46 



THE FARMER'S MONTHLY VISITOR. 



Tlie advantages from this kind of construction 

 are, tliat there would, it is believed, be no ruts ; 

 the sand on ilie sides being luglier than in the 

 centre would be continually tilling them. The 

 water would b6 carried otT in the centre, and in so 

 porous a soil could do no damage if proper preven- 

 ter drains were made outside of the road to carry 

 ofFal! the water except what fell upon the road it- 

 self. , ^^ 



The best covered drains for roads arc made by 

 laying stone sides covered with split cedars about 

 four fest in length, or flat stones. 



In repairing roads it is very seldom they should 

 be broken up with the p'ougli provided they have 

 been once well made. Taking off the shoulder 

 that time has gradually formed on the sides of the 

 side ditches witii a pick-axe and shovel, and throw- 

 ing it into the centre, will restore the road to its 

 former shape at less expense. Where this will not 

 furnish earth enough, it is better to obtain it from 

 the crown of the small hills on the road, thus low- 

 ering the hills by repair of the roads. For this pur- 

 pose single horse carts ought to be used unless for a 

 very short distance and then hand carts are to be 

 preferred. 



The cast iron plough A 2 1-2 Howard's or 

 Nourse's of tlie same size are the best. A larger 

 one requires more team than is profitable. Long 

 handled Irish shovels are the only ones that ought 

 to be used. 



Your obedient servant, 



EDWAliDS. JARVIS. 



For llie Fanner's Muiithly Visili.r. 

 Mr. Editor, — Sir : — As the accumulation of ma- 

 nures is or ought to be the first object of the farmer, 

 1 will with with your consent point out one com- 

 mon error as regards this most u.seful article. It 

 is this ; farmers make a practice of carting off their 

 straw and selling it to the stable and tavern keep- 

 ers for about three dollars a ton. Now if this straw 

 should be used at home for the purpose of littering 

 their own stock, it would make at least one cord 

 of good manure, as good if not better than is sold at 

 the"f tables for three dollars, which at the same lime- 

 will cost two dollars to remove and one dollar for 

 the transportation. Thus the farmer who exchang- 

 es his straw for manure loses by tin; bargain at 

 least three dollars on every ton, besides depriving 

 his cattle of a warm dry bed when they greatly 

 stand in need of it to enable them to retain their 

 health and flesh. The farmer who sells his straw 

 and purchases no manure is a loser in a still great- 

 er measure in the opinion of 



A YOUNG FARMER. 



A chapter on Roads, DAvelling Houses, &c. 



'I'o the Eililor of tlie Visilor. 



Sir, — In your travels about the country, the fact 

 may have come under observation, that in no 

 branch of domestic economy and arrangement did 

 proprietors of the soil fifty or an hundred years 

 since more sadly err than in the courses of their 

 roads, and the location, form, size, and internal ar- 

 rangement of tlicir habitations. They seem, in very 

 nrany iiistancc», to have selected places upon wliich 

 to build, at the summit of swells of greater or less 

 difficulty of access ; and this plan being often a- 

 dopted, many of our roads, as a necessary conse- 

 quence, even to this day, arc over hills, or swells 

 of land, at all seasons hard to ascend and descend ■, 

 in winter extremely blfak, and often blocked up 

 witli driving snow. 



The farm, and even other houses, now standing 

 of a former age, and indeed many of modern fin- 

 ish, are not planned or located with due regard to 

 economy, comfort and convenience. Far other- 

 wise ; for in addition to being unnecessarily large, 

 in a multitude of cases they are placed as if great- 

 er regard was manifested for enjoying summer 

 breezes than that their inmates should bo shielded 

 from the searching blasts of winter. Tliis is cer 

 taiiily wrong. The reverse should occupy the at 

 tention of every person who is purposing to build 

 — particularly an agriculturist; and so far as his 

 trrounds will possibly admit, have in view to guard 

 against the rigors of winter, rather than court the 

 breezes of the summer solstice. 



It is very common to observe, say upon bleal 

 highways running from east to west, over which 

 north, north-west or north-east winds sweep with 

 violence, largo and cold farm houses and farm 

 buildings, upon the sovth sides of such roads; — the 

 house fronting the north ; its doors [ilaceii in front 

 and at the west end ; the barns, (or the flocks and 

 herds therein,) exposed to cutting blasts ; sheds in 

 uncomfortable positions ; the well just as likely as 

 otherwise, across the road ; in short, the entire es- 

 tablishment badly planned at first, and unwisely 

 Butferedto remain from generation to generation. 



