The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1883-12-20
DECEMBER.
WATER FOR cows IN WIN
TER.

Very few farmers make sufficient
preparation for water for stock in
winter, and many, indeed, fail to
do so in summer. When cattle
have the ran of large lots in which
grass is growing and green, they do
not suffer so much from thirst if
they do not happen have access to
water when they please, as they do
in winter, when living on dry feed.
The succulence of the grass sup
plies, in part, the necessity for
water, but, when living on dry food,
everything goes wrong II water
cannot be had when wanted.
Water is essential to animal life.
The blood is three-quarters water,
and it enters into every organ and
tissue of the body. It is the vehi
Gle for the equal distribution Of
,nutriment and heat to all parts of
the body and for carrying off waste
and foreign matters which may
happen to be taken in; and when
it is insufficient for these purposes,
the comfort and health for the AMI.
NAL are at once affected. Assimila-
tion is impaired or ceases wholly and
waste increases, young animals
stop growing, fattening stock cease
to increase in weight, and COWS
shrink in their milk. and it becomes
deteriorated in quality. It cannot
be long wanting without causing
an actual loss of fat and flesh. A
lack of water is more detrimental
than a lack of food, and creates
more discomfort, and will terminate
life sooner than hunger.
No con7eniences about farm
pay better than convenient water
supply. Cows in particular, should
have access to it at all times, espec-
tally if they are obliged to live, as
most COWS do, chiefly on hay, as it
creates stronger demand for water
than other kinds of fodder, or mil
LET. Some people seem to think if
COWS get water once a day it IS all
they need; but that is not enough,
unless they are living on succulent
food, such as roots or ensilage
Cattle are their own best judges Of
their need Of water, and they do
best when they have their option
about using it. When they drink
but once day, they overload with
it to their injury. Taking in an
oversupply Of cold water chills the
stomach and occasions discomfort
and pain, and what is worse, stops
digestion till the contents of the
stomach, by slow degrees, warm
up again. This occasions loss of
time in the functions of the stomach
and disturbs the condition of the
whole system. Ice cold water is
always Objectionable, even when
stock have admission to it ad l5itssm.
1t impedes digestion, and is not
relishen so we'll as when taken at a
more elevated temperature.
Whenever water can be obtained
from an elevation sufficient to carry
it into the stable, it is the most
convenient, and will pay best, to
water in the stable by passing it
in trough under the manger, the
bottom of the manger serving as a
cover to the trough, to which it is
attached with hinges, SO that it can
DO turned up when desired, to give
the stock access to the water.
When thus watered, all the animals
are served alike and without distur-
bance, and by having water when
they wantit, without having to wait |
for it, they will not take excessive
draughts, as they are apt to when |
kept away from it by the masters
Of The herd after they have become
thirsty, OF as they are very sure to
when drinhAg but once day. |
On account of its more elevated |
temperature, spring water is pre-
ferable to brook water, and where
springs are not available, cisterns
set in the ground so as to temper |
their contents to that of the earth,
make an excellent substitute for
springs. 1t is a good time now,
before cold weather sets in, to
consider the matter Of the winters
water supply, and to make it as
good anda convenient as possible.
Nat. Lioe-&0ck Journal.
CALEDONIA CREAN.-Tbe whites, of
E e