CATTLE 199 



CARE AND MANAGEMENT. 



A farmer may have the best specimens of dairy cattle or 

 beef-producing breeds, and yet, if he does not use judicious 

 care in the management of them, the results are Ukely to 

 end in loss and disappointment. 



In addition to the general suggestions given in the 

 chapter on live stock, the following points in regard to the 

 care and management of cattle deserve attention. 



Shade. — In summer it is very desirable that cattle be 

 provided with the natural shade of trees, if possible. This 

 promotes their comfort. Without the distraction of heat 

 and flies dairy cows give more milk and beef cattle fatten 

 more rapidly. If there are no trees in the pasture, arti- 

 ficial shade should in some way be furnished. 



Water. — Both milch cows and steers should be well 

 supplied with fresh clean water and never be allowed to 

 drink from stagnant pools or mudholes. If running water 

 is not convenient, well water is good, if suppUed in plentiful 

 quantities, preferably by a wind pump. 



Our best dairymen find that it pays to take the chill 

 off water for the cows. A very little fuel in a tank heater 

 will take off the chill of the water. If it is not warmed in 

 this way, the expensive feed that the cow eats will be used 

 to warm the water. Besides, on a cold day a cow will not 

 drink as much ice-cold water as her system requires. 



Salt. — If salt is not kept constantly before cattle, it 

 should be given to them regularly and frequently. It 

 ought to be so placed as to be easily accessible and where it 

 will be protected from rain. 



Shelter. — It is especially true of milch cows and young 

 stock that they require comfortable shelter. This is not 

 simply a matter of comfort, but of dollars and cents. Steers 

 do not require so warm quarters as long as they are pro- 

 tected from the storms and the wind; but they should be 

 kept dry and given good bedding. Steers are fed more 

 heavily and are fatter. They are thus better able to with- 

 stand cold. 



Disease. — Occasionally, as recently, the ''foot and mouth 

 disease" makes its appearance with great disaster to cattle. 

 No remedy is known for this epidemic except the slaughter- 



