The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1903-12-17

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be proper hooks provided in different parts
of the barn where a lighted lantern may
be hung without any danger of its being
Knocked down. There are a dozen other
conveniences which all farmers think of
having some time and most Of them may
be had at the expense Of a little time and
less money. Why not have them this win
ter when there is time to get them to.
gether?
and plate and through the center of the
iron circle and a bolt, shown at B, provided
which is kept in place when the tongue is
straight. When 1t is desired to turn in
either direction simply remove the bolt
and the tongue slides or the iron circle.
When the team is turned straight again
slip the bolt in place. This sliding tongue
Is a labor-saver and will cost but little.
Buying Stock Food Cheap.
Food for stock is high this winter and,
naturally, there are many dealers who are
taking advantage of the situation and
palming off mixtures which have little
yalue Here is an opportunity for every
farmer to make good use of his state ex-
pertinent station. If it is necessary to buy
stock food obtain samples, buying a bag
If necessary to get an honest sample,
and send a portion to the director Of your
IShP lli1Clll SldLiOn-lOT zen
him in a letter that you must buy food,
cannot afford to be swindled, and ask his
opinion of the sample you submit. He will
reply quickly and give you an honest and
correct opinion. He Is likely, however, to
place the value Of the food low for he will
cut out OF his calculations the manufac-
turer's profits and expenses, so II he re-
ports that the food is worth $40 a given
weight you would be reasonably safe In
paying sl5 for 1t, provided the contents
were suitable for your stock. AS a rule
avoid buying mixed foods. Buy the grains
separately for there is less chance cf mix
ing in foreign substances, and they are
more easily detected thar in the mixed
foods.
Scrub VS.. Pedigree Cows.
Breeders and others who are familiar
with pedigree cows are fond of talking
and writing about their pets. They urge
farmers to get rid of the scrub stock, buy
the pedigree stock and change their loss
In the dairy to profit. Unfortunately this
is only half the story. We are quite ready
to admit that the pedigree COW is superior
to the scrub COW, but why should any
farmer sink his money in pedigree cows
until he learns thoroughly that such ami
mails would be little better than his scrubs
under the present plan of feeding? If
those who urge the pedigree COW would
take some trouble to educate the farmer
in proper ways of feeding there would be
more pedigree cows sold than now. 1t is
the man who has learned to feed properly
who most quickly sees the value of the
well bred COW. A high bred animal is not
likely to do any better, If as well, on a
ration Of corn and corn stalks than the
scrub COW. The chances are nine out of
ten that failure to make the dairy pay is
due to improper feeding of the cows. Cor
rect this fault and one will quickly see
how much better the dairy would pay with
better COWS back OF it.
A Thousand Hen Farm.
1t is safe to say that dozens of Inquirer
come to the editor of this department
monthly about the possibilities of making
a living from the poultry industry. Most
Of the writers figure that if 100 mems will
pay S1Q0 a year profit, 1,G00 hens should
pay $1,000 a year profit. 1t does not follow
that such Is the case, for any one
who has handled a thousand hens realizes
thoroughly that 1t Is a vastly different
proposition from handling a hundred hens.
From years of experience in the poultry
business we have discovered that 1t Is
unsafe to venture beyond the number Of
hens one can care for himself; this num-
Der varies according to location and condi-
ton, but whateversth number may be
when one gets beyond 1t then comes the
question of hired labor, which cannot be
relied upon. the necessity for more watch.
fulness to avoid disease, the danger of an
epidemic If disease once gets in snd a
number Of other things which increase ex-
penses without a corresponding increase Of
income. Still, many men are 50 situated
that they could have a thousand hens and
make them profitable, I'M If such men will
start with a few and learn the business as
they go along they will find more profit
in a poultry farm with less hard labor
than In any other branch of ordinary
farming they could pursue.
The Annual Weed Fight.
All farmers agree that the annua1
growth Of weeds is the most disturbing
element in their work and many of them
get SO discouraged over the problem that
they let the scythe and the mower take
the place of eradication by cultivation.
The statement has been made that the
Russian thistle takes from the sou more
potash than would two crops Of wheat
covering the same area. Other weeds rob
the soil in the: same way or In other ways
! quite as injurious. Nor is that all; they
frequently upset the whole plan OF farm
ling, making 1t necessary at times to depart
from the crop rotations that will do the
soil the greatest amount of good@andsput
in g crop that can be cultivated In order
Ito rid the soil of the weeds. The weed
fight is an everlasting one, perhaps, but it
lis enc which no farmer can, afford to.
l%,abandon. His greatest success will come
lin making his cultivation Of hoed crops
thorough whenever they occur In his crop
rotation. Do some studying on this point
this winter and layout a-#canpaign.
against the weeds.
A Sliding Sled Tongue.
Any farmer who has occasion to use Al
Isled, either on the snow or as a stone car
rier, knows how hard 1t often is to move
it when the horses must pull In a straight
line. The sliding tongue shown In the II
listratton makes It possible to swing the;
horses so that they may pull sideways In.
either direction. A notch is cut in the top
of thegtongue and over Its placed an iron