CATTLE FOOD. 301 



trees, either singly, or in groups, under which the cattle can lie, 

 or stand when at rest, thus screening them from the heats of the 

 sun, besides adding to their thrift and enjoyment, as where shade 

 abounds, there the cattle gather, and enjoy it. The other would 

 strip every tree from his pasture grounds, contending that in the 

 heat of the day, when the grass is dryest, and most nutritious, 

 they can feed heartily and more to their benefit, and rest at 

 night the proper time for it. As to flies, they trouble the cattle 

 less in sunshine than shade ; the cattle, when shade is in the field, 

 lie there all day, and feed only at night and morning, when the 

 grass is wet with dew; it is then "washy," and less nutritious 

 than when dry and only moistened by its own sap. 



"Whether this last be a real, or only a fanciful theory, we do 

 not decide. The cattle themselves being judges, we should call 

 it only a fancy, for it is certain they love the shade during exces- 

 sive heats, as they do the sun in excessive cold. 



There is another question concerning the land, however, worthy 

 of consideration, in stripping it altogether of shade trees. They 

 add much to the pastoral beauty of the landscape, and in the 

 estimation of most men, to its value. Who, of any taste in the 

 attractions of a fine landed estate, would permit a farm to be 

 denuded of its majestic trees, or woody clumps of shade, for the 

 mere fancy that his herds would gain a few more pounds of 

 flesh, in their summer pasturage? Scarce one in a hundred. 

 No; let the trees, singly, and apart, or gracefully grouped in 

 their own free luxuriance stand, a shelter to the herds, and a 

 pleasant spectacle to their possessor a "most living landscape" 

 in its summer repose. 



CHANGE OF PASTURE. 



This is also a subject of controversy. Some contend that it 

 is better for stock to have frequent change from stale to fresh 

 feed during the grazing season. Its utility will depend some- 

 what upon the varieties of grass which the pastures contain 



