Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1891-02-05
AGRICULTURE.
THE FARM IN FEBRUARY.

live SIOCh Will Oc tuo uISI QuIy VI 1dI III
ers throughout most of the Northern
States, there are various seasonable
labors that must be performed during
the closing weeks of winter. Concerning
the more important operations which
demand care and action at this juncture
we offer sundry hints, suggestions and
reminders in the hope that they will
prove of service to readers specially In
terested or actively engaged in the pur-
suit Of agriculture.
Though February is the immediate
forerunner OF spring, and hence calls for
some earnest work and careful planning
and preparation for the future, it affords
ruralists much leisure for reading, study
and the acquisition of knowledge per-
tanning to their vocation. They should
embrace every opportunity to listen to
and participate in discussions on prac-
tical and scientific subjects in which
they are vitality interested. For this
purpose the meetings of farmers clubs
and institutes, and like instructive as
sociations, should be religiously attended
information possible. knowledge is
power" and it is as indispensable to
the tillers of the soil as it is to those
engaged in any other occupation.
LIVE STOCK NOTES.
Good care of live stock is the impera-
tive duty of the farmer at this season.
1t is of the first importance to keep
domestic animals in good heart this
month, so that they may enter spring in
a thrifty condition. All kinds of stock
pay for being kept clean, warm and well
fed, and they need more than ordinary
care to bring them safely through the
winter. Liberal feeding is the first
requisite in wintering farm animals, and
there is also true economy in providing
ample protection from inclement wealth
er. Keep their appetites keen with fire.
quent changes of food; change will
often give animals an appetite when
everything else fails. Remember that
"animals well wintered are half sum-
mered," and don't neglect them at this
critical juncture Every barnyard should
have conveniences for feeding and
watering, and an abundant supply of
pure water.
Horses should not be too constantly
confined in close, warm stables, as they
become tender and subject to colds, etc.
They need daily exercise, but should be
well blanketed when left standing in
bleak places. A team will not be in
iured by steady work through the winter
if well fed, properly groomed and kept
from undue exposure. Horses used on
slippery roads shonld be kept properly
shod.
Cows may he safely MIXED tolerably
close to calving if the milk is good. 1t
issusualiy enough if COW goes dry one
month. Incoming cows should be well
sheltered and have generous rations of
forage and bran, but no heating food,
like corn or meal, for two or three weeks
before calving. As the cows come in,
select the best heifers for raising and fit
others for the butcher. The young stock,
and all others infested with lice, should
have the skin rubbed with mixture of
sweet oil and kerosine in equal parts.
Sheep need an abundance of whole
some food, plenty of pure air and dry
yard and sleeping quarters. A warm
stable and plenty of roots will conduce
to the health of breeding ewes. Early
lambs are profitable. February lambs
can be made to pay good returns in May
or June. Farmers having good market
for lambs and calves should see that they
are so well cared for and fed that they
will prove profitable when at the right
age to slaughter.
Swine, well-bred and fed, pay extra
dividends. Breeding sows now need
good care and room for exercise. Store
pigs should be well housed and fed to
assure thrift. Light and frequent meals
are best for profitable growth. 1t is good
economy to give swine clean, warm
quarters at this season, with liberal
rations and plenty of litter.
Poultry should now have extra care,
for eggs bring good prices and broilers
will soon command "cash money" An
authority AYERS that eggs can only be
expected from fowls that are sat home"
in a warm, dry house, provided with
abundant food, both green and dry, lime,
gravel, and pure water. AS we have
before advised, a good incubator, well
managed, pays; but don't undertake
artificial Matching unless you have a
reliable machine and can give the busi-
ness proper attention.
SYSTEM IN FARM MANAGEMENT.
J. F. Keller in Ohio Farmer.
When we visit farm, glance will
tell whether the owner is a systematic
or hap -hazared farmer. If the former,
the drive to the house is well well kept,
the house painted, plently of good dry
fuel under cover, water handy, good ap
paratus for caring for milk and making
butter. An ample, well kept vegetable
garden. Poultry of some of the improv-
ed breeds. At the barn we will find
shelter for machinery and stock. There
will be tool house, ample to accommo-
date all the implements of the farm, and
all not in use will be found placed in it
in such manner that the irst to be
used is next the door and SO on.
At the barn we will find large, well
filed hay bins, stabling for horses and
cattle with paved or cement floors
Water will be furnished by pipes to all
places where stock is kept, and if it has
to be pumped windmill does it. His
stock will show evidence of careful sys-
tematic breeding; the different classes
will be of clean-cut type. His buildings
are located for convenience in attending
to stock and doing chores, thereby saw
ing many steps. His fields are laid out
convenient for using improved machine
ry and for access to barn and water, and
to the saving of fences. The amount of
fence which is necessary to have Is al
ways in good repair, consequently he has
no breachy stock getting into the grow