Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1889-01-12
THE AGRICULTURALIST
Newsy Notes Concerning the Farm d
of Especial Ioterest to the Pa
cific Coast Husbandman.

: Be certain that there is plenty Of wa
ter where the COWS are turned out to
pasture. Clean, pure water is indis
pensable to the milch COW.
Never wait for rain when you have
crop under cultivation. Keep right
on cultivating and you will be sur
prised to find how your crop will with
stand the drought.
, Many farmers in western New York
gave up the wool business as unprof-
table long ago, but still keep sheep,
and say that keeping the mutton
breeds is one Of the best paying
branches of farming.
Tramping upon the hay in a barn
often causes horses to refuse it. To
pass from the barn-yard into the barn
and walk over the hay leaves odors
which are quickly recognized by the
animals when such hay is fed to them.
Chopped clover-hay scllded is a
cheap and excellent food for hogs, aud
they will thrive on it while growing,
with but little grain. Bulky food is
necessary for the distention of the
stomach, and there is nothing so nu-
tricious for that purpose as the scalded
clover.
The price of onions is lower this
year than for some time past. This is
due to large increase OF area planted
throughout the east, and to an un-
usually large crop; the insects and
diseases that usually attack the onion
having been far less prevalent this
year than usual.
After winter grain is sown there is
yet time to remedy defects of soil and
exposure. If there is a knoll in the
field it is probably the poorest part Of
the lot, and one or more loads Of ma
nure distributed over it will have
wonderful effect, not alone upon the
grain crop, but on the grass seeding.
Good cider vinegar is always sala-
ble, and it pays to convert the surplus
apples into cider for the purpose Of
making vinegar. The artificial vine
gar cannot be used for choice pickles
and other purposes for which good
cider vinegar only is adapted, and does
not, therefore, largely compete with it.
Don't try to crowd so hens into
poultry house suitable for only 25, as
the larger the A)ck the fewer the
eggs, proportionately, unless they have
perfect ccommodatiOns. AS rule
! c,D,,1 HooI,e oi1-o ~ IorOar ,,roHf from
the same outlay chan when numbers
are kept that cannot be properly pro-
vided for.
Parsnips, satisfy and horserAdish
can remain in the rows where grown,
as freezing does not injure them. If
they are covered with litter, however,
it will prevent sudden thawing around
them in the spring. 1t is too much
warmth that does injury in winter
to such crops, rather than cold. A
few warm days in winter may be more
detrimental than beneficial.
The first signs of disease in a flock
should prompt the herismen to at
once remove all animals not affected
to new, clean location. 1t is better
to kill an animal that is suspected of
having a contagious disease than to
attempt cure. Delay is dangerous.
Precaution IN the beginning is better
than any work that can be done in at
tempting to effect a cure after the dis
ease secures a hold.
Most farmers who give no particu-
lar attention to horses usually drive
with a loose rein. This Is well enough
with the cold family horse" in whom
you have pe4fect confidence. 1t is
never safe, however, with a young and
spirited horse. Never drive such an
animal with so loose'a rein that you
cannot instantly command the situa-
ton, whatever happens.
Pork made from a considerable por-
ton OF apple diet is peculiarly sweet
in flavor. Hogs will fatten more rap
idly on sweet apples than sour, if ap-
pies are principally depended upon;
but if grain is fed with apples the
sour will do even. better than the
sweet, as the acid " i'll assist in the d.
gestion of the grain. 1t would be bet
ter to feed corn for few weeks before
killing, to harden the pork.
In California turkeys are raised in
focks numbering several thousand.
They are placed in charge of a herder,
who drives them as he would a flock
of sheep. They range over miles of
territory in day, and live almost en-
tirely by foraging. When the grain
is cut qnd harvested the turkeys are
turned into the immense wheat and
barley fields and the birds do the
cleaning and become fat and ready
for market at very little cost.
One article of food cannot supply
all the necessary sustenance, because
it may lack some Of the essential ele-
ments and is sure TO have some in in
sufficient quantity. A normal appe-
tite, that sure guide to the wants OF
nature, Graves a variety of foods. 1t
is not necessary to make the ration
costly; little thought will provide a
variety In the ration and without
greater cost. AS to regularity in feed
ing. it has been amply demonstrated
that animals do not thrive so well
when fed irregularly as when they get
their food at certain seasons.
A practical dairyman gives the fol
lowing reasons why he was more sue
cessful with his COWS than his neigh