5 38 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



Dec. 



eminently favorable to calm contemplation and a 

 quiet, useful and peaceful life. Less temptations 

 are there offered than in the crowded places of 

 traffic, where society is more artificial, and there 

 exists a greater disparity in the conditions of men ; 

 and in the varied aspects of Nature on the farm, 

 in the ever unfolding wonders of the vegetable and 

 animal kingdoms there are fresh and constant in- 

 citements to the practice of virtuous lives. 



Our people need more of a well-regulated sys- 

 tem in their business, but no stimulus to greater 

 physical activity. Constant and agreeable em- 

 ployment, but not overwrought, will afford the 

 happy condition where all the faculties may be 

 most fully developed ; a condition in which each 

 individual may say — " I have enough for all my 

 views and purposes : more wealth might be trou- 

 blesome, and distract my attention from those 

 pursuits in which I delight." Let it, then, be 

 ouv mutual effort, in the coming year, that all 

 enyyy this condition who desire and seek it. 



Fakm Accounts. — With the closing year, close 

 all accounts ; if they are allowed to pass over 

 more than one year unsettled, the chance is that 

 they will ran many years, until confusion creeps 

 in, and unkind 'thoughts, perhaps words, and 

 alienation between neighbors, takes place. Most 

 transactions may be remembered through one 

 year, so that errors, or misunderstandings may 

 easily be adjusted. If you value peace and pleas- 

 ant associations with your neighbors, suffer no 

 accounts to run longer than one year. But if 

 there are difficulties, yield a little ; let your char- 

 ity place the most favorable construction upon 

 every word uttered and act done, and if you can- 

 not agree, refer the whole matter to disinterested 

 friends, and not to the law. 



Feeding Stock. — On this subject we have 

 copied an article from theWool Grower, to which 

 we call particular attention. It includes the sub- 

 ject of shelter, as well as feeding. A plentiful 

 amount pF fodder may be very injudiciously ex- 

 pended ; regularity in feeding is of great impor- 

 tance, for when tlie appetite is properly gratified, 

 there should be periods of rest when no food is 

 expected. If cattle are fed at any and all times, 

 they will always be looking for food, and conse- 

 quently uneasy, and this is not favorable to a 

 thrifty condition. 



SviMPATnY WITH Stock.— Do not believe that 

 they are so dull as not to understand and appre- 

 ciate your kind feelings. Last week a noble 

 horse got loose upon the farm, and for an hour 

 gave the astonished neighbors the most wonderful 



and heels flying, showing his shoes nearly ten feet 

 in the air, he bade defiance to his pursuers and 

 their long poles ! lie gained the centre of the 

 field, and then stood snuffing the gale from every 

 point, the noblest animal of creation next toman. 

 A boy approached him with outstretched arm 

 and gentle words — " Poor fellow ! Come here. 

 I will not strike you." These were more potent 

 than the poles had proved ;.the horse met him, 

 rubbed his nose against the boy's jacket, and said 

 as plainly as he could speak, — " I'll trust you ; 

 we are friends," and was led away to his stall. 

 The animals of the farm soon become acquainted 

 with the looks and manners of those about them, 

 and will usually return such treatment as they 

 receive. 



Debt. — It is one thing to run into debt for a 

 good farm implement that will enable you to save 

 its value in a year, or a pair of oxen with which 

 you may accomplish your spring work, then pas- 

 ture and fatten, and make 10 per cent on them, 

 and another to purchase furniture or fancy horses 

 and carriages that you can very well do without ; 

 or "mpre land," which will embarrass your purse, 

 and withdraw the attention and the manure from 

 the acres now only half cultivated. Incur no 

 debt unless from a necessity, if you wish to sleep 

 soundly nights. Many things are'to be done in 

 this December, strictly appertaining to the farm, 

 but that which we especially urge belongs to the 

 mind. Store it well in these comparatively lei- 

 sure hours with useful information ; cherish the 

 social affections, and make the world a cheerful 

 one around you ; and may we meet again beyond 

 the boundary lij^e of 1854, in the month of Happy 

 Wishes, the first of a New Year. 



THE MONTHLY FARMER. 



This number closes the current year, and is ac- 

 companied by a full alphabetical index of the sub- 

 jects treated in the volume, together with a list of 

 the names or signatures of the correspondents. 

 The volume contains articles upon nearly every 

 subject which comes before the farmer in Ids vo- 

 cation, most of them of a peculiarly practical 

 character, and written with clearness and force. 

 Their authors are persons engaged in the business 

 of which they have written, and their opinions 

 flow from their own operations and experiences. 

 To the young farmer, or the inexperienced, who 

 enters upon the management of a farm later in 

 life, the Monthly Farmer will prove a treasury of 

 knowledge enabling him to conduct its concerns 



with skill and consequently with profit. Valua 

 specimens of " ground and lofty tuml)ling," they .ble articles may be found on fenchig, reclaiming 



had ever witnessed. Comjng to spots in the gar- 

 den where the loam was light and deep, he would 

 plunge into it, roll, then rise, shake his sides, and 

 with nostrils red and expanded, with mane, tail, 



draining, plowing and planting, seeding, garden- 

 ing, culture of orchards, rearing and management 

 of horses, cattle, sheep, swine and poultry ; on tlie 

 division of farms, on the variety of soils and crops 



