Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1882-05-25

that most animals should bring forth
their young in season beyond the
reach of severe cold and with suiii-
cient time to grow and be prepared
for the following winter )" but since,
in raising colts on farm, the condi-
tions under which these provisions Of
nature were made do not exist, the
argument docs not hold good. The
colt raised on Il farm is, 10 some ex-
tent at least, an artificial product,
grown under artificial conditions, and
is not wholly provided for by bounti.
full nature, nor subject TO natural
provisions. Instead of being gov
erned by its own instincts, and ex-
posed 10 the inclemencies of all sorts
Of weather on the plains Of Tartary,
or the praries of the West, it is sub
jcct TO the control Of an intelligent
master, and its wants rs TO food and
shelter are provided for by the owner
whose interests are best served by
making that provision bountiful and
comfortable. We hold it 10 be re-
Election upon the care and intelligence
Of the farmer to imply that this pro-
vision cannot be made as well, if not
quite so easily, in the winter season
as in the summer. For the first four
or six months Of q colts life it is
mainly dependant for nourishment
upon its dam, and the grass which
abounds in the spring, is Of but little
benefit to it, excepting as it contrib
utcs TO an abundant how Of rich
milk and any farmer careful enough
and intelligent enough to be entrusted
with the raising Of colts can easily
and economically arrange the mares
ratiOns so that this shall be secured
in the fall as well as in the spring.
In fact, the advantages Of grass dur.
ing its first summer is largely lost 70
the spring colt, and when weaving
time comes, the cold season has ar
rived, and it finds itself compelled to
meet its seventies at the time when
it is deprived of the mares milk, and
substitutes therefor the dry feed OF
winter. All horse raiscrs admit that
this is n critical period with colts.
and the simple question is whether it
Is easier so 70 provide for the colt
that he shall not be seriously affected
by the change, or TO SO provide for
the dam that her supply Of milk shall
be sufficient for the little new conner
On the other hand the colt comes
when the mare is about entering upon
n period Of comparative rest, and
because less is required Of her, she
can afford 10 divert a greater proper.
ton Of the food consumed TO the
maintenance and growth Of the foal
than is possible when the exacting
labor Of "spring work" demands the
full exercise OF all her digestive
forces. Then, when weaving time
comes, and the colt is cut off from his
former supplies, "the grass is begin.
ming 20 grow" it has entered upon
that stage of horsehood at which it Is
able TO take the full advantage Of it.
and has a full season Of pasturage
before it in which TO prepare for what
is practically its first winter. In ad-
dition TO this, "winter's keep is
saved. In the spring Of its third
year it is practically four.yearold,
so far as readiness for use or value
for sale is concerned, though it has
been fed but two winters, the first
winter having cost only the crtra
feed given the mare. We believe
there is much advantage in having
eotfu cn,,,o ;Y, shn fail
THERE is nothing like a pasture
for breeding sows TO run in. All of