Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-12-09

Grain. A few roots once q day, or even
once or twice week, are very beneficial
TO sheep.
Changing fodder is quite help in dis
posing of a considerable portion that is
rather coarse, or of inferior quality.
Where a large stock is kept, and in the
fodder provided there is quite variety,
ranging from the best early-cut hay to
some that was injured by bad weather or
cut late, or on low land with more or less
of the coarse wild grasses, as well as corn
fodder and the different kinds OF straw
where there is such variety, by frequent
changing from oneIkind to another, coarse
fodder win be used to much better advan-
tage than where stock is confined to one
kind of fodder OF &C rse the best hay
will be saved until sprins ,,and all kinds Of
stock kept on dry fodder, will have good
hay after warm spring weather com
mences and the appetite declines.
Cutting and steaming coarse fodder,
is also great help. All coarse, strawy
fodder, largely composed of woody fibre
that is mostly indigestible, is greatly bene-
fitted by cutting and steaming. In this
way a good deal of nutrimeEt is saved
that would otherwise be lost. On all
farms where there is large amount of
coarse fodder, and it is desirable to keep
men employed through the winter, as often
is the case in order to retain good help, cut
ting and steaming fodder must be an un-
ceasing business. Good, fine, early-cut
hay will seldom pay for steaming, unless
it is desirable to mix such hay with other
kinds not so good. Fine early cut hay is
generally eaten by all kinds of stock with
good relish, and easily digested.
ALL STOCK SHOULD EAvE GOOD CARE.
Much of the success or failure in win
tering stock depends on. the daily care.
The natures and necessities of the differ
ent kinds of stock must be well under
stood, and constant attention must be
given to guarding the one and supplying
the other to the best advantage. To pro
vide good SHELTER and a good supply OF
suitable feed is not enough; the one must
be managed in accordance with the nature
of the animals, and the other fed in the
way TO produce the best results. In gen
eral practice, regular feeding at fixed
hours (three times a day. is the best; but
where constant attendance can be given,
and ii is desirable to feed large
mount of coarse fodder without steam
ing, feeding little and often is the
best practice. BY giving a little
every two or three hours, but only SO
much as will be eaten up clean, a steer
or other animal will consume a good deal
more straw, or other coarse fodder, than
when large feed is given twice or three
times a day. TO keep thus moderately
picking up feed, is more like their usual
practice in the field, and they will thrive
comparatively much better in this way
than in any other on the same fodder.
Another advantage in constant attcn-
dance, is IN watching and studying the
wants of each animal, so that they may be
managed and provided for to the best adj
vantage. If the weather were always favora
bic to put up and turn out at stated hours
would be best; but in our variable climate,
to turn out into the yard in the daytime
when il is warm and pleasant, and keep
up when it is cold and stormy, is the best
rule. All kinds of stock are better for
some exercise in the yard in good weather,
while all do better in their stables and
pens in bad stormy weather. To manage
all kinds of stock to the best advantage
in this rcspect-turning out and putting
up as the weather and comfort of the stock
demands-is another advantage in con-
slant attendance. Country Gentleman.