The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1900-09-11
GETTING IN READINESS FOR WINTER

Correspondence of The Progressive Farmer.
The shortening days admonish us
that autumn is at hand to be soon
followed by the long season of
winter.
The few months devoted to the
growth of crops, the most important
ones of the year, have been busy
ones, quickly passed and now will
soon come the time for disposing of
them, either by selling or feeding on
the farm. Tt is well 10 begin in time
to plan for the winter months soon
| to come.
AS the best market for a goodly
portion of these crops will be found
on the farm, it becomes farmers to
so manage their business as to make
the most of this method possible. If
the season has been occupied in
growing crops to be fed on the farm,
expecting compensation therefor in
the form of dairy or animal products,
this should be done in a manner that
will insure the largest returns, and
at the same time not deplete the
farm, but rather improve it.
1t is to be supposed that the crops
have been secured in the best pos
sible manner for use, and that it is
the intention to make the most from
them. To what use they shall be
devoted will depend on the kind of
farming pursued; the production of
beef the raising of horses the keep
ing of sheep; or whether a system of
mixed farming is followed.
With any or all of these branches
there SHOULD be first of all suitable
accommodations, as much of the ex-
pected success will depend in con-
siderable measure on this.
Good barns and stables, sufficiently
warm, we'll lighted and ventilated,
with conveniences for feeding, mean
a good deal in the. saving of labor
and the comfort of animals, where
the best returns are expected for
both fed and care. Some outlay
may be required at first in order to
secure these conditions, but it will
be of kind that will pay, proving a
continual source of satisfaction and
profit to the owner, as well as of
comfort to the animals under his
care.
With these conditions the farmer
is to a great extent independent of
outside influences. Be the weather
what it may his stock is safely shell
tered and properly fed and cared for,
with almost perfect immunity from
the casualties and losses that so often
occur in those parts of the country
where there is no suitable provision
for the protection and care of ami
mails.
With these arrangements perfected
for the care of stock, there should be
a great. saving of labor and fodder.
The last, being properly cured and
cared for, can be fed to much better
advantage and with comparatively
little loss. This will mean much to
the farmer in dollars and cents as
more stock can be kept on the same
feed than by the old methods of
feeding out of clovers, or in the fields.
Another thing, with this method of
suitable quarters for stock will come
other advantages that will be of
value to the farmer. There will be
better class of animals kept, on
which to expend feed and care, and
this will mean better results in re-
turn, and that is what is wanted and
should be earnestly sought for as the
end for our labor.
With the keeping of stock in barns
in winter there will be an opportun-
itY for the making and saving of fer
tilizers never dreamed of before,
which when judiciously used will
mean gradual Improvement in soil
and crops, instead of continual de-
terioration, as is too often expert
enced where the conveniences de-
scribed are not possessed nor gen
erous policy pursued.
Now is the time, before the cold
stormy weather of winter is at hand
and there comes an unexpected de-
mand for these accommodations, to
attend to this work for fore warned
is fore armed, " you know.
E. r. TOWLE.
With everything conveniently ar