The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1857-12-11
LOUIS 0. COWAN, Editor and Proprietor.

Not only the feeling OF animals, but thei
shelter and protection from the severity
the season demand due care and attention
Cattle and horses require warm and vel
ventilated stables. This Is both q matter o
comfort to the animals and economy to thci
owners. Cows and oxen for milk and worl
should be warmly housed during the winter
not permitted TO stand out during the day
exposed to wind and storm, but should, un
less the water is brought into the barn, Al
is done in some cases, be turned out to drinl
and as soon after as possible put in the stable
again. This is far from Icing the general
practice, judging from observation. Many
farmers turn their cattle in the yard, early
in the morning, where they usually remain
until near sundown, and sometimes till after
no matter what the weather is.
I, would be much better 10 lee thss, stand
in the stable, though not fed, than to re-
main out exposed to the cold, piercing win.
ter winds. I, is well established fact, that
cattle kept warmly housed during cold wealth
er. will not only eat much less than If ex-
posed as indicated, but look much better
Cold consumes both muscle and fat. "The
merciful man resardeth the life of his beast, 7"
said an old Oriental writer many centuries
ago. Such always see that their animals
are kept warm and comfortable not less than
well fed. Those who have not already done
so, should batten up the cracks about their
stables and keep out the cold and snow
This will save tons Of good hay, besides max
lns your cattle look sleekeE than they will
If you set at nought this suggestion.
The same care should be extended to all
other domestic animals. Taking care Of
cattle, sheep and horses should receive the
daily oversight of the owner for no other
man or class Of men can feel the same inter.
est in them that he does. Trust not, then,
the feeling and tending of your herds ani
focks to hirelings, exclusively, for through
ignorance and lack of interest they will both
suffer and depreciate in value. In order to
prosper, every man must give his attention
TO his own business. And Of none is this
more emphatically true than of farming -
Through personal neglect or want Of knowl-
edge in the affairs Of rural economy many u
gentleman farmer has wasted a good estate
and come to nought, financially speaking.
Business is dull the present season, thus
aaording ample opportunity to do what there
is done well. IL is hoped that farmers will
give the subject Of tending and feeding their
herds and hocks all the attention and skill
they can command. 1t is subject worthy
of their time ands tudy. 1t costs no small
sum to make a COW, u yoke Of oxen, sheep,
u horsc, or full grown swine. Hence the
Importance Of properly feeding and tend ing
them.
Scientific Investigations have demonstra-
ted that considerable portion of the feed
consumed by warm-bloodcd animals is eS-
hausted in keeping up the natural heat, by
process very similar to combustion. Hence
as already stated, aud the reason is obvious,
animals warmly housed eat less, as the stove
in close room will consume less fuel in Or
der to maintain certain temperature. The
accumulation of fat is Elyorr5le to the IRE
servation ofanimal heat. 1t is important to
those engaged IN iattening cattle to under
stamp the Importance of housing and,
whether yards, stalls or boxes are best for
this purpose.
A really good system Of housing combines
the following conditions, says an experienced
writer:-
lst, Facilities for supplying food, water,
litter, and for removing dung with the ut
most economy Of time and labor.
ii, Complete freedom from disturbance.
Sd, A moderate and equal degree Of
warmth.
18th, A constant supply Of pure air.
9Th, Opportunity for the cattlc's having
slight degree Of exercise; and
9th, The production of manure OF the best
quality.
Ii is stated, that cattle fed for the butcher
will thrive better in dark, than light stable;
because more contented. Yards, ifproperly
sheltered, are said to be better than stalls or
boxes, for growing young stock; for such
require more exercise than fattening animals
or milch cows.
Ii is also very important to feed regular
ly; hence certain hours should be liked up.
on for feeding, and these should be regularly
observed by the herdsman. The right time,
and place, with feed Of good quality and ol
sufficient quantity will make sleek looking
herd, d,-one that it is q pleasure to feed
and profitable to own for money thus in.
vested yields good dividends. Stock. k.breed'
ing and stock-feeding and tending require
much knowledge, combined with skill and
wisdom, the result Of much experience and
careful observation. Let these be in dali.
exercise, vnd the fruit will be visible.