AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST, 
FOR THE 
ITariii, Grarden, and. Honseliold. 
"AORIOULTCUE 18 THE MOST IIEAETIIFCL, MOST USEFUL, AJfl» MOST NOBLE EMPLOYMENT OP MAN.”-W»iBi»oTOK, 
ORAI^O^ A.M., 
PUBLISHES AND PBOPBIETOR. 
OJBce, 41 Park Row, (Times Bundl»gs.) 
ESTABLISHED IH 1842, 
Pablished both in Rnslish and German. 
SI.50 PEE ANNUM, IN ADVANCE 
SINGLE NUMBER, 15 CENTS. 
For Contents, Terms, etc., see page 64. 
VOLUME XXIV—No. 2. 
NEW-YORK, FEBRUARY, 1865. 
NEW SERIES—No. 217. 
Entered according to act of Congress in tlie year 1864, by 
Obangk Judd, in tlie Clerk’s Office of tlie District Court of 
the United States for tlie Southern District of New-Tork. 
{f3?~ Other Journals are invited to copy desirable articles 
freely, i/each article be credited to Amey-ican Agriculturist, 
Notes and Suggestions for February. 
Winter wanes slowly. The early riser finds 
the dawn gradually encroaching on the pro¬ 
longed darkness; here and there an untimely 
lamb sends forth a piteous wail, and occasion¬ 
ally an hour of sunshine speaks warmly of ad¬ 
vancing spring; but lowering clouds and fitful 
storms quickly warn the impatient buds to bide 
their time and not trust the apparently relent¬ 
ing heart of winter. These hints of the coming 
season should not be lost. If a full plau of 
operations for the year be not perfected, lose no 
time in its completion. A map of the farm will 
be of great assistance in this work. It need not 
be an accurate survey of each lot, though this 
would be more satisfactory; a plain outline of 
boundaries and measurements taken with a 
marked pole, will be sufficient. Great caution 
should be exercised in making radical changes. 
Many have been tempted by the high price of 
sheep to sell out an established dairy, or to seed 
down their green fields, and are up to their 
eyes in wool, if indeed it has not been pulled 
over their eyes. An article on this topic in the 
present number contains timely hints. Equally 
unwise is an immovable conservatism, that can 
not be attracted from following the “ good old 
ways.” Many will find sorghum culture worth 
a trial; an acre or more of roots for next 
winter’s feeding should not be forgotten; per¬ 
haps less grain and more fruit will give better 
returns. The most successful campaigns are 
always first developed on paper in good plans. 
Animals of most kinds kept on farms at the 
North are in an artificial condition, to which 
however they have become habituated by long 
training. It should be the aim of the owner to 
make their circumstances as nearly natural as 
the case will permit. Thus, succulent food, in 
the shape of roots, should accompany dry fodder; 
shelter should not preclude fresh air; oppor¬ 
tunities for exercise should be allowed ; warm 
litter for comfortable rest is essential; in short, 
comfort and profit are almost inseparable. The 
morals of the stock yard should be carefully 
watched. A vicious horse or unruly steer is 
intolerable. Prevention is easy; train up young 
animals with kindness, and they will return it 
with interest; send to the slaughter pen incorri¬ 
gible brutes, though made so by bad managemeut. 
Advertisements are profitable reading. They 
usually Indicate what progress the world is 
making. To farmers they are invaluable. 
Notes on tools, seeds, stock, ti’ces, plants, etc., 
should be made, and further inform.ation gained 
by sending for circulars of trustworthy parties. 
The Agriculturist aims to admit no otlier class. 
Ashes, fresh from the fire, should not he emp¬ 
tied into wooden smoke-houses. A lew smould¬ 
ering sparks may he sufficient to fire the struc¬ 
ture, destroy its contents, and cause great loss; 
at least the lower part should be brick or stone. 
Apples .— Sort over those commencing to decay 
and feed, if no better use can be made of them. 
Rags, Barrels, Baskets, etc., used for marketing, 
or kept at home, should be plainlj’ marked with 
the owner’s name and residence. A branding- 
iron or marking-plate and brush, will save much 
loss. Improve leisure by putting all in repair. 
For convenient bag-string, see p. 139, last }'-ear. 
