Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1864-05-28
Influence of Sunlight.

y mistaken notion prevails with many
( that animals need little OF no light while
confined in the stable. Psychologists declare
that other things being equal, families who
occupy apartments on the sunny side Of
dwellings are the most healthy and happy.
Fresh air and sunlight are promotive of
health, and yet, in the construction Of sta
bles for animals, many seem to fo:get that
these requisites are important
One would suppose that in localities where
the attention of farmers is almost exclusive
ly devoted to stock anything connected with
the management of animals conducting to
their health and comfort would be the sub
ject of thought. Yet how few even for
moment are willing to give this subject the
attention it deserves. To suppose that an
animal confined in dark, damp, unvcnti-
lated stable, will thrive, and be able to yield
the same profit that it would if occupying
place the reverse OF these, is to be supposed
an impossibility. Disease, though it may
not at first be apparent to the eye, is, never
| theless, doing its work, and in some way
will make itself felt to the loss of the
owner.
Hogs that have their pens so made that
the sunlight can be freely admitted thrive
better and are more easily fattened than
when confined in pens where the rays of the
sun never penetrate. SO with horses. Sc
rious diseases are engendered from badly
constructed stables. The horse is fond of
fresh air and light, and his stable should be
provided with the means of thorough yenti-
latiUn, and the admission of the suns rays !;
he enjoys these quite us much as his master,
and it seems thoughtless and cruel TO de-
priye so good n servant of that which costs
nothing, but yet serves to make him happier
and more contentcd with his lot in life
Doubtless animals, like men, have their
days in which things are turned topsy-turvy,
and could their feelings be expressed in
words We doubtless should hear sad stories
of theiE being compelled, under the whip,
to DO heavy and exhausted work when sick,
and OF being deprived OF comforts through
the Ignorance and thoughtlessness of those
who have them in care.
On the score of economy we believe that
1t pays to treat all animals kindly, and to
provide them with suitable buildings for
shelter. We know from actual experience
that the COW that has been wintored in a
warm, dry, we'll ventilated stable, properly
fed aud cared for, will pay for all extra
trouble and labor in the increased quantity
and better quality of milk yielded through
the summer following When we hear OF
dairymen complaining that the annual yield
of cheese per COW has fallen down 10 three
huudred or three hundrld and flty pounds,
we have strong suspicion that the fault lies
somewhere in the keeping or management
of stock We hold that good stable Tor
stock should be provided with windows to
admit sunlight, il should I've dry and well
ventilated, and the same genera, rules for
health applicable to persons should he ever
before the eye OF the farmer, and guide him
Ia bis treatment OF stock
II any one doubts that sunlight has a
beneheent influence on health aud spirit let
him compare his feelings during long term
Of cloudy, wet weather, aud then again,
when every day u pleasant vita warm,
Dairy k,Irasr.