Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-11-29
Bedding for Cattle.

The Scientific Farmer in late issue gives
quite lengthy article on the subject Of lit
ter in which the analyses of various materials
used for this purpose are given in detail, in
order that the farmer may know their rela-
tive values when reduced to what is gener
ally termed manure.
But we presume few of our farmers are
as much interested in the chemical constit-
uents Of the material employed for bedding
their stock. as they are in its cheapness and
the facility with which it can be obtained ;
consequently in making some extracts from
the article referred to, we omit the analy-
SEES, merely mentioning the relative values
in which the materials named are held by
chemists.
In suburban localities where straw is but
little grown, and even meadow hay com
mands price, the farmer is often puzzled
how to procure litter for his animals at a
cheap rate. Usually the cattle are not bedded
at all, but small quantity Of dry earth is
scattered under them 10 act as an absorbent,
and to facilitate the keeping Of the floor
clean. Horses, however, require bedding,
and are usually bedded ON straw, the poorer
qualities Of hay. or on sawdust or leaves
Stock can be kept comfortably in all
these ways and which method it is best to
adopt is TO be determined by the circum-
stances Of the farm and the personal taste Of
the owner Yet when the question Of the
manure comes up, we find divergence Of
opinion, especially on the value Of the saw
dust and leaves in the compost. That aaw-
dust may be detrimental to land We are
willing to admit, and also that it may be
beneficial On light soils, in moderate
quantity, we have found no evil effect re-
sulting from its use when used under the
horses, and then passed to the manure heap.
Indeed, when we consider how easily the
sawdust is handled how cheaply it is to be
procured, and how well it is adapted to bed
ding the farm horse we are disposed TO adj
yocate its more extended use. In our own
practice but a small portion, that which has
become soiled, is taken from the stall each
day, while the balance is swept forward, an
der the forefeet, during the daytime. TO be
spread backward towards night
We do not prefer sawdust, however, 70
straw or hay. But straw is too costly, aud
hay, even if Of poor quality, can ordinarily
be fed out to the cattle with advantage pro
vided we feed iudiciously and in combiua
ton with other foods. However used, hay
finds its way ultimately to the manure heap
as should everything of this nature consumed
or used on the farm.
a ton of sawdust would contain but one
and two-tenths pounds Of potash, aud les.
than half a pound Of phosphoric acid.
Autumn leaves are far richer in percent
age of ash element than sawdust. Yet on
account of their lightness they possess but a
small amount Of plant food according to
their bulk. To mix with manure, however
leaves are OF considerable value, from theil
mechanical effect, as they tend to tighten NJ
the manure heap, and by their decomposi
ton, aid in the Preventative changes.
Straw, on the contrary, has considerabl,
value Of ash element which it contributes tC
the manure, and so has hay, even of the in
ferior qualities.
We cannot find an ash analysis of meadow
or bog hay which will answer our purpose
but judging from the proximate analyst,
| given, we may assume, with good deal Of
certainty, that bog hay will yield half the
quantity of fertile ash element as will The
good hay.
To sum up the main points made in
few words, it may be said that the riche
the materials used for bedding, the NOR,
valuable the manure made therefrom.