Jasper County Democrat, Volume 12, Number 75, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 January 1910 — HINTS FOR FARMERS [ARTICLE]

HINTS FOR FARMERS

Winter Feed For Cows. Every one who knows anything about the tastes of the cow knows that she prefers good, succulent grass, such as grows in the summer. But in the winter this cannot be provided. An excellent substitute, however, can ba made in nearly every section of the Country. Many of the roots, if given in connection with bay or corn fodder, add a great deal of succulence. Mangels, carrots and the like make a very good substitute. Pumpkins and potatoes even will do when ’other roots cannot be obtained. Turnips are very good, but if too many are fed the milk will have a very objectionable taste. The following ration is an excellent one for the dairy cow in winter: Eight to ten pounds of good clover hay, thirty pounds of corn silage, fifteen to twenty pounds of mangels and eight to ten pounds of corn and oats chop. This la a maximum amount. Some animals may not require so much feed .aa this. The next requisite is pure water in plentiful supply. Then the cow should have plenty of salt and be treated kindly. It is usually the case that when a man attends properly to salting the cows he will treat them kindly in other respects.— Farm Progress.

The Farm Ice Supply. Avoid slush or snow ice as much as possible. Watch for those several days of continuous hard freezing, then tap the ice field at its best, writes a Michigan farmer in American Agriculturist. Six inch ice is, of course, good, but eighteen inch is better, as the thicker the cake the better its keeping quality. Clear the field of snow and with either line or straight edge mark off the cakes to be cut, using any sharp pointed instrument for the marking. An old file makes a good tool for the purpose. Mark the field off into eighteen inch squares, being careful to have the cakes cut exactly to measure, for in no other way can close storage be accomplished. Cut out corner cake with an ax and start the saw exactly on the line, holding saw straight up and down. Remove one handle from the saw and in its place attach a small weight, said weight adding much to the rapidity of the sawing. Two pairs of ice tongs at about 50 cents each complete the outfit for the farmer’s ice harvest.

Horse Notes. A horse cannot rest well lying down In a narrow stall. It is just as easy to speak kindly to a horse as to swear at him. If manure smells very strong when voided, something is wrong with the feeding. Scrape the dried sweat from the collars every day and keep them smooth and pliable. Horses stabled in a close, badly ventilated barn will come out in the morning dull and stupid. If your horse comes into the stable warm and tired, feed him no grain for at least an hour. When a long drive is expected, do not feed quite as much as usual. The horse will travel better. Trimming Fruit Trees In Winter. With apples and most fruit trees and shrubs trimming may as well be done In winter as at any other time. There are two decided advantages in winter trimming. One is that there is more time for the work at that season, and the other is that foliage and fruit do not interfere with the work. Since the cuts are made some weeks before new growth and healing begin it is well to paint the scars to keep out water, dust and germs that might cause decay.

Diseases of Fowls. Most of the diseases that afflict fowls are the result of carelessness and Indifference on tbe part of the owner as regards the surroundings and conditions of his poultry, says American Cultivator. No poultry will show to advantage on the credit aide of the cash account unless they are healthy and well cared for. How to prevent disease should be the watchword rather than how to cure disease.