Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1864-08-18
.AdRtCUf.'i'URA
COMFORT OF ANIMALS.

L lie anfnlalS 3 comfort ana the owner
profit DIRE two very different things
Most iiten do not seem to consider thnt in
the 'eturnal fitness Of things" it has been
ordered that there should be very close
relation between some very different mat
ters, and that the animals comfort and
the owncf's profit are very closely con-
nectcd. The sleek kline having filed
themselves in the meadow during the
cooler part of the day. arc now in the
enjoyment of the delightful shade and
cool stream. They stand and chew the
cud of contentment; ind. are worried
iieithef BY the heat nor by fears. 1t is
evident that the functions of dcglutition,
assimilation and secretion must 20 on
With much more profitable results than if
the cows stood fighting flies in the hot.
dry noontide, restless and discontentcd.
Think of the amount Of power wasted in
stamping and paiting dust in the hot sun
in swinging the ponderous heads of a
score of cattle from one side to another to
beat off the flies, and in the many ner-
vous steps and motions herd of cattle
will make. Every one Of these motions
detracts from the amotut of milk, or
from the weight of the flesh of the ami
mails. The worrying and the heat pre-
vents the harmonious exercise of the vital
functions and there is really Il cuttsidera-
bic loss resulting daily to the farmer, be
he feeder or duiryman. With neat cat
tic and other ruminsnts this is obviously
true, for they must spend much time
daily in chewing the cud. With horses,
animals which do not ruminatc, it is
scarcely less the fact for wherever there
is good pasturage, they spend a good
part Of the day at rest. quietly digesting
their food. a fruitful cause of the great
decrease Of milk in hot weather may be
looked fbf in the discomfort of the COWS.
The abundance of grazing and of water
early in the season secures an abundant
flow of milk, and the drying Of the pas
lures is accomplished BY decrease. The
grass which grows in hot weather is more
nutritious than tho succulent growth Of
spring and early summer, and it requires
less amount to satisfy the animals. But
even when tho food supply continues,
the state Of the weather makes 4 great
difference in the quantity Of milk given.
Hot, dry weather will inevitably decrease
tho ailiount, which will increase again
when the Weather changes. Aluch1 Of
this decrease is die to the discomfort at
tending beat lind dust and tGc attacks of
insects, for with cows III soiling stables
there is but little variation noticed
These COWS are more comfortable, have
plenty of food and drink, shade and COM
pany, and soon seem to forget that they
are deprived of liberty. Fattening ami
mails which Craze undisturbed in confined
limits and have little to distract their at
tontion, and no ability or temptation to
take much exercise, do much better than
those in large herds which have consider
able range, moro or less fighting and
bullying, and other causes which excite
thcm, or at least disturb che even tenor
of their tl.dt.gltts. 1t has been abundantly
proved that the less Of exercise an OK or
sheep takes, so long as it is in good
health, the less it can see, and the less it
has to attract its attention in any way,
the quicker and and better Il viii fatten
Very much the same thing is true of all
animals, though horses need light and
exercise much more than neat stock,
sleep or swine. As concerns animals at
pasture whether feeding for the shambles
yielding milk, or young growing stock,
the principle is equally applicable
.imerican Agriculturist. ..