The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1877-06-28
AGRICULTURAL.

OF HORSES AFIEk EknASd.
The National Lire Stock Journal, In
giving directions for the care of horses,
says: Another Common fault in the
alimentation Of horses Is the leading to
water just after a full feed Of grain.
The first effect OF this is TO largely dis
tend the stomach, and the result may
be as serious as IL the material were
masticated grain and saliva. But,
should this danger be avoided, matters
are not necessarily left In a better state.
The sudden and excessive influx Of
water is likely to wash much Of the con-
tents Of the stomach into the intestines
before the heterogeneous principles have
been digested, and fermentation, extri-
cation of gases, oyer-distensions, COLES
and infammatiOns result. Even this Is
not all. The application Of IN excess
Of cold water on the stomach and mites
tines causes vascular congestion and
violent muscular contractiOns, so that
all tend 10 digestive disorder of a dan
gerOus nature. COpious draughts Of
iced water are hurtful alike to man and
beast. If it must be taken it should be
IN small quantities only, and frequently.
But a drink of water, of moderate TEN.
perature, just after a feed of grain is
full of peril. Thirst should be allayed
before feed is given; and If any Is
allowed after, 1t should be merely a
mouthful, until the lapse of one or two
hours time has been had for gastric d.
gestiOn. After a feed of hay there Is
comparatively little danger. From the
excessive salivary addition to the hay,
and the comparatively small amount OF
Its albuminoids, these are rapidly dis
solved out and digested, and the further
addition of water is often rather favor.
able than other wise In Fastening Its pro-
gress into the bowels, where the diges-
ton of its starch, sugar, fat and other
respiratory organs may be completed.
EARS OF SwINE.-A breeder, writing
in the Iowa Producer says: 1t seems to
me that there is enough in this subject
to engage the attention Of those en-
ployed i'm the improvement of swine in
this country. One objection made to
the Berkshires is that they are too ner-
vous. This is true of some individuals
of the Berkshire family, but does not
hold good as q universal rule. 1t has
been and probably now is practiced by
some, to breed for small, upright ears.
That a small, upright ear is a mark OF
beauty, l will admit, but after close OBJ
servation for a number of years, | am
satisfied that this style Of ear is indica-
tive of a nervous, restless disposition, a
thing undesirable in any animal, espe-
cially in a hog. 1t is necessary that a
hog should be docile and of a quiet dis
position whose natural inclination is to
| take on fat. On the other hand, breeders
may run to extremes on the side OF
large ears. l think that this has been
done by breeders of Poland and China
swine. There is no sensible reason for
a hogs ears hanging down over his eyes
so as to obscure his vision. Such hogs
often labor under continual fear because
they are nearly blinded by their enor-
nous ears, Now 1t seems to me that
these extremes should be avoided. Let
the Poland and China breeders breed
for a medium ear, and the Berkshire
breeders be less anxious for small. up
right ears, and | think both breeds Will
be improved inthis regard.
PRorEcTIoN.-An orchards and fruit
gardens, whether Of old or young trees,
should be carefully protected against
the depredations of cattle or other ami
mails. Good fences to secure them are
indispensable, as it is utter folly to ex-
pend time and money in planting and
rearing a fine orchard, and then allow
animals to disfigure, main, and destroy
the trees. Cattle, horses, or sheep
should never be allowed to run in
orchards; nor should swine be admitted
except at intervals of very short
periods, in order that they may have
time only to eat up the fallen fruit, and
not to bark the trees or root up the
ground.
In some sections birds are great de-
predators upon fruit, but as a general
thing they do more good in ~devouring
the Insects than harm in consuming the
fruit. If they become too numerous,
they "a be frightened away with guns
BONE MANURE.-The reason why bone
manure is so valuable is that the great
utility of bones as a manur arises from
the large amount of phosphate which
they contain. On all pastures which
have been long fed the phosphate of
lime is exhausted. 1t is constantly
taken from the earth in the grass to form
the bone, and the muscle, and the milk
of animals. OF the earthly matter in
bones, nearly fve-sixths consists OF
phosphate of lime or magnesia. Nitro
gen is also abundant, and of course am
monia. A few bushels of bonedust will
often quite restore old, WORKOUT pas
lures. The ashes of all grains are very
rich in phosphate of lime, which goe;
to. prove the importance of furnishing