570 HANDY-BOOK OF HUSBANDRY. 



The farmer's case is a precisely parallel one, as I shall en- 

 deavor to prove — for he cannot be considered a practical farmer in 

 the best sense of the term, unless he makes every animal on his 

 farm do its full proportion of the money making of the business — 

 for money making is the chief aim of his life and occupation. 



The grain-grower — pure and simple — has much less occasion 

 for the constant exercise of skill than the stock-raiser. He has 

 only to produce his crops, to sell them, and to keep his soil in 

 condition for his requirements. The stock-raiser has all this to 

 attend to, and, in addition, he must constantly regard the mani- 

 fold needs of his animals, forcing them to consume the largest 

 possible amount of food, and to yield the utmost possible return 

 for the food and care bestowed upon them. 



His success depends on an early and earnest appreciation of 

 the fact that only to the degree to which he causes his animals to 

 consume more food than is required to support their frames, and 

 to carry on the various vital functions, will there be a profit re- 

 sulting from their keep. A certain amount of food is required to 

 supply the animal's respiration, and the natural waste of its body. 

 If only this amount is given, the food consumed will be a total loss, 

 except for the value of the manure that it produces, while the 

 interest and insurance on the animal itself, the time expended in 

 its care, and all the buildings and appliances of the farm that its 

 keeping makes necessary, will be lost. 



Not only must the feeding be so managed as to contribute the 

 material from which profit is to be made, but due attention should 

 be given to the items of (i) cleanliness, (2) regularity, (3) tempera- 

 ture, (4) exercise, (5) fresh water, (6) pure air. 



I. Cleanliness is of the utmost importance. It is impossible 

 for any of the domestic animals to do their best unless their skins 

 are free from dirt, and in a fresh and healthy condition. It is of 

 the utmost importance that they be not allowed to accumulate a 

 winter coat of clotted manure ; and it is at least very desirable that 

 they be daily thoroughly carded or brushed from head to foot, 

 whenever sufficient labor can be commanded. Better keep fewer 

 animals well groomed than to allow the herd to remain in a condi- 



