The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1886-11-13
Tho wtntsr Cara M Stock

AgTlcuituFISb.
The Winter Care of Stock.
f. ID. Richards, OF Natick, Mass,
writes as follows in the Practical Far
mer: The proper housing and feeding
OF live stock, together with their gen.
eral care, are features which affect the
prosperity OF farm to a greater ex-
tent than is generally imagined, judg
ing from the practice OF shiftless indi
viduals. When the late autumn
storms set in it is time that all stock
be sheltered at night and during part
and perhaps all the day, according TO
the condition OF the weather. 1t is
we'll to allow cattle to run at large for
a while every pleasant day, but they
should be kept in through every stormy
or rough day.
In the matter of feeding a careful
system should be adopted and rigidly
carried into daily practice. AS cold
weather comes on cows IN milk need to
be kept warm and to be fed literally.
The present is the best time for feed
ing ensilage. When the cows come
from the grass if ensilage be fed twice
day, with good sweet hay once, the
flow of milk will not be diminished.
Those farmers who have not awaited
themselves of the manifold advant-
ages of the silo, but who have dry corn
fodder and cut hay, will even Their
need some roots or pumpkins to aid
in keeping up the flow of milk during
cold weather; otherwise they must
feed more generously with grains and
shorts.
1t is the faulty practice of some far
mers to keep their cows out of doors
during much of the day in cold wealth
er, but the practiceis very detrimental
to the best interests of the owner
Cows should not be kept out any long
er than is required to supply their
drinking water when the latter is only
available out OF doors. Cows require
good bed of some kind. When
swamp hay or straw is abundant, es
pecially when there Is no market for
them, they will furnish an excellent
bed for cold weather, besides increas-
ing the manure pile for spring use.
Even dry muck or sand is much better
than nothing; besides, sand is q good
antidote for lice.
Thus far we have been referring
specially to the care of mich COWS, but
the oxen and young cattle must not be
neglected. When this latter stock goes
to the barn they should not be confined
to the poorest feed first. The transi-
ton from green to dry food is trying
to the animal, and it will shrink badly
if confined to it in the early feeding at
the barn. 1t will pay, at this period,
to supply them with some corn fodder
or cut hay, with few roots. Eariy
winter is desirable time for feeding
portion of the supply OF roots. Then
when the cattle get somewhat over the
marked change in food from green to
dry, and the weather becomes cold,
their appetites will sharpen and the
poorer fodder may be given without
detriment. Some feeders fancy that
cattle do not require salt in their win
ter feeding. This is q great mistake
unless they are kept near the sea PAST,
and there fed salt hay.
Calves and colts need the best feed
through the entire first year of their
lives. In fact, the character of the
animal depends largely upon the prog
ress mace the first year. System
should be Tigidly enforced about the
premises. Feeding should be attended
to three times q day as regularly as
the model housewife prepares her
meals for her family, morning, noon
and night. In the care of cattle the
last meal OF the day should be given
early, That the animals may eat and
lie down. After this they should not
beg!ven any food or suffer any disturb
ance. The old practice of going to the
barn about 9 O'Clock at night and
arouslDg the cattle from their quiet
repose, and feeding them at that hour,
is now generally superseded by an ear
ller feeding, and by subsequently leav-
ing them TO enjoy their rest. Under
this latter method If the farmer has
occasion to visit the barn in the even
ing the cattle will take but little notice
OF the visit, as they are not expecting
feed at that time. Cattle do quite as
well under this modern system as I'M
der the old with a more liberal supply
of food.
In old barns it is very important to
look out for cattle lice. When hens
are allowed to range the barns they
will often communicate lice to the cat
tie. The presence of any vermin will
entirely prevent thrift. 1t is import
ant that those hogs intended for early
pork should be pushed to maturity
before severe winter weather retards
the fattening The store shoats and
pigs need warm, dry beds at this sea
son OF the year to insure their thrift
The enterprising farmer cannot afford
to allow any OF his dumb animals to
suffer through his neglect. Aside from
sentiment such neglect reaches his
pocket directly. The successful far.
mer is constantly vigilant and active
in making his live stock comfortable.