Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1880-01-02
Farm and Household.
railing Cnrc Of the stock.


[From the ST. Adams Messenger.l
Every farmer does or should, understand
that the returns from his stock another sea-
son, whether cows, young animals, swine or
sheep, will depend in no inconsiderable meas
urc on the care and attention bestowed this
winter. 1t is to be feared that this fact is
sometimes lost sight of at time of year
when there is no income, and much labor and
oversight is necessary in the care of stock,
from which there is no present benefit, save
the satisfaction of knowing that the animals
under our charge are well provided for, and
although apparently idle now, as far as the
dairy is concerned, are still laying up in re-
serve forces and elements that will be sue
cossfully drawn from next spring and sum-
mer in the production of milk, or in the
greater growth of all young animals 1t
should not be the idea to just keep the ami
mails barely alive through the winter. They
should not be allowed to run down in condi-
ton and be thinner in flesh next spring than
they were when they came to the barn at
commencement of winter If this should be
the case it will take long time to regain
what has been lost when the animals are
turned to grass another spring. 1t will be
poor economy to allow the young stock to re-
main stationary through the winter, without
increase of growth or if little larger in
size, still 30 much thinner in flesh as to be
no heavier than on the first of December.
There will be much loss in allowing anything
of that kind. We do not mean to advocate
the pampering of stock; by no means; but
contend that calves, yearlings, lambs, colts
and pigs can and should be kept steadily
growing through the winter, not TO the ex-
tent of summer, yet showing an apparent
and satisfactory increase. To effect this will
of course require some more labor and care,
and sufficient quantity of nutritious food.
We cannot expect that calves, yearlings, colts
or lambs are going to thrive and do first rate
ii fed or inferior hay or straw. They must
have something that will furnish material for
growth, for the production of muscle and
bone. Good early cut hay, including well
cured clover, is excellent for this purpose,
and if in addition the farmer can feed few
roots of any kind daily, or give a small guam
tty of wheat bran and oats mixed, he will
find his account in SO doing. Formerly it
was customary not to allow hefers to drop
their FIRST calves until three years old, as. I'M
der the management then pursued this age
was none too old to enable the animals to get
sufficient growth and maturity. Now nearly
every farmer commences to milk his heifers
Mt two years Old. To render this course prop
err and profitable, it is necessary to keep the
animals steadily growing from birth, in order
that they may be of sufficient size and de-
velopment. BY this practice one year is gain
cd i'll the growth and usefulness of the ami
mails, which amounts to considerable in the
cost of raising, while the size is not dwarfed
and their value for cows not diminished
With good hay crop no farmer should
pinch his stock for the sake of selling as this
would be poor policy, and it is equally as bad
to winter more stock than there is fodder to
do well. All animals should have what they
will eat up clean, if the fodder is of good
quality, and no more. for overlooking is
equally as bad as not giving enough. Wheth-
err to feed two or three times a day, the far
mer will best decide for himself. Both meth
DDS are practiced, and perhaps with equally
good results. Illuminating animals require q
longer interval between feeding than horses,
and should not be kept eating all of the time,
in order to get the greatest benefit from their
food. Neither should this interval be too
long. If fed three times day, the first meal
should be given early in the morning, and
the last late at night, so as to have an inter
val of at least five hours between feeding. If
fed only twice day, it would be better to
give both fodderings by daylight, so as not
to have the interval between too long. Feed
ing twice in the morning and the same at
night would be preferable in some respects.
Regularity in feeding is essential, and also
proper care in watering. Poor hay and straw
should be fed in cold weather and when the
cows are not giving milk but if the straw is
poor or from wheat it had better be used for
bedding instead of food.
Stock should not be allowed to run out of
doors too much in winter, and especially in
cold or stormy weather, as it is a wasteful
practice; neither should animals be kept too
closely confined in stables. A little exercise
each day, if the weather admits is prefera-
bic to close confinement. By all means have
the stables warm enough for comfort, and
well ventilated in case of being too warm,
which will not often occur, unless the barns
are new or the stables contain large num-
Der of animals
To make and save all the manure possible
from the stock, should be the aim of every
farmer. This is one great secret of success,
and 1t is no great secret either, and if follow
cd out win soon exhibit its effects in visible
improvement.
From what has been written, enough will
be gathered to lead all to infer that, to be
successful, the farmer must be careful and
diligent III winter as well as summer, and
that the season Of harvesting will depend, in
considerable measure, in its variety and
proftableness, on the care and forethought
TINT is exercised nnw