DOMESTIC ANIMALS. 269 



Again, five sheep were placed under a shed as before, and 

 not allowed to take any exercise. They ate at first (f4 

 pounds of food per day, then 58 pounds, and increased in 

 weight 30 pounds. Lastly, five sheep were kept quiet and 

 covered, and in the dark. They ate 3-5 pounds per day, and 

 increased eight pounds. 



Mr. Childors states, that 80 Leicester sheep in the open 

 field, consumed 50 baskets of cut turneps per day, besides 

 oil-cake. On putting them in a shed, they were immediately 

 able to consume only 30 baske.s, and soon after but '25, 

 being only half the quantity required before, and yet 

 they fattened as rapidly as when eating the largest quantity. 

 The minimum of food then, required for the support of 

 animals, is attained when closely confined in a warm, dark 

 shelter ; and the maximum, when running at large, exposed 

 to all weathers. 



THE FOOD OF ANIMALS 



Should be regulated by a variety of considerations. The 

 young which may be destined for maturity, should be sup- 

 plied with milk from the dam until weaning time. No food 

 can be substituted for the well- filled udder of the parent, which 

 is so safe, healthful and nutritious. If from any cause there 

 is deficiency or total privation, it must be made up by that 

 kind of food, meal-gruel, &c., which in composition ap- 

 proaches nearest in quality to the milk. At a more advanced 

 age, or the time for weaning, grass, hay, roots or grain 

 may be substituted, in quantities sufficient to maintain a 

 steady, but not a forced growth. Stuffing can only be tole- 

 rated in animals which are speedily destined for the slaugh- 

 ter. Alternately improving and falling back is injurious to 

 any animal. An animal should never be fat Ind once. Espe- 

 cially is high feeding bad for breeding animals. Much as 

 starving is to be deprecated, the prejudicial effects of reple- 

 tion are still greater. The calf or lamb intended for the 

 butcher, may be pushed forward with all possible rapidity. 

 1 lorses or colts should never exceed a good working or breed- 

 ing condition. 



PURPOSES FULFILLED BY DIFFERENT KINDS OF FOOD. The 

 objects designed to be answered by food, are to a certain 

 extent the same. All food is intended to meet the demands 

 of respiration and nutrition, and fattening to a greater or 

 less degree. But some are better suitted to one object than 



