Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-02-14
FARM NOTES.

Trying experiments in order to deter
mine how to reduce the manure to a fine
condition will always pay. The value of
the manure depends largely on its condi-
ton. All work ready to have the manure
ready should be done in winter.
Although not grown as special crop
by many fruit growers, owing to the diff
fculty of picking the fruit, the cherry is
very profitable, as much as $500 an acre
having been obtained by those who have
given attention to the crop.
The cheapest food saving devise is
some kind of wind-brake. All animals or
fowls that are exposed to the sweeping
winds will not only consume more food
than would be necessary if they were
protected, but will also be more liable to
colds and disease.
An excellent way to utilize dull days,
when but little work can be done, especi-
ally during cold or rainy weather, Is to
sharpen all the tools and implements SO
as TO have them ready for spriHgs use.
Give them thorough cleaning, oil the
machinery and keep them IL dry place.
An excellent mode of purifying the
cellar is to have the chimney extend from
the cellar floor to the roof, with an open
fireplace in the chimney. A few sticks
of wood, just enough to pIOduce a light
fire occasionally, will then yentilate the
cellar thoroughly, and also prevent damp
ness.
A large portion of the corn crop is
converted into glucose and the refuse fed
to stock. Glucose manufactures give
employment to large number of persons
and enable the farmers to derive better
prices for corn. The proper mode of
selling corn, however, is in the shape of
pork.
Although corn ensilage is cheaper than
any other it is safe to claim that our red
clover, If stored in the silo and fed in a
succulent condition in winter, will not
only give better results with stock, but
be more acceptable as food. If fed in
connection with corn ensilage it will be
an agreeable change.
White clover is one of the best pasture
grasses for sheep, and as ii is hardy as
well as being adapted to nearly all kinds
of soil, it should receive more attention
than is generally given to if. Sheep are
close choppers, and dislike long grass.
White clover is rich in lime and other
minerals, which places it among the most
valuable kind for ewes.
When grain and hay crops are sold off
the land, they carry away the fertility of
the farm, but when such crops are fed to
srOck not only is a portion of the crops
LETT over as manure, but high price is
received for such crops in the shape of
beef, pork, mutton or milk, which enable
the farmer to restore any loss Of fertility
by the increased receipts consequent
upon the keeping of stock.
If you wish to do early work and have
large strawberries, apply your fertilizer
or fine manure in January or February y,
which allows time for the frosts, thaw
and rains to carry the soluble material
down to the roots. Poultry manure is
excellent for strawberries and the ex-
pansion and contraction of heat and cold
will puIverize the hard Jumps and get
them in fine condition. About the first
of March apply bag of superphosphate
and one of muriate potash per acre,
and the crop should be large and the
berries good.