The Red Cloud chief., 1881-12-08
Shade aud Water In Pastures.

Many pastures III the W est con sist OF
n level piece OF prairie land covered
with a few varieties of grass ani sur
rounded b. q fence of barbod wire.
There is no w.ster except that found in
natural dcpressons Of tho earth after n
heavy rain. Mich cows are allowed
water in the yard twice u dag nj milk
in lime. Calves. colts aud stosk cat
tie are driven 10 a pond. creek or wat
erin. trough once in every twenty-four
hours to Guench Their thirst. Sheep
often are not treated rs well as this. IL
is "a ~fayorite idea Of some farmers that
sheep will get along well enough on
dew. They are fond of reading stories
of sheep that lived for months on ocean
islands that contained ND fresh water. or
in acid regions in the Tar West where
there are no springs or streams.
IL is true thac most kinds Of farm
stock will exist for several months on "A
scant supply OF food and water, and
with very little to add To their comfort.
The animals viii exist, but they will
not be profitable 70 their owners. Cows
will give little milk. sheep will afford
but q small mount of wool, stoc. in
tended for the butchers will lay on but
little fat. aud young animals will make
a very slow growth. Stock kept dur
ing several generations in this way will
run out" They Will diminish in size
and productiyeness. They will DO far
less profitable TO their than an
finals that have had their material
wants well supplied aud have had at
tent;on paid To their comfort Some
animals, like human beings. will only
do their best When they are well fed
and cared for.
Every pasture should contain q per-
petual supply of cool. fresh water. to
which animals can have access ut all
times. IL the pasture Is large. then
there should be several drinking places.
Animals should not be subjected to the
hardship of walking hall q mile TO Oh
tain a drink in a hot day in July OF
August. II they are compelled to do
this. they will often remain thirsty fot
several hours. aud will then lind their
way to the water, and drink immoder.
ateiy. Abstinence from water for a
considerable period. or a long walk in
the scalding sun in order to Obtain il.
will result in the loss of milk. flesh and
fat. Water, next to air, is the cheapest
article that is consumed by animals,
and they shoald have it IN abundance
and within easy reach at all times.
Many farmers ara verY negligent in
utilizing natural supplies Of water.
They take no pains to keep up the how
of water in spriags. or TO conduct the
water they afford through pipes to diff.
ferent parts of = large pasture. The
fall necessary TO conduct water IL vers
small. Pipes of wood. iron or lead are
cheap. and are easily placed below the
frost line. Once in position. they will
last q lifetime, ard require no repairs.
1t is often the cas- that q supply OF
water ~ be obtained from . spring
located on an adjoining farm. or on the
public highway. II there is no spring.
stream or lake from which water can be
obtained, resort must be had TO wells
and wind-miils. or to artesian wells.
One of these wells will often furnish
sufficient water TO supply several farms.
Every pasture should contain some
means Of shelter from the sun. II there
are no trees they should be planted rs
soon As circumstances will permit Il
may be advisable TO plant q~uick-grow-
ing varieties. as linden and willow. for
present purposes, but mor substantial
kinds should be set oat for a5ording
shade in the future. It is best % plant
the trees in the higher portions OF the
pasture, as they r more exposed to
breezes. and are the most comfortable
for animals to lie in. Grasses ON low
land are likely 10 abound with trouble