The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1881-03-17
Hcusiug and Feeding Farm StocsS in
Kinier.

a
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 the T 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 III our Eastern markets
than those fattened on the Western
prairies and finished off il the cornfeId;
not the native stock alone. but the high
bred Durham has shown a capacity fer
development sub ieet to such conditions.
1t is doubtless as true i'll its application
to domestic animals as to the human
family, that exposure and hardship sys-
tematicailg endured will strengthen
the constitution. In the West, where
corn is the principal grain fed, and is SO
cheaplv raised, and buildings 50 eX-
pensiye to herd such large droyes 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
erable such feeding may be at the West,
it IS otherwise with the Eastern farm
er. If cattle can be made to thrive in
the open air of cold Northern winter,
it must be at the cost of ain 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. 1t 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 tii.at tie heat of the sy sem
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
| W tnt tulIutl dS Ncll dS 10 luS
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.
| II tho t;Iy f.,y-r,, ploa JI1T. fo Gao
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 VIII 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 viii con
sum8. \ variety is desira BE; one feed
daily should be some esculent, as pota-
toes, turnips, or beets. not so much +oI
the blood element they contain as tC
give tone 30 the appetite and digestion.
/ Feed and water should be given at rsseu.
lar times, and by one feeder, fl-S hil
If q proper hand. soon learu wNse~-grtcl
animal requires and viii feed no more
or less. An animal fed either for fat
|
tening or for store will do better Oh
rather short feeding than on surplus
Farm teams that are not worked fol
some months during winter will do bet
ter If turned into NJ open yard where
there is good shelter against storms
than when kept in stab e and fed high,
r ". Exercise and a change of feed is
promotive of health. aud when thus
wintered on coarse feed till about foul
weeks before spring work begins
when they should he taken in and wei
fed, get ing them in condition for wcrE
they will be in better health ans
more active in limb and spirit, thar
when kept in confined stables, and a
considerable less expense and care
With all farm stock the best economy
is always found in full and liberal care
and seeding to promote growth and full
. development.-Ho7a. T.. P. Root. IN N
t T. Irjjune.