The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1899-10-27

don't see why we couldn't do it. Yes, sir.
fed twenty. one cattle last year. got them the
first week in November, when they weighed
eleven hundred and seventy, and sold them
the second week in January, and they made
me clear twenty-one dollars head. gave
them all the corn they would eat. I would
buy cattle 10 weigh not less than seven fifty to
eight hundred pounds. If you don't want to
keep them long the heavier the better. You
ought to keep your cattle another year to do
| them justice. think cattle that are dehorned
will do better feeding loose than to feed them
| up in the stable.
| Mr.. +. II. JACOBS introduced the subject,
| "Prcfitable Winter Work on the Farm" He
said that as there was some diversity OF opinion
rs to whether it paid to do much outside work
| in winter, he was anxious to have the views of
| the Club. For himself he expected to do some
| cleaning UP about his farm, and there was
always odds and ends requiring attention.
X. Harris Archer thought it was better for
| farmers to shut down the first of December, ex-
cept, of course, the necessary work. Ill early
spring much more can be accomplished for the
same amount of money. For instance, build
| ing u stone fence. Very little could be accom-
plshed on account of the cold and ba6
weather, and it would be better to wait unit
spring opens. Hands will work better after
they have had a winters rest
Frederick Lochary's experience was that
winter was a very expensive time to have work
done, as little can be accomplished.
j. D. Wor! hingtou said that in general way
Mr.. Archers proposition was correct, but there
were several things TO be considered. Each
season has its own work, or else that work goes
undone. For instance, a dead tree needs to be
removed. If not done in winter it is apt 10 be
neglected. Another thing, laboring men are
compelled to live in winter, and if they only
have nine months LAY TO live twelve, the re-
suit is very apparent Constant employment
is better, not only for the iaboring man, but
every one.
John Moores keeps his hands all the year, and
feeds them well all winter, so they can do
days work in summer. He always finds plenty
of work for them to do and could not do any
better without them in winter than any other
time. These men are better satisfied and it
keeps them in good humor. 1t is unjust not
to keep them. He has had man for 50 years,
and his m other and grandmother had also been
in the fami y all their lives.
Thos H. Robinson said that if there is work
to be done, life is too short for intermission.
The farmer. the man who makes the farm go,
not tho Iaborer, does less actual hard work
than any other working class. If you have
regular help keep them through the winter, as
man must cat then as well as any other time. |
w. B. Harlan, like Mr.. Moores, believes it in |
jIdicious to hire day laborers. If he wants any |
work done, like fencing or cleaning up, he has |
it done by contract. He thinks dairy business |
affords more remuneration than any other |
winter work, but the man who attends to it |
ought to have some personal interest in it. 1t |
is true it requires more experienced labor and l
higher intelligence.
WI Hays said that something can be done |
every day, and cannot be put off. great deal |
of work can be done more probably in winter \
than at any other time. it is a good time. for |
instance. to pillow sod ground fer corn.
james Lee had more to do in winter than |
summer, such as feeding cattle, etc. 1t is better
for the laboring men, and they should have the |
employment. He has his material for fencing |
gotten out by the job.
S. X. Fcndall said that something can be done
in winter, even if extra help is employed. |
There is always something to do. He has often !
dug hole3 in January to set out an orchard. |
Trees can be planted any time after growth. |
1t is better to heel them in the fall and Set out
when the season is open.
John l.. Kelly said that during the winter |
months something could always be found to do. |
and it can be done cheapar, as labor costs less,
Nothing should be lett undone which should |
be done. There is, however, certain class OF
hands who will not work during the winter.
II. b. Bruins thought that there was no time |
but what there was work to do. Last winter
was a hard one, but he got great deal of work
done, and at a reduced rate, too. Some OF it
was done by contract. Employing labor in
winter benefits the whole neighborhood.
WE. Hopkins is buster in winter than sum-
mer. Hands should be employed the year
round 1t is better for the men to have con-
slant work. Unless they have steady employ
ment you cannot get them in the busy season.
If work is put off until spring the farmer will
get in hole. The hands should be paid the
same all the time.
]. b. Wysopg believed that it depended on
what the farmer had to do. If possible work
in winter should be done by contract. He
doubts whether it pays to employ many men
by the month in win,er.
S. A. Williams said much can be done in
winter. The views expressed by Messrs. Har-
Ian and Wysoug were very attractive. Some
men should be kept by the month to attend to
the regular work, such as wintering stock.
From moral standpoint hands should be con-
stantly at work. 1t is very easy for any one to
get out of the habit of working.
J. L. Mccormick keeps the same number of
men all the year. He favois contract work for
some things, such as cutting wood, fencing, &c.
Get good men and pay them good wages. 1t is
always easy 10 find plenty of work.
The next meeting of the Club will be held at
the residence of Mr.. James Lee.