354 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
[December, 
ted and allowed to stand a few hours with a 
sprinkling of salt, or oil-meal mixed in, it will he 
eaten with great relish. When hay is high and 
corn scarce, it is a pity to have aDy of it wasted. 
Farmers' Chibs. -He who neglects opportunities 
to meet and talk over agricultural matters with his 
brother farmers loses much. See to it if possible 
that there is some regular neighborhood meeting 
of farmers, and their wives aud adult children, to 
secure improvement in farming and kindred things. 
Fence Timber .—As fence mending and setting is 
one of the first, duties after the frost is out of the 
ground, so a standing job for the Winter is the 
getting out. of a good supply of posts, rails, and 
stakes. Let it not be forgotten. 
Feeding-Racks and Troughs should be substantial, 
sheltered, under roof if possible, always kept clean. 
Grain .—Few farmers can afford to risk the hold¬ 
ing of grain for higher prices. If possible, make 
sales by showing perfectly fair samples, and ar¬ 
range lo deliver it when there is good sleighing. 
Grain loses in weight by drying, and proportionate¬ 
ly increases in value, but rats, mice, and weevils 
cause it to lose weight also, and this is a dead loss, 
besides risk of bad roads, broken harnesses, etc. 
Grain-fields .—The wandering of cattle over the 
grain and grass fields, particularly when covered 
with snow, and in thawing weather, is to be avoid- 
cJ. Snow-drift dams should be cleared away, and 
standing water drawn off. 
Horses .—All horses, young and old, should have 
warm, comfortable shelter, be cleaned daily, and, 
if used, blanketed, both in the stable and out of it— 
the stable blanket being the lighter, and not cov¬ 
ering the ireek. Colts and horses from which no 
labor is required, need no blankets in moderate 
weather, or in a warm stable. All horses should 
be well shod, and the calks kept sharp in Winter. 
Ice .—The experience ot last year will lead to the 
securing of the first crop fit ice. This is well, for it 
is ordinarily the best. If snow falls upon clear 
“black” ice, it will ordinarily pay for family use to 
sweep off the snow from a sufficient surface to fill 
the ice-house, so that in case of a rain and subse¬ 
quent freezing, the upper stratum of ice will not 
bo soft snow-ice, and that the cold may penetrate 
more readily. See article on ice-houses, page 863. 
Manures .—It is best to keep manure under cover 
and enclosed, so that a slow fermentation will be 
constantly going on. Too active fermentation is 
very injurious ; it may be checked by packing it 
very close by the treading of animals, spreading- 
level and keeping hogs upon it, or working it over. 
The latter secures an evenness of fermentation 
while it prevents burning or fire-fang. 
Muck from the Swamp.—The present month ordi¬ 
narily affords a very favorable opportunity to get 
out muck. Leaving it in heaps during the Winter, it 
becomes acted upon by the frost, and is much bet¬ 
ter for use in the Spring, or to be carted to the 
stables during the Summer for use next Winter. 
If needed for use at once in the stable, haul it as 
sooh as it is dry enough, and keep it under cover, 
or it will be of little service as an absorbent. 
Meadows .—It is very poor policy to let cattle 
browse the meadows in Winter, or even wander 
over them. When not covered with snow in 
thawing'weather, they injure the roots; and the 
places of cattle paths through the snow are often 
traced by dead grass and bare spots in Spring. 
Poultry.—To secure a supply of eggs keep hens 
in a light, warm, airy room, foed plentifully, giving 
regularly some animal food—oyster-shells pounded 
line, or some other form of lime. A little pulver¬ 
ized white arsenic in the whitewash will destroy 
lice effectually. Fowls choose the highest part of 
the house to roost in, and if there be not good 
ventilation, they will soinaBRies suffocate. 
Sheep .-—Nature protects sheep well against the 
cold, but they suffer from soaking rains. They are 
healthier if they have open dry sheds to stand or 
lie under in wet weather, and a good dry yard. 
Sheep arc seldom diseased if they are thus treated, 
have access to salt, and have enough good feed. 
Sivine .—In the course of this month the pens 
will be for the most part cleared of fat hogs, aud 
only breeders and store hogs left. Let these have 
dry, warm quarters, with rye or wheat straw for 
bedding; feed generously, so as to keep them in 
good growing order. Regular feeds of roots, with 
a little grain daily will show well next Spring. 
Tools .—Winter is the time of all others to look 
over and put tools in order for Spring and Sum¬ 
mer work. Aud at no time are g*od implements 
so much injured by exposure as now, when it is 
wet and freezing, or warm and dry alternately. 
Wood .—Now the swamps are, or soon will be 
frozen, and we must secure a full supply of firewood, 
and wood for other purposes also, cut ready to be 
drawn to the house at the first, good sleighing. 
Orchard and Nursery. 
If the Fall work has been performed in its season, 
there is little to be done now. Sales and planting- 
are over, and the nurseryman can now arrange his 
plans, and prepare for the Spring’s business, which 
promises to be very active. During a mild spell, 
ground may be plowed and prepared for planting, 
and at these times draining, often so necessary 
iu an orchard, may be successfully prosecuted. 
Trees which were temporarily heeled in for the fill¬ 
ing of orders, should be looked to, and if the work 
was not thoroughly done, the roots should be earth¬ 
ed over so as to prevent freezing. 
