Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1884-10-14
FARM AND HOUSEHOLD.


II IS not every farmer VINO can <0Iteu
an animal economically. Il is an art that
must be learned b. study and practice.
There are many phases to this subject,
and their numerous conditions must be
thoroughly understood If the farmer
would realize the most from his feed !;
quantity of food, quality of food, variety
of food, warmth and quiet of stables and
many other important items must be
taken into consideration in fattening
stock
As in many other departments of farm
labor, there is a great lacking here of
systematic work Some are ignorant as
to the best methods. while others are
careless of their real interests, and have
no regularity in their work.
Every farmer seems TO have his own
way, and it is too often chosen with re-
gard TO the convenience of feeding
rather than the economy. Ten chances
to one he never knows whether he has
gained or lost on the animal he has sold
TO the butcher.
We cannot lay down any definite rules
to be followed in fattening stock, and it
would be still more difficult to follow
them up to the letter, supposing they
were given. But we can learn the gem
eral principles of economical feeling, and
should never rest until they are put into
practice. A man of good sense and judg-
ment can apply them to his own particu-
lar circumstances. might, for instance,
say that the most economical method of
feeding rough food is by the process of
steaming, which would. be very true.
while at the same time would not ad :
wise all farmers TO 90 to the expense of
purchasing an apparatus for this work,
To those who have large number of
animals and proper facilities it would be
good economy, but to the small stock
raisers or fatteners it would be impracti-
cable or too expensive to be economical
The same might be said Of the silo and
other theories or methods.
Throwing aside the discussion of par
ticular methods. would beg leave to
call the farmers attention to some few
things that can be applied alike to all,
and In the programme of which the
incest system and regularity should be
observed
First-Fatten stock in the stall. Turn
them out for exercise, but never feed in
the yard. The animal that is obliged to
fight for its food among the herd, and
eat 1t after il has been fpuled and
trampled, cannot thrive up to its fullest
capacity. There is also an enormous
waste of food when given in this manner.
Second-Give the animals warm, we'll
ventilated and quiet quarters. An ami
NAL will take on fat much more readily
when it is made comfortable and not in
constant fear of injury. The idea that
an animal should be confined in a dark
stall probably originated in this way.
do not consider darkness an important
condition. for if the other conditions
were attended to there would be no rca-
sonable grounds left for such theory.
Nothing should be neglected that will
aud to the comfort of the animal con-
fined. 1t should be carded and bedded
as well as fed.
Third-Give them their food in such
condition that they can get IFS full nutri-
tive value, and that, too, with the least
trouble and annoyance. If the fodder is
coarse, 1t should be cut up and sprinkled
with meal. A ton of corn stalks treated
in this way will do more good than ton
and half thrown into the manager whole.
If given. whole, they will nose it over
uAAt1A lucy get oil TIC leaves OH. anu then
commence on the tender portions of the
stalks, gradually working the mass over
until it is thoroughly fouled by their
breath, causing them to leave nearly half
of it uneaten. They should have their
feed of roots cut up, so that they will
not be obliged to gnaw them off or run
the risk of choking.
Fourth Feed them regularly and water
them regularly. Regular feeding is an
important element in fattening stock,
and one that is too often disregarded by
the farmer. His chores must be done
when he can do nothing else before day
light in the morning and after dark at
night, with a little intermediate attcn-
ton whenever he happens to be around
the house. The idea of taking cattle out
of warm. stable and turning them into
the yard before they have fairly eaten
their breakfast, and leaving them out
until dark again. is very barbarous one,
and will surely work loss to the farmer
who harbors it.-W u. b., In P,uirse
Farmer.