News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1886-02-18
FARM AND GARDEN.
Practical Farm Notes that are seasonabIe
From the American Agricuturist for Feb.l
LIVE STOCK NOTES.

From the American Agricuturist for Febl
LIVE STOCK NOTES.
The fourteenth of February is said to
be the stock feeders mid-winter, and so
in fact it is, very nearly. The last part
of the winter is, however, really more
trying to live stock than the first, and
they need more careful feeding and bet
ter protection against changes. Contrary
to former practice, young cows are now
a-days quite frequently MIXED nearly up
to calving. With old cows it makes
little difference; but great mixers, es-
pecially great butter cows, are in danger
of having milk fever, and it is thought
that there is less danger if the flow of
milk does not cease. Cow stables
should be warm, sheep pens on the con-
trary must be airy. As ewes approach
| yeaning, increase their ration of roots,
separate them in small pens from the
flock, and take care that the early
lambs do not get fatally chilled. 1t is
we'll to cut the straw used for litter
| into foot lengths. Breeding sOws need
close, warm pens, with plenty of litter
and good feed, in which cooked vege-
tables, potatoes, pumpkins, turnipS and
raw apples may well be mixed. Horses
need care to prevent colds when used on
the road. Always have large blankets
ready to cover them when standing. In
jur;es from calking and from kicks, as
we'll as from falls on the ice are not in
frequent, and should in every way be
guarded against. AS spring approaches,
the Importance of having definite plans
for work for the season will be felt, and
whatever good ideas may occur should
be made a note of for future reference.
Implements may be overhauled and put
in order, so that when the time to use
them comes, they will be ready, and
vexatious delays and losses saved
ORCHARD AND FRUIT GARDEN.
Generally but little outdoor work can
be done this month. Should mild
period occur, finish up the work direct
ed for the last two months.
If an orchard lacks thrift, bearing
light crops, of small fruit, and stunted
annual growth, manure the whole sur
face.
During a thaw, apply soft-soap to the
trunks and larger branches of the trees;
use home made soft-soap, diluted with
brush. Leave it to be washed off by the
rains; it will remove all parasites, ETC.,
and leave the bark in healthy condi-
tion.
Look for the eggs of the Tent Cater
pillar, glued in band near the ends of
the twigs, and cut off and burn them.
In the older parts of the country arc
orchards that bear little or nothing, and
the trees are partly decayed and I'M
slightly. Such trees, whether in orch
ards or standing singly, may often be
renovated. If of good varieties, lib
eral manuring, and severe pruning, will
frequently restore them to usefulness. If
the trees are sound, but bear worthless
fruit, renewing the top by grating, will
be advisable. If the head is large, it is
well to graft only the upper third of it
this year, taking three years for making
the change.
Pruning Of grape-vines, currants, etc.,
unfinished last fall, should be completed
whenever the weather viii allow.
Take advantage of tho enforced lei
sure of this month to consider if moro
trees, shrubs, etc, can be proftably
planted, and what the varieties shall be-
The experience of Intelligent fruit
growers of the locality is always the
safest guide in the selection of varieties;
do not plant novelties, save as an expert
ment.
KITCHEN AND MARKET GARDEN.
Cabbage and other plants wlntered in
cold-frames, will need close attention;
as the heat of the sun increases, they
must be prevented from starting into
growth by airing, and whenever the
temperature rises to near freezing, re-
move the sashes altogether
Parsnips and satisfy are improved by |
being left in the ground over winter
but they should be dug as soon as a
thaw will allow, if they start into
growth, they viii be spoiled for eating--t
Look to roots, ETC., stored in pits; see
that mice and other vermin do not in
wade, and that surface water will run off
Hot beds should be started about six
weeks before the plants can be set out
In the open ground. Get ready sashes
and lumber for the frames; provide the
manure, and cart to the place where it
will be needed. Provide ''fats,' or
shallow boxes for sowing the seeds; |
these are made from soap, and other
store boxes, onesof which Will make two
or three fats, three inches deep. For
the family garden, d sufficient number
Of plants may be started in the kitchen
and other windows.
Overhaul the stock of seeds, and
throw away all of doubtful age or iden-
tfty. Good results cannot be expected
from poor seeds. For the main crop,
rely upon established varieties, but the
gardner will try few of
tho novelties each year, and will Occa-
sionally draw prize, but the majority
Of the much praised new. things. will
prove no better than the old kinds.
Provide all the implements and ap-
planes that will be needed before the
season opens. Besides the
ordinary implements, plows, harrows,
spades, etc, every garden, if not very
mail, should have q seed-sower and
land cultivator, of which several good
Kinds are offered. Provide a garden
inc and reel, and labels-so large that
t will be difficult to hoe them up; also
markers for making rows at different
distances. Mark feet and inches on the
handles of hoes and rakes. There
hould be a good grind stone on every
arm Spades, hoes, cultivator teeth,
md other cutting implements, if made
harp and kept SO, will do vastly better
work, and with greater case. Keep a
rood file at hand, for occasional use on
uch implements. One of the best eradi-
,ators of small weeds is steel rake
With long teeth, and these kept sharp
~ the file.
Secure bean poles, and cut pea brush,
'efore the leaves start. OF late years
We have used wire for the peas to climb
pon, instead of brush, with much salts
action. For beans, we have found no
God substitute for poles; cedar poles,
roperly cared for, will last for many
ears.
XThnrn CnId NVnrnn Cana Tn,,o,,,