Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-12-21
Dailp Krnnehfr 3ourilal.
Varieties of Food.

While farm animals, as compared to
their owners, are very plain livers, doing
we'll on two kinds of feed, still, as with
men, they vary in digestive and assimila-
tive powers; and it is well to consider the
winter season as the trying period for
farm stock. for there is no denying that
upon all farms it Is such. Farmers dc not
usually over-stock during the pasturing
season. providing it is favorable for grass,
but when winter comes, then it is differ
ent. The flesh and fat made from grass
alone is invariably of that character
termed soft; and when winter first comes,
this soft deposit, the fatty portion, shrinks.
and unless the feed be generous. it is
quickly absorbed, going into the blood to
conditions.
Winter feeding, properly done. is far
from being the complicated process that
it was few years ago supposed to be.
That is to say, there was time, not far
back when many considered that not to
grind and cook the feed. especially for
swine, and to some extent for cattle also,
was considered lacking in enterprise.
Some of those who advocate improve
ments in any department involved in the
management of farm stock, have failed
to fnd that grinding and cooking, espec-
tally the latter, has paid them for the
time and money expended; but there is
no question about its paying the farmer
to buy ground feed at the mill for cattle
feeding; especially so in the case of
breeding stock and young growing ami
mails, for in feeding whole grains to
whole number of animals during winter,
is not usually practicable to have follow
ing of swine about the stable. to consume
the voided whole grain. Furthermore,
it is liable to be fatal arrangement for
the swine, permitted as they are, under
such plan, to nest in the manure pile.
thus engendering bronchial or lung
troubles.
A wise selection and administration Of
food will avail little except under extrav
agantly liberal feeding, unless fairly COM
Portable shelter is provided. something to
stand between the hide and hair of the
beast and the inclemency without. Any
attempt to make selection OF food that
will. under any honest showing, make il
appear that it is more economical TO feed
against the weather than to shelter against
it, will fail signally. Any man who thinks
that cooked food, fed hot. will aid an ami
NAL to resist cold, is in error. The selec-
ton Of food proper for winter use is
simple provided shelter and bedding
are supplied.
Wheat is found to contain four parts of
fiesh-forming material. while it is stated
to contain 20 per cent of starchy material.
Upon this latter, the ability to stand cold
largely depends; hence the value of wheat
offal, especially the richer portions of it,
should be estimated at a high figure.
Even bran is well known to breeders to
be far more satisfying to cattle and other
stock than it has usually been credited
with being. While nothing approaches
oats for horses. in conjunction with small
allowance of hay, if they are required to
make time upon the road, or pull heavy
loads, SO nothing excels the offal of wheat,
with sprinkling OF corn meal and oil
cake. or cotton-seed meal, for cattle; and
the same is true of breeding swine.