82 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



Feb. 



ture ; have introduced valuable breeds of an- 

 imals ; invented labor-saving implements ; cul- 

 tivated new fruits, vegetables, grains, grasses, 

 &c., but as they pass from the stage they are 

 soon forgotten. 



When there were few associations of far- 

 mers in the country, and few publications de- 

 voted to their interest, this may have been un- 

 avoidable. But now, with agricultural Socie- 

 ties or Boards in nearly every State and county, 

 and in many tov/ns, we believe that something 

 may be done towards introducing that "ani- 

 mating spirit of collective bodies" which the 

 French call "esprit decorps,'''' but for which un- 

 fortunately the English language has no corre- 

 sponding term. It is seen in "The Members 

 of the Bar," in "Boards of Trade," in me- 

 chanical "Unions," in college "Alumni," al- 

 most everywhere except among Airmers. 



It strikes us that the Virginia Society has 

 made a move in the right direction. We com- 

 mend their example to the Agricultural Boards 

 of our Northern States. 



For the Kew England Farmer, 

 FARM ACCOUJSITS. 



The close of the year is a suitable time for 

 reviewing the labors of the season. The far- 

 mer, as well as the merchant, should make out 

 his balance sheet, showing the profit or loss on 

 the year's transactions. He should know 

 what crops have paid best, and what kind of 

 tillage has been most successful. This can be 

 easily ascertained by keeping a strict account 

 ■with each field of corn, grain or potatoes. 



Yet very few do this. "It is too much 

 trouble," says one; "I doubt the use in being 

 so particular," says another ;' and so the great- 

 er part of farmers find some excuse for not 

 keeping farm accounts. If they live through 

 the year without getting in debt, they are sat- 

 isfied. Well, it is a saii^ faction to know that 

 debts are not accumulating, and quite as sat- 

 isfactory to know that our pi-operty is becom- 

 ing more valuable in consequence of labor 

 properly applied, and of economy in the man- 

 agement of our business. Now I believe that 

 in any neighborhood, and among any given 

 number of farmers, those who keep the closest 

 account of their expenses will be found to be 

 the most prosperous. 



At New Year's, or at any time he chooses, 

 let a farmer take an inventory of his stock, 

 tools, grain on hand, and everything that 

 goes to make up his stock in trade. Then let 

 him keep an accurate account of the labor 

 done and expenses paid, during the year, and 

 give credit for everything sold. When the 

 year is completed, let him take another inven- 

 tory, and strike a balance. He will then as- 



certain whether his farm has been profitable or 

 not. 



How many readers cf the New England 

 Farmer will adopt this course next year ? I 

 presume many do so now ; but I want to have 

 the number greatly increased, and when the 

 year is completed, let the number be reported. 

 If any regret the course, or find it "don't pay," 

 let them say so, and give their reasons. Try 

 it. Or, if you do not choose to take the 

 whole farm, try the experiment with an acre 

 or two of corn, or wheat, or potatoes, and 

 give us the results. Granite. 



Bloomjield, G. W., Dec. 12, 1868. 



For ihe Kew England Farmer, 

 SMA.LL LOTS. 



The advice is often given to farmers by the 

 papers to remove all unnecessary walls and 

 division fences so that the fields will be as 

 large as possible for the more convenient use 

 of the plough, cultivator, horse rake and 

 mowing machine, besides saving the land upon 

 which the ordinarily numerous division walls 

 or fences stand. 



There may be cases where this course can 

 be adopted wifh profit. On large farms it is 

 desirable to' have large fields, especially where 

 few animals are kept and large quantities of 

 grain raised. 



There is something very satisfactory to the 

 eye in a wide sweep of meadow when spring 

 clothes it in green, or when the long days of 

 July biiqg activity to the hay field. Nearly 

 all the operations of tillage and harvesting 

 seem to be carried on to greater advantage in 

 the large field. 



But it is nevertheless true that on a farm 

 where a mixed husbandry is carried on, there 

 will be constant loss if there are not small lots. 

 And although some delight to gather the sta- 

 tistics of the cost of fences, yet the expense 

 should be as cheerfully borne as the expense 

 for any other necessary purpose. 



All shrubs and i'ruit trees should be pro- 

 tected by fences from the encroachments of 

 animals, and every farm should have its fruit 

 lot. The vegetable garden should be securely 

 fenced. A lot should be ready in spring for 

 the ewes with early lambs. This should be 

 large enough to allow them exercise, yet keep 

 them from roaming. This lot should have a 

 shed. A lot ibr the calves would add to their 

 thrift, and if it had a southerly exposure and 

 a warm shed for hay and feed troughs it would 

 be more satisfactory. Calves generally do 

 best if kept from other stock till a year old. 

 If geese and ducks are kept, a lot should be 

 provided specially for them. These fowls are 

 very disagreeable if permitted to run with other 

 stock or to have access to the door-yard. Many 

 farmers entirely refuse to keep these water 

 fowls, because of the damage they do to grow- 

 ing crops, and because of their disagreeable 

 noise near the house ; yet their products are 



