St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1915-11-06


not, In itself, be injurious, but as
one authority has remarked, 1T has
very bad relations, and keeps bad
COMPANY or in other words, 1t is
the product of organic matter. and If
regarded as another index Of impuri-
ty. However, the amonia gas evolv-
ed from accumulated excrementi.
tious matter in stable must be IT.
ritating to the eyes Of animals oc-
cupying such places, and In this way
must be injurious, besides causing
irritation of the respiratory passages
through inhalation of this pungent
gas. But under any conditions, q
vitiated atmosphere is inimical tt
the most perfect health Of our farm
ANIMALS, irrespective Of variety.
One Of the chief differences to be
deduced in this case would necessari-
~ be, that stables, and other build
ings occupied by annals, should be
kept in a sanitary condition, both
solid and liquid, which tend to create
impurities Of noxious character.
Or, in other words, it would seem
the better part Of wisdom to haul the
manure out to the land, where ma
ture intended it should be, and where
some benefit may be had from 1t
than to horde up in the habita-
lions Of tle live stock to become q
source of injury to their health.
Another topis Of paramount i'm
portance, discussed under the gener-
al head Of hygiene, Is food; but 1t
is too large subject to be BILE to
more than touch the fringe In q pa
per Of this general character. 1t
may be said, however, that the food
and feeding of animals is q subject
of social economy. and one Of the
most important with which 1t has tc
deal.
Feeding, In relation to agricul-
ture, is a subject Of immense import
to the owner and raiser of live stock !;
and in order to obtain the most sat
isfactory results, and at the least
possible cost, the feeding must be
based upon rational, or scientific
foundation. In fact, it may be said
that the problem of stock manage
ment resolves itself, largely, into the
question of how to feed. It Is not
sufficient to know that certain sub
stances possess great nutriment, and
that others are practically useless,
but it should be known which foode
are best suited to the varying con-
ditions of the animal organism, In
what form these had best be admin
istered, and how the best feeding
may be obtained in the most econom-
ical manner.
Practical experience has shown
that, as general rule, the stock
owner is not as familiar as he might
be, or as he ought to be for his own
good, with the principles of stock
feeding. which suggests that q little
clearer understanding Of these prin-
ciples, in practical way, would,
undoubtedly. prevent much disease.
as we'll as considerable annual loss
es, in many instances.
Doubtless, the present unsatisfac-
tory conditions In this very impor-
tant branch Of farm practice, and
which ar occasioned largely by in
accurate knowledge of the subject.
will be greatly mi2imized when our
present generation Of embryo farm
ers and feeders have assumed con-
troll, as their knowledge of animal
gained through study at
our agricultural colleges, will be a
valuable asset to them, and, when
put into practice on the farm and
In the feed-lot, will be the means Of
not only warding on many prevent
able dietetic diseases but Of increas-
Ing general farm economies.
In its wider aspect. hygiene en-
braces, Of course, the general care
and management Of animals, and
would like to be permitted just a
word or two on q subject which al
though 1t may appear of minor i'm
portance In this connection, is, in
'ealitp, one of considerable moment
refer to harness, or gears, In con-
lection with work animals, as many
severe injuries are often caused
through friction or undue pressure,
n both, by parts of the harness that
1t badly. or are improperly adjusted,
,ut which Of course might easily be
by the. exercise OF q little
Intelligent judgment on the part Of
he owner.
How often, for example, do we see,
n some sections Of the country at !
east. the plow animal with its back |
land placed right over the loins, tn,
weakest part of the back, and the |
race-chains hooked up to 1t, causing |
he animal, not only to pull the plow |
ut to bear severe and undue pres
ure, by that region which has NO
Import from the ribs.
Strange as 1t may seem, some
therwise intelligent person will tell |
Ou that this is necessary in order to
aise the point of the plow, when
hat IL required. But il the mechan-
nm Of the plow is not sufficient to
egulate the depth Of blowing, either
trough faulty clevis or beam, then
he mechanism should be adjusted,
instead of the animals usefulness |
'efng jeopardized through q mistak-
n idea Of the use Of the backband.
Personally, have seen many valu-
bic plow animals permanently In
ured, and in some cases destroyed,
through paralysis of the hinder ex-
on account Of this misuse
the backband.
Further, while the collar 10 one Of
ne most important parts of set of
arness or gears, it IL also one that
} very often at fault, either % to
t, or adjustment. On large agricul-
lral holdings, it is frequently the
lstom to purchase 10 many dozens
1S-inch collars, and expect that
ze to fit every animal on the place,