NEAT CATTLE. 



156 



by which means, too, the farmer may derive more immediate 

 profit from the stock which is now in his possession. 



The editor of this work is aware of the objections which are 

 made by our farmers, to the root husbandry, as it is sometimes 

 called, and especially to that of turnips. It is said by some, 

 they are a precarious crop, being exposed to the ravages ot 

 insects : and by others that they are of little utility as food for 



Mr.* Curwen, in England, who has been considered a great 

 authority on tlie subject, and a practical farmer, relied on tur- 

 nips and straw onlv, for his cattle, with occasional steamed 

 chuff and salt, and never gave them corn, oil-cake or hay. 



By that management he observes, he converts all his straw 

 into excellent manure, keeping his grain for sale. 



When we consider the great diminution of the value ot 

 grasses by drying them for preservation, it is worthy of great 

 consideration whether those, especially, who cultivate smail 

 tracts of land, may not procure more animal nutriment from a 

 given quantity of soil by the root husbandry, than would be ob- 

 tained from the cultivation of green vegetables of any descrip- 

 tion, allowing for the extra labor. 



There are various diseases to which neat cattle are subject, 

 and assistance is not often to be obtained from those w^ho are 

 skilful in their cure: some account of those, and the most ap- 

 proved remedies may be useful in this work. 



Hoof ail.— Cause of the disease is not well known. The 

 feet become diseased, and then they are frozen during the 

 course of the winter, after which they are of no value except 

 for their skins. Feedinsr them with plants of rich food, and 

 keeping them well littered in warm stables, is thought to be 

 the most profitable and effectual method of avoiding this disor- 

 der. 



IIoRX DISTEMPER, subjects them to a wasting of the pith of 

 the horn. It is sometimes in one horn only, and sometimes in 

 both. Indications of the disease are coldness ofthe horn, 

 dulness of the eyes, sluggishitess, want of appetite, and a dis- 

 position to lie down. Where the brain is affected, the anima- 

 will toss its head, groan, and exhibit indications of great pain. 

 Cure : bore a hole with a small gimblet in the lower side of 

 the horn, about an inch from the head, and the corrupted mat- 

 ter in the horn will run out. If this does not complete the cure^ 

 Mr. Dean directs, that the horn have a mixture of ruin, honey^ 

 myrrh, and aloes thrown into itwuth syringe ; and that this be 

 repeated till a cure be effected. 



T4.lL SICKNESS. Cause, ^enerj^Uy poor keeping. The euro 