Buildings .— Clear roofs from too heavy snow, 
stop leaks, keep eaves-troughs free, paint wliere 
needed, fasten loose boards, keep manure away 
from sills, oil rusty hinges, see that fastenings 
are in order, and all repairs promptly made. 
Get out timber for sheds sufficient to shelter all 
stock. Study economy and convenience in plans. 
Birds. —Prepare neat houses for martins, 
bluebirds, and wrens, to be put up about the 
house, fruit yard, and farm. The occupants 
next season will pay good rent by destroying 
multitudes of insects, and sing grateful thanks. 
Butter brings golden prices; make the pro¬ 
duct of the same color, with carrots strained 
into the milk through the stomach of the cow. 
Calves dropped in February will bring large 
Drices in March, but at present prices of butter 
and milk, will cost largely to fat. If to be 
raised, wean early, and feed well with skimmed 
milk, clover tea and gruel. Keep well shelter¬ 
ed. Wheat flour boiled in milk checks scours. 
Cows. —Dry off six to four weeks before calv¬ 
ing. Give generous feed of hay and roots, but 
not much grain. Cut hay or straw steamed, 
and a little bran or meal added, is profitable. 
Keep the skin healthy by frequent carding and 
brusliing. Those about to calve should be 
turned loose into separate, roomy stalls. Watch 
their time, to give assistance, if needed, but do 
not interfej’e, unless absolutely necessary, and 
then use gentle means. Allow the calf to have 
the milk /or a day or two. Its effect is medi¬ 
cinal and necessary to the new-born animal. 
After calving, give the cow a warm bran 
mash, made with scalding water, and afterward 
her ordinary feed, increasing the amount of 
roots and grain to promote the flow of milk, 
and prevent the exhaustion of the animal. 
Dehts contracted before the war can now be 
paid at half price; that is, owing to high prices 
half the produce required then will suffice now. 
Lift mortgages rather tlian buy carriages or 
other non-essentials. A pinching lime will come. 
Dogs .— Unite with j’our neiglihors in urging 
your representatives at the Legislature to pro¬ 
tect sheep raising from tlie ravages of destruc¬ 
tive curs, by strong laws. See article on page 42. 
Farmers' Clubs .— The meetings may be rr.ade 
interesting by committees appointed to investi¬ 
gate and report on various subjects; as new 
crops proposed, new implements, the conditiim 
of farms in the vicinity, etc.; by correspondence 
with other similar associations, and occasional 
joint meetings of the clubs of a township. New 
facts and experience worthy of general notice, 
should be communicated to the public journals. 
Food for cattle and hogs will be improved 
and economized by steaming. A good appara¬ 
tus, especially for this purpose, will pay wliere 
many animals are kept. A large kettle will do. 
Grain. —Carefully study price lists, and im¬ 
prove good weather for marketing produce. 
Horses .— A few carrots with their grain will 
aid digestion and appetite, and improve their 
coats. Exercise daily. Train colts so that no 
breaking will be needed, either of spirit or of 
harness. Keep working and carriage horses 
sharp shod, well groomed, and blanketed when 
standing out, or in cold stables after exercise. 
Ventilate stables, and abolish high feeding racks. 
Ice. —Secure a full supply, if not already 
done. In good weather an ice-house may be 
made and filled within a week. One will pay 
on a dairy farm, and be convenient everywhere. 
Manure. —Mix plenty of muck, especially with 
that from the horse stable, to prevent fire fling¬ 
ing ; or, in absence of this, fork over the pile to 
prevent too great heat. All deposits now made 
in readiness for use in spring, will respond to 
drafts to be made for good crops next fall. Keep 
a heavy balance in your favor to draw upon. 
Money lent to tlie government on its bonds, 
repays good interest, is safe, and may be readily 
called in under any emergency, in addition to 
furnishing strength for crushing the rebellion 
and securing permanent peace and prosperity. 
Maple Sugar. —Tlie higli price of sugar should 
stimulate the largest possible production. The 
first flow of sap is the ricliest; make prepara¬ 
tion to secure it during the open weather, which 
often occurs in February. See article on p. 40. 
Poultry. —Insist on having eggs. Warm, clean 
quarters, cooked grain and potatoes, scrans of 
