Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1854-02-16


We find the following excellent article in the
Genessee Farmer:
Taking the last census on the basis OF the cal
culatou and there are at this time about six hum
dred million dollars worth ST stock in the United
States Their value exceeds that OF all the man
uacturing establishments IN the country, and also
exceeds the capital employed in commerce both
inland and foreign. Live stock is an immense
national interest, but one which has been sadly
overlooked by American statesmen and writers
on public economy. How to winter horses, cattle,
hogs, sheep, and poultry in the most economical
way, all things considered, is subject on which
an instructive volume might be written. The
science of animal physiology sheds much light on
the business ofkeeping stock, both IN winter and
and summer; and if properly studied in It's bear
ings on this great interest, would add indefinite
millions TO the income of farmers, and the wealth
Of the nation. But how can we persuade our
readers to study animal physlology in connection
with the production of the flesh of their domestic
animals; 1t is impossible 10 show them the vaua-
bic fruits af any science relating to busbandry,
before its seeds are permitted TO be planted and
cultivated in any State iu the Union. Neverthe-
less, as the truths of science and the truths OF
empiriCism never contradict each other, many
learn by the latter not little of the wisdom
taught by the former. Thus science informs Us
less in winter, and keep in better order if we'll
stabbed or housed, and regularly fed, than they
will ifsubjeced TO the rgors of cold storms, snow,
mud and Irregular feeding. The latter system
consumes both for age and flesh needlessly and of
course involves prodiglous loss to such as follow
it. Warmth is the equivalent of food, because
food is used in the bodies oiall animals to gen.
crate what we call animal heat How far warm
stables will save hay, grain, roots, corn stalks,
and other food of domestic animals, is not known;
but number of experiments lead to the conclu-
sion that oue-third may thus be saved with adj
vantage, 10 stock. large share ofall domes-
tic animals do network and, are kept for the pro-
duction of flesh, milk or WOOL They need a
reasonable amount Of exercise, TO preserve their
health, as well as good keeping in the matters of
food, drink and shelter. in wintering hogs, econ-
omy requires that one should keep no more than
will give the maximum of flesh for the food con-
sumed To keep pig without his gaining in
weight involves the loss not only of the food he
consumes, but all the injury resulting from stunt
ing his growth. Few are aware of the damage
done TO young animals by prenlaturely arresting
the growth of their bones and muscles. A stunt
ed pig, calf, colt or lamb has received an ire
parable injury. You can no more fully make
amends for the shock given to the vital functions
than you can give horse a new seeing eye IN
place oil one that has been put out by violence
No after feeding of horse will give HIM new
eye,and no good keeping will develope an animal
frame perlectn all lis parts, after thas been stunt
ed in youth Most farmers attempt to keep too
much stock, both in winter and summer, for their
food to be manufactured into flesh, dairy pro-
ducts or wool few superior animals, well
housed in winter, and well fed at all times, yield
the largest profit. Ofcourse, stables should be
properly ventilated that all animals may have a
full supply of pure ar. Most stables and all
sheds give too much Of it especially in cold win
try weather. Look out for plenty of straw or
other ter,to absorb all urine, unless you have
tank or reservoir for it TO run into Manure is
now good s'money at ten per ceat, compound
interest; for all the crops that manure aids SO
much in the annual growth sell at high prices
1t costs nearly as much to pow, plant, hoe, and
harvest an acre of g.ound to oPain rs bushels
as so bushels; and manure will double the crop.