498 FEEDING FARM ANIMALS 



also good because of their relative lightness and absorptive 

 power. Clay soils are ill-suited to such a use, because of 

 the tendency in them to bake when handling or tramped 

 on while wet. One chief objection to soil as bedding is the 

 labor involved in handling it. 



Moss and peat are frequently used for litter. Both 

 stand high in their power to absorb liquids, but peat is 

 richer in the elements of plant food than moss, although 

 in this respect it varies much, dependent on the sources 

 from which it is obtained and the stage of reduction which 

 it has reached. It must, of course, be secured, allowed to 

 dry and stored, before it can be thus used, which means 

 considerable labor, but there may be instances in which its 

 use, especially as an absorbent, is to be commended. 



The uses of litter. The principal objects sought 

 in using litter are: (i) To add to the comfort of 

 animals, more especially when they are taking rest; (2) 

 to absorb the urine and to arrest volatile gases as ammonia ; 

 (3) to increase the quantity of the manure. The first of 

 these is, of course, primary, but usually all three are im- 

 portant. 



Bedding or litter adds to the comfort of animals by 

 furnishing them with a soft and dry bed, and in many in- 

 stances by increasing the warmth of the same. From 

 choice, animals will soon learn to select places where soft 

 litter is most abundant, when given such liberty, thus plainly 

 indicating that benefit will result from furnishing them such 

 a bed. Animals also instinctively shun taking rest on a 

 wet bed. Rather than do so they will go for long periods 

 without lying down, hence the importance of keeping yards 

 well bedded and also sheds, when animals must take rest 

 in one or the other. Litter supplies warmth in cold 

 weather. It is particularly helpful in this respect when 

 animals in the stall must take rest on cement or concrete 

 floors, and when its presence in yards or sheds removes 

 dampness. It is also very helpful in increasing warmth in 

 swine when abundantly supplied. 



