Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1860-10-26
Hconomy In Wintering Stock.
SHELTER.


tic animals, in winter, is shelter.
There are three facts connected with the
wintering Of stock, which should be well con-
sidered by every one who keeps cow, horse,
pig, or sheep.
LIST. 1t is. a fact, that the production of an
imal heat in the body, consumes more than
half of the food taken into the stomach.
I'd. It is a fact, that external warmth
serves as an equivalent of food to an extent,
which is of great importance. ~.
Sd. 1t is a fact, that the aliment daily ia
ken into the systems of all animals, should
be precisely adapted by its chemical compo-
sition and solubility, to the natural wants of
every organ and tissue in the living animal.
L1EBra asserts that, "Our clothing is
merely an equivalent for a certain amount Of
food" In other words, if we keep ourselves
comfortable and warm, we cannot eat so
much, because the amount of heat to be sup
piled by food is diminished. These facts are
as applicable to animals, as to man, and they
teach the farmer the necessity Of providing
shelter for his stock. It has been proven by
experiments, that animals in the winter, ex-
posed to the cold, beating storms do not
thrive as well, or keep in as good condition.
as those housed, although they consume from
fifty to one hundred per cent. the more food
The length and severity of our winters are
such, that the feeding and care Of stock have
strong and peculiar claims on the farmer.
We should expect, on we'll regulated
farm, that the stock would all have good,
warm, comfortable, and well ventilated sta
bles; and that it's owner would not suffer a
hoof on his premises to pass night without
good roof for shelter and warmth, and good,
clean, dry litter for bedding. The less amount
Of food that will be required. the greater econ
omy with which it may be fed, the freedom
of stock from disease, the amount Of manure
saved, render it matter Of economy to thus
care for our animals. We are told by some
farmers, that they are not able to supply
shelter for their stock. Ifyou are not able,
sell what you cannot provide for. 1t has
been conclusively shown, by experiments,
that two animals well sheltered and fed will
yield more profit than four poorly kept.
There are other advantages in shelter
Continual exposure to storms, though the
degree of cold be not great, is very injurious
to the health Of stock. The continual satu-
ration Of the skin with water prevents the
natural cxhalations, and tends to produce
disease. Now we think there is neither
kindness nor economy in such treatment of
domestic animals.
There is at the present time An extraordi.
nary disease among our cattle in the West.
During the winter months, the animal is
seized with an infection Of the nose, creating
an itching 20 intense - to make it plunge its
nostrils among, thorns, o. beat its head
against +rees, endangermg Efs itself By n
treatment offered its ears, eyes, and head
Now any man that has been at all accustomed
to animals, and whose education has enabled
him to observe the analogy between their
diseases generally and those Of men, must
perceive, that, as impurity Of blood produced
by poor diet and exposure subjects man to
various cutaneous affections, so in like man.
ner similar m treatment applied to stock en-
genders corresponding diseases. The fact is,
If we desire to save our stock, and make this
Western Country the Great Stock Market Of
the world, We must entirely abandon the