The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1905-09-01

l >N'SH "ASiA ScS oAS VI AAIS
special brands applied to the growing crop
and which are usually high In price. Our
friend sees only one side of the argument
for We did not advise the indiscr:minate
use of fertilizers, for this would be folly.
Take an acre Of cheap land, for example,
located In a section where any farm pro-
duct sold for very low prices and one vas
far from market. To use commercial fer
tilizers under such circumstances would be
suicidal, but on the other hand, supposing
the same land was located within easy
distance of a market where a crop, say
potatoes, brought good prices and the land,
If properly fertilized, would produce a
good crop. Surely 1t would pay under such
circumstances to use the commercial fer
%tilizers literally. There are farms in New
england Which can be bought for low
prices which would produce profitable
fcrops II properly fertilized because the sec
ton is densely populated and the markets
are good. The same farm in more SPARSE
ly settled communities could not be
handled in the same way.
WATER ESSENTIAL FOR SHEEP.
Sheep on pasture are as much in need
of water as when in winter quarters and
enc has only to see them drink when Of
fered clean fresh water to realize their
need for it. BY far the best plan is to let
them drink from a running stream if the
water is pure but they will not do this if
the bottom is Of a character to cause mud
to come to the top hen they step in. n
portion of the stream can be arrange for
rinktng purposes in the following manner.
1t requires considerable labor but it will
pay if one has a number of sheep. Select
the proper place and build a bulkhead in
such a manner hat the sheep can reach
over 1t and drink If it is necessary for
them to step into the water in order to
reach the drinking place clean out the bed
of the stream where they are to walk and
fill 1t with gravel, making a firm bottom
which will not cast up mud. II this plan
Is not feasible then provide troughs of
some kind which may be filled from the
stream or in any handy way. Also pro-
vide little pans of salt to which the sheep
will have free access. Give them the salt
and plenty OF good water and they will
thrive on even an Indifferent pasture.
TRY THIS IN POULTRY HOUSES
Remember that with both old hens and
growing chicks cleanliness is essential dur
ing warm weather and especially so il the
flock occupies the same houses they are TO
occupy during the winter. Even though
there may not be nan weeks more OF
very warm weather it will pay to remove
the permanent windows from the houses
and substitute fine wire netting, but Or
ranging SO that the opening may be closed
In the event of a bad storm. Clean the
ilooIS SeNCFdl tlIlleS a Week ana aller eaCu
cleaning sprinkle the floor with a weak So
luton of carbolic acid. While the fowls
are on the range use whitewash freely on
rocsts, nest boxes and on the walls. Have
an old broom and scrub the cracks where
the roosts are fastened to the building
with whitewash: it would be better, how
ever, to have the roosts which could be
taken down. Find some way of letting
the sun into the poultry house as freely
as possible especially after 1t has been
cleaned. See to the water carefully. Give
it to the birds IN small quantities several
times daily and three or four times a week
scald each drinking vessel, and then put
1t in the hot sun for an hour or two. I'm
der cover somewhere have a quantity Of
clean dry saw dust two or three inches
deep and near 1t a pile Of clean straw;
the straw for them to scratch in after
wards. 1t will prevent them from mop
ing because their feet are wet and possibly
getting sick.
WINTER SHEDS FOR COWS.