572 HANDY-BOOK OP HUSBANDRY. 



slowly, but if a draft of air or a gale of wind is allowed to agitate 

 this blanket, its warm air is carried away and the body constantly 

 parts with more heat, in order to warm the colder fresh supply. 

 The heat used in this way is formed by the oxidation of elements 

 of the food in precisely the same manner as in the case of respira- 

 tion ; consequently, the more we protect our animals against the 

 rapid circulation of cold air, the more we reduce this waste of 

 the heat-producing elements which it is our object to convert 

 into fat. 



While, therefore, fresh air should be regularly supplied, all un- 

 necessary loss of heat should be avoided, 



4. Exercise. — It is difficult to determine what amount of exer- 

 cise different animals require. Messrs. S. & D. Wells, of Weth- 

 ersfield, Connecticut, (who have a valuable herd of Ayrshire cat- 

 tle, which they manage very judiciously,) tie their cows in winter 

 quarters early in November, and they never untie them again, 

 except for calving, until the spring pastures are ready for turning 

 out. Some of their animals remain fastened by the neck nearly 

 six months at a time, yet they come out in spring in superb con- 

 dition, apparently not at all injured by their long repose. It may be 

 in deference to an idea that systematic exercise is generally given 

 to dairy cattle, but without having any positive reason for doing 

 so, I prefer that my own animals should be loose in the yard for 

 a few hours on every pleasant day during the winter. Such a 

 course certainly does no harm, and it constitutes a sort of return 

 to a natural condition, which seems to me very desirable. 



Horses, certainly, and probably sheep also, are benefited by reg- 

 ular exercise whenever the weather is not too cold. 



5. Fresh Water. — By this I do not mean cold water, for proba- 

 bly it would be better in summer, and certainly it would be better 

 in winter, that the water should not be cold enough to produce a 

 chill. It is most important to provide water that is free from 

 organic impurities, and untainted by the drainings of barn-yard 

 and dung heaps. It would be better, if it can be so arranged, that 

 suitable water should be always within reach of the cattle. There 

 need be no fear of their abusing their privilege and drinking im- 



