FEEDING OF CATTLE. 63? 



well as fat, let him mix the different kinds of foods together. An 

 experiment will illustrate' the profit of cutting: When keeping a 

 small stock which would consume thirty tons of hay in the winter, 

 seven tons of hay were sold, and seven tons of middlings bought and 

 used upon cut straw (two quarts to the bushel), and the stock 

 wintered in fine condition. The straw was thus turned into or ren- 

 dered equivalent to twenty-three tons of hay, worth that year $18 

 per ton (generally it is worth $10 to $12) in barn, or $405. Hay, 

 in most localities, is worth as much per ton as middlings, and half 

 to three-fourths as much as corn meal. Therefore, it will be seen 

 the proceeds of one-fourth the quantity of hay requisite to winter a 

 stock of animals will purchase the middlings or meal necessary to 

 use upon the straw, and the other three-quarters of the hay, or its 

 value, will be a clear gain to the farmer, not assuming anything for 

 the value of the straw. 



Other Essentials to Profitable Feeding In fattening 

 cattle care is not only required in regard to feeding in the foregoing 

 respects, but strict attention must be paid to the items of (1) clean- 

 liness, (2) regularity, (3) temperature, (4) exercise, (5) fresh water 

 and (6) pare air. 



1. CLEANLINESS is OF THE UTMOST IMPORTANCE It is im- 

 possible for the animals to do their best unless they are kept free 

 from dirt and their skins in a fresh and healthy condition. Com- 

 fort is one of the best means to promote condition in the fattening 

 animal. They should be carded daily, and whenever labor can be 

 commanded, thoroughly brushed from head to foot. 



2. REGULARITY IN FEEDING AND WATERING is INDISPENSABLE 

 Animals always thrive best where strict regularity in the hours of 

 feeding is observed, so that they come with a full appetite to each 

 meal and the digestive functions work with harmony and free from 

 disturbing influence. 



3. TEMPERATURE As before explained, the more protection 

 the animal is afforded against the rapid circulation of cold air, the 

 the more is reduced the waste or the heat-producing elements 

 which it is the object to convert into fat. While, therefore, fresh air 

 should be regularly supplied, all unnecessary loss of heat should be 

 avoided. 



4. EXERCISE This is a matter somewhat difficult to determine. 

 Some prominent breeders tie up their cattle in the beginning of 

 winter and never untie them till the spring pastures are ready to 

 turn them into. But it would seem more natural and is probably 

 more beneficial that they should be turned out for a few hours every 

 day in fine weather. 



5. FRESH WATER Water should not be cold enough to pro- 

 duce a chill. It should be free from organic impurities and from 

 barn-yard drainage, and it is better if it can be arranged so as to be 

 always within reach of the animal. 



