WINTER FEEDING OP LIVE STOCK. 579 



" to me, be fed early in the morning on an empty stomach, thoujjh 

 " it is sanctioned by the practice in the London milk-dairies. 

 " The processes of digestion go on best when the stomach is 

 " sufficiently distended ; and for this purpose the bulk of food is 

 "almost as important as the nutritive qualities. The flavor of 

 *' some roots, as cabbages and turnips, is more apt to be imparted 

 " to the flesh and milk when fed on an empty stomach than 

 ''otherwise. After the cows have been milked, and have finished 

 " their cut feed, they are carded and curried down, in well- 

 " managed dairies, and then either watered in the stall, which in 

 " very cold or stormy weather is far preferable, or turned out to 

 " water in the yard. When they are out, if they are let out at 

 " all, the stables are put in order ; and, after tying them up, they 

 " are fed with long hay, and left to themselves till the time of 

 " next feeding. This may consist of roots, such as cabbages, 

 *' beets, carrots, or turnips sliced, or of potatoes, a peck, or, if the 

 *' cows are very large, a half-bushel each, and cut feed again at 

 " the evening milking, as in the morning, after which water in the 

 " stall, if possible. 



" The less cows are exposed to the cold of winter, the better. 

 " They eat less, thrive better, and give more milk, when kept 

 " housed all the time, than when exposed to the cold. Caird 

 *' mentions a case where a herd of cows, which had been usually 

 " supplied from troughs and pipes in the stalls, were, on account 

 ''of an obstruction in the pipes, obliged to be turned out twice a 

 " day to be watered in the yard. The quantity of milk instantly 

 " decreased, and in three days the falling off^ became very con- 

 " siderable. After the pipes were mended, and the cows again 

 " watered as before, in their stalls, the flow of milk returned. 



" This, however, will be governed much by the weather ; for in 

 " very mild, warm days it may be judicious not only to let them 

 " out, but to allow them to remain out for a short time, to ex- 

 " ercise. 



" Any one can arrange the hour for the several processes named 

 "above, to suit himself; but, when once fixed, let it be rigidly 

 " and regularly followed. If the regular and full feeding be 



