The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1872-11-08
Agricultural.



It's changes, SO hurtful to all kinds of
stock exposed TO IL, shiveriug, literally
ahiverlng off its flesh, aud thus prepar.
lug to go at a disadvantage into Winter
quarters. The season has been severe
upon herbage; pasture Is short-too
short for Winter protection and early
growth In the Spring and meadows are
called upon to supply what is considered
awantoffodderw when fodder provided for
Winter feed should be fed instead such
as cornstalks, pumpkins, potatoes, &C.,
irrespective Of the scarcity, as nop is
the critical time-pasture failing, feed
changed, storms superveding, with no
let up to follow in the cold and viciss-
tudes of Winter.
1t Is best always to begin Winter feed
early, saving the meadows and pastures
not only what they afford as protection
and an early start in the Spring, but to
prevent trampling, which is more seri-
Gus than is generally supposed. The
rains will not hurt but benefit the grass
lands; the stock will hurt 1t materially,
especially cattle, and they are also more
influenced by the weather. A milk
COW in the rain, and with snow melt
ing upon her How often is this inhu.
man treatment seen Is 1t wonder
that cows fall off In milk, and In flesh ?
The difference is seen at once. Pass
through the country, and it will be
found that this prevails to a great ex.
tent. This wretched neglect Is bru.
tai.
If there are stables, aohy not have the
COWS in them as well rs out In the rain
or in the chilly air? Is IL really laziness
or habit? Or what is il? There is 9
scarcity of feed; yet suffering in every
storm is SO much food thrown away
not measured or it might have no effec,
thus seen.
Aud are our stables better than out
doors ? We are constrained from what
we see to ask this question. Cattle we
nave known to refuse to enter theil
stalls, while others have begged for en-
trance. Rigid confinement, hard
uneven floor 1--WE have seen it frequent
ly), with wallowing in the slush Of
the and then exposed to the
shivering, freezing, cold-the stable
stable being nesrly as cold as the all
WIthCut-with no chance to escape, but
having TO stand to it-this is not en-.
couraging to cow, and cow in milk
at the time! Better feed in the open
air subject to the inclemency of the
weather. Both are disgrace to any
farmer.
a warm shed, open at one place large
enough for ingress, and egress is better
place Tor stock than is generally thought
ny rigid disciplinarians, who favor the
confinement system. We can bring to
mind not few such cases where shed
closely boarded and ceiled, with fodder
overhead, the opening to the East or
South, fforded comfort that it is a
pleasure to think of. The place was
warm, made warmer by the stock, soft
bedded ,and well aired(by the entrance)
without overmuch circulation thus
comfortable in the coolest weather, and
In storms, OF course, perfect protec-
tion.i .iBut your stock must not be crowd.
ed. We have had occasion in our
earlier experience, to separate the most
unruly members, and thus found all
peaceful and harmonious. Racks for
feeding were provided along the inside
of the building, giving plenty of space,
as the whole shed was thus arranged.
There was straw used for catching the
urine and dung, and this removed as
required--a compost heap thus being
made which saved well the substance
OF the manure, and readily converted
the straw into the same. In this way
stock was Kept clean, healthy and in
good condition. Early, when storms
prevailed, it was brought to the barn,
and at once knew its place and took
advantage OF 1t, and no labor, mo troub.
lie, only to feed, carry the stalks and
the haff, and the best straw on the
rack. Here also pumpkins were fed.
On the opposite side of the barn was
the sheep shed, similar to the one for
cattle, success in every respect. And
here the sheep were brought when the
equinoctial and other storms came on,
and they were kept as Summer made
them with plenty of good clover hay and
otner small feed, clover not being cut
then as now (when in bloom), with all
its substance available, and thus being
sufficient as a sole feed, when yet
green.
Calves, like sheep and cows, should
be by themselves. Give them warmer
stables. or course give them the free.
dom OF the place, as there is no danger |
Of their hurting one another. They
VIII thrive on tender hay and pure
water alone, If they are not previously
Kept out and pelted by the storms. If
lacking in flesh, little meal, barley
and oats mixed is excellent, and will |
soon get up activity and roundness of
hesh. Keep the calves groaciag
through the Winter.
Have we advised the shed system +? |
We have presented it. The negligent
farmer, If he adopts it, will do so with
advantage-with decided advantage
and so will the advocate of extreme
confinement, where the discomforts, as
we have mentioned, are greater than
the exposure to the free sky. Let us 4
reason let us consider brute AN ami. |
NAL, akin to us in wants, as 1t is, and
then let us work from principles Cor
respondent Country Gentleman.
MIXED GRAIN.-An eastern farmer
writes: 1t has been our custom for sew
eral years to SOW mixture of oats and
wheat for feeding stock, two bushels of J
oats and one of wheat to the acre. The
yield In bushels is greater. The quality
OF the product is very superior the
wheat is very full and plump it makes
heavy, rich and nutritious feed for
stock. Peas and oats are frequently
sown together, to be used as feed for
young stock NnfhinO Ia haitian as N |