The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-03-16
rr,nts on care OF STOCK for March.

The horse stock Of firm require much
attention at all times for neglect or mis-
management, in this particular, may DO
productive of heavy losses. If working
horses are not well fed and properly cared
for in every way, they will not be able to
prepare the soil in proper time for spring
crops; half titled soil and late, light crops
will be the result. Prepare and harden
them with suitable feed for spring blowing
and other heavy work. Trya peck of car
rots day to each animal, giving less
quantity of oats. If they refuse them at
first, cut and mix them with Indian meal.
Always be gentle with colts and get them
accustomed to be handled and to like
your presence. A few carrots fed daily
are very valuable for colts ALSO. AT this
season have working oxen in good condi-
ton for the heavy labors approaching.
Continue to give roots with cut hay, or
straw, and ground feed. They should be
kindly and generously treated In winter |
and spring, and kept in good working con-
dtion-not too fat, but active, strong, and |
muscular. The continued use of fat-pro-
ducing food is not suitable for working
animals, as they require an ample supply |
of material for building up bone, muscle
and flesh. Fat soon disappears under the
pressure of hard work flesh and muscle
are not SO fragile. II you have not enough
oxen look out and get good mates for your
steers, if your herd does not supply them
spend some time daily, not breaking, but
training them.
The greatest care should be taken of
mich COWS throughout the winter and
spring, for if they are not kept in good COR
dition, they will not produce strong calves
or yield much milk in summer and au-
tumn. Cows that calve very early 10 the
spring are seldom as profitable for the
dairy as those which come in about the
first of May, when the new grass is spring.
ing, and soft, nutritious food abounds. For ,
breeding purposes, however, it is
better that the COWS should come
in early, in order that the calves NAV ,
be strong before the ensuing winter at /
weak calf never improves much in winter. {
The most successful dairymen let their
mich cows go dry six to eight weeks be-
fore the time of calving, and they are re-
warded with an abundant supply of milk
for at least nine months of the year. Some
persons milk until within few weeks of
,alving time, but this weakens tho COW o
and the calf, and is practice which r
should DO discontinued. Give plenty of +
iced at stated times. Look we'll to cows
coming IN" Young stock should not >
all away in flesh at this season, but should y
,e kept growing all the time. 1t is too h
common practice to stint the young y
took, in order to pamper the older ones, Il
UGH as mich cows and fattening cattle. Il
This has been justly called the penny-wise h,
nd pound-foolish system for years n
,rowth is sometimes sacrificed by stinting ~
'oung animals in winter. ri
No amount Of good treatment ard high
eeding, at a subsequent period can repair :.
he damage done to young stock by cold y, W
nd hunger in the early stages of their ~
rowth. Store cattle, intended for fatten- ~
ng next summer and fall, should have =:
uitabe shelter and liberal supply of ~
God provender, SO that they may be kept
improving in condition. When managed -
4 this way, they will take on fat readily II
then put on rich pasture. Shelter sheep :
rom rains and storms, but do not confine
hem to close sheds unless fattening. If
armers were provident enough, so many ed
nousand sheep would not be recklessly +,
aughtered, and sold for mere trihe.
here is not much use in trying to keep tai
heep unless nutritious food is provided Pa
Or them in winter and spring as well as :.
l e11n,n,ar lal