350 MEADOWS AND PASTURES 



Feeding Colts on Pasture. In Kentucky, in the best 

 of bluegrass pastures, men growing Thoroughbred colts 

 commonly feed them oats while suckling their dams. 

 This is accomplished by putting railed enclosures about 

 large troughs; the rails are low enough to exclude the 

 mares and high enough to allow the foals to go to their 

 feed. Thus pushed the colts grow splendidly and reach 

 probably the maximum development of which they are 

 capable. In France I have observed that very often 

 draft colts are given the best of pastures and liberal 

 feeding of oats or oats and bran besides. This is good 

 for the colts and good for the pastures as well. 



Pasturing Cattle. It is wise to keep cattle off grass 

 until it has become sweet and good. This is best for 

 the pasture and best for the cattle. When at last they go 

 to grass much can be done to aid them in making good 

 gains. One of the easiest and most useful of practices 

 is to place large portable racks in the pasture and place 

 in them green forage, alfalfa, clover, or whatever may 

 be most convenient. The cattle will consume a great 

 deal of this without neglecting their grazing. Cattle 

 are too indolent to fill by grazing as full as they should 

 be, this especially in warm climates. By means of this 

 half-soiling system the pasture is rapidly enriched and 

 made to support many more animals than it otherwise 

 would. Cattle will also eat a great deal of dry hay 

 or even bright wheatstraw or oatstraw when on clover 

 pasture, and stacks may be thus devoured with much 

 profit right in the pastures. There is great profit in 

 feeding green corn, stalks, blades and ears, to cattle in 

 the fall. Throw it on grass or feed it in racks. If f . 1 



