Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1876-11-21
agricultural,
lTaterinn Stock in DINNER.

There is probably no one thing essen
tial to the health and comfort Of farm
stock in Winter which is so generally
neglected as that Of furnishing full sup
ply of water. Many farmer depends
entirely upon some stream or pond quar-
ter or half mile distant, to which the
animals are driven once day over fro
zen slippery path, or through snow drifts,
in order to Slake their thirst with IL
guid slightly warmer than ice itself. Ii
a herd Of cattle could all be thirsty at
one time and at the hour most convenient
for the farmer to drive them to the pond
this system of watering might answer tol-
cradle well, but unfortunately animals
have their individual peculiarities in such
matters as well as human beings. No
animal can thrive, or gain flesh, when
suffering from thirst, no matter how much
or how rich food is given, and when kept
on dry fodder in Winter, they are as
likely to require water as frequently as
in Summer.
Drinking places should be made easily
accessible, so that the animals shall not
be obliged to wade through mud and ice
in order 70 reach them, thereby getting
their feet and legs wet and covered with
tlth. TO be carried back into the yards or
stables. Animals will frequently suffer
thirst rather than wade through mud
hole TO get to water. Then again, the
water should be pure and sweet, or it
will be rejected until the animal Is forced
by thirst to drink it. Cows. in particular,
sometimes have strange ianeIrS in regard
10 water, often preierrlDg that from a
s;agnant pool to the purest and sweetest
spring. But as a rule water from well,
spring, or ci>,ern Is better for stock in
Winter than from an open pond or rum
nins stream which Is frozen over during
frosty weather. The water in the latter
is usually too cold either to suit their
taste or to be heallhtul. No rule can be
laid down to meet the circumstances IN
regard to the amount TO be given or the
number Of times animals should be water
ed per day OF week in Winter, but We can
safely say that each animal will, It per-
mitted, settle this question for itself
The only true way Is to place water
where each animal can help itself when
ever thirsty. OF course, horses that are
worked must be excepted, for when brought
into the stables overheated by exercise it
would not be safe 10 allow them access 10
cold water. But cows. oxen. and Young
stock generally, should never be stintcd
in their water, although We fear that this
class of animals suffer more from want
OF it than any other. There Is far too
great an inclination among the farmers to
Law down certain rules for watering their
stock at all seasons, and where water Is
difficult to obtain, they are likely to be-
come less strict in their applications.
In regard TO watering horses cele.
braied author sums up the question in
the following words 1T rests only to
say, that water, although it should never
be given 10 horse in large quantities
shortly before being put to work or at
all on his coming off work, while hot
still less while faded or exhausted-should
ordinarily be furnished him often and in
abundance. Not so much in laage-
draughts at a time. which improperly dis
tends the stomach, a. in small quantities.
at frequently recurring intervals II a
farmer depends upon hired labor to care
for his stock, he must be ever on the alert
to prevent neglect, unless the laborers
are of more faithful kind than Is usually
obtained in this country. OF course, We
do not suppose that the owners Of ami
mails are always to be trusted in this
matter, for We have known many who
were fully as anxious TO DO up the chores
at night, and get in by the side Of good
FIRE as any hired man.
The horses may have been hard at work
during the day, and when brought in at
night they would be hastily embarrassed,
and left with snow and mud hanging to
their legs and feet no blankets being put
on in the coolest weather, although the
stables were little better than open sheds
To complete the neglect, hay would be
tossed into the rack, and oats into the
trough before them, and then the farmer
goes to the house and forccts that the
horses have had no water since morning
Perhaps this latter requisite TO health
and comfort l. offered before the animal
Is half through with his meal, and if he
refuses to drink under such circumstances.
st Is taken as q proof that be is not thirsty;
hence no more IS offered him until the
next day. Now, this haste in the care
Of animals is the cause of many diseases,
as well as general unhealthiness, shown
IN staring coat, loss ofspirits, and health.
An animal may be given plenty of rich
food, and still remain poor. all the result
OF bad management in other matters
which are quite as impOrtant.-Nelc
York Weekly Sax.
NAIL IN HORsE's Foor.-A writer in