The Indiana State sentinel., 1881-06-01
summ.r shelter for stock.

Much advice is given regarding the shelter
ing of stock in cold weather, and such ad-
vice is usually followed by farmers taking
every precaution possible TO prevent suffer
ing among the stock which has been kept
over for wintering. But, unfortunately, on
some farms the work is performed too well.
and that which is a benefit and blessing in
winter is quite Objectionable in summer
We discuss and take measures TO properly
ventilate our dwellings because we know
II is unsafe to risk our health and lives IN
places that are not at times exposed to the
circulation of the air and the entering OF
the sun's ravs As we thus care for our
selves how important is il for us also TO be
CAREFUL with our stock il we wish TO be sue
cessful, for they are helpless and dependent
As winter approaches barns and stables are
male ne near "iir-prOOf' as they can be.
NJ st of them have a small window: at least
which is sufficient for purposes of ventila-
fion. and il is but seldom used. for fear of
Geld draughts. As the frost seals mp all that
is.iniuriaus to the animal in the cold season,
no objection can be made to the farmer en-
dea voring to make his stock comfortable. but
how is il in su unmer2 Once stable has
heen put in perfect order, il seldom receives
a second repair until the succeeding winter
Durin,, the warm months stock suffers very
much for want of ventilation, and a window
or two will notanswer. Stables are always in
a condition of impuritv be as careful as we
NAV The strictest cleanliness possible will
not avail without sunlight and free circu-
lation of air Nearly all the diseases of the
ewes of horses are Occasioned by ammonia
oas in stables. and One-half of the lameness
OF horses is caused nv the strong alkaline
substances usual to stalls The heat in sta
bles is very oppressive-mOre so than in
dwelling houses-and hence cattle and
horses become debilitatPd and unhealthy.
Stables are securely locked at night and
every precaution taken against thieves,
which is part OF the routine in summer as
we'll as in winter. but il the doors were left
open at night and the animals allowed per
feet freedom. farmers could for themselves
notice that horses and COWS would all sleep
ont of doors, even if the weather was not
verv favorable
With sheep, so necessary is pure air TO
them that farmers would not think of con-
fining them for n single night. He gives
them a shelter open on one side in winter as
well as summer; ana hogs receive pure air
on account of the structure of their pens.
But horses and cattle are unnecessarily de-
prived of free air-not intentionally, for
they receive more care than the sheep and
hOgs-simply because an Old-time custom
has ordained that one window. small IN size
and barred across with rods, will ventilate a
barn or stable Poultry, Also suffer from
confinement in close qaurters. 1t does not
matter how much range may be allowed
Them during the day, the precautions
taken to guard against wea-
se's and other depredators that
close them at night sometimes prove disas-
trous On investigating the cause of chicken
cholera / have never had any difficulty in
tracing it to crowded quarters and impure
air. Hog cholera can owe its origin to the
same cause. and many forms OF distemper in
cattle are known To have been caused by
lack of free circulation in the stables, even
when they appeared TO be clean otherwise.
II is subject worthy the consideration OF
farmers. for stock should be as carefully and
tenderly provided for in summer as during
the cold months of January, February and
March. j.