Cions may be cut on any mild day, and preserved 
In slightly moist earth or sand, in a cool cellar. In 
cutting, select vigorous well ripened wood of the 
past season’s growth. Tie up and label each 
sort carefully, aud to guard against the loss of the 
label it is well to cut a number on one of the 
largest cions in the bundle which should corres¬ 
pond with a number on a memorandum list. In 
procuring grafts for setting, take only varieties 
3 r ou have proved yourself, or those having such a 
reputation that there can be no risk of getting a 
worthless sort. Many persons seem to think that 
it is only necessary to graft a tree to secure good 
fruit, and do not reflect that it is as necessary to bo 
careful about the character of their cions as it 
would be if they were purchasing trees. 
Fruit either in the fruit-room or cellar should 
be kept at as low and uniform a temperature as 
practicable without freezing. 
Manure may be applied to trees, aud compost 
carted to places where it is to be used in the spring 
planting. Surface manuring as described on page 
370, has many advantages ; the coating of manure 
prevents injury from sudden alternations of tem¬ 
perature, while the soluble parts are diffused 
through the soil, enriching it without injuring the 
roots of the tree by actual contact with the manure. 
Mice and Rabbits do much injury to newly plant¬ 
ed trees, especially when there is snow upon the 
ground. Various protections have been suggested 
from time to time in these columns. After snow 
has fallen, tramp it down firmly around the trunks 
of the trees so that the mice cannot work through 
it. Rabbits should,be trapped. Shields of tin aud 
drain tiles are sometimes used. 
Nursery Rows not plowed, may be worked when¬ 
ever the ground is opeu. Throw the earth against 
the rows, leaving the furrows as surface drains. 
See that stakes in the nursery are legible and 
firmly fixed in the ground. While no careful nur¬ 
seryman will rely upon stakes alone for the identi¬ 
ty of his trees, it is always a great convenience to 
have them. New stakes and labels can be prepared 
to meet next season’s demands. 
Root grafting can be done in the house on rainy 
days, the grafted stocks being carefully put away in 
boxes of sand, and each sort unmistakably labeled. 
Winter pruning is not to be recommended where 
large limbs are to be removed. Small ones left at 
the summer pruning may be removed by the knife. 
Eiiickeia CSiivdcoa. 
If the weather is severe or the ground is covered 
with snow, there is but little to bo done here. 
But if the month should be mild, some of the 
•neglected November work may be attended to 
now. Clearing up, which is generally postponed 
until Spring, should be done, and all rubbish put out 
of sight. The garden will not only look neater 
during Winter if this is done now, but valuable 
time will not be consumed next Spring in clearing 
up after last season’s crops. Whenever the state of 
the soil will admit, it may be thrown up into ridges 
with the plow, or spaded as directed on page 370. 
But few special directions can be given, and these 
are all comprised in the general one to do every¬ 
thing possible to facilitate operations in Spring. 
Asparagus .—If the beds have not been covered 
with manure, they should receive a thick coating. 
Bean poles, stakes, and all brush needed in the 
garden can be cut and stored for next season. 
Celery .—If any still remains out, store it as di¬ 
rected in the fuller Calendar for October. 
Cold Frames .—Give plenty of air whenever there 
is no danger of freezing, removing the sash alto¬ 
gether on mild days. As severe cold weather 
comes on, bank up around the frames with stable 
manure, and cover the sash with mats or shutters. 
Compost and Manures .—Much of next season’s 
success will depend upon the care given to acecu- 
mulating these during the Winter. Every fertiliz¬ 
ing material should be saved. Have a good supply 
of muck on hand to throw into privies, hog pens, 
and the barnyard. If muck cannot be procured, 
use some other absorbent; forest leaves answer to 
increase the 6tock of manure, and blade earth is 
better than no absorbent for the liquid portions. 
If manure is carted to the garden, cover the heap 
with earth to keep it from washing by the rains. 
Hot Beds .—Repair frames, glaze, and paint sash, 
and make all in readiness. If new ones are needed, 
have them made. Collect manure and leaves. 
Parsnips and Salsify .—When the ground is open, 
take to the cellar a good supply for use in freezing- 
weather, and cover with sand to prevent wilting. 
Rhubarb .—Cover the bed with stable manure. 
Seeds: clean and carefully put away any not al¬ 
ready cared for. Keep no rubbish in the seed bag, 
such as old seeds, or those of which the identity is 
not positive. Exchange choice sorts with neighbors. 
Tools .—Rainy days can be profitably employed in 
repairing and painting. Many an implement goes 
among the old iron, which a small expense for 
blacksmithing would make as good as new. The 
character of a gardener can be pretty accurately 
judged by a look into his tool house. 
Fruit Garden. 
New grounds may be prepared if the weather is 
suitable. . Give the borders a good mulch of ma¬ 
nure. Prune currants and gooseberries, and .save 
the cuttings in the cellar for Spring setting. Prune 
grape vines and lay down the vines, giving the ten¬ 
der sorts a covering of earth. Bend raspberries 
down aud cover with earth. Strawberry beds should 
have their winter mulching, taking care not to cover 
too deep; only an inch or two over the crowns. It is 
the earth rather thau the plants, that needs covering. 
Flow«r Garden and Fawn. 
The directions of last month apply in general to 
this. But few things can be done, except to pro¬ 
tect those shrubs and plants which are still uncared 
for—according to the hints given in November. 
If the month is favorable, new walks and borders 
can be prepared. If new improvements are pro¬ 
posed, first accurately measure the land and make 
a plan upon an exact scale, on paper. When the 
plan is done, let it be submitted to the criticism of 
judicious friends, who may be able to see faults 
and suggest improvements which did not before 
manifest themselves. In laying out new grounds, 
or extending those we already have, there are two 
