298 FEEDING FARM ANIMALS 



Food Destroyed by Tramping. The tramp- 

 ing of cattle over pasture lands not only destroys 

 considerable food, but it compacts the soil, espe- 

 cially during wet weather, and greatly damages the 

 physical condition of the soil. As much as a third 

 or a half of the pastures are injured by tramping. 



Less Acreage Required. If one lives near a city 

 where lands are highly valuable, the investment in 

 acres is a matter of considerable importance. The 

 practice of soiling enables the dairyman to do on 

 half the number of acres what would be required if 

 pasturing were followed. 



Soil Improvement More Readily Obtained. 

 Since one needs but half the area by following soil- 

 ing methods that pasture systems require, a larger 

 quantity of manure may be secured by this system. 

 This means farming in an intensive way and insures 

 greater productivity of land and larger crops with 

 each successive year. 



OBJECTIONS TO THE PRACTICE OF 

 SOILING 



The one objection to soiling is in the extra labor 

 in growing and feeding the crops. By pasturing, 

 labor is needed only in taking cattle to and from 

 the pasture fields. The necessary extra labor con- 

 nected with the soiling system is, however, a matter 

 of small importance when considered in the light of 

 the many advantages. 



Soiling Best Adapted to Dairying. While soil- 

 ing is possible for all classes of live stock, it is pecul- 



