The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1860-02-17
farm, Garden and Aitfhtu.
How Frequently Shall We Fodder.

"How often in the course of the day shall
stock BE- led ?" is question answered vari-
ously by different farmers, some advocating
but two meals, the majority giving three,
while others give fodder five or six times
daily. From considerable experience in the
care of stock, We have formed the opinion
that animals are best satisfied, and most Geo.
nomicalIy ~in,ered when they have four or
five toidurings between Daylight and night
fall
Animals fod but twice day must be fed
quite large quantity. or they will have u
good deal Of unoccupied time, in which their
anxiety for fresh supply Of food cannot Dr.
particularly conducive TO thrift or quiet. And
when largely supplied, large waste very fire.
quently results. unless the fodder is placed
where it cannot be wasted, which is not oftel,
the case with those in this manner. The
hungry cattle or sheep, after SO long fast.
run from one supply Of fodder to another
the stronger animals driving the weaker a.
round the yard several times, pulling the fod-
der from the boxes, and dropping it on the
way much more than is the case when feu
frequently.
Three fodderings day is thought as many
as can be conveniently given by majorit!
of farmers. 1t is, when the farmers bust
ness takes him much away from home, but II
farmer ought to have no business which
should cause him to neglect his stock in win
ter. When cattle are stabbed, they ought to
have good feed as soon as light, land the!
should whether stabbed or not,) and afte,
that is eaten, be watered and fed again; a,
noon another supply OF food should be Civ
en-, and after that water and small fodder
ing, to he followed by full one for the night
This makes five fodderlngs in day, and
those may be varied in material or quality, sc
as to keep up the variety of food SO well
liked by all animals.
With plenty Of corn fodder and straw, and
hay in short supply. We have tried the fol
loving routine: First cornstocks fed on the
frozen ground, or cut i'll pieces foot long.
and fed in boxes or managers, lin both cases
the butts reserved for fine cutting and steam
ing.) next feed Of straw, slightly brined, if
not otherwise we'll eaten, hay at dinner time,
straw for the afternoon meal, and cornstocks
again at evening. Gu, feed and meal when
ted are usually given at noon instead of hay.
We never had cattle do better, or fodder
more economically consumed with as little
labor in its preparation.
Sheep and calves need feeding four or five
times day, to have them eat well, withou,
wasting their food, and without ever getting
very hungry. If they have pretty free sup
ply, they are very apt to pull it out Of theil
racks more or less, and always feed less qui-
city when hungry from long fasting. W.
would give hay but twice per day, even if
very plentiful, giving bean, or pea, or oat, O,
wheat straw, for the other two fodderings.-
And then they should have little grain Of
some kind, oats, barley, beans or corn, once
day through the winter. Good shelter and
water should in all cases be provided.
Perhaps We ought to qualify our common
dation Of frequent todderins more fully. Ev-
cry farmer knows that his stock is far more
quiet some days than others, that they cal,
better and waste less, and seem satisfied with
far less attention. The restless days of storm
and wind. wien We would best like to be- qu
ct ourself, We have found the very DAYS whe,.
our farm stock demanded our almost con,
stan, attention. Then we found the rule.
feed little and often," Ct the most impur-
TIA, ce. and it is after such day, and on.
spent mostly in the barn and yards, that ".
pen this hasty reminder Country Gentle
man.