Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-12-15
Tending Stock in Winter.

l. Savingm That's the word The
whole secret of success in the manage
ment Of stock of cattle in winter rests
with the farmer If he uses judgment and
care in feeding, his stock will come out in the
spring looking well, and on much less fodder
than if no reconsideration had been used in put
ting out the fodder. Farmers often complain
that their cattle waste their hay, don't eat it
up clean, and leave orts. The fact is it is the
farmers themselves who waste IT, The cattle
are not to blame v hen twice the quantity Of
hay is put before them that they need, if they
do pick out the best butt is unjust to charge
to dumb animals the faults the farmer him
self is guilty Of BE saving of the fodder
Do not stint the stock give them all they
will eat, and no more.
Ill. Feed regularly, and give good meal
at a time. We know farmers who are in the
habit of throwing light sprinkling Of hay
before their cattle and horses whenever they
60 into the barn. Asa consequence they are
always uneasy and always hungry. flying
down, when for any cause, the farmer enters
the barn for a moment, up they all jump and
begin to stretch and hollow for something to
eat The stock of suck farmer is always
poor and always hungry The true system
of feeding is to feed regularly and uniformly.
Three times day is often enough for all
kinds Of farm stock; although in very cold
weather it may be well to feed four times,
and on moderate days only twice, especially
to sheep
III. In clear days give stock at least three
hours sun in the open yards, and see that the
stables and tie-ups are well lighted. Nothing
is more unfavorable for the health and COM
fort of stock, than to be confined all day in a
dark, unventilatod tie-up. When the cattle
are in the yards take the opportunity to clean
out the tie-up, and litter the floor with the
orts that may have been left in the crib Att
no other time should they be removed
~. Mich COWS demand and should receive |
extra care and extra feed In cold weather |
n greater amount of food is needed to keep up |
the necessary animal heat, and where but
sufficient amount is given for this purpose
how can an increase Of milk be expected--in-
deed, is it not more generally the case that in
winter the yield Of milk diminishes? But
with little extra pains, which will be more
than made up by the extra flow of milk OBJ
tanned, this can be done. Good hay, plenty
Of water, and a small quantity daily of some
provender, will be found to pay we'll Oil
cake meal can now be purchased at 81 per
hundred, and we are confident the expend-
ture of few dollars laid out in this, for mich
cows, would be good investment.
V. No farmer should attempt to winter
stock Of cattle who has not a good supply of
water. Stock of all kinds can get along on
small allowance of hay, for it can be made up
in some other form but nothing can take the
place Of water. 1t is needful for the very
sustenance of life, and they cannot be denied
it, or put off with half enough See to it,
that by all means every animal in your barns
and yards has as much water, daily, as it will
drink.
VI. More than all this, and not less i'm
portant, every animal has still higher claims
upon man who has dominion over it, Food
and drink are necessary, and must be provided
for the wants of those who give so much in
return--but every creature has also demands
of kindness and affection upon his keeper
The man who feeds his cattle but at the same
time abuses and beats, and overloads his oxen
and horses, and kicks his COWS, is more of a
brute than they.-Maine Farmer.