IO4 FEEDING FARM ANIMALS 



The methods by which those varied forms of insect 

 life are to be combated will not be discussed here. They 

 have been mentioned for the purpose, first, of pointing them 

 out as prominent among the sources of annoyance and 

 harm to domestic animals, emanating from insect and par- 

 asitical sources, and second, of emphasizing the fact that 

 their presence is always adverse to well doing in farm 

 animals. The injury resulting ranges all the way from 

 temporary annoyance of short duration to weeks and some- 

 times months of suffering. In other instances death re- 

 sults. Watchfulness may entirely prevent the presence of 

 many of those sources of irritation and in other instances 

 prompt action may remove them when they appear. But, 

 whenever present, they exact a proportionate penalty which 

 the owner of the stock has to pay. 



Unrest and labor. All labor is harmful when it is 

 carried to the extent of hindering growth before maturity, 

 production before or after maturity, or when it shortens the 

 period for producing. Illustrations are furnished in the 

 grazing of animals on short pastures, overtaxing digestion 

 at any time and in working horses beyond their capacity. 



Up to a certain limit, grazing is not labor. It is exer- 

 cise which tends to invigorate the whole being of the ani- 

 mal. It becomes labor when it disturbs the equilibrium 

 that should exist between exercise and rest. Under some 

 conditions, it may not be possible to maintain such equi- 

 librium, as when animals graze on mountain pastures or on 

 those of the range. But under farm conditions the proper 

 relation between these can usually be controlled by the exer- 

 cise of sufficient forethought. The amount of exercise thus 

 taken without injuring differs in species and in individuals. 

 Horses and sheep can take more than cattle and swine, 

 and light-bodied animals more than those that are heavy. 

 But in all instances when the amount of time called for in 

 securing food does not allow time enough for rest and 

 recuperation, the penalty is hindered growth or production. 



