The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1874-02-14
FODDER OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS,

agement. They are guided by econo-
my in all things. and their profits are
determined by the expense OF means
employed in production. \ writer who
is familiar with the subject speaks thus:
"The great distinction in German agri-
culture, compared with our country, is
economy. The question is not whether
great crop can be produced, or fine
story can be told what large animals
can be raised, but what is the whole
cost, the expenditure of labor, of land.
of manure, &c For this reason COM
putations have been made, and the
proportion of all the parts and process
es has been fixed. Economy compels
them to weigh and measure their fod-
der. The minutest details have been
entered into, the most difficult points
examined, and the results brought out"
The variations Of fodder daily with
the quantities of each duly weighed
and proportional to the size of the ami
mails fed, as seen in the subjoined table,
is not solitary experiment to deter
mine point only; but having become
confirmed by thousands Of experiments,
is the basis Of universal practice among
his numerous wool-growers. These
remarks are deemed essential in order
that the table may be appreciated by
those whose information is limited rela-
tive to the perfection TO which sheep
husbandry has attained in Germany
The first thing which will strike at
tention is the daily variations of fodder,
in which science and economy are prac-
ticallv carried out. The grain fields,
and not almost wholly meadows, as in
our country, are made greatly the main
tenance Of their flocks during Winter
thus not pound of straw nor pound
of anything valuable is permitted to be
wasted. Hence the cultivation of
sheep and crops, in measure, are mu-
tually dependent on each other The
manure of the flock augments the guam
tity of the grain, and thus a larger
quantity of straw is provided for it in
return. We also observe displayed
their knowledge Of that instinct Of the
sheep as seen manifested in its eager
ness for varieties of food, and its love
of frequent change. In this habit we
behold that wise economy Of nature in
endowing it with instincts to promote
its welfare to the greatest extent in
every point Of view One kind of food
may develop muscle, and another make
fat; but it seems to be aware that many
kinds are required to enable its diges-
tive organs to effect such chemical COM
binations as will nourish the wool and
assimiate the organic substance which
forms the external part of the liament
But this point will be more full under
stood when | furnish the analy sis of
wool, ana its anatomical structure.
which will do in my next paper
From thousands of experiments made
in Germany, it has been demonstrated
that hay alone will not produce as
much wool, nor as perfect, as when
straw and other substances are mixed
1t must be repeated that variety of
food only will furnish those perfect pro-
portions Of organic and inorganic mat
tiers of which wool is composed If
we give sheep too much food of car
bombed or fattening character, the fibres
of WOOL z-heing tubular in formation,
distend, or become coarser, and the
weight is certainly increased but, on
the contrary, if fed number of kinds,
and albumen, the fibre will be much in
creased in length, not so much in diam
eter, simply because the varieties of
food supply to greater extent the
substances requisite to form the fila
ment This NAV be termed natural
wool, the quantity or weight of which
will be as great as that produced by
feeding proper food, which has the
effect to increase the diameter of the
fibre at the expense of the length, and
making it hard and wiry The Ger
mans abhor feeding large quantities of
fattening food in growing Saxon wool.
as the effect is to destroy its delicate
texture, and its value is diminished for
the manufacture of the softest and finest
fabrics
The American wool-@rower need not
overfeed simply with view to make
heavy heeees, as the wool of the sheep,
when fat is comparatively coarse, and
the expense Of the food used in placing
them in this condition together with the
reduction in the value of it will more
| than counterbalance the gain from the
increased weight The wool of the
Saxon and Mcrino variety is never so
beautiful and perfect in all respects as
| when it is natural and this follows only
from keeping the sheep in healthy store
order and nothing beyond that The
feeding of grain by the Germans is sim
ply as equivalents, hay always being
the standard by which the quantity of
any kind Of food dali Y is determined
Their aim is not to increase the flesh
and fat at the expense of the wool or
its valuable properties; and if we ever
expect to rival them in the extensive
production Of the most beautiful and
perfect wool in the world and at the
least sacrifice We must initiate their
economy in feeding, and unsurpassed
mode Of management in all things.
Petri, referred to in my last paper.
confirms the statements in relation to
the fondness of sheep for variety of
food, by enumcrating 252 plants which
they eat with salutary effects, and thir-
ty-nine others they partake of, of an
injurious tendency.
He gives the fol!oWingas examples of
average fodder for eve in the month
of January, when the vcaning COM
mences in March.
First day, in the morning, three
fourths pound Of good oat straw; noon.
one-haif pound of good hay or clover;
evening, thrcc-Iourths pound of good
barley straw.
Second day, morning, three fourths
pound Of millet straw: noon, two
pounds Of potatoes, with chopped straw
and four ounces floats; evening, three
fourths pound of barley straw.
Third day, morning, three-fourths
pound hay; noon, three-fourths pound
Df U3V evening npn nDnnl Of cot -,