The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1896-08-13
FARM NOTES.

, There is always dagger to corn In u
cold Mey 1t Is alW%ys well to have
at hand supply of csiIy maturing seed
TO plant in case the fast planting 1ails.
Sheep men are fasi adopting the Gus
tom of dipping their uccks a few weeks
after shearing, and TIE results certain
ly justify the small expense and trou-
BILE.
As soon as the dering season is
over, remove the feeding racks from
Hhe yard to some place where they will
not be damaged during summer. Stored
under shelter. they will last years.
h 1t is well to keep a supply Of lime
on hand, but not much at time 1t
assists greatly in aineliorating stiff
clays, in composing muck and weeds.
etc. and checks the ravages Of insects.
! Manure is like money. No farmer ev-
er has too much Of II. who appreciates
In what his wealth lies. The days of
profigate waste Of manure, even on
the prairies. are fast coming to an end
Manure hoed crops heavily, especially
corn.
Every farmer ought to raise roots
enough to feed his horses and neat
stock, including calves, from a peck to
y,
have enough for his sheep besides. CAL
culate to get, with good cultivation, 800
to 1000 bushels to the acre.
| Working oxen and steers that have
not been much used during the winter,
must be gradually accustomed to harl
labor There will be light work enough
that may be distributed among them
to get their necks toughened and the
muscles and wind strengthened before
the hard labor OF plowing and harrow
ing comes on.
' The temptation to q farmer to turn
his stock into his meadows both In fall
and spring Is great. But Is It not a mis-
taken policy? II the grass could be al
lowed to grow after haying time until
winter, and then lie and protect its
own roots in winter, and, at the same
time. slowly rot the annual crop of hay
would be much increased
See that every laborer has a good
hoe. A poor hoe Is like poor AK A
man who attempts to work with either,
wlll, in a short time, expend time and
strength enough to no good purpose. to
purchase a new ena. See that they
hang correctly, are made of good ma
terial; that they are kept sharp, the sur
faces bright, that they may be APP
piled with skill and efficiency.
Examine under-drains all over the
farm in wet weather, and see that sur
face water does not work in and dis
place the tiles or fill the channels with
earth. Shovel away all sediment at
the outlets, so that the water will flow
out freely. A half days work cleaning
out bitches and surface water channels,
may be very profitably laid out on every
farm. Mark the spots which need
draining most. and lay out work for
next fall.
Make timely and suitable prepara-
tlons for protecting all kinds Of sheep
from the cold storms of rain and snow,
which are usually called May Lamb
Killers" If sheep have been turned
to grass. they ought to be allowed ac-
cess to a good shed. during most Of the
time. while such storms prevail. Also.
to prevent scours, caused by changing
from dry feed to grass. let them have
only small quantity Of grass daily for
several days, at the close of the fod-
dering season.
Tons of good fertilizing matter are
carried of in small streams, which
might be conducted over our farms, es-
peclally grass lands with great profit.
Turn streams of muddy water from the
highway on fields 80 that It will spread
over large surface. Fine earth, horse
droppings, etc, washed from the beaten
track will increase the quantity of
grass quite as much as a top-dressing
of manure, and the water, aside from
what is suspended or dissolved in it. Is
of great benefit.
To cure lice on stock proceed as fol-
lows: l. Wash thoroughly with strong
soap suds. 2. Wet every part Of the
animal with a strong solution of alum
In water, well sopped in. g. Take Of
mercurial ointment a portion as large
as filbert, mix 1t with five times as
much lard, or more, apply II rubbing IL
in behind the horns on the neck and
dewlap and along the spine till all dis
appears. Keep the animal housed dur
ing storms or cold weather, and apply
again at the end Of a week. The last
is very dangerous remedy If not used
with care.