Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1882-05-24
Care 0f Stuck.

AS so many OF our farmers are
starting in the dairying business this
season, we copy the following advice from
an eastern exchange, which, if followed,
will be of great value to them:
A prominent farmer in Western New
York lately wrote that he had a mine of
wealth in the shape of fcrtilizing mate
rial under his stables. This shows an
appreciation of the value of the manure,
but is a serious comment on his lack of
care in its preservation, as we'll as at
tention to the air his stock are furnished
to breathe. No matter how we'll fed, if
they are obliged to remain over putrefy-
ing filth they can not remain in perfect
health. How many farmers are there
who do this same thing.
Many times stock are permitted to lie
in wet, damp places where there is a
straw stack rotting down in the yard or
fields, and it's manurial elements going
to waste. Nothing is more conducive to
the health of animals than clean, dry
place to lie in; it is not only more
healthful but makes them comfortable and
contented-a necessary condition to tax
ing on flesh. Large quantities of ferment-
ing manure in the yards or piled up
against the stables cOntaminate the
air and render it unfit for animals to
breathe. If it is desired to have it fer
ment it should be carried far enough
away so that it will not affect the air of
the stables. Many horse stables are rem
dered unhealthy from this cause, and
that of allowing excrement to fall through
the floor and decay. II sheep are kept on
fermenting manure they will become
feverish and the skin irritated, and will
lose wool, besides becoming generally un-
healthy.
The water that stock drink is another
prolific source of disease. Pure water is
important. Large numbers of cattle in
summer drink from stagnant water in
mud holes, which is utterly unfit for such
purposes. The milk from cows drinking
such water is unhealthy food. Stock
often suffer from lack of water. In the
warm weather they need it often, and it
is best that they have access to it at all
required for house use.
Exercise is another important element
in promoting the health of animals. 1t
is absolutely necessary for many. Fat
teaing animals as they increase in flesh
grow less inclined to exercise, and if fed
proper food will for q long time seem to
remain healthy under close confinement;
yet we can not help believing that the
flesh of such animals would be better
fitted for human food if they had exercise
continually while fattening.
Protection from bad weather and storms
is help to the preservation of health.
Serious losses often occur from exposure
that might easily be avoided. Horses,
after hard driving, standing exposed to
cold winds, sheep and cattle in cold rains,
and swine in mud and cold, damp pens,
are not only needing more food, but at
the same time undermining constitution
and endangering health. Stock accus-
toned to outdoor air will keep healthy
and comfortable in cold weather, pro-
vided they have plenty of litter and shell
ter from storms.
The general every day care of stock
needs attention. 1t is in this the vast i'm
provement is to be made. The little things
60 to make up the total. Attention to de-
tail is what wins the battle; pure water and
enough, q freguent change of food, pro-
lection from heat, wind and storm, q
gentle manner in handling, conduce not
only to an increase of flesh, but of health
and comfort. An ill-tempered person has
no business with animals of any kind. A
cross, irritable disposition in one who has
the care of horses will be reflected in the
disposition of the horse as we'll as shown
in lack of thrift.
The best work that can be done for ami
mails in promoting their comfort as we'll
as preventing loss to the pockets of
farmers, is to provide proper sanitary regu-
latiOns for their stock, and if they do be-
come diseased call promptly the best veter
mary aid that is at hand. Animals as
we'll as men have suffered much by being
doctored by ignorant or unprincipled
quacks and by those who did not know
the composition of the medicines pres
cribed and their effects, nor were able to
distinguish the symptoms of disease.
Even the best skill works at disadvant-
age, because the practitioner must depend
entirely on his own judgment, with but
little help from the patient to a correct
diagnosis of the disease. Beside, if cure
is effected. there is loss of flesh Santa
ton for domestic animals can only be Sc
cured by daily care and attention.