The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1893-01-18

thin during the winter, they should re-
ceive extra attention and food. II sheep,
separate those in poor flesh, or the old
ones from the young, and feed according
to their condition, for even IL there is
plenty Of rack and trough room, the
strong will crowd away the weak, and
obtain the lions share. II each is al
lowed only the food actually needed,
the results will be different. It does
not look well to see a flock Of sheep in
which some are so feeble as to be hard
ly able to rise alone, while Others are
plump and strong. Neither does It in.
dictate good management for a farmer to
sell each year, during the spring, a half
dozen or more sheep pelts, taken from
animals that died from neglect. It is
worse than neglect to take the sheep
from the pasture in the fall in good con
dition, and in four or five months allow
them to gradually fall away in flesh, and
die. With old sheep that are allowed
to become thin, it will require good
management TO bring them through
alive, especially if they are to raise
lambs. Those in this condition should
have a little ground feed four or five
times a day, and be so isolated that
others will not crowd or worry them.
Give bright clover hay, pure water, an
occasional apple or potato and they will
soon be in good condition.
The cattle should have warm quarters
at night, and spring calves should not
be allowed with the older stock. Some
COWS that are very gentle and kind in
the summer season, are very tyrannical
in the winter season. If there are no
accommodations to keep such ones
isolated, they should certainly be de-
horned, or at least have the tips Of their
horns provided with knobs. In fact all
cattle that arc confined should either be
dehorned, or have their horns thus pro-
tected. The knobs prevent injury from
hooking, improve their appearance, aud
cost but a few cents. If you do not do
this, remove the tip end of the horn
with a fine saw, rounding up with a
sharp knife. but knobs should be at
tsched if possible. II the cattle arc
Obliged to go to the creek or pond for
water, the approach should be carefully
shoveled out, aud il ice covers the sur.
face, it should be roughened so that the
cattle will not slip. THIS eau be done
in a cold day by throwing on snow, aud
dsshing water on it, or cut in the sur.
face with an axe, as much stock is
seriously injured each winter by slipping
and straining while drinking. When
cattle are protected by an open shed,
there is occasionally n animal so lily
disposed, that all the rest are driven out
from the shelter, aud the others dare
enter only when the boss if lying down.
Either confne such q one separately or
ft for market at the first opportunity.
Nail up a small box somewhere under
shelter, in which to keep salt at all
times. This is better than simply salt
ing them at odd times.
Ry combining the cattle In stanchions
during the night and allowing them to
run at large during the day in pleasant
weather, a full grown COW or steer can
be kept in better condition on half a ton
less of hay, than by the old out of door
rough and tumble plan. OF course this
makes a little more work, but the man.
ure, if piled up under shelter or drawn
to the field during the winter, will we'll
pay for the extra time; besides most
farmers have leisure time during the
winter season, aud may thus turn it into
money.
If possible never allow colts aud
horses to run loose with cattle. Colts,
il they are kept in good condition, will
certainly have their play spells and race
the cattle about at a fearful rate. In
less cattle are dehorned, when penned
up, they will use their horns 10 a dis
astrous manner, and especially seem to
have a grudge against horses, aud will,
if possible, injure them at the first OPP
%portunity. Colts should be halter
broken, led about aud tied up during the
day; treat them kindly so they will come
to you at the call. This is easily taught
them by giving a little sugar, corn, or
other food, when they approach you.
Use the curry comb freely on both colts
and horses, whether they ara at work or
not. 1t keeps the skin IN a good healthy
condition, aud gives the stock a neat,
rim appearance American Agricultur-
list.