The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1881-02-17
Housing and Feeding Farm Stock In
Winter.


Mr.. J. D. Gillette, and many other
successful feeders of the West, have
demonstrated that cattle may be Injured
to the elements of Northern winter;
that their development may be as per-
feet and their excellence as great when
reared in the open air as when housed
in comfortable quarters; for there are
no better cattle in our Eastern markets
than those fattened on the Western
prairies and finished off in the cornfield;
not the native stock alone, but the high
bred Durham has shown . capacity for
development subject to such conditions.
1t is doubtless as true in its application
to domestic animals as to the human
family, that exposure and hardship sys-
tematically endured will strengthen
the constitution. In the West, where
corn is the principal grain fed, and is SO
cheaply raised, and buildings so ex-
pensive to herd such large droves of
cattle as are common there. the net
profit OF their system of feeding may
not be less than that of more careful
herding and stabling; but however toll
cradle such feeding may be at the West,
it is otherwise with the Eastern farm
or. 1t cattle can be made to thrive in
the open air of cold Northern winter,
it must be at the cost of an additional
amount of feed to keep up the animal
heat which is essential to the comfort
of the animal before there can be any
accumulation of flesh.
The animal heat is gained in the open
air by the fermentation of an additional
amount of feed in the stomach, which
feed is saved by protection in comfort
able stables. It is evident to any OBJ
server that man or beast requires far
more food in winter than in summer,
especially when exposed to the open
air, proving that the heat of the system
is kept up at the expense of additional
food. 1t is equivalent to warming the
animal by burning carbonaceous food
to create as many degrees of heat as
the outdoor air is below animal heat, as
fermentation in the stomach is only the
slow process of burning, the heat gen.
Grated being the same. While, there
fore. stock may be kept in thriving
condition in the open air, it is clearly
too expensive to be allowed by the
economic farmer. One-third less feed
in warm stable will keep stock in
better condition and with far greater
comfort to the animal as well as to the
owner. The Western farmer has some-
times found it economy to burn corn
for fuel, and where corn is of so little
value an increased amount of feed may
cost less than boards and shingles to
construct shelter; but it is far different
with the Eastern farmer, where fuel is
costly, and where the comfort of both
man and beast is more highly regarded.
1t gives the tidy farmer pleasure to see
his stock made comfortable, especially
when at the same time he knows it is
bringing to him increased profit for all
his care and labor.
Fattening stock will thrive most when
fed only such quantity as will be eaten
readily with good appetite; any excess
of feed laying before them will destroy
the relish, make the animals dainty,
and lessen the quantity they will con-
sumo. A variety is desirable; one feed
daily should be some esculent, as pota-
toes, turnips, or beets, not so much for
the blood element they contain as to
give tone to the appetite and digestion.
Feed and water should be given at regu-
lar times, and by one feeder, who will,
if proper hand, soon learn what each
animal requires and will feed no more
or less. An animal fed either for fat
tening or for store will do better on
rather short feeding than on surplus.
Farm teams that are not worked for
some months during winter will do bet
ter if turned into ar open yard where
there is good shelter against storms,
than when kept in stable and fed high
~. Exercise and change of feed is
promotive of health. and when thus
wintered on coarse feed till about four
weeks before spring work begins
when they should be taken in and well
fed, getting them in condition for work
they will be in better health and
more active in limb and spirit, than
when kept in confined stables, and at
considerable less expense and care.
With all farm stock the best economy
is always found in full and liberal care
and feeding to promote growth and full
MISREPRESENTATION. r. p Root, IN N.
4. Tribune.