Connecticut western news., 1882-11-29
WINTER CARE OF LIVE STOCK.

There are a few general rules for the care of live stock in winter, which are of universal application
 F,st.-They should lie dry, whether bedded or not. A dry floor is far better than wet bedding. Spar or slat floors, through which urine will quickly pass, and which give the animals level stand ing place, are especially to be advised. A good degree of comfort may be had on such floors, but full supply of dry lit ter-straw, leaves, swamp hay, etc. certainly makes all kinds of stock more comfortable.
 ,Second.-Shelter. saves fodder, wher- ever lumber can be easily obtained, to degree to which few practical men are aware of The warmer the stables are, the better, except perhaps for sheep. But with close, warm stables, 1t is essen tial that the manure heap should be where it will not contaminate the air, and that there should be perfect ventilation, so arranged as not to cause drafts or air. Ihird.-As to feed. This should be given with the utmost regularity and uni formity-never more than will be all eaten up long before the next feeding time. Then the animals have an appe- tite for their food, so that coarse fodder may be given, to be followed with better, and by grain in some form, if this be part of the daily ration. This is no doubt the most economical system, se- curing the least waste and best digestion of all kinds of fodder used in the ordi- nary way.
 Fourth. Grooming and care of the animals are most valuable means of keeping them in health as well as saving feed. The skin of an animal existing in state of nature is washed by every shower, brushed and carded by every bush, licked by its mates, rubbed by the ground in rolling, and in various ways kept free from accumulations of its own calculations, from the stoppage of it's pores by sweat, and from its own in herent dirt. A healthy skin means warmth, health, life and vigor, other things being about right, and we can se- cure this in horses and cattle only by grooming A straw brush, made by twist ing up a thick rope of straw until it becomes very hard and inclined to kink, then doubling it and twisting it into a stiff mass foot to eighteen inches long perhaps, with the ends tucked and fasten- ed, will do a deal of rubbing before it goes to pieces, and is for purposes of friction, rubbing off mud, etc., better than any other brush. Clean skins are just as important for COWS as for horses, and the use of the brush is recommend ed in the cattle stalls.
 FEtth.-Sunshine. Fresh air and sum- shine are health-giving and invigorating principles and not one of our living dependents should be without them. In the thorough ventilation recommended, good air has been provided for, neverthe- less all well fed animals enjoy and are the better for air breathed out of doors even on our coldest days, and sun-bath of an hour or two is of the highest value. Stables should be constructed with refer ence to sunlight, and long narrow wings for stables, both for horses and cattle, have in this particular great advantage over basement stables under the whole barn, as the former may have windows for the admission of sunlight and ail throughout their entire length.
 iSirth.-Give all animals free access tc salt. With plenty of feed, horses an6 sheep will stand any degree of dry colo incident to the climate of the United States and Canada. Neat cattle neec more protection, and it is really cruel te expose them unprotected to winter weather. Swine need thoroughly warm dry quarters in winter weather, and vii hardly survive exposure such as othel
 domestic animals will bear perfectly well
 So with poultry-while turkeys will bea7 r the severest storms and cold roasting il the most exposed positions, fowls seel shelters either of thick evergreens f or houses, and ducks and geese thu
 protection of the manure pile Or the ha, ' stack. In sheltering all animals ano : poultry, which we do from motives o
 economy, it is well to bear in mind thei natural instincts, that those which neet 1t most are best protected.
 AgricUlturist .tor December.