Democratic Sentinel, Volume 2, Number 51, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 January 1879 — FARM NOTES. [ARTICLE]

FARM NOTES.

Hints tar the Snason[From the Burst New Yorker.] Care of Cellars.-—-If they are too cold, bank np the outside with something, or place a double thickness of newspapers, over the windows. This lets in some light and prevents the escape of heat. A double floor or fire in the room over the cellar, will help to keep out the frost. A kerosene stove in the cellar may be used in extreme cases. Ventilate on suitable days, and clean out decaying vegetables and fruits. Engage Help.—Look about early in the season, and get your pick of hands in the market. Make a written bargain in detail, no matter if you are well acquainted. This will prevent misunderstanding. . The man agrees to remain a certain number of months; to perform certain chores Sunday or holidays; to start about such an hour in the morning, and close at such an hour in the evening. If, in case of an emergency, he works longer, he may have certain privileges to compensate for it. In case he quits before his time is out, he only receives a certain stipulated sum. Calves and Sheep.—Lard and kerosene are good to keep lice from calves; sulphur mixed with salt is good to drive ticks from sheep. Calves, like all animals, should be kept growing from birth to maturity. Here is one place where the profit comes in. There is always a loss of time and feed and more, too, by allowing young animals to “ stand still ” for six months or more of the year. Sheep are well clothed and need shelter from snow and rain, and perhaps Irom the very strongest winds, but cold agrees with them. Feed them well; give them plenty of water, in small flocks; keep them dry, and they may stay out in the cold and thrive. A clos a, dark pen is a poor place for sheep. Wood, Tools, Ice.—Cut a supply at wood, posts, rails and logs for lumber, ready to be moved easily on the advent of sleighing. No thrifty farmer will leave these things to be done in the busier seasons. Get wagons and buggies repaired and painted, as well as tools and implements for summer use. Make stone-boats, cut handspikes and stakes, and get ready everything which can be got ready. Snow may be scraped from the ice to keep it clear and allow it to freeze thick. If you have never tried it, build a cheap ice-house, and enjoy a cheap luxury next summer. The cakes should be cut of even size, and set on edge close together. There should be perfect drainage at the bottom, but no access of air. Around all, place a layer of eighteen inches of sawdust.

Look Behind and Before.—Now is the time to make plans for the campaign of 1879. Take an inventory of the farm-ctock and everything on hand. If this has never been done before, the proprietor will doubtless be surprised to find how much he owns. Straighten up the books, and the little debts; and collect those due from neighbors. Small accounts should not run long. Trust not to memory. Arrange the books for the business of the year. Study over the plans considerably in detail, and do not wait till the ground is ready to plow before deciding what to do. Look over the past and study the good hints and the failures—whether all was done to the best advantage; whether there was too little or too much help. This should lead to better plans for the future. Nothing can bring JArger returns, for the time, than a few weeks spent in accordance with the above suggestions. Cows.—Treat them generously and kindly, but do not keep them fat, unless they are to be turned off for beef. A cow is a machine, a laboratory for converting raw materials into milk. If little be giv. n, little will be received. All animals should have exercise, especially those kept for breeding. Some of them are naturally lazy, but they will be the better for stirring about in the open air. It is cruel to keep animals tied up or shut up foridays at a time. They need light, too. Direct sunshine exerts a powerful influence for good on animals as well as on plants. Do not overlook a good supply of pure water two or three times a day; on good ventilation and proper clearing of stables. When the ground is frozen and covered with snow it may be well enough, on pleasant days, to scatter the fodder, and allow the stock plenty of room to pick it up, but, when it is muddy, no one but a sloven will fedder on the ground. Good racks should be made for the sake of convenience and economy.