Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1876-02-22
agricultural.
-
Watering stock it, U'i"ter.

There is probably no enc thing cSsen,'a.
10 the health and comfort Of farm stock
in winter which is 50 generally neglected
as that Of furnishing a full supply OF
water. Many a farmer depends enur.y
upon some stream or pond quarter or
half a mile distant to which the animals
are driven once a day over frozen slip
perry path. or through snow drifts, IN order
TO Stake their thirst with liquid slightly
warmer than Ice itself IL herd OF cat
tie could all bc thirsty 40 enc time aud ~
the hour most convenient for the farmer
to drive them 20 the pond tins system OF
watering might answer tolerab.c well, but
unfortunately animals have their indlvid-
ual 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 +
given. and when kcp, on dry fodder IN
Winter, they are shkc.y 20 require water
as frequently as in Summer.
Drinking places should be made easily
accessible. 50 that the animals shall not be-
obliged 20 wade Through mud AID lee On
order to reach them, thereby getting their
feet and legs wet and covered with filth,
10 be carried back into the stables or
wards. Animals will frequently suffer
thirst rather than wade through q mud
hole to e; TO water. Then again, the
water shou,dbe pure and sweet, or il VII.
be rejected until the animal Is forced by
thirst to drink it. CO Is, ia particular,
sometimes have strange iancie> in regard,
70 water, often prcicrriug that from
stasuan, poo, 10 the purcSt and sweetest
spring. But as a rule water from a well,
spring or cistcrn : better for stock In
Winter than from an open pond or running
stream which is frozen over during frosty
weather, The water in the latter Is
usually TOO cold 10 suit their taste or 10
be heaithful. No rule can be laid down
70 meet the circumstances In regard 90
the amount 10 be given or the number Of
times animals should be w4tcrei PEI day
or week in Winter, but we can safely ,4y
that each animal Will, if permitted, settle
this question for itself
The only true way Is TO place water
where each animal can help i,self when
ever thirsty. OF course, hor-es 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 stiuted
in their supplies Of water, although we
fear that this class Of animals suffer more
from want Of 1t than any others. There Is
far too great an inclination among farm
ers to lay down certain rules for watering
their stock at all seasons, and where water
Is difficult 10 obtain, they are likely 10
become less strict in their application.
In regard to watering horses. a celc-
brated author sums up the question il the
following words: 1T rests only 10 saw.
tina, water. although it should never be
given te horse in large quantities short
ly before being put to work or at all on
his coming of work, while hot: still less
while faded or exhaustcd-shou.d ordin-
arily be furnished him often and in abuud-
ance. Not so much in large draughts at
time, which improperly distcnds the
stomach, as in small quantities, at fire.
quently recurring intervals" IT, farm
er depends upon hired labor TO care for
his stock, he must be ever on the alert to
prevent neglect, unless the laborers are Of
a more faithful Kind than are usually ob-
tanned IN this country. OF course, we DO
not suppose that the owners of animals
are always to be trusted in this matter.
for we have known many who were fully
as anxious 10 DO up the the chores at
night, aud get in by the side Of a good
ire as any hired man.
The horses may have been hard at work
during the Gay, and when brought in at
night they woule be hastily embarrassed
aud left with snow and mud hanging 10
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 torgets that the
horses have had no water since morning.
Perhaps this latter requisite to health aud
comfort Is offered before the animal Is
half through with his meal, and if he re-
fuses to drink under such circum-
stances, it is taken as proof that he 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 starting coat, loss Of spirits,
and health An animal may be given
plenty OF good and rich food, and still
remain poor, all the result of bad man
agement in other matters which are quite
as imPOrtant.-INew York Weekly Sun.
.s,oI how nj. L -. - L.