Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1888-06-01
RURAL TOPICS.
Some Practical Suggestions for
the Husbandman and the
Housewife.
Information for the Farmer, Stock.
Breeder, Poultercr, Nurseryman,
and Housekeeper.
THE FARM.
Carols.

Horses in this country, at least those
that have reached maturity and are kept
ai work, are fed almost exclusively on hay
aud oats during the entire year. In towns
Timothy hay made from grass that attained
ats fall growth before it was cut is gen.
orally preferred. If timothy hay cannot
be obtained a preference is ordinarily
shown for hay made from wild prairie
grass that contains rosin- weed. Hay made
from clover, red-top grass, Hungarian, or
mislet is condemned for various reasons,
but chiefly because they are liable to con-
tain dust that Injuries horses. Most horse-
keepers prefer oats that have been Kept for
several months and have become dry. Bar
lev is regarded as the grain which furnishes
the best substitute for oats. There is little
objection to wheat except its cost. Corn
is objected to because it is "too heating.
and for the additional reason that it tends
10 the formation of fat instead of firm
flesh, Similar objections apply to buck
silage, potatoes, pumpkins, peas, mill.
stu ifs, and most kinds of roots are rarely
ever fed to horses if hay and oats can be
obtained
aso domesticated animals have so small
a variety of food as horses. Some declare
t1lat their appetite does not cause them to
desire many changes in diet, The prob
allie reason why horses ara apparently
satisfied with two kinds of food may be
fouDd in the circumstance that they sell
dom have an opportunity to taste anything
eIse. Especially is this true OF horses that
are continuously kept in cities. Still,
n,s,st have observed that horses have a lil-
inc Cor all the kinds of food that are given
to cattle and sheep. They are very fond
of apples. cabbage, and nearly all sorts of
garden vegetables. They are very fond of
sweet; substances. They will eat the leaves
of corn, sugar-ca and sorghum in pref
eEence 10 hay. In some European counties
where oats and hay are scarce horses read
ily eat straw OH which a small amount of
cheap molasseH has been thrown. 1t is
likely that horses would eat as many kinds
of food as sheep and cattle, do if they were
allowed TO follow the leadings of their own
appetite. That they can be taught to eat
great variety of substances is certain.
Carrots have been more generally fed to
horses than almost any kind of food ex-
ceIM hay and oats. Their consumption in
this city is increasing quite rapidly. Many
farmers in the vicinity who cultivate ex-
leusive land mise large quantities of them
and haul them TO town, receiving from $40
ta Sl2 per ton for them. Considerably.
quantities are brought here from Southern
Wisconsin in cars. An average crop is
Loco bushels per acre. When the rows
are near together and the hand hoe is used
ID cultivation 1900 bushels have been
raised. Persons who have used carrots
extensively for feeding horses consider
three bushels of them as equal to one
hushel of oats. They do not recommend
dispensing with oats, but reducing the
amount about one-half. They think that
tic hay and oats are better digested when
Che horse has ono ration day of carrots.
and will not touch hay or oats when they
are in the crib. Horses that have one feed
of c,1ots per day have soft, glossy hair,
sad require very little currying or brush
ing. Carrots are recommended for mares
that are kept to raise colts. - Chicago