Democratic Sentinel, Volume 16, Number 5, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 February 1892 — REAL RURAL READING [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

REAL RURAL READING

WILL BE FOUND IN THIS DEPARTMENT. Oaring for a Bide Properly—Hired Men on the Perm—Feeding Pigs—Live stock and Dairy Notes Orchard and Gulden— Household and Kitchen. Blred Men on the Farm.

rHE daily papers have had a good deal to sav, of . late, about tle S. terrible risk •A farmers run in taking their hired men, of ' whom they know next to nothing, a into their families. Some of ff them go so far as V to say that the whole plan is wrong, and should give place to otherarrange-

ments, says the Massachusetts Plowman. On large farms this is often done. A separate table and lodging house is provided for the hired men, and they have no more to do with the family ot their employer than do the operatives in a factory with the mill owner’s family. On small farms, however, when located at a distance from town life, the farmer must at present, and probably for some time to come, board his help in his house and sit at the head of the table in person. This custom has prevailed so long among our country people that it will not easily be changed. There cam be no question whatever, that the average farmer is altogether too careless about trying to find out what sort of a man he is welcoming to the hospitality of his home; a man who is to become a member of a refined and Christian family should not object to be required to show that he is worthy of the confidence that must needs be placed in him; and the farmer who does not take pains to learn whom he is hiring is neglecting his most evident duty to his family.—Stockman.

The Gave of tildes. Farmers kill more or less beeves for home use or to sell in their nearest town or city as dressed beef. Beef is low and it should be the aim of each one to get out of eadh animal all that is in it. To do this we must begin with the outside —the hide. If a hide is taken off and properly cared for it will often bring a fifth or fourth as much as the dressed carcass. If taken off improperly and neglected it will bring very little. A hide ought to more than pay for taking it off. After the animal is dead turn it up on its back and run a sharp knife along the carcass as indicated by the dotted line in the first illustration.

To do this thrust the knife, point foremost and edge up and run the slit-the entire length of the carcass, from the chin over the breast in the line of the naval to the tail. Then slit the skin of each leg from the cleft of the foot to the central slit. If these lines are followed the hide will be the right shape to care for when removed. The horns do not go with the hide—nor does the tail bone —the tail and ears do. After the hide is removed spread it out as in the second illustration. Cut off all

pieces of fat .and flesh, (for W you are not an adeptrvou -will probably either have some such pieces on the hide or 6ome holes in it, and it is better to have meat than holes, as very flight cuts, especially at or near the center makes a badly “damaged hide” and It likewise damages the price badly) and sprinkle the flesh side with salt. Fold the hide flesh side in .and put where it will not freeze.

If the above is too much “bother” 'it is very likely the hides you remove will be the shape of the one in the third illustration, and probably it will be “hung to dry” in the same position and the price you will get—well it will be hard to get any price that will pay. Take care of the hides. —Stockman.