Ch. XXXIII.] SUMMER SOILING. 375 



progressively improved. Indeed, were green crops of the several varieties 

 to be regularly cultivated throughout the year — what with fog reserved 

 from the pasture, rye-grass, winter-tares, kail, and lucerne in the early part 

 of spring ; clover, spring-tares, sainfoin, and the further cuts of lucerne 

 during summer ; the aftermath of the meadows and clover for the autumn ; 

 together with the crops of turnips, mangel wurzel, and potatoes for the 

 winter months ; the process of feeding, even without any assistance from 

 hay, need never stand still. 



In the early part of the season, when tares and clover are either inade- 

 quate to the support of the stock, or that it may be thought expedient to 

 change them gradually from dry to green food, a portion of these grasses 

 may be mixed with the hay or straw on which the cattle are fed; and if the 

 mixture be made up over night, the dry provender will be found to have 

 acquired a sweet vegetable taste, and thus rendered so moist and palat- 

 able as to be more readily eaten : but it is an error to suppose that straw 

 given before grass or turnips will have any good effect upon the cattle ; for 

 they in a short time will refuse to eat it. When grass, whether natural or 

 artificial, is to be given, it should be cut twice in the day, early in the 

 morning and late at night, so as to avoid the withering heat of the noon- 

 day ; for, if not more nutritious, it is at least more palatable in a fresh state 

 than when stale, and the danger of hoving can be guarded against by due 

 circumspection in the quantity to be given at each time. " Attention 

 should also be paid to the due proportion to be cut ; and until that fact 

 be ascertained, it is a good plan to measure out each mess, and to chalk 

 down the quantity in weight, which the basket, cart, or other vehicle em- 

 ployed for carrying the food contains of the various articles used for that 

 purpose. The practice will, at least, have a tendency to teach farm- 

 servants to observe method, the value of which is of considerable importance 

 in all business, and in none more than in the various branches connected 

 with husbandry*." People object, indeed, that such a mode of feeding is 

 troublesome, and that the old way is more easy and convenient ; but we 

 are yet to learn the branch of good management which can be executed 

 without some trouble ; or to see the same profit derived from slovenliness 

 as from care and attention. 



The cattle should be kept in yards, or hammels, with dry sheds around 

 for shelter ; and if only a small number be put together, and those of 

 nearly equal age and strength, they will feed more quietly, as the strono^er 

 beasts will soon overpower those which are weak, and prevent them from 

 eating until they are themselves satiated. The yards should also be plenti 

 fully supplied with water, and kept particularly clean, as the ordure and 

 urine occasioned by soiling occasions much filth, and if cattle be not 

 maintained in a comfortable state of cleanliness they will suffer in improve- 

 ment ; to obtain which desirable benefits, little or nothing- more is required 

 than a small portion of time and attention from the farmer and a careful 

 servant. 



There are, however, not wanting many experienced graziers who, for the 

 feeding of store-stock, prefer open fold-yards merely sheltered by a high 

 paling to guard against the inclemency of the wind ; but without sheds. 

 Indeed, it is known that they will eat food, when thrown to them on the 

 ground, which they will reject when given in the stall ; and in some parts 



* See chapters x. and xi. on Soiling and Stall-Feeding in the Complete Grazier, or 

 Farmer's and Cattle-Breeder's Assistant. 6th edit. 5 and aa article " on feeding," in 

 vol, i., p. 209 of this work. 



