The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1889-12-26
OUR RURAL TOPICS.
Some Practical Suggestions for Our
Agricultural Readers
STABLE VENTILATION.


The natural home of the horse is on the plains
Winter and Summer Nature has provided
him with coat of sufficient warmth for any
weather if no only has the privilege of exer-
else, and his huge elastic lungs require such an
amount of air that even a slightly tainted at
mosphcre is liable to be cause of disease.
Where the conditions of horse life are so far re-
moved from state of nature that the horse has
thin coat of hair, and Is only given rare in
tervals Of exercise, aud that of violent
kind, alternating with longer periods of total
rest. and whore the natural oil of the hair,
which makes an almost wind and water proof
coat, is entirely removed by grooming. these
artificial conditions must be met by stabing
and bIanketing. II is from stabling against
these conditions in Winter that disease is likely
to arise. To preserve the smooth coat and
prevent the modern horse from chilling every
time he comes in from drive. or n days work
in Winter, we must have a close stable. By
this wo mean simply stable free from drafts.
Drafts of air are not necessary TO ventilation,
and especially drafts which will strike the
animal. A circulation of air can be maintain
ed without draft by attention to the simple
rule that warm air rises and cool air falls. A
stable should be made perfectly tight in this
Western country, where we have penetrating
winds. Ventilation should be had by two
open boxes or tubes running from the stable to
the top of the hay-lolt above, and tile or box
drain opening outside some distance from the
barn. One of tho boxes should begin ut the
ceiling of the stable, the other a few inches
r n 4 4. 4 "a,
of the stable and in front Of the animals.
Through the box opening near the floor cool
mir will be introduced through the one open
ing nj the ceiling foul warm air will pass oil,
and through the drain, which should begin at
the lowest point inside Of the stable, and open
at n lower point outside, the air charged with
ammonia and carbouic acid gas, both of which
are heavier than air will flow of. The stable
floor especially should he tight and tho doors
should TT tightly ut the bottom, else the drafts
through those cracks will DO constantly caus-
ing scratches. The foul gases which are carried
off through the drain arc also common source
OF scratches.
This matter Of ventiintiou can be easiIy at
tended TO. ns the farmer can do everything con-
ncctcd with proper ventilation at no cost but
for few rhenp boards aud few nails. At
tontion 10 ventilation will save many bills for
ductoring distcmper, pink-eye, lung fever aud
skin diseases. and oftentimes tho life of q
horse. ~ lFcsiera Sioeb1naH and Ctttipator.
WINTER PROTECTION.
One of the main causes of failure In the aver
age farmers fruit garden ia the Northern States
is lack Of Winter protection. The idea seems
to ha general that these plants after having
produced an abundant crop of fruit, are able 10
care for themselves during the resting period.
In the natural state they are able TO do this,
~ -
are found as nature left thom; consequently
they must receive more or less caro- aud atten-
ton during the Winter az we'll rs during tho
season Of growth IL tho best results are ex-
pec,ed
How often do we see strawberry beds, in To-
calitics where the ground is subject to alter
nate freezing and tIiawing. utterly ruined for
want of q little protection 10 prevent them
from being " heavcd out. Freezing in itself
will not ininre tho plauts TO any extent, it Is
To prevent tho thawing out that protection Is
needed. For this purpose u light covering Of
wheat straw, marsh hay, leaves. or any other
material that is free from weed seeds. should
be spread over the plants after the ground has
frozen, in late Autumn or early Winter. and
left till warm weather; or, II tho covering Ia
not too thick, IL may DO left, aud the leaves viii
push up through IL, when twill form an excel
lent protection for the ripe fruit from the dirt.
in the management of strawberries. After
they have been cultivated one season, the spaces
between tho rows arc filled with old stTawy
putting very light covering over tho
rows.
This heavy mulch between the rows will
keep down 1.-The weeds, mt the same time hold
ing the m0bture which the plants so much need
during the period of fruiting. Orchard and
Garden.
LIBERAL STRAW BEDDING.
The farmer who raaeg wheat or oats or rye
largely, and has not stables fitted with manure
cutters and reservoirs. will do well 20 use straw
literally for bedding IL enough is used 10
Will absorb nearly all tho liquid manure. Tho
liquid manure will hasten tho decomposition of
the straw moro rapidly converting it into a
valuable fertilizer. Without the straw or some
similar substance the decomposition of tho
liquid manure Is so rapid as 10 be destructive,
and part Of it, value is lost. Straw is very
imperfect conductor Of heat. hence. when il is
used literally for bedding much less food is
in the production OF animal heat,
lnd the animals aTe healthier and thriftier-
AmcTicdH igrieatturisi
NOTES
The fence corners should bc as clean a. any
other portion of the farm. They are the bar
boring places Of vormn and a fruitful source
Df weeds.
Any time after tho ground becomes frozen
viii answer for cutting out tho old canes of
Old canes should he consigned
10 the flames aa "A precaution against insects.
-- II the hoofs Of sheep are pared 80 as to keep
the growth from being excessive there will be
less liability Of fo0t-rot The hoof grows faster
on soft ground than on stony locations, and
foot rot appears sooner when the sheep are kept
on damp fields, much Of il being due TO failure
in keeping the hoof pared.
~ Make note Of things not yet attended TO-
Hundreds Of little things about every farm
needs attention. Each one OF these considered
alone Is OF small Importance, but when aggre-
gated they make largo total. Make notes of
these things ns you pass about, aud don't fail
TO make frequent reference To your memoran-
DUN book.
Level lands may be plowed at any season
Of the year, aud are greatly benefited when
plOwed and left nnharrowed during the late
Fall, or when the weather permits in Winter
Such lands should be well underdrained. Fall |
Or Winter blowing Is sometimes injurious to
hilly lands by allowing the rains to carry of |
fertility, rs tho lighter portions are washed |
during excessively vet aGasons
DO not waste wood ashes. They are of |
sufficient value to pay for saving and applying |
TO the soil. When applied 10 the soil they aid |
greatly la reducing the organic matter in the |
soil To It's mineral elements, aud in setting free |
abundant nitrogen from it also. Thus, being |
valuable plant food, II Is also an effective pro,
Vdcr of other food Rubstances without which |
could not attain its highest vipor
The hard frozen ground affords excellent |
for wheeling manure over tho |
berry beds, and applying just where wanted.
DO not fail To mt At least n good ghnvrifuI |