104 THE AMERICAN FARMER. 



weather is not stormy or too cold. If the sun shines they should be allowed their liberty for 

 a while in a warm sheltered yard. A sun bath is one of the best things a farmer can permit 

 his cattle to enjoy in winter, as it is a promoter of health and general thrift. 



Where cattle are kept in such large numbers that it would be impossible to provide 

 stables for them, as in the extensive grazing regions of the west, for instance, a sufficient 

 number of sheds should be provided, where the cattle can seek protection when they wish. 

 In the extreme Southern States, the climate is such that excellent pasturage may be furnished 

 for stock during the entire winter. The varieties of grasses best suited to this purpose have 

 already been given in Grasses and Forage Plants. The farmers of this section have but 

 little trouble or expense in wintering their cattle, compared with that of the Northern 

 farmer. 



Food for Cattle. A sufficient amount of suitable food is necessary to keep cattle in 

 a thriving condition, and this should be furnished them regularly at all times. By suitable 

 food we mean that which contains in proper proportions the elements for the formation of 

 fat, bone, and muscle. It seems to be the opinion of some farmers, if we may judge by 

 their methods of practice, that it makes but little difference what cattle are fed upon during 

 the winter, providing they can be so managed as to be taken through the winter in some 

 way, until the pastures are ready for spring grazing, and if they come out of their winter 

 quarters &quot;spring poor,&quot; it is no more than is to be expected. We accordingly find it no 

 uncommon thing for cattle to present a half-starved appearance in the spring, having only 

 about one-half the amount of flesh on their bones that they did in the autumn. 



Farmers pursuing such a course do not appear to consider that by their method the 

 growth of the animal is lost during the winter, and that it will take a large portion of the 

 summer to make up this loss. In order to keeping animals steadily growing the food must 

 not only be good in quality, but of sufficient quantity. What is claimed for the famous beef 

 breeds is, that from long, pure, and skillful breeding, they have attained the highest capacity 

 to utilize food in producing the best quality of beef in the shortest possible time, and at the 

 least cost; yet, -even with such breeds no good beef can be produced without appropriate food 

 in sufficient quantity, given at proper intervals. The same may be said of the utility of the 

 most valuable dairy breeds; the highest success cannot be attained without their being 

 properly fed and otherwise cared for. 



While it is true that much depends upon the breed, it is equally true that much also 

 depends upon the food, and general management with respect to maintaining the excellent 

 qualities of the breed, and securing the highest results from them. It is the law of nature that 

 plants and animals are modified by the character of the food which sustains their growth. 

 Plants growing near the sea take from the soil impregnated with its salt a large proportion 

 of soda, which is seen in the ash of the plant when analyzed; but on removing these plants 

 inland, they take from the soil potash, instead of soda, and the plant is accordingly modified. 

 It is a well known fact that wheat of the same variety will possess qualities according to the 

 soil upon which it grew, and that which is grown upon a clayey soil usually contains the 

 largest proportion of gluten. 



The wild turkey, after being domesticated for a time, loses the peculiar flavor of its 

 flesh, which cannot be distinguished from that of the common turkey. Dr. Bachman states 

 that he has seen turkeys raised from the eggs of the wild species lose their beautiful metallic 

 tints and become spotted with white in the third generation. The wild ducks in the ponds 

 of St. James Park, which had never been crossed with domestic ducks, are said by Yarrell 

 to lose their true plumage after a few generations. Numerous other instances might be cited 

 to show the effect of food in changing the qualities and characteristics of plants and animals, 

 but a sufficient number have been given to illustrate the importance of giving all animals 

 good and suitable food, and a liberal supply of it. The food which nature has provided for 



