Jasper County Democrat, Volume 10, Number 22, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 August 1907 — HINTS FOR FARMERS [ARTICLE]

HINTS FOR FARMERS

Grass Fattened Beef. An eastern experiment station recently finished an experiment to test | the relative cost of stall fattening ateers In the winter or simply maintaining steers through that season and finishing them on grass in the summer. It was found that by the last method weight was produced at an average of nearly 3 cents a pound less than by winter fattening, and the grass fed beef brought approximately the same price as the other. This confirms the frequent contention, says Farm, Stock and Home, that the policy of selling yearling feeders from farms early In the spring, a common practice, is pour economy for the reason that grass made weight is at the least cost, and this Is especially true when the animals are in their second year. X _• Dangers of Improper Milking. Cows that are Imperfectly milked from whatever cause, either carelessness or milking from the fault of the milker or from the difficult task by reason of the anatomical construction of the udder, are converted into worthless animals. The milk that remains in the udder from imperfect milking is that which Is held by the small pouches or milk vesicles high up in the bag and will form a curd that will excite inflammation and destroy the secreting function of Its mucous lining or cause the adhesive and complete closure of the cavity or pouch. Seasonal Variation of Milk. The seasonal variation In cow’s milk, ascertained from a five years’ stody in a herd of about 600 cows, all registered or graded Jerseys, on a New York estate, disclosed "the rather Interesting fact that the richest milk, that containing the greatest proportion of fats and total solids, Is obtained during December, January and February, In the order named. March and April are not very far behind, but the decrease is practically continuous until July, when it reaches its low level, after which follows a gradual monthly Increase until December.

Care of Farm Tools. The following preparation applied to the surface will prevent any rusting on plows or any other metal surface: Melt one ounce of resin In a gill of linseed oil and when hot mix with two quarts of kerosene. This can be kept on hand and applied In a moment with a brush or rag to the metal surface of any tool that is not going to be used for a few days, preventing any rust and saving much vexation when it is to be used again. Sheep Notes. Select a ram with plenty of heart" girth. Don’t deny your flock shade and water, and don’t forget salt Timothy hay is not suitable for sheep, but clover hay has no peer. One dram of powdered ginger and one dram of laudanum is a splendid remedy for colic. There are few farms these days on which sheep cannot be kqpt with a certainty of profit Hay Good For Hogs. But'few farmers would consider hay as a suitable feed for hogs, but the Kansas experiment station reports better results, from a mixture of alfalfa hay and Kaffir com than from Kaffir corn only. The hay was fed dry In forkfuls and the pigs were given an abundance. They picked out the leaves and finer stems, rejecting the coarser portions. It was decided that pasture in summer and hay in winter would produce pork cheaply. Waterproof Paint. The following recipe for a waterproof paint for wood or stone will be found reliable: Melt twelve ounces of resin; mix it thoroughly with six gallons of fish oil and one pound of melted sulphur; mix some ocher or any other coloring substance with a little linseed oil, enough to give it tbe right color and thickness. Apply several coats of the hot composition with a brush, tbe first coat Bhould be very thin.

Boot Pulp as a Dairy Food. Dried beet pulp from beet sugar tnills is becoming popular among dairymen ln some localities. Tbe pulp is soaked in water about six hours before feeding, and five pounds of pulp will take up nearly four gallons of water. It makes a bulky, juicy feed for winter, especially relished where there Is no silage or root crops ln the ration. It Is claimed that the same material is a /good food for sheep, hogs and poultry- . j.