1803. On the Soiling of Horfts and Cat tk\ iC() 



No; he Is induced to fow oats merely bccaiifc it is fouFid, that, in 

 general huihandry, they will yield him molt advantage. The tafte 

 of the coni'umer never comes under his notice ; and the fame views 

 aflu redly govcni the breeders and feeders of Iheep. 



TO THE CONUUCTOR OF THE FARMER'S MAGAZINE. 



On the Soiling of Horfes and Cattle, 



Sir, 



The foiling of horfes, in the fummer months, on green clover 

 and rye-grafs, is a practice which prevails in every corn diftrict 

 where farm labour is regularly executed. The utility of the 

 pra6lice does not need the fupport of an argument j for, it is not 

 only economical to the farmer, but faves much fatigue to the 

 poor animal : befides, the quantity of dung thereby gathered is 

 confiderable. 



Reflecling upon the advantages of this practice, it has often oc- 

 curred to me, that cattle, /. e. oxen and cows of all forts, might 

 be fupported and fed in like manner during the whole of the 

 grafs feafon. I know very well that milch cows have, in feveral 

 inflances, been fo kept •, but it is not confident with my know- 

 ledge, that the other defcriptions of cattle have been fed for the 

 butcher according to this mode, though I judge it to be perfectly 

 prafticable. No doubt a confiderable degree of trouble would 

 neceflarily attend the meafure, but this is an objection that may 

 be urged againfl every fcheme for improvement. It was urged 

 againll fummer fallow at its introd *.'5tior., and is ftill urged in 

 feveral diftricLS againft the drilling of turnips. If, however, thu 

 advantages, which would attend a general foiling, exceed the 

 trouble occafioned thereby, I apprehend the meafure i:j not to be 

 combated on this ground. 



Let any peifon, for a moment, view a field of grafs depaftured 

 with cattle, efpecially if the weather is wet, andhewillfoou be con- 

 vinced of the great lofs fuftained from the feet of the animals, 

 and of the wafte which is made in confequence of their roaming 

 at large. Perhaps it may be eliimated, that in general cafes, 

 near one half of the grafs is thereby rendered ufelefs ; at leall I 

 am certain, from feeding milch-cows in t!ie houfe, that one half 

 of the extent of land will fuflice for houfe- feeding, that is requir- 

 ed when depalhiring is practifed. Probably another advantaee 

 would follow, vv'hich I do not remember of having feen noticed. 

 The land, from being covered with grafs, would not only produce 

 ^n iucreafed quantity, but cilfo be greatly benefited by the exclu- 



ilon 



