The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1890-11-06
Tho Cattle ip Winter.

Cold, inclement weather will soon
drive the stock indoors as it we're, and
the matter Of arranging the barn and
yard for them will become an important
ne. Too often this work is neglected
and improperly attended to. Excessive
warmth Or else imperfect protection from
the cold arc the rule rather than the en-
ception in stock yards. Neither Is con-
ducivc to robustness, health or profit. III
excessive warmth is obtained the animals
will become diseased, impure air will
poison the blood, and the warmth will so
dry the skin and open the pores that the
slightest draft will produce dangerous
colds Throat diseases, pleuro-pneumo-
MIA and like diseases are sure to find
their way into such cattle houses.
On the other hand, imperfectly shell
tered cattle will succumb to disease
through exposure. Drafts blowing on
them during cold, wintry nights will be
sure messengers of insidious diseases. If
snow and rain are allowed to drift in
through large cracks and holes, the
health OF the animals is greatly deterior-
ated. The excessive amount of heat
which they have to throw off to warm
their bodies is q great drain on their sys-
TENS, and it invariably reduces their vi
tally, so that they easily succumb to the
attacks of disease. All fthis effects the
milk supply too, and is a most important
fact for the dairyman. Many recon-
mend to keep the cows in barns or sheds
artiGcially heated by stoves, and to give
them nothing but warm water. All of
this is founded upon wrong hygenic
laws. The animals need cold, bracing
air when the weather is sclear, and DUR
ing storms or excessively cold weather
they need to be kept in barns compare
lively temperate. They need good
food, moderately cold water, but not
icy water. Drafts should be avoided,
but the air should be changed every day,
so that they will not be breathing over
the same air hour after hour. The sheds
should also be kept clean, and it Is we'll
to keep near at hand such absorbents
as dry swamp muck or fresh leaves or
sawdust. Any fine material such as
these will absorb the liquid, and prevent
disease and make good manur for the
following seasons crops.
In the Winter time the Importance of
a regular and constant supply Of salt is
not fully appreciated by all stock
growers, Ii especially. by those who
keep only a few animals. The average
farmer gives the salt to the animals when
he happens to think of it. and this some
Times is not very often. The best results
con be obtained from rock or lump salt
placed n the feed boxes. The danger
from taking too much salt comes not
from having it On hand all of the time,
but from denying the animals Of it for a
long period. Then in their eager4ess to
satisfy their natural cravings they will
nrpnfiy, On 1,.n SI.o ~ ! I-su x,,k...
really require. 1t is seldom that an
than they really require. They know
when to stop, even if their masters do
not. Salt is an essential constituent of tho
blood, II salt hunger may lead to excess
when the animal is suddenly permitted
Wild animals will travel long distances
':salt-licks' frequently leads them into a
trap for the hunters.
Many of the common foods given to
the animals are lacking in salt constitu~
ents, and hence this essential must be
supplied artificially. Animals on one
farm will need more of it than on
another, for on some soils it Is lacking in
the soil itself, and tho grains grown on
it must necessarily be deficient, Salt is
also q common constituent of milk, and
il not given to the COW it must be drawn
from that stored in her blood tissues.
This cannot be done without seriously
impairing the health of the animal. One
cannot thus tell how much the animals
need. The quantity must be left to them,
and this can only be done by keeping
rock salt neal them all Of the time
E. P. Smith, IN American C%ultiuator.