1869. 



XEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



481 



thoroughly mixed with this dry muck. It is then 

 shoveled into the casks, which should always be 

 kept under cover; mixing v/iih it, meanwhile, all 

 the vegetable and animal refuse on the place; all 

 the dead animals, from a toad, snake or chicken, 

 to a horse; all the waste blood, entrails, hair, 

 featbers, &e., of animals slaughtered. At the 

 same time save all the urme from the house and 

 stables ; all the soap suds and sink water; and dip 

 up all the dark looking liquid that may be found 

 standing in puddks in the low places of an un- 

 even cow-yard every time it rains, and completely 

 saturate the compost in the casks. 



The next spring when you plant put from a pint 

 to two quarts of this fertilizer in a hill, according 

 to its strength, and you will not fail to raise such 

 crops as you never raised before. Home Made. 



South Berwick, Me., Aug. 4, 1869. 



modes of tying up cattle. 



I am building a bam in which I intend to stable 

 fifty ccws, and wish to learn the best method of 

 tying them up. Is there a swing stamhion in use 

 thai is superior to the old fashioned way ? As 

 these cows are to stand twenty five in a row, and 

 heads together, I would like to know how I can 

 have a water box constructed so tnat each cow can 

 help herself at leisure, and not be in the way of 

 feeding? Jason E. Huint, 



New Haven, Vt., July 28, 1869. 



Remarks. — We have made pretty thorough ex- 

 periments in all the usual modes of tying up cat- 

 tle, beginning with the simple bow, made of wood ; 

 then the chains in common use; and, tired of 

 these, tried stanchions. Alter using the latter a 

 year or two, we substitued in their place a strong 

 leather strap two inches wide. These soon be- 

 came oily and soft from use, and it seemed, that 

 the cattle were more comfortable with them than 

 in any other mode of tying. They could lie down 

 on either side, and had room to move ahout so as 

 to change their position considerably. But as the 

 stalls were arranged, this liberty caused occasional 

 serious injury, as in moving about one cow would 

 sometimes step upon the udder or some other part 

 of one which was lymg down. This might be 

 remedied if more space were allowed between the 

 cows. We had not this space to spare, however, 

 and went back to stanchions, which are still in use. 



There are some advantages in the use of stan- 

 chions over any other mode of tying. The work 

 is more quickly and surely done. The cattle are 

 kept cleaner. Having less freedom, they cannot 

 hook nor rob each other, and are more under con- 

 trol while milking. 



One mconvenience in the stanchion is, that cat- 

 tle, when lying down, cannot get up easily in them. 

 On rising they throw themselves forward and 

 strike the shoulders, so that, occasionally, two or 

 three etforts are made before the animal is on its 

 feet. Ihis may be partly obviated, however, by 

 carryii g the upper portion of the stam hions for- 

 ward, so that they will stand at an angle, instead 

 of perpendicularly. This will essentially relieve 

 them in the act of getting up. Another change 

 which gives them more liberty, is in leaving the 

 space wider for iheneck, i.tthe bottom of the stan- 

 chions than it is at the top. This affords the ani- 



mal more room to move the head about when ly - 

 ing down, and it cannot get it out when in that 

 position. 



A great objection to stanchions may be avoided 

 by a proper arrangement of the floor when the 

 barn is built. Cattle should feed from a floor a 

 little higher than that on which they stand; at 

 any rate, it should not be any lower, as it quite 

 often is. This is done by raising the leanto floor, 

 in order to get a trench to receive their droppings. 

 When this is done, the sleepers of the barn floor 

 should rest upon the top of the timbers, instead of 

 being dropped into mortices. Then the barn floor 

 will be nearly on a level with that upon which the 

 cattle stand. With some care in the arrangements, 

 stanchions will be found the best, we think, all 

 things considered. We have seen the "Swing 

 Stanchions" in use, and noticed the movements of 

 the cattle in them. They certainly have a pretty 

 large liberty when so tied, can step back and for- 

 ward two or three feet, and have plenty of oppor- 

 tunity to tread upon each other, and can lie 

 down only on one side! They did not strongly 

 commend themselves to our judgment. 



With regard to supplying water so that the 

 stock can get it at will, you may find plenty of ex- 

 amples among your sheep raisers, that will be 

 worth more than any description we can give. 

 Please write and tell us what the advantages are 

 of Catering stock in this manner. 



THE CULTURE OF PIGS. — AN ADDRESS WANTED. 



There have been many articles in the Farmer in 

 regard to raising poultry, neat cattle, &c., but no 

 one has yet ventured to enlighten us on "pig cul- 

 ture." Will not some of your correspondents 

 give us the modus operandi? 



In reply to my qutstion in regard to wheat cul- 

 ture (July 24tu ) you referred to Mr. Cyrus Kil- 

 burn of Worcester county. Could you, or the gen- 

 tleman himself, give me his address ? Strange to 

 say, the town is not given by secretary Flint. 



Franklin, Mass., Aug., 1869. f. 



Remarks. — Breed from healthy animals. Give 

 those of all ages — and especially the breeding sow 

 — plenty of room, in-doors and out, and always 

 opportunity to come to the ground ; that is, not 

 conhued to a stone or plank floor. Never allow 

 them to pass a night without a dry bed, and away 

 from currents of cold air. Have their room well- 

 vetilated. If they can have access to the sun, 

 so much tiie better. Everybody likes the sun, 

 man and beast. Keep their skins soft by rubbing 

 or washing. They will do it for themselves if 

 they have a fair chance. A hog goes into the mud 

 for two reasons,— perhaps more. First, to get a 

 plaster over him to keep the flies off"; secondly, to 

 take oflf the fine dirt or scurf from the skin with 

 the mud, when he rubs that off. Feed with regu- 

 larity, but never so much that any will be left in 

 the trough. Give them occasionally a drink of 

 pure water, especially in hot weather. Add a 

 little fine salt to their food once a week. 



Follow the above rules, and you will rarely or 



