Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1860-10-26

present mode of treatment, and substitute q
system consistent with reason and humanity.
It is declared in the BIBLE that the merciful
man Is merciful to his beast. We have seen
civilized, humane farmers throwing fodder to
their stock, that had no shelter night nor
day, though the snow lay upon the frozen
earth, and the keen winds sent a shiver
through their bones, as if the tines of fork
had penetrated their flesh. He cannot bear
such weather himself, but somehow thinks
that stock is not made of flesh and blood, and
do not feel uncomfortable with frozen bed and
and frozen food, given to them in a freezing
atmosphere. Every animal before him has
his backbone arched, and feet drawn up un.
der him, and shivers but the farmer takes
it as an indication of comfort! He does not
believe that his stock has the same nature as
himself, and needs protection as much, in or
der to thrive. To what slow torturcs are
multitades Of beasts subjected, at this season,
through the ignorance Of their owners; and
this piece of barbarism is as wasteful as it is
cruel. It takes third more feed to winter
stock in this way. Either enlarge your barns,
or diminish your your stock. Let not this
barbarous practice of thus wintering stock
any longer disgrace our western country.
February and March are the hardest
months in the year on stock, and they re-
quire more attention, care and feeding than
at any other time. All young stock should
be kept steadily growing, and should be kept
in uniformity good condition the year
round. If they are neglected at this time,
and suffered to run down, it will take some
time to recruit them. Their ability to stand
the weather is less at this time than EARLIER
in the season. They must eat in proportion
to the cold, or the fat and flesh will be vast.
ed away in the production Of the warmth
necessary to sustain life.
Foop.
In wisely selecting the food which is best
adapted to the natural wants of neat cattle,
mich cows, working teams, sheep and poul-
try, We all have much to learn.
My experience in feeding stock is this, that
there is great advantage in cutting feed,
such as straw, corn stalks and hay, as a mat
ter OF economy. 1t aids in digestion, and is
much better relishcd by the animals; there
should be added some bran, shorts and corn
meal. The cooking or steaming of food for
stock, consider quite essential, for its effects
important chemical changes in the substances
cooked. contend, then, food that is cook.
ed for stock will 60 one third farther than
when it is given IN the hard, heating, bind
ing, irritating corn. Roots should not be
overlooked; they serve as change from
dry food. Carrots, turnips and beets, can
be easily grown, and no farmer should be
without them during the winter season.
They should be fed once day, at least; va
riety is essential to a good appetite, and it is
unquestionably true that roots will have the
effect of making stock more healthy.
Salt is important; supply should be
placed where they can obtain it at any time:
they will never eat more than they need
Stock should be fed regularly, and at stated
times. They should never have more at a
time than they can eat up clean. If they
leave any, it should be Immediately taken
from them.
GROOMING.
Grooming is highly important. Good rub
bling with curry comb and brush opens the
pores of the skin, circulates the blood to the
extremities of the body, produces free and
healthy PRECIPITATION and tandsin the room
Of exercise ; thus the grooming is beneficial to
the horse; and l contend that it is equally
so with cattle. think that mich cows and
cattle that are stabbed, should De groomed
every day. believe that mich cows should
be curried to insure good mess of milk !;
and in conclusion, think stock that have
good warm comfortable stables, feed cut and
cooked, and are groomed every day, will
thrive and be in better condition, on one half
of the food, than those that are left to take
care Of themselves in the storms and cold
blustry winds, with double the amount of