Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1878-10-31
THE FARM.
Autumn Care of Stock.

A correspondent OF the Country
Gentlemen makes the following ad-
mirable suggestions: "The critical
seasons of thrift Of our cattle and
farm stock are the times OF change
from grass to hay, and from hay to
grass-fall or spring. 1t becomes all
thrifty farmers therefore to bridge
over these seasons to the best pos
sible advantage; and in no way can
it be better done than by good feed
ing just preYions to and during the
transition stages. Many farmers
who practice on the principle make
as great profit from their cows in the
fall as at any other season, and get, il
we except the first greatest rush and
flow, full average quantity, and bet
ter quality OF milk. In the fall there
are pumpkins, which are one Of the
best flesh producers and sus-
tainers when judiciousIy fed in con-
junction with other feed, as corn
stalks and other matter abundant at
this season, which it is impracticable
to keep into winter. Much OF this
costs very much less to produce than
the hay, grain, or other feed stored
away for winter feed, and Is better
for present feeding than these, and
will produce more and better milk,
while the condition of the stock is
improved and the system better sus-
tanned if full fed.
Extra fall feeding should be begun
when grass begins to grow short, to
be increased as the grass diminishes
in quantity and quality. When this
system Of feeding is practiced, cows
will keep Gp for several weeks their
flow OF milk till January or later,
giving handsome profit in milk
and butter. The farmer who does
not avail himself OF the advantage of
extra fall feeding, finds his COWS be-
gin to diminish with the decrease of
pasture, and shrink largely with the
first cutting frost, gradually shrink
ing till they dry off in December, or
earlier. A good hard frost generally
uses up grass and forage, so that
there's very little nutriment leftin it;
and although cattle may apparently
fill themselves plump and fulD,
nevertheless they actually shrink in
flesh, for enough nutriment to sus-
tain the system cannot be sustained.
1t is unwise for any farmer to cause
his stock to depend almost entirely
upon such grazing. giving them per-
haps an occasional feed OF some poor
er quality Of roots. Regularity in ex-
ira feeding should be the rule.
In the fall the prudent farmer will
improve his time and all his advan-
tages; but he should not wait but be-
gin with summer and spring. He
should plan his work beforehand;
pumpkins and roots must be started
in spring, or at their appropriate sea-
son. The man with a single cow Of
ten understands and practices some
thing Of this, and hereby obtaining
correspondingly profitable returns.
What this man does with his one cow,
the other man with his herd may do
proportionally in a similar manner.
Not only is there profit in thus
feeding cows, but similar profit is
gained by feeding all other farm
stock correspondingly well. Good
stock in the fall Is a frat requisite;
the keeping it good is the second;
the regularity Is the main
thing. Any irregularity in atten-
dance is sure to crop out and tell the
tale. II our stock pass the transition
Of spring and fall safely, there is
usually no trouble 10 be apprehended
during other seasons; therefore it is
wise to see to IT, and provide for these
critical seasons.