PASTURAGE AND FEEDING FOR PROFIT. 791 



In feeding in stables observe the same rule — full feeding of good prov- 

 ender, early and late and at noon. This is what keeps animals growing 

 continuously and insures profits ; for thus the feeder secures the greatest 

 possible gain, with the least loss, to the animal system. 



It is poor policy, when grain is cheaper than hay — and it is so in many 

 portions of the West — to feed largely with hay. Corn and good bright 

 straw, with, say, five pounds of good hay daily per steer will keep them 

 growing right along. Dry corn with little fodder tends to unnatural 

 heat and fever. Therefore keep the stomach distended with a proper 

 quantity of fodder of some kind, and if the corn can be fed after being 

 soaked so much the better. 



XIV. Watering. 



Cattle should have water offered them twice a day in winter, and in 

 summer it is desirable that they get it whenever they happen to want it. 

 People sometimes need but little water and at other times a great deal. 

 It is the same with stock of all kinds. If the water is in pools, do not 

 cut holes in the ice for stock to drink through, unless precautions have 

 been taken to prevent their slipping on the ice. This hint may seem 

 needless ; and yet, there is more loss on stock, every year, from this 

 cause, than would provide suitable pumps and troughs, and also pay for 

 the labor of pumping. 



XV. Feeding in Summer, 



In fattening cattle it often happens that the grass is not sufficient, or if 

 it be sufficient to keep them full, they do not fatten fast enough. It is 

 just as cheap for the farmer who only fattens a few head yearly to make 

 prime cattle, as it is for one who fattens hundreds. In fact a man who 

 fattens but a few head should make better cattle than one who feeds 

 many. 



In England when grain is high, the most of it being imported, summer 

 feeding of grain ^\^th grass has been practiced for years. Why should it 

 not be so here in the West, where the grain is grown that the English 

 feeders buy? The pastures during July and August will not graze as 

 many head of cattle as in spring and autumn. Hence, the English farm- 

 ers can fully stock their pastures by supplying what meal the cattle will 

 eat while the grass is scant. When pastures are flush and in full succu- 

 lence but little if any of the meal will be taken. What meal they do 

 eat is so much clear gain in fattening. Animals, when on succulent 

 pasture, require some dry food. They will even eat a little hay daily at 

 «uch times. Thus meal, or if the cattle are used to it, soaked corn, not 

 only modifies the succulence of green grass and clover, which contains 