Fanners, and all other inhabitants living upon 

 these swells of land are now beginning to be put 

 to much additional toil and expense through the 

 erroneous judgment of those who have gone be- 

 fore: for in addition to inconveniences arising from 

 a false taste in building, they are put to the task of 

 drawing most of their timber and fuel from the val- 

 leys to the hill top ; and, indeed, the "balance of 

 trade" is much against them throughout all their 

 agricultural or mechanical operations, in this up- 

 hill and downhill transportation. The authorities, 

 moreover, from time to time, change the course of 

 roads from the hills to valleys : and dwellers upon 

 the old lilirh roads are subject to new inconven- 

 ience ; and have abundant reason, doubtless, to la- 

 ment the want of due discrimination in those whose 

 "lands, tenements and hereditaments" they are now 

 owning or occupying. 



There is, perhaps, no one thing, in our rigid cli- 

 mate, that requires more care than the proper loca- 

 tion and internal finish and arrangement of human 

 habitations. It is so with all ; the tanner no less 

 — it may be more — than respects other men ; but 

 the subject does not receive that attention which its 

 importance demands, or which is perceptible in ma- 

 ny other descriptions of men's calculation and in- 

 dustry. 



So far as circumstances will admit, ought not a 

 change to be efi'ected in the size and location of 

 farm houses and outbuildings, and the attention of 

 a<Tricultunsts turned to the importance of good 

 husbandry in a matter which in many instances is 

 sadly neglected .^ It is, indeed, worthy of Hn/nc- 

 diate consideration by every man who has wood 

 and timber lands, and such as are dwelling in large 

 and cold mansions, with those capacious fire- 

 places into which a person can go and look up to 

 blue sky through the ample flue, whether they can, 

 n the long run, " save in a surer way than to re- 

 move forthwith their houses, and save the surplus 

 fire-wood for sale, or to grow upon their lands for 

 the use of their children or children's children? 



However strange it may seem, there arc farm 

 houses near villages, and even uil/iin a few viilrs 

 of our Slate cajiitol, to furnish which with fire-wood 

 for a year requires forty, fifty and sixty cords ; and 

 even with such enormous supplies the inmates are 

 by no means so comfortable as, under other cir- 

 cumstances, they would be with one quarter or one 

 fifth the quantity. This, too, in many cases, where 

 markets for wood are accessible, and where it sells 

 quick and for cash. 



Tlie lubor, even, to supply such houses with fuel 

 is very great, aside from the time employed in hous- 

 ing and handling so much ; and were nothing but 

 personal toil taken into the account, it would seem 

 alone suflicient to induce people to be at an outlay 

 of some expenditure that their houses might be put 

 in a condition to render the great labor no longer 

 necessary. 



Every generation of men is accustomed to ridi- 

 cule — ollen without adequate cause — many of the 

 wt.irks of their predecessors ; yet it can be said, 

 with perfect correctness, and without giving of- 

 fence to any one, (for the error was committed by 

 those whose "dull cold ear" can never more be dis- 

 turbed by mortal tongues) that the old churches, 

 and farm houses of iVew Kngland -ive evidence 

 rather of abundance of wood and timber at the time 

 of their construction, than ordinary foresight in the 

 builders thereof. It will, doubtless, long jiuzzle 

 the 'wisdom of the wise,' to ascertain whence they 

 derived the order of architecture displayed in the 

 houses they, with pious and devout hearts, dedicat- 

 ed to linn who inhabiteth a "temple not made with 

 hands, eternal in the heavens," and our ingenuity 

 is no less tasked to discover the reasons which in- 

 duced them to build their dwellings in such la- 

 mentable bad taste, and place them in so uninvit- 

 ing positions. 



Tiiese disconnected remarks are submitted for 

 your publication, in the hope that Uiey may be of 

 service in drawing some practical su^i^cstionsfrom 

 vour correspondents, regarding tile [test plans for 

 constructing farm houses, &c. : their location, and 

 whatever else comes home to "men's business and 

 bosoms" in the premises. 

 Feb. Itf40. 



a smaller fibre than a fat one, can be readily dis- 

 covered by common observation. 



It frequently happens that the extremities of the 

 wool and also those portions which are near the 

 root are larger than the intermediate parts. The 

 extremities of the fibre have generally the greatest 

 bulk of all. It is produced lu summer when the 

 secretion of the yolk and matter for wool is increas- 

 ed, and when the pores of the skin are relaxed and 

 open, and permit a larger fibre to protrude. The 

 sheep at this time in general are better able to fur- 

 nish nourishment adapted for the fleece. In the 

 winter months sheep are not generally in so thriv- 

 ing condition : they sufl*er more from storms and 

 cold ; the pores of the skin become contracted ; at 

 the same time there is less for the ffeece to feed 

 upon, it is not only retarded in its growth, but a 

 finer hair is permitted to escape. That portion near 

 the root is the growth of spring when the weather 

 is getting warm. 



