OF AGRICULTURE. 177 



progress of digestion already made. Roots should 

 generally be boiled or steamed. 



If our object is to make food perform its office as 

 rapidly as possible, that is, if we wish it to cause 

 rapid growth and rapid fattening, the most digestible 

 condition is the best In such cases the animals 

 should be kept comfortable and quiet, and there will 

 be but little waste of food. Boiling is especially 

 adapted to hogs, and almost indispensable to the 

 thrifty growth of young pigs. 



For horses and work oxen the boiling of meal is a 

 disadvantage. The digestion then goes on too rapidly, 

 If the grain is ground, and mixed with cut hay or 

 straw, the digestion is made complete, and goes on 

 more slowly. In this way the digestive organs are 

 not so quickly left inactive, and the sensation of 

 hwrjcrer is not so soon produced. 



CARE OF STOCK. 



Farmers lose more in the Southern States by the 

 careless treatment of stock than by carelessness in 

 anything else. Hundreds of dollars are often lost in 

 this way, which might readily have been saved by a 

 little timely attention. Young animals, which require 

 more attention than all others, are most frequently 

 neglected, both as to shelter and food. Many in this 

 way are lost, and many others so much stunted as 

 never to regain their full vigor. Every farmer will 

 find it to his interest to give special attention to his 

 colts, calves and pigs, 



HORSES. 



The stables should be well lighted, well ventilated, 



Pure, fresh air is not less important for any animal 



8* 



