The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1904-01-29

to form the proper balance. Yet this
same man protests when It is suggested
that the same rule should apply to lay
Ing hens. The proper feeding Of poultry
II not so difficult as one would think, nor
40 the feeding of any animal, for that mat
ter. II one possesses a knowledge OF the
needs OF the animal he is feeding, he will
readily find out what foods win supply
such needs. Feed the variety of grains
by all means as well as an occasional sup
Fly Of animal feed. but do not overlook
the need for green food. This same rule
works the other way, 80 do not attempt to
at the expense of the animal food. In
some way get at the properly balanced
ration and then profitable results will fol-
low.
Winter Fruit Tree Pruning.
While the early spring pruning
the summer pinching back OF the small
shoots covers the main pruning Of the
fruit trees, much good work may be done
d%uringing the open days OF winter which
will. at least, saw time in the spring.
Brokne limbs may be removed and many
Of the inside limbs which are overlapping
the fruiting tw1gs can be- cut OF during
the winter as well as in the spring. The
WOih u pruning BLOulQ always DC zone
With a saw on limbs too large to cut with
a sharp knife. In pruning saw from the
underside Of the limb first. saving up q
quarter or half through, finishing from
the top. This will result In a clean cut
and there will be no splintering as would
be the case II a heavy limb was cut
through from the top. In the winter
pruning Of orchards keep your eyes open
and note the condition of the tree &c
that at the proper time any remedy for
any trouble found may be applied.
Raising Egus for High Prices.
The poultryman who has handled his
fowls just right IL reaping the benefit of
the high prices at which eggs are now
selling. < b hens are not laying and
they are of an age when they should b,
the thing to do Is to zee that the houses
they occupy are warm and free from
draughts: then look Into the food ques-
ton closely and sec that the rations fur
nish the egg producing and egg making
qualities and that they are properly given:
that Is, not too much or too little. Supply
fresh, warm water, plenty Of grit and q
dust box and keep the houses and the
hens FREQ from lice. These things dom
regularly for several weeks will bring the
eggs. II not, then the hens should go to
the carcass market as soon a. possible
30 that the expense OF feeding them may
be cut Of. This may be an heroic REM
edy, but the fact remain hat IL q hen
cared for on the lines indicated does not
lay, provided. Of course. that she Is well
and at a laying age, she has no part in
the operation of the farm for profit and
should be turned into money az noon ~
possible.
Watering Cows in Winter.
1t is not a pleasant sight to see . lot Of
COWS In the barn yard with their noses
thrust through a hole broken in the Ice
covering a tub Of water, Eor Is It any
wonder that such COWS are poor milk
ers. Years ago the writer worked on the
old-time plan of watering COWS once q
day. at noon: after q time he tried the
plan Of watering them twice daily; then
the plan was tried Of furnishing water
three times daily during the winter and
q comparison of results showed that It
paid well. The water given at morning
and night Is nearly warm and the cow
seem to enjoy it greatly during cold days.
That given at noon is colder, but the chill
Is removed and the animals drink IT free
ly.. OF course 1t 10 considerable work 20
water COWS in this Manner: but II n has
q number of animals some contrivanca
can be put In operation which will make
the work comparatively easy. Try It for
the next two or three months, watch re-
suits in the milk pail and YOU will agree
that It pays.
Keeping Up Humus Supplies.
Except on soils nearly or quite virgin
there are few farms where humus cannot
be used by the soil to great advantage.
In many sections where commercial fer
filters have been used for years, to tho
exclusion OF stable manures. 1t has been
found necessary to grow green crops for
blowing under. Where the green crops
are used as q part Of the rotation. so to
speak, the exclusive use Of commercial
fertilizers can probably be safely con-
tinued. The writer has found the best re-
suits to come from the combined use OF
stable manures and commercial manures,
using the former for blowing under In
the spring and the latter for top dressing
or working in just under the surface az
the crop grows. In his the hn-
mus required by h soil IL supplied and
the fertilizing value of the manure a.
well. Don't overlook the hurnus question
II you would keep no farm UP to the
highest standard.
Helps for Ruteherin1 Time.
There Is more or less work in the killing
OF small animals during the winter On
many farms and always the annual
butchering. although 1t Ia getting to be
quite the fashion In the more thickly set
tied portions of the country to sell the
hogs in the fall and buy the meat back
from the tow butcher at double price
during the winter. Where there Is more
or less butchering to be done n should
have for ready use a large boiler OF some
kind 80 that a quantity of water may be
heated at one time; tools such as knives
saws n other things used should b.
kept in proper shape and everything be
in readiness so that the lard and dis.
agreeable work may be over with AZ soor
as possible. The illustration shows 8
rack for hanging the carcass Of an ami,
NAL which should be on every farm where
butchering 10 done. It needs but little
description. A post eight or ten inche,
through and Eve or six feet high il se,
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