Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1886-02-19

My seasons work usually closes with the
holidays, the last four weeks being devoted
mainly to fall blowing and tinkering about
the buildings, making everything tight and
snug. Each years experience makes me
more particular about having my stock, as
well as my family, warm and comfortable. l
keep good man, whose business is to care
for the stock to draw the manure daily to
the fields, and to draw up the wood for the
next year. A years supply always on hand
is my rule. hire the wood cut by the cord,
and have II cut but 16 inches long 80 that the
women can put It into the stove by way of
the griddle hole, which seems to be their IA.
vorite way.
We milk only one COW from January to
April My experience 10, that, unless we
feed very high, we get as much milk in the
long run by milking COW nine months as
we do to milk her eleven months l buy no
grain for my COWS, but raise corn for them.
My rule is to raise one half acre OF corn for
each COW, planted in hills four feet each way.
1t is planted on sod ground with hand
planter, and cultivated with a two-horse
sulky cultivator. expect to use a smooth
ing harrow while the corn is young in the
future. do not husk the corn but feed II
in the shock. When the corn is dry and the
weather ia cool draw II to the barn and
cord it on the floors. A 1G-feet floor will
hold three tiers. 1t can be piled as high as
you wish. have prscticed this for six years
without loss, and to my satisfaction. By
feeding my COWS all they will eat of this,
they will not only gain in hesh but give a
| large flow Of milk. As soon as the corn is
fed out il is best to stop milking them, and
! they will soon fatten and do we'll on hay
alone. There is something about corn that
makes them strong and hardy.
In the spring, after the COWS are In milk,
| it is best to give them some ground barley OF
oats until grass comes, and then l let mine
shirk for themselves till corn is in the roast
ing ear again. But my pastures are mostly
old pastures and no doubt hold out better
than average pastures. But mind, my sta
bles are warm. Colts and young cattle grow
about as we'll in winter as in summer. Colts,
horses and yearlings, all have little grain
or roots, If have them.
My stable holds so head Of cattle and 1C
horses and colts. My work horses stand il
stalls, colts and brood mares in box stalls,
cows and young cattle in stanchions, but my
yearlings are kept in pens. think they do
better to have their liberty. The liquid ma
nure is run into cisterns that are emptieC
spring and fall, keeping the stables compare
lively sweet and pure.
My stock and teams, hay, grain, roots, anC
water, are all under one roof, so that it il
very little work to do the chores. By thi
arrangement get three months out Of eacl
year that can call my own. 1t is then
get time to read, time to think time to SO
and talk with friends, time, as it we're, Il
grow. 1 used to plan my work so as to hav
something to do winters. l now plan it 81
as to have nothing to do winters. l thin
the latter is by far the most agreeable an
profitable way. For what is a mans prof
it if he shall gain the whole world and los
his own soul" or allow it to become dwarfe
and feeble? 1t Is not best for a farmer /
carry his farm on his shoulders all Of til
time Change of, and let the old farm cal
ry US part Of the time at least Very fe'
have the power to do hard physical labor an
take care OF the mind at the same time
Those that do succeed, usually, are burnin
, the taper from each end. Os,oegO Co. Con
of the Husbdndmdn.