The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-11-08
agricultural.
From the Country Gentleman.
Housing Stock and Feeding thom Ex-
ira when the Nights are Cold.

In the Country Gentleman OF Aug. Goth,
and also in the October No. OF The Cultiya-
tor, discriminating readers could hardly fail
To have their attention arrested by the FOL
lowing paragraph, as it bears the mark Of n
more than ordinary judiclousness and thought
fuIneSs, and is il is suggestive Of an in-
prosement upon the common modes OF man
asement. The paragraph which seemed to
us 40 noteworthy. and. 80 likely to attract
special attention, is this; =.
"FOdasying cattle is commenced -arly.t
(that is ON the farm Of Akin Freeman, one
of the prominent farmers Of Cayuga Coy or
as soon as frost affects the grass-that being
regarded as the most critical period in the
year. and when cattle fall away most rapid
ly. OF contract fatal diseases"
Among British farmers practice, based
upon the same principle as Mr.. F. 5 carly
fUidering, seems to be pretty generally adop-
ted. namely, that of feeding oilcake and
meal, and stabling cattle at night, after the
nights have begun To be cold. IL seems to
hc generally known and acknowledged ON the
other side Of the Atlantic, though, We fear,
not a. much as it should bc on this side, that
pasture grasses, a. soon as touched by frost,
or even before it, lose a portion OF their nu-
triyiNe qualities, and that some change
should be made in correspondence with this
fact. The changes, either proposed or prac-
ticed. to save cattle from falling away or
losing condition in consequence Of this loSs
of nutritive qualities in pasture grasses are,
firstly, stocking the pastures more lightly, a
portion Of the stock being removed to stub
hlc fields or some extra feed, rs turniTs,
pumpkins, &c, being supplied in the pas-
turc; or, secondly, early ioddcring, say
nights and mornings, as practiccd by the ju-
dicious farmer Of Cayuga Co., already men,
toned or, thirdly, that Of feeding oilcakc
and grain as long as the animals, cows espe-
cially, are confined TO the pasture. This
seems to be the practice adopted by good
farmers in Great Britain, and among the all
Vantas,S claimed for il is one which reaches
beyond the present comfort aud good condi-
tiOn Of the animals 50 cared for, namely, the
increased fertility and greater amount Of sue
culcnt heritage in the spring and summer lol.
lowing, from the Increased richness in the
manure made. while cake or grain are fur
nished to stock yet in pasture.
As To Mr.. Frecman's opinion that the Gall
j. the most critical period OF the year, and
that animals often contract fatal diseases
dusnG this period, il must secure the assent
oi'all close observers. II he attributes this
liability To contract fatal diseases solely to
the falling oH in the nu,ritiYc qualities of
the pasture grasses after frost, We should
hardly venture to difcr from him little, as
we think this liability is owing still more tu
the practice Of allowing creatures to lie out
in the fields after the nights have become
quite chilly. Even If a cow ora calf should
be foldered early in the season, according
to MIR. Freeman's Praiscworthy practice, and
should thus he prevented from falling OF in
condition, yet they would he liable to become
sick-one or more in hundred would GER
tainly suffer and be sick-ii allowed To lie
out during nights that were cold, even ir no,
quite frvsty, or when the dews were very
heavy, for in any such nights they could mol
escape being chillcd-aye, chilled % the Yer!
bone. We have named cows and calves a
especially liable to suffer from these night!
chilis. and we might add horses that hay,
been at work the preceding day. The prae
tice is injurious peculiarly to the owner, a
well Us cruel to the animals 50 exposed.
A. r. A.