Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1903-12-23
AGRICULTURAL BULLETIN.
Interesting Letters from Hancock
County Farmers.

County Farmers.
MOTH sEpGwIcK-In regard TO barn con
structOu, there Is one feature that have not
seen discussed, and that is the feed floor. All
the barus that have seen either wholly or
partially boarded up 10 front of the stock,
which makes a lot of extra work In feeding and
keeping the Managers clean. find the best way
is to raise the feed noor about a foot above the
cotton of the crib. and then have the trout OF
the Manager go down on a slant so all the feed
works down TO them, and as there are no boards
in front all the chat Is s~'pl down to them and
saved and the stock also have the benefit of the
fresh air from the barn. 1 have my ue-up
boarded tight between the stanchions and In
very cold weather drop curtain IA feed sack
tackled to the stanchiou piece oyerhead) down
at each animals crib, which shuts out the cold
sufficiently when they are lying down to keep
the tie.up from freezing. raised floor works
admirably also for feeding shet p, as there is no
dropping hay on their heads ana necks filing
their wool full of dirt p. b. FRIEND.
SOUTH PESoBsCoT-I think too many neglect
their stock letting them stay out In cold storms
until late In the fall. / think stock of all kinds
should be housed as soon as the nights become
cold Through the winter | would have the
cows feds three times a day and watered twice.
The water should be In the yard II possible.
When the sun shines let them stay out short
time. would give them their feed as regularly
as possible as | find tina; when stock are fed
and watered regularly they are more healthy
and grow faster. The COW, OK or horse knows
when the time comes for his meal as well as a
man. If they are fed regularly they Will not
look for their feed until the time comes. IL
they do not get it then, they are uneasy and
fret off more flesh than you can put on.
would have place for sheep to go under cover
when they think best. They prefer to lie out
of-doors when 1t is dry, and when 1t is rainy
they know enough to go In IL chance is pro-
yided them. n. r. NORTON
AuRoRA-Much might be said In regard to
constructing tie.up for the dairy. In this
cold climate / regard warmth as the first con
sideration, convenience next. Lumber and
building paper might be used on many of our
old barns to good advantage and to the comfort
Of the stock. / fail to find any barn too warm
In winter. Poultry is taking the attention of
many small farmers in this county. Many
of our farmers are disposing of their sheep. for
various reasons. yet many good flocks are kept
The lambs sold low this fall on account of poor
pasturage but l still have faith in the sheep
business and shall keep them TO trim up the
pasture, II for nothing else. JUSTIN ARCHER.
BRooKLiN-kn important factor in the econ
omy of the farm Is the proper care OF the stock
kept thereon, from the horse, COW and OK, down
to the pigs and hens. and one cannot be too
careful that everything available Is used, that
nothing goes to waste. Be sure to have warm
quarters for all your animals, nave them well
bedded and kept dry, and DO not give them ice
water TO drink. The best bedding have found
"A "A
moss If well dried. Tie-ups or other places for
stock should be so arranged as TO utilized ali
the urine with the solid dressing. Very few
sheep are kept in this yicinity, although very
profitable branch of farming. L. T. COLE.
sRooKsvILLE-I think one mistake that most
farmers make in building barn Is that they do
not put windows enough in it. l believe any
kind of stock should have plenty of light. Have
the tie-up on the south side OF the barn, with
plenty OF windows, and give the stock the sun
as well as the light. They win seem more con-
tented and do better. think 1t is cruel TO keep
any animal In pen as dark midnight all
winter. L. c. ROBERTS.
SEDGwICK-f think most of the tie ups
around here would be much better IL they had
more floor room and were smoother. Some /
have been In are very rough. All young stock
should be treated kindly. In rearing young
stock, think they should have extra good care
the first year and plenty to eat re whole oats
good for mitch cows9 find they are good Tor
all other stock. A. III. DoRITY.
NoTE-0ats is one of the best all round feeds
that Is fed to any of the animals we have upon
the farm. Some breeders and feeders are of the
opinion that trey are worth more ground than
whole. IL Is my opinion that to feed TO cows
for the production OF milk there is nothing
better than oats. i should prefer, however, to
have them ground. AS prices now range, con-
sidering feeds in their two-fold value. both as
mils producers and for the fertiilzing value
after they have been consumed by the COW, 1t Is
a very expensive feed. Generally we would
recommend selling the oats and buying more
highly concentrated feeds. from an economical
andpoint.-Com missioner.