The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1885-07-04
GRASS.
In What Manner 1t Can he Made the
Most or


Most or
In the portions of the West where
large crops of corn are ordinarily raised
the majority of farmers rely on 1t for
food to use in fattening all kinds of
stock. II an mails inteaded for the
butcher come through the winter in
poor condit on they are likely to remain
SO till the corn crop is mature. They
are then fed literally till they are in a
condition to send to market In many
cases they are kept in scanty pastures
that are poorly provided W tn shade
and water Often the pastures are
overstocked, and the animals have not
sufficient supply of grass, even if the
season is favorable to its constant
growth. II it is unfayorable, especial
ly If there lie severe and long-con-
tinued drought during the warmer
months, the animals are in poorer
condit on in the fall than they were in
the spring. As food is scanty, they are
Obliged to wander about in search of it
during the entire day. Exposure to the
hot sun makes them tired and restless
at night. They are tormented by in
sects, and often suffer for the want of
cool water. Animals can not be ex-
pected TO thrive under such circum-
stances. In the fall they will be gaunt
and unthrifty, and very large amount
OF corn will be required to put them in
a condition to bring even med UNI prices
In any market.
None VIII question the great value of
corn In putting cattle, sheep and hogs
n the proper condition for slaughter
ing. 1t costs large amount of money
to buy it ana much labor to raise it.
Meat is always expensive that is pro-
duced wholly or oh ely by feeding
corn. II may be necessary to the pro-
duction of first-class meat, but the
stock-feeder should study how to use it
to the best advantage and how to pro-
duce good meat with the smallest
amount Animals should be in good
condition in respect to flesh before corn
is afforded them as the principal article
of food. Unless they are in such con-
dition they will bring little more than
enough when fattened to pay for the
corn they have consumed The corn
field should be secondary to the pasture
in the production of meat. The pasture
should furnish fair beef and mutton,
and the cornfeld should so improve
them that they will rank as prime.
Stail-feeding animals is often profitable
as the last step i'll the process OF pre-
paripg animals for the market. but
there should be several steps in the
right rection before this final one
Cattle and sheep should not come up
to the feeding trough in the fall in
lean condition. If they do they will
consume so much corn as to r. nder
their feeding Improbable. or will be
sent to the market in no condition to
bring good prices, that are only pa d
for well-fattened animals.
All animals intended for the market
in the fall or the early part of the W n
ter should be be ally fed during the
summer. Grass is not only the cheap
est, but the best, food for them. If
abundant and of good quality it will
furnish fat as well as flesh. Excellent
beef and mutton have been produced
by grass alone. Good marketable
steers and wethers have been taken
directly from the pasture to the slaugh-
ter-house The pastures. howeye,
were in the best condition in
respect to the variety of grass
and clover. were we'll suppl ed
W tn water and shade, and were not
overstocked. The food was so abund-
ant that the animal; could eat the ill
during the cooler hours of the morning
and could lie in the shade in the heat
of noon. They did not have to travel
long distance to procure water or to
drink that which was warm and impure.
They had a supply of salt within easy
reach of them, and sell or grove to
shelter them during the prevalence of
storms or severe winds If drought
occurred during the time they were
kept in the pasture they were supplied
with giass cut in a neighboring field,
with corn fodder, green rye, and daily
feed of some kina of grain. They were
rendered comfortable, and comfort next
to proper food and shelter is essential
to the production of flesh and fat, as it
is to the formation of milk
The summer is the time to INT old and
poor animals for the market. If they
come through the winter in bad condi-
ton special attention should be given
to them. Cows that have given milk
through the winter, ewes that have
raised early lambs and are too old to
breed again, and wethers whose teeth
are impaired, should be put into a good
pasture at the earliest day practicable.
Grass is the proper TODD for them, and
grass at this season of the year is supe-
rior to that which is produced later in
the season. 1t s tender and sweet. 1t
is easy to crop and easy to digest. II
the pasture where the animals are
placed that are intended for the mar
ket in the fall does not produce sutfi-
C ent grass some should be cut from an
adjoining field in order to keep up the
proper amount of food. Every farmer
and stock-feeder should decide in the
spring what animals he has on his
place that have seen "their best days"
and can be disposed of to the best adj
vantage. He should then lose no time
in getting them in good condition for
the market. The earlier he begins the
smaller will be the expense and the bet
ter the results. If the season is favora-
BILE the chances are that they may be
put in condition for the market with
out other food than that afforded by