The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1882-12-01
Water for Stock in Winter.


The importance OF liberal supply Of
pure water for stock during the winter
is not apprec ated by most farmers
Many are inclined to think that animals
require but little water during cold
weather, and that it is not necessary to
be at much pains to bring it within easy
reach of them. Farmers who live toll
erably near lake, pond or stream often
compel their stock to go to it to obtain
water during the winter. The distance
IS, in may cases. so great and the ex-
posure attended by SO much discomfort
that the animals prefer 10 suffer thirst
rather than travel the distance and be
subjected to the severe cold. Often the
banks of the natural body of water are
in bad condition 80 that animals find it
difficult to stand on them. During
warm weather they are covered with
mud. and during very cold weather they
are covered with ice. There is often
ice on the surface, which prevents them
from drinking. When this is the case the
water is too cold for drinking purposes.
e-cold water is never q suitable drink
for stock, and especially is this the case
during the winter. The water in lakes
and streams in some parts of the coun-
try is of excellent quality, being chiefly
supplied by springs. Such, however, is
not likely 10 be the case in the West.
Most of our streams are sluggish. and a
large proportion of our lakes are little
more than collections of surface water.
1t contains portions of everything that
is soluble In the soil over or through
which it flows. Though it may be clear
it may contain large quantities of i'm
purities that cannot be detected by the
eye. 1t may emit no offensive smell
during cold weather though it would
most likely do so during warm weather.
Ordinarily, the best drinking-water
for man or beast is obtained from
springs or tolerably deep wells. 1t is
generally free from vegetable and ami
NAL impurities, and contains salts of
lime and other minerals that are useful
in building up the animal structure.
As compared with the temperature of
the atmosphere it is warm in winter
and cool in summer. 1t is nearly free
from the noxious gases that abound in
the air, and is well supplied with car
bonic acid, which renders it exhilarat-
ing. 1t is greatly to be preferred to
the rain-water stored in cistern, which
is generally contaminated with vege-
table and animal substances and is de-
ficient in lime II farmer can obtain
a supply of spring water he will find it
economical to bring it to his feeding
yard and stable, even though the
trouble and expense may be consider
able. The water of spring, if brought
through pipe, is always available
without trouble. 1t saves the cost of a
pump and the labor of raising. The
cost of bringing spring water through
a pipe half mile is often less than the
expense of a deep well and a raising
apparatus. For the spring water, the
first cost is the only one. To keep
supply of rain or well water where
stock can use it, constant labor and ex-
pense are required. A pipe for con-
Quoting spring water should be laid
deep enough to be out of the danger
of frost, and should be without de-
pressions other than gradual declen-
sion the entire distance. Ii it is not
nearly on a straight line the lower por-
tons are liable to become filled with
sand. If spring water can be conveyed
in pipe, it can generally be brought
into the barn or stable with little diff
Guilty. By having water in the build
ing where stock is kept during the win
ter, much labor is saved and all ex-
posure to storms is obviated.
A well for the supply of water for
stock should be for convenience tolera-
bly, near the barn-yard, but not so near
as to allow filth to run into it from the
surface of the ground or to pass in
the soil The planking around
it should be fitted tight to the curbing
so that impurities cannot enter the well.
1t should be supplied with good
pump, and if the amount of water to be
raised is large the pump should be OPP
Grated by wind-power. The drinking
trough should, if possible, be located
under cover. If it is, the snow and
sleet will be kept from it, and the force
Of the wind broken. The trough should
be provided with plug so that the
S through drinking. This will save the
formation of ice, which will make the
water too cold. If the trough stands in
The middle of the barn-yard and is I'M
protected by roof, snow will be likely
% drift round it, and will help cause
he formation of ice. Young animals
will be pushed about by the older ones,
md many will be injured. The more
exposed the supply of water the colder
t will be, and the greater will be the
.eluctance of animals to go to drink.
They will often hesitate to venture to it
ill they become very thirsty. when they
will drink more than is beneficial for
hem. They will take so much water
nto their stomachs that they will be-
come completely chilled, and suffer in
All kinds of animals |
hould be encouraged to drink frequent
V during cold weather, so that they will |
rink but small quantity at time.
Animals that have but little to eat but |
traw, hay and dry meal require con-
iderable water, or food will do them |
title good. There is no danger of ami
mails drinking too much water during
old weather if it is furnished so that
hey can obtain it when it is desired.
The custom OF some farmers of allowing
n opportunity to get water but once q
lay is barbarous. Chicago Times.