CHAPTER XIII 



THE STOCK ON THE FARM 



Stock. The successful farmer avoids "scrub" stock. 

 He has learned two important facts : First, that it pays 

 to take good care of his stock, and, second, that it costs 

 no more, in care and feed, to raise a good animal than 

 to raise a poor one. Now, let us analyze these two 

 propositions and see how a thorough understanding 

 of these truths affects the farmer's success. 



Why Animals Need Food. As will be more fully 

 discussed in the next chapter, animals must be fed for 

 several reasons. In the first place they must grow, 

 and the food that they eat furnishes the material for 

 this growth. In the second place they must be kept 

 warm, and the fuel for animal heat comes from their 

 food. Again, if some special product, like milk, is to 

 be produced; this, too, must come from the food. 

 Why does it pay to take good care of stock ? 



Feeding Stock. Care is here meant to include food, 

 shelter and general attention. If the animal is to grow 

 rapidly it must be well fed, since the food furnishes 

 the material for this increase in weight. Not only 

 this, but it must be fed regularly. If not, its digestive 

 organs become deranged ; that is, it becomes dyspeptic 

 and its food passes off without being properly digested. 



