Jasper County Democrat, Volume 8, Number 51, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 March 1906 — HINTS FOR FARMERS [ARTICLE]

HINTS FOR FARMERS

Tke Ewes la Sprtaf. During recent years it has been a practice to slip ewes as soon as possible after the lambing season, and we have been well satisfied with the result, writes a correspondent of American Cultivator. The wool presents a much better appearance and is free from weak spots. It Is well known that It Is difficult to keep a good milking ewe from going down In flesh, and this is sure to weaken the strength of the staple. The ewes must necessarily be stabled much of the time, and the lambs soon begin to tramp over them when lying, which soils and injures the wool. We clip without washing and select a mild spell of weather for doing It, and when they have been clipped for a few days a cold flurry does not seem to affect them, but If out when a rain comes they rapidly gather to the shed, and this Is a decided advantage to the lambs, as they will often remain out If not clipped until the lambs are very cold. After clipping both the ewes and lambs seem to Improve more rapidly. Sore Month In Pis*. Sore mouth will kill quicker than scours, although the disease is not so prevalent, says Farm Progress. A case of cankered sore mouth is about as bad as thumps and If not looked after at once will soon result fatally. One of the best and surest remedies is crude carbolic acid. After washing out the sore places thoroughly take a swab made of old cloth and bathe the affected parts with carbolic acid twice a day. Most cases of sore mouth are caused by pigs fighting each other before they are forty-eight hours old, and It Is a good plan to take out the sharp teeth with which the pigs are armed even when they are born. If these teeth are properly removed the pigs cannot hurt each other or bite the dam. .Of course It is a difficult undertaking, and the farmer should Judge for himself If the situation Is such ns to warrant tills trouble.

Good Frolt Psyi. From time to time the wall goes up that fruit growing does not pay, that it is overdone, that the market is glutted and in consequence the fruit has to be taken to the tip. If one has sufficient curiosity to take a run down to the markets in order to probe deep'er into this matter he will see so much Inferior fruit being offered for sale, for anything it will bring, that he is struck dumb with wonder as to how the producers of fruit of such inferior quality can make a living out of it and that, If they cannot produce anything better, the wonder is that they had not given up fruit growing long before.—American Cultivator.

Watering; Horses. A horse should always be allowed to quench his thirst after coming in from work even if he is hot, says W. It. Ctllbert in Kentucky Stock Farm. A very general opinion exists that it is injurious to water horses when they come In In a heated state, and they are therefore in many instances not watered until they have somewhat cooled down. This opinion is fallacious, as it does not hurt horses to drink cold water directly they return from work. It is, however, hurtful to let a horse drink after he is partly cooled down, and this practice is very liable to cause a chill to the system.

Baltins Pregnant Ewes. The flockmaster should see that his ewe flock Is regularly and plentifully salted, writes a Michigan farmer in National Stockman. Salt is one of the elements the body requires and particularly with ewes during pregnancy. It operates to stimulate the appetite and directly assists the digestive tract in the assimilation of food. During winter, when ewes are confined to dry fodder, salt is perhaps more essential than at other seasons of the year. Not only is the health of the ewes influenced by the importance of salt, but the offspring as well.

Ferdinff Duckn. We have heard it said that ducks will neither grow, fatten nor lay well unless they are somewhat stinted in their food. They should never have more than Is readily eateu up. No fowl of any kind should l>d overfed when a good egg product is desired. No fowl will grow fust or fatten that is underfed. But proper feeding for eggs and proper feeding for producing weight are two different matters.—Country Gentleman.

The Color Sign For s Rich Milker. A pronounced and deep yellow color of the skin of the ears and at the hare parts covered by the tail is usually considered to be an indication that the cow in question yields a rich milk, and this opinion is certainly based upon practical observation. Breeders of channel islands cattle lay n great deal of stress upon the Bkln of the parts named being colored a deep yellow and attach much Importance to it

Care of the Foal. A foal should not be allowed to run with its dam while the latter is at work, but should remain in a roomy, well lighted box stall and be taught to eat onts mixed with a little bran, water being within reach. The Fastnre. Horses will not thrive in pustures where the water supply Is limited to stagnant, muddy pools uo matter how abundant the feed and how good the quality of the grasses. Experleace Teaches. The progressive farmer 1* the one who 1b willing to make failures and thereby gain experience.