The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1896-04-18
ALL AROUND THE FARM.
THINGS THAT FARMERS OUGHT
TO KNOW.
Why Livestock Prices Are Likely TO Be
Better-GO0d Roads Profitable
Big Increase in Butter EX-
pOrtS-Other Farm Topics
of the Time.

The reports of the Agricultural Depart
ments show that our live stock-horses
cattle, sheep and swine-have decreased in
number. This fact in one that should not
be overlooked, for, as our population is
increasing, it is plain that sooner or later
the supply will be less than the demand,
and prices will, consequently increase 1t
means tina. those farmers who will hold on
to their live stock will reap the benefit
from so doing in a few years. The time to
buy more stock is when other farmers are
selling, as it will be hut IA short time before
the tide will turn in favor of him who pre-
pares for the future.
At the Iowa Station it was found that
lambs of the mutton breeds have made
larger gains in weight per 1000 pounds
than 2-year old steers. This is a valuable
experiment and very favorable to the
keeping of sheep for mutton, instead of for
wool. There is nothing on the farm that
pays as well as early lambs and fat wethers
of the large mutton breeds.
In England, where pure-bred cattle and
sheep are raised in order to provide the
markets with choice meat, and where the
cattle industry has been prominent fea-
ture in farming for over two centuries,
high prices are still paid for very choi"e
sires. The English farmer does not con
slider the cost of an animal so much as he
does the ultimate results of its use and the
Improvement of his stock. The scrub
animal is rarely seen on an English farm.
The stock is pure breeds or choice grad,s
Just as soon as the ground becomes warm
the weeds will begin to grow, and they
should be killed before they become an
inch i'll heighth, as the work will then he
easy.
When tomatoes grow largely to vine the
hest fertilizer to apply is one containing
very little nitrogen and larger proportion
of potash and phosphoric acid. 1t is
claimed that excessive growth Of vine or
branches indicates a fair proportion of nitro
gen. especially WHEEL the leaves are deep
green.
Bad roads are due partly to lack of judg-
ment on the part OF road overseers 1t is
responsible position, and the farmer is
more interested in the proper qualifications
Of such an official than in any other for
upon the condition of the roads largely
depends the profit from farming Trans
portation of farm products over country
roads is an enormous annual expense, and
much greater than the amount paid as
taxes on State and county taxes
Scours in calves might easily be avoided
with care. Those who give the calves sour
milk or which is very cold are compelling
them to feed in an unnatural manner. The
calf when with its dam secures only fresh
milk and of the temperature of its body.
1t is useless to give medicines unless the
first conditions requisite to the thrift of the
calf are complied with.
During the last eight months this country
exported over IA, 900, 900 pounds of butter,
against >, III, 900 pounds the previous year,
which is an encouraging showing.
This country ships an enormous amount
of pork abroad, yet there is good market
here for leaner pork. 1t has been demon
strated that hog with large proportion
of lean meat can be produced Just as
economically as one that is excessively fat
by feeding more heterogeneous rations. Not
only will the leaner hog attain fully as
heavy weight as one fed exclusively on
corn, but will be of better quality and COM
mand a higher price.
large number of spring pigs die before
they are month old, and but for the pro.
llicacy of sows the cost of raising pigs
would he increased. 1t. is when the pigs
are farrowed in the spring, after the severe
cold OF winter is over, that a larger num-
Der are raised. They are sooner able to
assist themselves and never become chilled
or stunted
After the currant canes have borne fruit
| for four or five years cut out the old ones
and allow new canes to come up and take
their places,
Sows that have proved prolific and also
good mothers should not be discarded for
younger sows as long as they prove profit
able. The younger sows are preferred by
some because they are not as heavy and
unwieldly as the older ones and are not
so liable to crush the pigs, but if plenty of
room is given the farrowing sows and
proper preparations made they need not
crush their pigs, as they are usually very
careful to avoid it.
Experiments at the New York Expert
ment Station in the feeding Of enslage to
cows show large increase in milk produc-
ton due to its use, and that it is also an
economical food 1t also increases the pei
,entage of butter fat in some cases. and in
no instance did the proportion of butter
fit decrease with any of the cows.
Farmers who have planted in rsws in
growing potatoes now claim that the old