Connecticut western news., 1878-10-16
THE FARM.
REASONABLE HINTS.

The pastures are becoming hard, dry, and nutritious, and COWS need some supplementary feed if the flow of milk IS to be maintained. Late herbage is very | apt to become impacted in the stomach | and cause indigestion. The first symptom of this is suspension of rumination, or what is called, in common parlance, loss of cud. After this has existed for few days the horns become cold, the COW weakens, the milk falls of very much in quantity, and there IS costiveness or, sometimes, diarrhoea A remedy should be applied at once. A pint of sweet oil or hnseed-oil, or, ill place of it, pint of melted lard or pound of strips of fat bacon, may be given to the COW. A homely remedy is
 to give salt mackerel, but 1t is effective,
 doubtless, because of the oil and the
 salt contained in it, which together have
 a laxative effect. Sometimes garget or
 inflammation of the udder results from
 the disturbed condition, and this should
 be specially treated by local fomenta-
 tions and the use of cooling purgatives
 But it will be the wiser part to prevent
 trouble by precautions. The best of
 these is to have few roots ready for use
 at this time. An acre of mangels will
 be of the greatest use now. A peck of
 the sliced roots given daily will act
 healthfully and will keep up the flow of
 milk. In the absence of these, the
 same quantity of potatoes will make a
 good substitute. Either of these may
 be thrown into box and chopped with
 sharp-edged spade into slices, and a
 quart or two of middlings or bran for
 each COW may be thrown over them. If
 there are no roots peck of brewers ) grains will be useful. A very foolish ; prejudice exists with some against these } as cattle food. The truth is that they
 are very nutritious, quite healthful, and unobjectionable in every respect. They
 should not be confounded with distillery slop, which has been fermented, and is often procured in condition of active decomposition, loaded with germs oi decay, which injuriously affect the animals that may consume it. The term
 "swill is we'll fitted for this abominable
 stuff. But fresh brewers grains are only
 the crushed barely and corn malt, which
 have been steeped in hot water to
 dissolve out the sugar. Everything but the sugar remains in the grains, and these make wholesome food when fed
 in moderate quantities. As with all soft
 or cooked food, the excessive use of these tends to soften the tissues, relax the ,, muscular system, and give a weakened tone to the digestion, while they in. ! crease the secretions. But when used < moderately at this season they counter ' act the ilI-effects of the dry herbage and maintain the health and vigor o Il the animal.
 One great danger to which animals , are exposed at this period of the year ii
 that of sudden changes from the heal '. of the day to the coolness of the night
 and exposure to these changes will ofte1 f result in damage. This may be avoided
 by stabling the animals at night, or i
 they are left in yards, by providing
 them with ample dry bedding For f COW to lie upon wet or damp ground Q f night when rapid radiation of heat iron < it is occurring is to run the risk of al
 attack of garget or inflammation of tn, Q udder. which may very seriously affec
 the value, If it does not endanger tn, e life of Q milking COW. Precaution il ! this respect will be wise at this season. Q The comfort of young stock shoul, . not be overlooked. These are the frs
 to fail, and it is difficult to make up tn loss before the Winter comes to add t. the difficulty. A young animal of an. , kind, small or large, should be kep |. growing thriftily and liberal feeding , avoiding by all means overfeeding- O with warm, comfortable shelter, vii
 secure this thrift. Winter is coming o ,, apace, and there are many things t provide for before its arrival. A littl o consideration and timely preparatio S nov will prevent many regrets here ,t after, when remedies are too late an T regrets are unavailing.