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


briars and weeds from the land. Besides there
are many profits from flock when properly
managed. There is profit from wool, from
increase of flock, and from the rich manure.
They are also valuable Co the farmer IN destroy
ing noxious weeds and as cnrichers of the SOIL
In England, the homo of the mutton breeds,
he is considered an unthrfty farmer who does
not keep flock Of sheep. We're the same views
held In America there would be more sheep and
better farmers.
Much of the profit depends on the care and
management of the flock. Sheep should be
kept tame and quiet. Wild sheep are uuproHt-
able. They should have pasture by them
selves not far from the house. No other farm
stock should be allowed with them. They
should not be worried by frisky colts, unruly
cattle nor worthless dogs.
Large flocks are seldom profitable. Small
Gocks of choice, thrifty sheep, when well cared
for. are more profitable than any farm stock of
the same value. The soil and climate Of New
England is well adapted to sheep husbandry
There are also good markets in every city and
large town. Choice mutton finds q ready sale
at very rcmunorative prices. Mutton and lambs
are more profitable than wool.
Farmers. why not try few sheep--from 10 to
%? You will find it n paying Investment If
properly managed Massachusetts, Honglnlan.
THE WINTER SUPPLY OF VEGETABLES.
The stock of vegetables designed for Winter
use should be gathered aud stored in the best
possible manner. When the cellar beneath tho
dweling-ho is used for this purpose there is
always more or less unpleasant odor arising
from them, unless, rs should always be the case
in every well built house, there is n chimney
that reaches to the bottom of the cellar. An
out-of.door cellar is great convenience, but
not always to be had, and pits are difficult to
get at during the freezing part of Winter. If
therefore we are TO be content with the ordi-
nary house cellar. care should be taken by occa-
sionally opening the windows Mt either side, to
provide free circulation of air across it.
The vegetables should be stored mostly in
boxes and barrels with sand or soil filtered
through them and shaken down to fill up the
little spaces. Potatoes should be kept covered
from the light, occasionally picked over and
busted with air-saked lime Orchard and Gar
den.
EGG FOOD FOR FOWLS IN WINTER.
For the production of eggs through the Win
ter the following food is desirable: For morn
ing, one quart Of cornmeal and the same Of
bran is mixed with boiling water TO a stiff pud.
ding. One teaspoonful Of salt and liberal
busting with pepper are added during the
stirring. This quantity is enough for 80 fowls.
aud should DO fed in shallow trough covered
with bars, TO prevent the fowls walking in IL.
Az noon qnart OF wheat screenings and as
much of broken fresh bones, with some meat
on them. as they may be procured from the
butcher, are given. At night one quart of corn
partly parched in the oven is given. Fresh
well-wator should be given at noon. This gives
about two ounces OF very nutritious food TO
each hen, or somewhat less II the three cocks
which would run with 80 hens are counted in.
and this Is the highest feeding that is admissi-
bio for health. Occasionally cabbage may DO
hung in the yard for the fowls to peck at.
NOTES.
1t does not improve your manure to let it
stand under the caves Of the barn or shed aud
leach. That black Juice oozing out around tho
bottom and running away contains the very
essence of t.
--Grapes. picked and wiited then buried In
stone jars three 70 four feot below tho surface.
will come out with stems green and fruit plump
aud bright says prominent fruit-grower
When the soil is shaded by tree II does
not act like the shade produced by mulch.
for the reason, probably, that II rather absorbs
than prevents the escape Of moisture aud APP
pFopriates 90 its own snstonanee and growth
tho nitrogen and other nntritiye elements
gathered by the soil
In storing away bcets, carrots, turnips,
parsuips, satisfy aud Winter radishcs Wick adj
yises TO put them In boxes or barrels in layers
of soit filing the soil IN between them. Tho
object Is 20 prevent evaporation and retain the
juices. aud kept they will remain with all
their original freshness all Winter. Try il,
says the authority quoted.
1t is claimed that IL grape vineyard Is
plowed 10 the depth OF four or Two inches very
late ia the Fall ia a thorough manner, So as TO
lnrn all Of the grapes aud leaves that have
fallen completely under, tho rot may be- pre-
vented the next season, AS the fungus does not
live for more than year in the berries.
Should cheese pub up during curing it
shows that the gas Is generating too fast and
the room bias been too warm. The cheese
thus pulled up should be removed 10 cooler
place, and as last resort should be pricked 70
allow the gas 10 escape. A good cheese may DO
spoiled by not receiving good attention while
curing.
III the butter is thoroughly worked to re-
move all the white tlakes OF caseino it will need
much less salt. IL is tho Impurities of butter
aud especially It's exposure To air, that cause its
quick decay. The public taste of late years re-
quires much less salt In butter than IL used TO
do and to make little salt eilectuai necessitates
MI the greater care for the buttermaker Over
saltings is therefore presumptive evidence that
salt has been added to cover defects arising
from ignorance. lazincss aud general want of
cleanliness.
When the ground is plowed In the Fall or
early Winter the frost goes down and reaches
tho insects that have sought refuge therein.
The clods and Jumps are broken by the action
of frost, aud the soil put in condition for being
easily plOwed in the Spring. Hard, lumpy
manure Is also pulyerized by frost, due TO ex-
panson and contraction during alternate thaw
ing aud freezing. which renders the manure
fine when It Is spread over the surface at this
season.
Apples should be allowed to cure we'll after
picking before putting away, otherwise they
will heat aud more or less will rot.
- When picking grapes cut them off In
lunches aud dip the ends III warm sealing wax !;
thon place the lunches in box or jar and fill
in with sawdust.
"A great deal Is now said about lack of sue
cess in farming. No plant issuing from any
class of people In the country is SO general as
that coming from farmers.
"A well.slaughtertd lamb or pig will COM
mand ready sale in almost any city or village,
but carcass covered with blood and dirt will
not bring good price anywhere.
- Pears may DO readily kept until Christmas
easily by picking carefully, euIIing well and then
wrapping each separately and keeping where
they are out of danger from frost.
-D Do not think the barn will be uncomf0rt-
able If you get IL ready for Winter now. You
can leave the door opiwindows, or both, open for
air If tho nights are warm only don't have u
draft on the COWS se b.
- BE generous to tho colts. Give them plenty
OF oats, plenty of good hay and plenty of exer.
else, and they will repay it all in good scrip
tural measure, heaped up, pressed down, shaken
bar "a