Covered Cdttlc-ijards. 89 



encleavourinu^ to trace it further, Ave will quote from one whose 

 experience in the erection of covered yards is second to non(> in 

 the kingdom.* 



" As a general rule," he says, '' 1 have fountl much jucjudice 

 against covered homesteads when first proposed, l)ut I do not 

 recollect one instance of dissatisfaction after they had been in 

 use for one year." This oilers a key for the solution of th(; 

 enigma, and points to this conclusion, viz., — that prejudice arises 

 from inexperience. 



Assuming then that we have a covered yard constructed as 

 per plan annexed, we will point out the advantages which it 

 offers in respect of shelter, warmth, comfort — securing the health 

 and economical maintenance of the cattle ; the })eriect conser- 

 vation of the manure ; and ct>nse(|uently its economical supply 

 for the benefit of the soil. 



Ecoiwndcal Fccdimj and preservation of the Health of Cattle kept 

 in Covered Yards. 



In the theory of fattening there is a well-known axiom, that 

 " warmth is e([uivalent to food," and this has been practically 

 endorsed by many who have adopted the covered-yard system of 

 feeding cattle. 



The food which all animals consume — " burn in the lungs" — 

 for the maintenance of vital heat, is here restricted to a minimum. 

 Moreover, they have a dry lair, and are comfortable. They do 

 not range uneasily about, or witli staring coats, shivering, stand 

 exposed to the " pelting of the pitiless storm," like their less 

 fortunate fellows in the o])en yard, but with comfort eat their 

 food, in comfort rest ; and for such comforts show their gratitude 

 to their owners by their rapid development. 



In an experimental trial we proved that, under cover, animals, 

 each of which had a separate hox, gained as much weight, witli 

 something under J th less food, as others fed with the same descrip- 

 tion of food, but kept in the common form of court and shed, 

 where the open j>art bore to the shedding the proportion of 4 

 to 1. The gain was nearly 1^. per head per week, which was 

 entirely attributable to the superior warmth, comfort, and repose 

 enjoyed by the cattle under cover. 



But besides fattening on less food, animals enjoy better health 

 and are less liable to disease under cover than when exposed in 

 open or partially covered yards to the rigour and changes of our 

 variable climate. 



* Mr. F. Chancellor, Clifluisfoid. 



