Jasper County Democrat, Volume 7, Number 38, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 December 1904 — HINTS FOR FARMERS [ARTICLE]

HINTS FOR FARMERS

Composting Manure. As manure is full of bacteria and also contains water, decomposition and the loss of fertilizing material begin at once. If the manure is in fine condition it should be got on the land as soon ns possible that it may have its full effect. If it is composed of a mass of coarse straw or cornstalks it is not in shape to be directly utilized by the plants and must be decomposed in a well compacted heap so as to lose as little of its fertility as possible. But there is a big difference between properly composted manure and that that has been left exposed to rain and snow. The valuable fertilizing elements are soluble, and every rain that falls on manure washes out the potash and phosphoric acid, and it runs to waste, soaks into the soil where it is not needed and is lost to the farmer. Manure has a cash value, but the uverage farmer will not appreciate that fact until he has wasted his bank account by means of his manure heap.— Hoard’s Dairyman. Feeding Geese. The bill of the goose and duck is designed for the partaking of larger substances than are relished by the hen, and they do not confine their diet to a very limited variety. Geese will eat corn and oats, but food of a more bulky character is preferred. Their livers are large proportionately, and they have a very large digestive capacity. They prefer grass, especially clover, and some weeds, such as purslane, are delicacies. Ground grain moistened with milk is excellent in the early part of the year, and a little ground meat add& is always of advantage. This ground grain may be oats, corn, bran or middlings. Once a day on grain, with scalded clover at night, is sufficient. During favorable seasons turn ducks and geese on grass, and give no other foodL Too much grain prevents eggs from hatching. Sheep on the Farm.

Sheep on the ordinary or small farm should be of the mutton breeds, of which there are many. A farm herd usually consists of from twenty-five to a hundred bead <Jf sheep and If well kept will be a great source of pleasure and prove quite profitable. Farmers should breed for early lambs. There is more money in one early lamb than two late lambs, and If your ewe loses her lamb by cold weather or otherwise you get a good clip, and by May or June she is a fine mutton sheep ready for sale. Sell her. With a late lamb we have a poor clip, a poor ewe, a sorry lamb, nothing for sale, no money, and the sheep business Is a failure.— Farm and Ranch.