Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-09-09
00lOreester Qailp Spp.
Rox-Feedinp Cattla.

Box-Feeding Cattle.
The method of box-feeding having several
bearings of decided economical importance
may be described thus: Instead of being tied
up, the animal is allowed box or Enclosure,
III which it can turn around when it chooses
the boxes, as | understand it, being OF any
width from to feet, by about or feet in
length, with feeding rack and Manager some
what modified from the usual form. AS there
appear to be several notifications of this plan,
may here offer few suggestions of my own.
One OF the objects of the plan is to save la
Dor. 1t has promoted that object in England
as is alleged, and this saving OF labor is even
more important with us. BY allowing the
droppings to be deposited in all parts of the
box i'll succession, as will naturally result from
allowing the beast to select a fresh position to
avoid moist dung each time it lies down, the
labor of cleaning the stall daily is saved. This
object of distributing the droppings all over the
bottom or ground OF the pen, is accomplished
by the animal, and muck, mold, litter and saw.
dust can be put down in thin layer at time,
so as to save all the liquid excretions, and
make an excellent compost. The boxes are
made deep enough vertically to admit of an
&C Emulation of several feet in thickness as it
is found to keep dry enough in consequence of
absorbents, like muck, sawdust, chaff, &C.,
being put under and among it in such quanti-
ties as may be requisite for that purpose, and
thus they need cleaning out only once in the
winter, or, if made specially deep, not till
spring. 1t is said the treading the manure bed
constantly received prevents fermentation and
thus prevents the animals health being injured
by foul gases, as also the waste of ammonia,
and thus Is saved great amount of labor, that
with tying in stalls is indispensable in working
over the manure and keeping the animals
clearly. Cleaning them often is necessary,
but very difficult, tedious and unpleasant
operation. When box-fed they keep clean as
a matter of choice when allowed room enough,
because they instinctively avoid moist dirt or
droppings, if permitted the alternative of select
ing position for rest Where stalls are fitted
up with stanchions and floors, these are only
removed and the earth dug out deep enough
to admit of two to four feet manure accumu-
lating, and SO converting stalls into boxes
Some good farmers in Canada adopt this plan,
with vertical rack from the bottom of which
the hay drops into manger. One of the best
ana most successful horse managers | ever
saw adopted it twenty years ago. He was
called idle and slovenly because he did not fol.
low the beaten track, but always having good
healthy horses, and getting good price for
them.
By some it may be thought that the feed
will be sometimes spoiled by droppings in the
manager If the boxes are well lighted in front
OF the animal where he eats, and dark and
close at the opposite or entrance end such &C.
currences will scarcely ever take place, tortha
animal seeks light with its eye as instin stivolv
and naturally as it seeks food Y5kSan bunary
Light is as much a natural and Necessary con.
order of nature is pJth, as eithsT rest or exer-
functions suspended, and tlonoit, that when the
and partially destroyed by ted and the natural
total darkness, we do not o One organs weakened
1erlng, put pracuce very Din keeping animals in
ularly with store animals, amly infict great suf-
pairing their breeding fun-iad economy, partic-
tional yigor, for we cannolaby permanently i'm
of nature without nullifyindctions and constitu-
health in an equal degree. peryert the order
ment might be made besIdg the condition of
back and lighting the fronta Another arrange
thus: Put pole across eide darkening the
from the manger that the cob of the box or pen.
over it to get at the feed b&t such a distance
lts lofe-legs between the Nv or OK must step
when eating which cross-pJ)x. and stand with
Is inches high according toIpole and manger
SC. Standing between this isele should be 10 to
box would do no harm, mo-, i size of animals
any serious inconyeniencea spole and the feed
cause II would DE reauliy r9r would the pole be
only be had recourse to with in any respect, be-
that required it, in the eve'emoyeable and need
toward the manger when n particular animals
heads from the rack Mont of their backing
thousand would ever back turned with their
placed, but all would step ov't one animal in a
out any dalllance over a pole so
The manger or feeding-Per it to feed with
think, better if independent, q
that the compost bed might COX would be. I
the same UNIFORM depth lfe' and detached, SO
bed, two upright studs keeesextend under it to
position % all parts of the
A few of the advantages PIPING it in its right
pens or boxes, as distinguish
ing and tying in any way, uof feeding loose il,
1t saves much labor and Ebed from stall feed
of application COSTS &c. ymay be noticed:
1t secures much largerl its necessary time
able composted manure;
1t promotes greater clearR bulk of very yalu-
better appearance of anmaN
boxed, las blood horses are illness, and much
for the sake of muscular heas SO managed and
1t prevents disease by admhoused in this way
dote of some degree OF natu1lth);
the instinct dictates its nectitting of the anti
fore must be most beneficial lal exercise when
1t promotes better geneeessity. and there
greater cleanliness from volU:
er comfort by admitting of Aral health by its
cessary choice of position iintary choice, great
ing to the instructive dictate voluntary and ne
and greater thrift as a natuit all times. accord
more comfort, alike in mot As of animal feeling;
the contrary, system Of q raj consequence Of
SO far from promoting thriT ion, and at rest. On
restlessness. For which compulsory restraint.
ers, conclude that feedipgt and health, induces
more natural, more aus reasons, among 9TH
nomical, particularly at Y in loose boxes is
stock, than the restraiyaln able, and more eco
necessary locomohon senapplicable to store
stanchion and stall. CNal discomforting and
duces debility, DISTRESS, fructing system of
voluntary motion promo yulsory restraint in
else, and its resulting enathd disease, but the
the exercise of natural funs cleanliness, exer-
extent, but secures that dgy does not obstruct
thrift which can only collections to healthful
limited degree OF voluntary gree of vigor and
raj functions. Die from at least a