Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-10-25
FARM NOTES.

Spinach and satisfy are very hardy, and
are really winter plants, as they require
bat little protection in winter other than
light covering. Spinach seed may be
planted now, but spring is the period for
planting satisfy.
The great preponderance Of testimony
shows that soft food is better for cattle
than is dry feed, and that in the dairy
there is no trouble, with plenty of ensi-
lage, to keep up summer flow of milk all
the year.
September should be late enough for
the sows to farrow the fail pigs. It is of
but little if any advantage to have pigs
come in the fall, but, if such be the case
they should have time to make consider
able growth before the cold weather sets
in.
Parsnips and carrots are not injured If
stored outside in mounds, and In sections
where the winters are not severe they may
be left in tho rows, with only slight
covering. The proper way to store them,
however, is in a cellar, in Tins, so as to
easily handle them when they are wanted
for feeding.
Ladies should make preparations for
taking in the flower plants for the win
ter-window garden. Frost may put in an
appearance at any time this season, and
the location for the plants should be
made and the supply of pots procured.
Slips can be made now with better ad-
vantage than later on.
If the ground is damp q one-horse pillow
should be run through the spaces between
the strawberry rows in order to allow the
surplus water to flow off in winter. Straw
berries are partial to somewhat damp To-
cations, but in the winter and early
spring, when heavy rains cause the water
to stand on the plants, it is injurious.
The frost will also heave up the plants if
the ground is too wet.
The most of small fruits are less un-
favOrably Influenced by a somewhat shady
location than are vegetables. Protection
from too much Sun seems to be a decided
advantage. This is especially the case
with gooseberries, currants and blackber
ries. The largest and most luscious of
blackberries are generally TO be found
hidden under the densest foliage.
In developing cows for butter the feed
er should be sure that he does not over
feed, but as he finds they eat with good
appetite he may add little more TO each
feed, and so continue gradually to in
crease the feed as they will bear it. This
power of digestion will incrs ase, and he
may gradually increase the milking ca
pacity of his COWS and their production
of butter. The skill of the feeder has
much to do with the result.
Reports from breeders who have given
the mutton breeds trial show that it is
not unusual TO produce wethers that will
weigh 200 pounds when l year old, and
lambs can De easily made to weigh 60
pounds when months old. There is al
so fair crop of wool secured, but it is
more profitable TO produce mutton. The
mutton of well-bred sheep not only
gives a profit by reason of the extra
weight attained, but a higher price is also
received, owing to better quality as COM
pared with the ordinary common sheep.
Economy with the corn crop means that
the fodder should be stored under cover
and not left standing in the fields, as is
often practiced. Good fodder is valuable
and highly relished by all classes of stock,
but it can be injured by exposure as east
Iy as hay. No matter how much hay is
taken the shocks will pillow over in winter,
by which means large share Of fodder is
ruined by being on the ground. If cat
tie are turned in on it they will trample a
portion OF it also. The barn is the prop
er place for it.