152 Turneps, Beets, 8fC.— Warm Houses for Cattle. Vol. IV. 



Tarneps, Beets, &©• for Seed. 



Roots, intended for seed, should not have 

 their tops cut off nor their leaves torn off. 

 The leaves should be carefully cut off with a 

 sharp knife a short distance from the top or 

 crown. We have seen ruta baga and other 

 roots set for seed that had tfie tops cut off so 

 close that they produced but very little seed. 

 No branches could start from the crown of the 

 root, which generally produces the most vi- 

 gorous, and only a few feeble ones from the 

 sides. 



Roots often decay, from exposure to air 

 and too much heat during wmter, so that 

 their life is nearly gone and they are of but 

 little value for seed. They may generally be 

 kept in a good condition by being packed in 

 boxes, casks, or bins, with layers of pure earth 

 or sand ; this will protect them from the air, 

 and prevent their heating, and as they will 

 not be so likely to freeze in this condition, 

 they may be put in a cold part of the cellar, 

 and suffer less from heat than those roots that 

 are exposed. 



We have preser\'ed roots in fine condition 

 by digging holes in dry ground about three 

 feet or more deep, and two, three or four feet 

 diameter, according to the quantity we wish 

 to put in one place, then placing alternately 

 a layer of roots and a layer of earth until the 

 roots are as near the surface as they can be 

 vvithout risk of freezing; then throw on the 

 rest of the earth, heaping it up in a round 

 pile over the roots, and pound it down close 

 with a shovel so that it may be hard enough 

 to throw off the water ; and for further pro- 

 tection against water, as it will in powerful 

 rains wear away the earth, it is best to lay a 

 few pieces of board over it in a slanting man- 

 ner. 



At the base of this heap of earth, which 

 should extend a little outside the hole, a small 

 trench should be made to carry off the water 

 that runs down from the heap, or may run 

 towards the place upon the ground. We 

 have saved roots in this way so that they 

 were in as fine condition as in the fall. As 

 they hardly touch each other they keep as 

 well as though thoy grew deep in the earth, 

 and remained through the winter; in some 

 winters when the ground has frozen little or 

 none as it was protected by snow, we have 

 observed that roots a little below the surface 

 were in good condition in the spring. 



Some persons have recommended preserv- 

 ing roots in this way, excepting instead of 

 earth among the roots to prevent their heat- 

 ing they advise making a hole at the side to 

 lef off the heated air and fill this hole with 

 stra\T to keep out the cold air. 



We cannot determine how near the roots 

 may be to the surface without freezing ; in 



some winters when heavy snows come before 

 the weather is very cold they will be safe 

 within a few inches of the surtace ; again if 

 there be no snow to protect them, and the 

 cold is very severe, the roots are liable to 

 freeze two feet below the surface, perhaps in 

 some seasons more ; so it is best to prepare 

 for the worst. In the same ways that we 

 have named, roots for eating may be well 

 preserved. — Yankee Farmer. 



Warm Houses for Cattle* 



It is evident to every observing farmer that 

 cattle ought to have a warm house during the 

 winter in''our cold climate. Much less fodder 

 is necessary to support cattle and keep them 

 in good condition if tliey have a warm place 

 in cold weather. If an animal is in a barn or 

 stable through which the wind can whistle, 

 and the snow drive, in the severe weather 

 when man needs his woollen garments, close 

 rooms and a good fire, to keep him comforta- 

 b!p,_surely they must suffer, and while suf- 

 fering they cannot thrive, and a large quan- 

 tity of fodder will be necessary to support 

 life. 



But in making the cattle house warm, it 

 must not be forgotten that animals, as wella^ 

 men, need pure air to breathe, and a number 

 of large animals require a large quantity of 

 this reTiuisite of life. To give the advantages 

 of a warm house and pure air for respiration 

 it should be open in fi-ont, at least for a few 

 feet in width, near the heads of the cattle 

 and all other parts should be made close anc 

 warm as possible. 



It is very important that the cold air shoulc 

 be excluded from under the house, both or 

 account of its rendermg the cattle uncomforta' 

 ble and causing the manure to freeze to th( 

 floor. Some sheds in which cattle are shel 

 tcred are left open at top, when they mighi 

 be rendered comfortable in a very little time 

 by laying even a coarse floor and throwing 

 some fodder on it. When the boarding is 

 open, the tie vp may be made warm for a time 

 by plastering with green manure, and thi; 

 method, with close attention to repairs during 

 the winter, is much better than none in keep 

 ing the poor animals warm ; but the bett<'i 

 way is to have a good tight boarding or sonic 

 batterns to ?top the cracks, as tliese will bi- 

 permanent imptovements that will save men 

 than twice the expense in one season. — Jb. 



If you wish to preserve fine teeth, alway; 

 clean them thoroughly after eating your m 

 meal at night. 



Add not trouble to the grief worn heart 

 Bolter to be alone than in bad company. 



