FEEDING FARM ANIMALS 



is different; with them injury resulting from neglect is al- 

 ways attended with loss, and in many instances, it cannot 

 be atoned for even by extra care subsequently. So im- 

 portant is fidelity on the part of the feeder that without it 

 he cannot make a success of his work. 



An innate love for the work is an important bestow- 

 ment on any feeder, on the principle that a liking for the 

 work in hand is a great aid to anyone prosecuting a definite 

 line of work. Its importance is enhanced in the case of 

 feeders by the influence which it exerts on the degree of the 

 attention bestowed, and the character of the same, and on 

 the self-control of the individual. The feeder who has no 

 love for his work does it in a perfunctory way. Food 

 is fed by rule regardless of the individual needs of 

 the animal. He is much prone also to be impatient with 

 waywardness in animals, in some instances to the extent 

 of being positively cruel. The feeder who loves his work 

 has a most careful regard to the individual needs of the 

 animals. If any is to wait for a meal beyond the usual 

 time, it will be himself rather than the animals under his 

 care. He will be gentle, though firm in dealing with them. 

 The animals in charge will go to meet him on his approach 

 rather than flee from him as in the case of the other type 

 of feeder. It has been said that feeders are born, not 

 made, and there is a large measure of truth in the adage, 

 but a love for feeding may also be cultivated to a marked 

 degree. 



Good feeders are always in demand. This is one of 

 the lines of work which is never over-filled. It is shunned 

 by many when deciding upon their life work because it is 

 in a sense confining work. It calls for continued atten- 

 tion during much of each of the 365 days in the year, 

 and it is exacting in the long hours called for and at certain 

 seasons additional hours are taken from the usual time for 

 sleeping. To such an extent is this line of work shunned 

 by the average American youth, that his adventurous spirit 

 prevents him from choosing it. As a result, it would seem 