When the animal is well sheltered and fed, the 

 diminution of the growth and bulk of the fibre will 

 not follow ; but let cold and starvation go hand in 

 hand, and the wooly fibre will not only diminish 

 in bulk but in strength and value. 



The variation in the diameter of wool in the dif- 

 ferent parts of the fibre will correspond with the 

 degree of heat and cold in connexion with the 

 flourishing condition of the sheep at the time it is 

 produced. 



Sheep, like other animals, produce a coarser fleece 

 in hot climates than they would carry in a cold 

 one. It would not only be finer, but also a closer 

 and warmer fleece. The openness of wool gener- 

 ally corresponds with its coarseness: the finer, com- 

 pact and more pliable will better resist the frosts 

 and driving storms. 



We have said enough to convince even a man of 

 slight observation, that it is for our benefit as well 

 as duty and pleasure to provide these useful ani- 

 mals with a shelter when placed in exposed situa- 

 tions ; and the material alteration in the fibres of 

 the wool advises us to provide our flocks with a 

 shade and defence against the rays of a meridian 

 sun also. 



The bodies of sheep contract and expand as the 

 climate and exposure varies : a fat sheep does not 

 discover its good qualities nor handle as well in a 

 cold day as it does in a warm one. The muscles 

 of the hand are also more contractive, which de- 

 prives us in a measure of the same power of feel- 

 ing that we should have in a warm day. We are 

 therefore liable to be deceived by the contrast 

 in the handling of sheep in various weather. 



The oil or yolk is absorbed in the fleece and re- 

 turns to the body according to the demand and 

 sujtply in various weather also. This stimulates 

 the grower to profit by adding weight and softness 

 to the fleece in selecting a day for shearing when 

 there is a scorching sun. I'he same rule holds 

 good in washing. If the grower is desirous of re- 

 taining the oil, he will select a ceol day, and not 

 over heat the sheep in driving them to the water. 

 Respectfully yours, 



SOLOMON N. JEWETT. 



tleijbrldge^ J't.^ Januunj 7)th^ 1810. 



Sheep. Advautnges of shelter, &c. 



Isaac llii.i., — Sir: — The advantage gained by 

 sheltering sheep are greater than are generally al- 

 lowed by our common wool growers. Wool, like 

 the valuable prdouctions of the earth, requires 

 nursing. The quantity and quality depends up(m 

 the manner in which the sheep are numaged ; like 

 a field of grain, where there is a plenty to feed up- 

 on and a warm soil, the stalks will be multiplied 

 and enlarged. That a Ihiu sheep has less wool and 



Jt'cijbridje, J't., JiDiuari/ 1Z<, 1840. 



Sheep poisoned ; scours auil loot rot to 

 cute. 



Sliecp are frequently poisoned by •ating common 

 laurel (cahnia latiJ'oUa) more especially when on 

 drift. 



■ Symptoms. Grating the teeth and a desire to 

 vomit, and sometimes the lips are colored green. 

 Treatment. Immediately upon attack give the 

 sheep a dose of fine tobacco and lard mixed, one 

 spoonful ; or either, if both are not at hand. It will 

 assist them to throw off the poison : or give the 

 sick animal a strong tea made of mountain dittany 

 (cunila mareana) hike warm. This simple reme- 

 dy has been known to recover sheep in the last 

 stages of the disorder. Those fiiriiiers and drovers 

 whose cattle and sheep are in danger of being poi- 

 soned, would do well to procure and dry a quanti- 

 ty of dittany intlie summer ; the latter part of the 

 season and winter they are the most likely to be 

 afl'ectod. 



Looseness in sheep or scours, is one of the most 

 sudden and rapid disorders that attacks them; es- 

 pecially thin sheep and lambs. It is generally 

 caused by eating raw or early cut hay. The best 

 method to prevent and to cure is, to give them dai- 

 ly, a few messes of wheat in the sheaf, a regular 

 quantity of salt at all times. If it occurs in the 

 winter, brine ripe hay in the seed : wheat chafi' is 

 good, so is a small quantity of oats, and a few pine 

 or hemlock tops. Keep them a few days on ripe 

 hay or corn fodder. 



Fool rot — in winter is easily cured, because when 

 the infection freezes its vitality is destroyed. With 



