214    THE WISCONSIN FARMER.



or four days, will not unfrequently pay for a
good mower in one or two years.
  THE CURING should be done in all cases as
quickly as possible, and on no account should
rain or dew be allowed to fall upon it after the
curing is once fairly begun.  Better put into
barn or stack while yet half green than allow
it to bleach and harden like iron or dead brush
in alternate rain and sun.
  If necessary to put up rather green, don't
mix with dry hay, and at time of mowing
away, sprinkle on about two quarts of rock
salt to the ton.
  Great efforts are making to increase the
amount of live stock this year: don't neglect to
provide an extra amount of fodder.

         Are Your Fences all Right I

  ED. FARMER:-In compliance with your cor-
dial invitation to farmers to correspond, I would
suggest a few items on one of the most defi-
cient and neglected parts of farming, to-wit:
fences.
  I know of nothing that more surely marks
the character of the farmer, and watrants us
in setting him down for either a thrifty or
shiftless husbandman, as the case may be. The
exterior is unquestionably a true sign of what
the interior is.
  The farmer that gains public merit for good,
effective fences will be none the less worthy of
merit in all other branches of agriculture.
But Wisconsin presents so few specimens to
the public eye of this, I might say it is the
first need of our farming.  Better erect no
fence than to have a temptation fence; for
what is not worth doing well is not worth do-
ing at all, and there is nothing better calcutlat-
ed to engender strife betwixt neighbors than
dilapidated fences  The most patient and for-
bearing farmer can never submit to have his
crops destroyed by the cattle of thriftless
neighbors. But I am an advocate of amicable
measures, therefore I urge all farmers to re-
view their fences ahead of the marauders. The
result will be your own security and public
approbation.                  D. AtcHER.
  SPRINGFIELD. WiS.



  P. S. As the WiscoNsIN FARMER is the chan-
nel of agricultural instruction, it will be a
great public benefit if you will advance a few
items as to the best method of preparing and
setting posts for board fences-whether they
are better seasoned or unseasoned; whether
they are better with the tops or butts in the
ground; what effect charring will have on du-
rability; whether the posts are better, each
set on the opposite side of the boards, or all
on one side; and whether the boards are bet-
ter nailed on in panels or cross joints. D. A.

       Xore about Economizing Straw.

  ED. FAsMER:-The economizing of the old
musty straw pile has been somewhat descanted
on in late Nos. of the FARMER, and so far it
has been consigned to the poor helpless brute.
The question now pending is, shall stock be
raised for that purpose, or shall stock be rais-
ed for domestic profit ?  The last seven years'
experience should solve that problem. I defy
any animal to be profitable for a mere exist-
ence. Living and existing are two separate
matters.  To exist is merely to retain life;
while, on the other hand, living is the enjoy-
ment of plenty.
  Then I ask, where is the wisdom and policy
of raising male calves, with all the incum-
brance of them for about forty months, for the
paltry sum of from $12 to $14 to the butch-
ers ? I speak of the last seven years especial-
ly, because the call for working cattle has been
so diminished that farmers in the southern
part of Wisconsin have had but little else to
depend on but the knife. For my own part, I
resolved five years ago that I would never raise
another male calf until they will realize $30,
at the above age. My object is to raise all the
female calves I can, and that will always give
me a surplus stock. When they arrive at the
age of cows it don't required very great judge
to distinguish betwixt a good dairy cow and a
poor one; consequently kickers and unprofita-
ble ones can be dispensed with to butchers;
and by that means butchers will always receive
a plentiful supply. The fact then will soon be
developed by realizing a good stock of cows