The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1872-05-04
M;MlAe EARN
SOILING CATTLE.

written for the american Farmer by =
practical man who tells just what he did
in very plain and sufficiently minute man.
ner, to enable any practical farmer to form
a very clear understanding of the economy
and profit of that mode of feeding stock:
Messrs Editors From the many letters
addressed to me since the publication in
your November No. of communication
relating to Bokara clover and soiling, it
seems necessary that should explain what
appeared to my respectable correspondents
SO extraordinary-th having fed so numer-
Gus a herd from so small a quantity of
land.
My stock of cattle for the last three
years. has not been less than 40 head, which
had pastured in the usual way, would
certainly have consumed all the grass on
my farm, leaving none to NOW, which
obviated, as | said "by keeping them in
good condition on some to 4 acres 1t
would have been better for me to have said,
aenh the aid of 8 or 1 acres in Lucerne,
Rye and Clover, which enabled me to save
more than one hundred tons of good hay.
Unjust also add, orthrow into the account,
a lot of or 8 acres, in which there is a
stone quarry Its condition may be under
stood when say, had it been allotted solely
to one COW for the season, she would have
been doomed to short commons. There
was however, good water in the lot; this,
with the change and exercise it furnished.
made it of considerable value for the pur-
pose of soiling. 1t may also be proper to
remark, that own woodland farm, dis
tant about two miles from the homestead.
Thither l send, in the spring, about
dozen dry cattle. This division left me on
hand last summer, to provide for at home
about 20 head of full grown cattle, and
a few full blocded young heifers, and sew
eral calves.
NV resources were two acres in rye and
clover; both seeds sowed at the same time,
the previous August, and one acre OF
Lucerne, i'll the spring of 1S4l. l also
sowed, in order te be fully provided, an
acre of indian corn, broadcast. which was
not used green; it was cut and cured for
winter fodder. l began to cut the rye for
the cattle in the middle of April; it VIZ
very thick and quite tall, shooting into
the head; before through with it, the heads
were formed 1t was cut high to save the
Young clover that stood with it. The rye
fed off, the lucerne was ready; stalks as
high as q to feet When the lucerne
was fed, then the rye and clover was fit for
cutting: and it was surprising to see the
second crop of rye so thick ann tall This
time, clover cut with it. This through.
the lucerne, which may be called "eut and
come again." was provokingly tall, and
Welded a heavier crop than at first. Then
the clover which had been once cut, was
ready and before through with it, the
luoere was again fit for cutting. 1t and
the clover were cut alternately, or fed
together as convenience or fancy might
. determine. Before my season for soiling
the middle of Augcst) ended, the lucerne's
third, and clover's second crop were not
consumed. The remainder was cut for the
hogs, who had all the leavings of the cattle
previously In fact, this proved very ben
eficial to them. l had about 20 large hogs
and some sows and pigs. In the hot wealth
er, confined as they were to their pens,
what the cattle left of the rye, lucerne,
and clover was refreshing and cooling to
them.
said my season for soiliHg ended the
middle of August. Because | cut no
second crop for hay. The cattle were then
turned in upon the orchard grass and clover
fields, up to the eyes," and from middle
of September till 1st of October upon the
timothy fieids-n all some 90 acres, on
which they made but little impression
Early in November they were withdrawn,
and put to turnips and other roots of which
have generally large supply for winter.
No one can see my grass fields in winter,
without being surprised at the thick and
closely matted sod that so perfectly covers
them Indeed, were 4 sensible farmer led
over them blindfolded, he could not but
appreciate their condition, for their soft
ness and elasticity would prove it to him;
and this too, on some OF the highest lands
in the highlands of the county of Phila-
delphia, washed by the Schuykill, and the
more romantic and precipitate Wissahickon,
on whose banks, in my immediate neigh
borhood, the laurel grows as luxuriantly as
on the shelving slopes of the Blue Noun
tans.
But to return to the feeding the green
food That cut late in the afternoon, was
fed early next morning, that cut early in
the morning was fed at noon; that cut
about noon was fed that evening. This
was the general practice. No more was
brought into the stables at a time, than
what was supposed to be required for one
feeding. When the cattle were fed in the
morning, they were turned out to the yard,
and there left to stand for at least half an
hour, or while their troughs and stables
quarry lot above described. The yard was
then cleaned. every dropping put away
carefully on the dung heap. Before OF by
II o'clock, they were brought home and
fed; and by four in the afternoon, when
the sun was declining, turned out as in the
morning, and drove to the lot; from which
they were brought back by sunsettiDg and
feed-remaining in the stables all night.
The cattle had no other food, except occa-
sionally little good hay, which they were
provoked to eat handful of, as often as
possible, and which is very necessary where
so much green food is consumed. If the
hay be thrown to them in quantity, while
on green food, they will but waste it, not
eat it. The best way Is to tempt them by
handful. which, if they bite at and eat,
they may be served with a small wisp in
their troughs or racks. This, with regu-
lar supply of clean salt was all the food
they had from the middle of April till mid
die of August, period of four months.
Now as to the expense. One man and Il
boy whose united wages were seventeen
dollars per month, did all. The patch
from which the food was cut, was, as 1T
should be, close to the stables. The sup
ply was brought in on barrows, wheeled
into the entry, and served by hand into
the troughs. Sometimes, when the horses
were not specially engaged, a horse and
cart was permitted; but this led to bring
ing too much at a time, and its being tilted
at the door, carried on fork some distance,
tossed and turned too often, which rem
dered it Objectionable, to say nothing of
the danger of the food attracting some dirt
or rubbish. Cleanliness in feeding CATTLE
is ut all times essential, but in soiling it is
indispensable; unless the troughs or racks
are well cleaned after every feeding, and
the stable kept clean and well ventilated,
the cattle will assuredly fall OIL in appetite,
if not take on specific disease. The
expense of this practice was in reality
nothing to me; it was some work superadd-
cd to the man and boy who would be
engaged i'll taking care Of this number of
cattle in cleaning them. driving them to
and from the fields-some of the Durhams
having to be MIXED three times day--the
keeping the stables clean and taking spe-
cial care of the manure. But suppose this
man and boy to be extra help them am
sure it cost me not 4 farthing. Every two
horse load of good manure, purchased in
the city, laid down on my place, will stand
me in $500. Then am free to say, that
the extra quantity of manure saved by
soiling, was not less in the period Of four
months, than 90 loads. From this is to be
deducted extra straw, rent Of three acres,
and Of