Winter in Prospect — December. 531 
performed in December, than in any other month of the year. 
This, however, very much depends upon the state of the weather 
during the preceding months. If the season has, during the au- 
tumn, been favorable for out-door operations, then less remains to 
be performed so near the close of the year; but on the contrary, 
if the autumn has been very favorable, then December is a sea- 
son when fewer duties are required at the hands of the husband- 
man, than at any other period. 
Threshing, before the introduction of machinery, was a regular 
winter business with most farmers, and therefore can not be point- 
ed out as particularly belonging to the duties of this or that 
month; yet during December and January there is commonly a 
great proportion of grain threshed out. Rats and mice often 
make great havoc in the grain mow; we advise, therefore, to 
thresh out all that can be done, and secure it from their depreda- 
tions; 
We will now take a retrospective view of our farm operations 
during the preceding part of the year. By scrutinizing what we 
may have done — looking closely into all our proceedings connected 
with our business — by comparing results-r-by minutely examining 
into the various modes of culture pursued by us in our improvement 
of the soil, and noting the cost and effects produced, we may not 
only be able to arrive at something like a definite opinion as to the 
value of our labors, but discover wherein those labors have been 
fruitful, or barren of reward; detect errors, if any have been com- 
mitted, and correct them in the future. By resorting to this re- 
trospection, if we will bring to our aid that critical observation 
which long practice qualify us to make, we may be enabled to 
improve upon our former modes, and thus introduce a more judi- 
cious system of culture; one having for its object the melioration 
of the soil upon those principles of agricultural physiology"" and 
enlightened economy, which look alike to the permanent im- 
provement of the arable land, and the securement of the greate«t 
amount of good, with the least expenditure of labor and means. 
These observations should always be held in active appreciation 
by all farmers who desire to be successful, as it is a trath that 
