The National tribune., 1897-01-07
OUR RURAL TOPICS.
Some Practical Suggestions for 0as
Agricultural Readers
Dust Baths.

cleanliness. The hog, the common type Of
filth, is not by any means as dirty as We
would suppose, if given an opportunity to be
clean and lin this he needs only as much
assistance from man as horse demands
the result will prove his natural tendency to
cleanliness. The hen has an aversion to
bathing in water; her substitute is the dust
bath, which answers the same purpose for
cleansing her feathers. A dust bath is very
essential to the health of all fowls In VIM
ter, when the outside ground is frozen hard,
a substitute should be provided in the shape
of box filed with dry sand mixed with
coal ashes or road dust. Watch your hens
on bright sunny day in Winter and see
how they enjoy this bath. They pick the
dust into their feathers, roll first on one side
then on the other, and seem to sift the dry
dirt into every part of their feathered coat.
1t cleanses them and frees them from their
mortal enemy, the lice. One would suppose
that hen lice were very clean themselves,
since they have such dread of dirt, and it
is true they cannot exist where dirt or dust
ab0unds. The dust bath is therefore very
necessary for the health and happiness Of
your fowls. 1t should be placed where the
sun can shine into il; this makes ii attractive
and your hens will soon avail themselves oft
Notes on Hog Cholera.
It is almost impossible to cure hogs after
they are once sick. The only way to be sue
cessfnl is to secure q stock of hogs which are
thoroughly vigorous and healthy. To do
this, avoid breeding young, immature stock,
and do not practice close inbreeding. Feed
healthful foods and give variety. Always
have the water pure. Infection is carried
more largely by water than BY any other
method. Give plenty of salt, ashes, rotten
wood, broken tile, mortar, soft coal, etc.
Have these where the hogs can get at them
at any time. Feed apples, pumpkins, and
the like, whenever they are obtainable. IL
disease should break out among the animals,
take away the well ones and put them into
a lot that has never been occupied by hogs.
Disinfect the quarters of the diseased pigs
and give extra care and attention.
Notes.
The success Of terminating nuts in the
Spring depends upon the condition of ripe
ness and the method of keeping them during
the Winter. Nuts should not be allowed
to become too dry before burying in sand.
When gathered too early the kernels shrivel
up and have but little terminating power,
hence they should not be gathered until the
kernel is full and plump.
Keep the sleeps feet dry and clean while
they are in the stable. It is quite unneces-
sary to disturb the manure ON the floor if is
is kept dry and we'll Uttered. The packing
Of it under the feet will prevent decomposi-
ton, and keep the floor better in every way
for the sheep than if it were cleaned every
day. Plenty of common land plaster should
be sprinkled or scattered over the litter.
This will prevent all bad odor.
As the weather grows cooler there is great
necessity for setting milk for cream as soon
as possible after it is taken from the cow.
Cooling it rapidly, as the air is sure to do
when frosty temperature prevails, rapidly
brings whatever cream the milk has to the
surface, and if this is again mixed with the
milk some of this cream will rNt rise again.
The milking should be done in wooden pals
rather than in those of metal. There is no
difficulty in keeping wooden milk pals
sweet and fit for milk if they are thoroughly
washed and scalded every time milk has
been emptied from them. The same washing
and scalding is required for metal pals.
It is very rare of late years that season
is found when there is good pasture all
through the year. Usually the dry spell
comes late In Summer or early in the Fall,
Just the time when the best soiling crops ara
ready to help out the DEFICIENCIES of pasture.
The reason why more farmers do not SOW
soiling crops in Spring is because their land
is not ready to produce the crop that will
make soiling profitable. Preparations for
soiling ought to begin the Fall or Winter
before. Draw out and spread good coating
of manure on the land to be drilled with
corn next Spring, and it will do far more
good than if the manure were applied later.
1t is claimed that the scab in sheep has
! been completely wiped ont in Australia by
persistent use of hot baths of sulphur and
tobacco, followed by one of sulphur and
] quicklime, at q temperature of 110 degrees.
Whatever the apparent condition of an i'm
ported sheep, it must go into the bath.
| There is no more scab, but it has been Grad
| icated at great cost.
Lima beans pay as crop, and in estimating
| for next year portion of the land should be
| set aside for that purpose. As there are now
dwarf large Lima beans, poles are being dis
carded. A crop Of string beans may be
! grown between the rows until the Limas get
quite large, and the two crops may be Guilt
| waited by horse power. If the hills arc
mulched, the plants will escape drought,
should it prevail.
Every farmer who burns wood should, as
early in the Winter rs possible, cut and pile
enough wood to last a whole year. Thiswiii
save many complaints during the Summer,
and can be much easier done now than in
warm weather. Besides, the dry wood burns
without the waste of heat, always lost in
turning its sap into steam.
In order to keep up the vitality of tho
| plant and to obtain q delicious and health
full product, the rhubarb root should be re-
| planted occasionally. IF the stool remains
undisturbed for a number of years it begins
!, to decay in the center, and soon the whole
plant becomes diseased. As the plant is
propagated by division it can be kept in the
healthiest condition by dividing the stool,
and replanting the different portions.
Hogs need a variety offeed-ground wheat,
oats, corn, and rye. Feed grain ground.
Soak it from six to Is hours, but never allow
it to sour. Keep the feed barrel clean and
sweet, and feed two or three times day.
Young hogs should be fed but very little
corn. Make bone and muscle firm with
oats, wheat, shorts, and rye. No one can
raise hogs at profit without giving them
good care and good quarters. To be success
full have good grass, good shelter and plenty
of good, clean water where they have free
access to it at all times. Salt, charcoal and
wood ashes should be kept within reach at
all times of the year.
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