Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1862-11-29
Farmers Department.
OBJECTS OF FOOD FOR CATTLE.

Whydo animals require more foon in
cold Than in warm weather, and why
spffe, more if deprived Of it!
The objects of food are three: LIST,
to supply material for growth to growing
animals, and to compensates for wastes,
both in the growing and in those already |
grownj I'd, to afford warmth, by pro.
cess similar to combustion, whicn GER
tain Ingredients of the food undergo in
the animals body 3D., 10 afford pleasures.
The Creator his provided for the hap
piness, as well as the mere exstance, of
all his creatures.
Practically the objects of food for do.
mestic animals are two; to supply mat
ter for the body, aud to sustain its
warmth. The portions of food contain
Ing nitrogen, as the gluten in the Ger.
Gals and the lean of the meats go to form
muscle, tendons, skin, and all other tiss-
uss of the body. Those not containing
nitrogen, as the starch in the cereals,
and the fat of meat, serve as fuel to keep
up the temperature of the body. As
God has done all things well, we may
conclude that, in the natural food of an
imals, grass in summer, and hay, grain
and roots in winter, there are about the
right proportions of heat-producing and
fesh-producing matter. 1t is SO beyond
question and if no unreasonable demaud
is made upon eiteer, the two, as is vul-
garty said of the bread and cheese, will
come out even. If an animel is kept in a
warm stall by night, and in sunny yard
by cay, with sheds to defend from cold
winds, his bread and cheese will come
out above even. In that part of his
food which produces wrowth there will
be mixed just about enough of the fue
portion TO keep him waln. With fai1
allowance he will be about as eontentet
and happy as an oyster in deep water
his food will be well digested, and there
will be no loss. But if you send hin
adrift to find the best shelter he can
behind tree or a rail-fenee, then, 70
the sake of the producing parts o
his food, he will devour more than woult
otherwise be required and large pro-
portion of the extra food will be lost
What becomes of it, need not now b.
explained; for every one knows tha
cattle shivering with the cold, neve
grow, however much they eat, unless
be to grow smaller; and although som
believe, or pretend to, that animal
shockingly abused through the. winter
will grow all the better in spring an
summer, their belief will hardly obtai
currency among the experienced farmers
They know the direct contrary-tha
when the growth is checked by sever
suffering. it is slow to recommence, an
that all the extra food consumed for tn
want of shelter is worse than a dea
loss.
Mans obligations Of kindness to tn
animals that surveyes his interest, shoul
impel him to furnish shelter. But asid
from this, there is question of economy
The Esquimaux drinks a quart of trai
oil and eats plenty of fat seal, and con
trives to keep himself from freezing in
very rigorous climate. In this latituds
cattle without a shelter might escap
intolerable suffering if you would Civ
them plenty OF corn meal and oil cak
and other fattening and heat-producn
foods. But would this be economical
Without shelter cattle must either be fe
very expensively, or suffer very cruelty
and in either case will they pay for thei
food. With a warm sheltes, they vii
make fair growth, on modeate keeping
1t is great deal provide shelter, than t
get along without.