Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1884-01-19
Eattening Stock.


art that must be learned by study and
practice. There are many phases to
this subjects, and their numerous con,
ditions must be thoroughly understood,
if the farmer would realize the most
from his feed. Quality of food, quality
offood, variety of food, warmth and
quiet of stables, and many other i'm
portant items must be taken into con,
sideration in fattening stock.
As in many other departments of
farm labor, there is great lacking here
Of systematic work. Some are igno,
rant as to the best methods while
others are careless of their real inter.
eSts, and have no regularity in their
work.
Every farmer seems to have his own
way, and it is too often chosen with
regard 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 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
general principles of economical feed.
ing and should never rest until they
are put into practice A man of good
sense and judgement can apply them
to his own particular 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, | would not advise all farm
ers to go 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 impracticable,
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;
l. Fatten stock in the STALL Turn
them out for exercise, but never feed
in the yard. The animal that is
obliged to fight for food among the
herd and eat it after it has been fouled
and trampled, can not thrive up to its
fullest capacity. There is also an
enormous waste of food when ""given
in this manner.
2. 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
fear of injury. The idea that an ami
nal should be confined in dark stall
probably originated in this way. l do
not consider darkness an important
condition; for, if the other conditions
were attended to, there would be nc
reasonable grounds left for such thee.
ry. Nothing should be neglected that
will add to the comfort of the animal
confined 1t should be carded and
bedded as we'll as fed.
8. Give them their proper food in
such a condition that they can get it;
full nutritive value, and that, too, with
the least trouble and annoyance, Il
the fodder is coarse it should be cut
up and sprinkled with meal. A tor
of corn stalks treated in this way viii
do more good than ton and hal
thrown into the manger whole, Il
given whole they will nose it over un
til they get all the leaves off and ther
commence on the tender portions of thu
stalk, gradually working the mass over
until it is thoroughly fouled by thei
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 of
or lun the risk of choking.
4. Feed them regularly and waite