THE FARM.

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume II, Issue 104, 19 March 1880, Page 4

THE FARM.

WHEN TO APPLY MANURE. Tiik common practice among farmers is to make a general clearance of the yards ami harn cellars once a year, either in the spring or fall. Either practice makes a heavy draft, upon the teams, am! lias its disadvantages. If this work is done in the spring, it is when tin; ground is soft, and when the work is exceedingly pressing. If the manure is drawn out in the fall, arid dropped in heaps upon the field to he cultivated next season, there is more or less waste bv leaching and by evaporation. There is a growing disposition among our intelligent farmers to apply manure directly to growing crops, or as near tire time of

planting and sowing as possible. It is felt that the sooner manure is put within the reach of the roots of plants he better for the crops and their owner. Manure is so much capital invested, and bears interest only as it is consumed in the soil. The barn cellar may be so managed n.s to manufacture and turn out fer-

tilizers every month in the year, SO I that the farmer may suit bis con veil i- j .•nee in applying them to the soil, j When manure is not wanted for culti- : vated crops, it is always safe to apply j it to the grass crop, either in pastures nr upon meadows after mowing. Topdressing is crowing in favor with our intelligent farmers. Grass pays better than almost any farm crop in the older States, and the spreading of compost saves the necessity of frequent ploughing and seeding. By topdressing at any convenient season of the year, fields may be kept profitably in grass for an indefinite time. OBJECTIONABLE FLAVOR IN BUTTER. The objectionable flavor arising from cows being fed on turnips or cabbages can be removed by one or either of the following methods : —l. When the milk is strained into pans, put to every six gallons one gallon of boiling water. 2. Dissolve one ounce of nitre in a pint of spring water, and put a Quarter of a pint of the solution to every fifteen gallons of milk. 3. Keep back a quarter of a pint of the sour cream when you churn, and put into a well scalded pot, into which you are to gather your next cream ; stir that well, and do so with every fresh addition. The addition of a handful of salt- to the water used to wash the butter will generally be found the best plan of any, a id the most simple. THE SECRET OF SUCCESS IN HARD TIMES. An English agricultural journal makes a pertinent remark to the effect that, “ if a careful enquiry were made it would be found that the farmers who are most successfully weathering the siorm of adversity in that conu try, are those who have kept their farms up to a high state of fertility, and those who are sinking arc chiefly the poor farmers.” It is so in every industry, and in all circumstances, “ the best man wins.” The farmer whose held are well cultivated, whose cattle are well selected, and well kept, whose costly machines are carefully used and protected, whose tools are in good working order always, whose system is one of order and regularity, and whose habits are economical and frugal, is tne one who suffers least from unfavorable weather, from insect pests, and from unfavorable markets. Having produce of good quality, and being in the market in season, he sells at the best prices, or being forehanded, he is able to hold his produce or stock until he is willing to sell. Moreover, he is not in the hands of the usurer, and has not to pay 10 or 12 per cent, per annum upon borrowed moneys.