Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1886-05-20
USE or PASTURES.

IAjurieas E6ect Of Turning Stock Int
Them When GrAss L. Coming Up.
Farm stock of all kinds become tired
Of dry hay and straw in the spring OF
the year, and desire to escape from the
restraints of the farm-yard. that is
likely to be wet dirty and uncomfort-
able. Especially is this the case with
sheep. They sight the first grass that
makes its appearance and seek to reach
it They viii travel mile to get >
taste of green grass in the spring.
They are likely to waste much of tho
dried food that is given them 1t this
season of the year. Farmers are often
impatient to get their stock of their
hands as soon IS there Is an opportuni-
ty to engage in spring work in the field
and garden. They have become tired
of feeding animals, and have little
time to attend to their wants. By ale
lowing them to 60 into the pastures
when they desire to 60 they are saved
considerable trouble. In not . few
cases farmers are short of hay in
spring. They want to keep their best
hay for their w0rk-hOrses, and their
cattle, sheep and young stock will not
eat that which is inferior. They have
no money to buy hay, and the roads
are in SO bad condition That it is very
difficult to haul heavy loads over them.
There are no roots pr ensilage on the
place, and the supply of corn and small
grains is likely to be quite small.
The temptations to turn farm ami
mails into the pasture very early are
MANY and strong. Still, farmers
should hesitate about doing it unless
the surface of their grazing land is
quite high and dry and the sod is firm
and strong. Much sod is injured by
having animals walk over it when it is
soft and filled with water. The feet Of
cattle and horses sink into it, expose
the roots of red clover and many of the
best grasses, press many fodder plants
so far into the ground that they die,
and leave the surface of the ground in
a very uneven condition. A sod treat
ed in this way will never afford good
pasturage again. Many acres of fine
pasture land are almost completely
ruined by having animals turned upon
it early in the spring. The condition
of all forage plants is greatly injured
BY being fed off very early in the sea-
son. The matter stored up in the roots
of grass and clover during the winter
affords the material for forming the
first leaves in spring. These leaves
are necessary to assist the plants in
their future growth. They help restore
the roots to a growing condition.
As a rule animals are injured by
being turned into pastures very early in
the spring. AS soon as they get taste
of grass their appetite for hay, straw
and corn-fodder is destroyed. The
first growth of grass contains very little
nutriment. 1t is chiefly composed of
water. 1t contains scarcely any dry
material. A hundred pounds of it cut
and dried would produce but few
pounds of hay. 1t is quite too laxative
to be eaten by animals that have had
little but dry food for several months.
1t will not make much bone. fat or
muscle. 1t not infreGuently happens
that animals lose in weight and fall off
in general condition after they have
been turned into the pasture in the
spring. As the feed is scanty they
travel long distances to obtain it, and
it does not satisfy their hunger. The
fatigue in walking over turf that
breaks beneath their feet at every step
makes them weak Sheep thrive better
than cattle when turned into pasture in
spring. as they disturb the sod less,
while they generally eat some of the
grass of last seasons growth. Sheep
like change of food. and unless they
obtain it at the proper time they are
likely TO lose their appetites and to be-
come restless and uneasy.
1t is better for the animals and much
better for the crop of grass to keep
stock out Of ordinary pastures till the
plant has obtained a good start and the
ground is fairly dry. After leaves are
spread over the surface of the ground
they prevent the feet of cattle from
through the sod. Even when
there is considerable grass in pastures
in early spring it is best to give the
stock turned into them some hay. grain
and other sorts of food. The change
from quite dry to green food should be
made gradually. 1t is desirable to have
some bright clover hay to feed
stock in spring. Roots are also excel
lent for breeding at that time of the
year. If a farmer has no place for
storing beets, carrots and turnips, it
will be to his advantage 10 raise par
ships, as they can remain in the ground
all winter. The freezing does not in
jure them. and they are relished by
cattle. While the grass is young. stock
should have some dry food. Indian
meal, ground oats, bran and oil-cake
are all good, and the choice between
them will depend on the location of tho
farmer. Special pains should be taken
to provide dry places for cattle to lie
upon in the spring.-Chicago Times.