomposition, with no loss from
! fiue-fang. As the manure comes from the
stables. pains should be taken to build up
tnt pllt llHHiiN Ipi tut cihtN. n
conical-shaped manure heap is the worst
possible shape tor the winter. This is
because such n form is easily penetrated
! by cold, and is liable to be kept frozen at
its top. even from the first. thus prevent
ing decomposition. The square form with
a level top is the best shape. By starting
the heap early enough to secure some body
for making heat before cold weather sets
in, and then adding to the pile daily,
spreading each deposit over the fiat sur
face, heat and decomposition can be kept
up all winter. The cold can penetrate and
freeze the top of a conical heap where it
would have no effect whatever on manure
spread fatty on the top of a pile that is
more or less warm throughout. Additions
OF liquid manure or even water made oc-
casionaliy over the heap. enough to keep
the mass saturated, will prevent fine-fang