Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1860-03-08
Letter from a Small Farmer.

EDITOR EREEMAN':-l believe it is no
longer subject of controversy among farm
ers in regard to the benefit to be derived from
providing warm winter quarters for CATTLE
All agree that cattle thrive better, and re-
quire less food when kept warm, than when
exposed to the cold and storms of our Yer
mont winters, and that it is not only hu.
name act towards the animal, but pecuni-
airy advantage to the owner. But in connec-
ton with this, there is another theory which
is almost as universally conceded to, which
is. that it is as necessary that cattle, when
stabbed, should be let out, and have three or
four hours exercise each day, in order to
have them do well, as it is that they should
be kept warm and well fd. -.
Now, Mr.. Editor, should not presume
to dissent from such an established opinion,
if experience did not back me up in it.
Some few years ago 1 put ten head of cattle
into the stable in November, and did not let
them out again until February, and but once
more till spring, and never had cattle do
any better on the same feed, Notwithstanding
they did not have the advantage of the warm
and improved stables of the present time
The stock consisted of dry COWS, and oxen.
was induced to try the experiment from a
combination of circumstances, one of which
was the smallness and inconvenience of my
barn-yard; but the success of this my first
experiment, and OF repeated trials since,
has convinced me that it would be for the in
terest of every farmer to try the experiment,
whose barns, &C., are so arranged as to make
it practicable foI him TO do it.
For three years past have had running
water under shed attached to the barn,
coming from warm spring, the benefit Of
which no farmer can duly appreciate until
he has tried it, Since that time we have
carried water to the cattle in pals, letting
them out two or three times only during the
winter, just to take fair look at them, to
be sure they were not losing ground and I
think cattle thus treated are more contented
and quiet--even without an artificial scratch
er-than when let out once or twice day.
1t takes less time; and, besides, you are sure
every one has an opportunity to drink.
treat young cattle in the same way, and |
feel confident, from comparison and observa-
ton, that cattle, old and young, do as well
to say the least, as those which are treated
differently; and further, from long practice
| have no hesitation in recommending tt
others who, from any cause, do not in sum
mer put their COWS in pasture at night, to tie
them up as in winter, and give each a small
foddering of hay, especially if their pastures
are short. This they relish extremely well
and it also pays well.
Now, Mr.. Editor. l am fully aware tina
many, if not all, of our large farmers, WHIT
keep ten, twenty, or thirty cows, will say
this is not practicable for u.s. although it may
do for man who keeps three or four COWS
but who ever thought of carrying water ii
pals, all winter, to twenty cows, or Of tying
them up all summer? But would just ask
if it is profitable to keep two COWS in thi
way, may it not be to keep twenty? l
certainly must be, il COWS will do better
with the same or less amount of labor.
| hope farmers will not wholly throw ava,
the theory without trial. They will b.
sure, if their barns are rightly constructed
to save all the manure, summer and winter
and have an opportunity of sailing and feed
ing each creature separately, and withou
waste. SMALL FARMER.
H. ,,z,c I'll. r. IL i 800