OF THE 



UNIVERSITY 



OF 



:S OF SOILING 51 



CHAPTER VII 



ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF 

 SOILING 



ADVANTAGES 



(1) Less land required. Any system which in- 

 creases the productive capacity of the soil reduces 

 the acreage required to maintain the same number of 

 cattle. 



(2) Less fencing required. Aside from a small 

 field for exercise, it is not necessary for the cows to 

 run at large. Hence the fences can be disposed of, 

 saving much expense for their maintenance. This 

 also throws the farm into larger areas for cultiva- 

 tion, saving time in turning with teams during 

 planting, cultivating, etc. 



(3) Increased food production. The amount of 

 food produced by soiling frequently exceeds three 

 times that from pasture, as every square foot of the 

 farm is kept at its highest productive capacity undis- 

 turbed by the treading of animals. 



(4) Greater variety of food. The succession of 

 crops provides changes in the ration which are 

 usually much appreciated by the animals, keeping 

 their appetites good and favoring a large consump- 

 tion of food. 



(5) Less waste. Animals on pasture waste much 

 food by constant tramping, by manure dropping and 

 by lying on it. Some of the pasture grasses become 

 old and unpalatable, while in the soiling system, 

 plants are cut at the proper time, insuring palatabil- 



