Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1870-12-23
Westminster Farmers Club.

Westminster Farmers Club.
Dec. Is, Subject, "The Management
of Farm Stock when coming to the barn
for the Winter"
N. G. PIERcE.-This question invol-
yes the time stock should be brought to
the barn. We are in the habit of letting
it remain too long, too late in the season
before bringing it up to the barn. We
are "pcnny-wise and pound foolish" al
ways in so doing in two ways: They
grow poor, and our land is made so by
not leaving an aftermath upon the
ground to protect and enrich it. Some
think sheep ought to run out later, on
account of its being more adapted to
their nature to give them ashort winter,
yet | think we injure our pastures in this
practice.
QUESTION BY Would
you feed grain in the iorepart of win
ter :?
Ans. would grain little in the
fore-part Of winter, while their systems
are undergoing the change, especially
young sheep, calves and colts. If you
have not got grain better buy some.
DEA. Nc NEIL-Wc are, perhaps,
agreed in theory, but not in practice.
Mr.. Pierce says he would feed grain, and
bring stock to the barn early before los
ing flesh. This is all correct, but the
flesh should be kept on, especially cows
should not be allowed to lose flesh they
should be fed at any and all times when
not ableto readily obtain their own proper
sustenance. have fed this six weeks and |
feed good hay, all they want. My stock
is limited to cows; feed daily from two
to four quarts of meal. half cob corn
meal and half shorts, to COW, vary
ing according to the demands of diff
ferent cows; some cows will not take
meal, especially in large quantities and
retain their milk pure \ don't believe
in granting high but would not feed
poor food at first.
QUESTION Blythe PRESIDENCY Would
you grain young cattle when first COM
ing to the barn ?
ANs-I would not let them lose flesh
0. l.. FisHER.- mind has been
well spoken. The time to take stock to
the barn we must each be our own Judge,
and not let them run down, and after
coming to the barn we should keep them
gaining. Sir, wish it was the law to
take up stock to the barn, for the winter,
the first Of November, and would feed
them on rowen-the first crop-it is bet
ter adapted to their systems, the change
is notso sudden as to commence on coarse
fodder or on hay. would feed some
grain the fore-part Of winter if not all
winter, even if l had to buy it.
Mr.. MErcALF OF CoLoRADo.-Our
cattle run out all winter. Our seasons
are similar to yours, in length, except
our SHOWS are less and do not stay on but
a day or two when they come l have
known snow to fall the 9th of May
three feet deep, most all of it in one night
and 60 off about as quick. We have a
sort of blue grass growing tall, that the
frosts seems to dry and mature like your
hay, retaining its nutritious properties
SO that cattle turned out poor in the fall
will become fat
N.PIERcE.-Mr. Fisher says he wishes
stock was legally forced to the barn
the first Of November. We have such a
law and the penalty is, we are poorer in
pocket, and have poor stock.
ID. c. WRIGHT.-I should have stock
come to the barn before they lose flesh a
particle. especially sheep that you are
going to feed for market. If they run
out and Craze little too long, though
almost imperceptable, yet if you put
them on to the scales you will find they
have lost five lbs or more, and before
you get them back you will have to get
back ten pounds. l think Mr. Fisher is
right as to the time of feeding rowen.
would feed some grain, but would cal.
- 4