The Eddy current., 1899-03-25

Nuiue ~ NtfAN on the NAfmi
A few years ago We dld not grow
enough straw on the farm properly 60
bed all tho animals But by utillzlng
what wo had and adding to our sup.
ply from other farms. We have been
able TO increase our supply; and with
tho Increased supply we have learned
how 10 use 70 20 much better adj.
vantage. and much more OF II. writes a
correspondent oi Country Gentleman
Flrst we aim 10 cover the food-lots
with a quantity sufficient 90 prevent all
70 from the open floor. They seemed 90
MUD, and then keep the horses and
COWS clean by liberal use OF it
Whenever the feed lots begin to get
illthy. fresh straw Ia scattered over
them.
a few years ago. on account OF the
lnclcmcnt weather and tho lack of
shelter we found Il necessary TO lot
our feeding hogs about the straw stack
cred about tho worst thing a farmer
can do. Yet we found Il enormously
better than no shelter and feeding ln
tho mud We scattered the ear corn
over fresh straw. end let the hogs eat
by tho mass ~ farmers this Is consld.
enjoy roofing In the straw for the
gialn. aud their noses always looked
clean and not as they would had they
been allowed TO root In tho mud for
their corn. 10 make this kind OF feed.
ing safe and healthful, we wero care.
ful 20 keep fresh straw over the feed
Ing p'ace, aud TO pull out fresh. clean
straw from tho sides OF the rick Tor
bedding Soon We had shelter room
Tor the fOgs under the sides OF the
rick. Now, II our hogs are fed
IN a lot We make Il a point to keep
the lot c.2an with straw
In man. Instances the gravel walks
about the barn8 can be kept clean dur.
Ing soft weather. and made more dura-
bic. II straw Is spread over them in lib.
ornl quantities and removed when q,
becomes filthy. and new supply used.
This calls for little work. but u
means less wading In the mud, and
moro comfort TO tho farmer and tho
animals. Temporary sheds are nearly
always needed on the farm. Those can
/ well ana choaply ho covered with
straw Tho usual fault Is, when a
farmer starts out 90 put a straw cover
on shed. he does not use enough
straw; not because II Is scarce. but be-
cause Ee has not realized the difference
/ between poor and n good straw roof
| At present we have temporary root
house covered with straw. and straw
4 covered addition 10 tho barn shed for
/ our sheep. They answer the purpose
| excollontly. and can bo easily removed
| when not needed or wanted any longer
II Is often much cheaper TO nll cracks
with straw than 20 feed animals that
without this. would be- exposed to drly-
ing winds. The farmers In this section
have seldom. Tor thrco or four years
grown their needed supply OF potatoes
Set there is one farmer that grew
good crops under straw, when hla
nelghbors all failed. For our home
use. wo will depend mainly In the ia
turo on tho croP grown under straw
Many clay farms could be much bcne'
ilted by u Hight covering Of straw plow'
ed under This requlr considerable
labor. but / believe would In tho end
be source of profit TO the farmer
Onontlmes this would give the land
moro llfo and aid IN starting a crop OF
clover. which would be- "a step on the
road 20 Improvement A good deal oil
this is not done because the profit does
not come Immediately TO hand. We
must learn IN our farming operations
that we must be continually adding "a
tho needs OF the soll-or the poverty
oi the soil. when We most need as
strength. viii come upon rs with
crushing certainty / know lands In
this condition that are a burden 10
the owner never yielding just com.
ponsatlon Tor the labor bestowed ON
thom.