Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-03-13

Every farmer should raise pigs and cure
his bacon. There is no meat equal to that
produced at home. You will at least
know what you are eating, which is a
valuable point in favor of home-raised
meat. as only healthy, thrifty stock will
be used for the home supply.
1t seems that there is a high limit to the
yield of corn. A South Carlonia farmer
reports 254 bushels per acre. If his re-
port is true Though probably some mis-
take has been made), it is the largest
yield ever secured. One-half of that
amount would be very large yield
A cornstalk rots very slowly. Before
such material is added to the manure
heap it should be cut into small pieces. If
cut and crushed In the fodder cutter the
stalks make excellent absorbent material
for liquid manures.
The present two or three inferior cows
in the herd affects the average profit of
the whole. If dairying is to be conducted
as paying business the most important
requisite is good COW in place of an in
ferior one.
Pasture the rye, if it is growing, due to
the warm weather. The rye will not be
injured thereby unless the ground is wet.
Rye provides green food when it can be
had from no other source.
If good butter cannot be made from
ensilage it is because the ensilage is not
properly grown prepared and stored. The
prize butter made in Michigan was from
cows fed on ensilage.
The garden, the truck patch and the or
chard should furnish the farmer with fully
one-half of his living. if proper care is
taken with each to secure the best pro-
ducts in good season.
Spinach that came up from seed last
fall will make some growth during the
mild weather, which may be prevented by
mulching the bed.
It is curious fact, so announced. that
if cider is scalded to 1859 or 1902. it will
not make vinegar, as this heat destroys
the bacteria that form vinegar. This same
temperature destroys the bacteria in the
silo, and this is perhaps the explanation
why is remains comparatively sweet.
If the sheep are to pay with early lambs
there must be some provision made for
protecting the lambs and forcing them In
growth. 1t is of no advantage to have
them come early and become stunted. A
weeks difference in the age of the early
lamb may make a difference of so per cent
In its value when it reaches the market
The lamb must be kept warm from the
start, and fed crushed oats as soon as it
will eat, as well as be allowed all the
milk its dam can provide. The heaviest
loss of lambs is when the ewes drop them
in the fields, instead of in comfortable
quarters.
Farmers claim that they are compelled
to lose portion of the year from the in
clemency of the weather in winter. This
need not be the case as there are duties to
be performed in winter as well as IN sum-
mer, if the farm is properly conducted.
Winter is the time to fatten stock and
make manure, and it is season when all
the necessary work should be done, such
as thrashing, Smelling, cutting the food
and bagging the grain intended for mar
ket
The New York Times says that when
mankind enter upon war of extirmina-
tion against any animal, there is danger
of disturbing what is called the balance
of nature. All the predatory animals live
upon each other, from the greater and
stronger down to the lowest and weakest.
When carnivorous birds are destroyed
grain-eating birds increase and the crops
suffer; then insectivorous birds are killed,
insects appear in vast numbers and ravage
the fields and orchards. When hawks,
owls, foxes and skunks are reduced in
numbers, then rats, mice and other vermin
abound, and do millions of dollars worth
of damage to farmers. In the grand wise
economy of the creation, everything has
its use and value, and determination of any
race brings disaster In an unlocked for
direction.
G. O. Wilson, of Nebraska, was inter-
viewed by reporter the other day regard
ing the prospects of producing sugar from
beets in this country. He is reported as
having said: at has been tried In Hi
nois Utah California and halfa dozen other.