5O2 FEEDING FARM ANIMALS 



must be supplied plentifully with bedding. Animals loose 

 in box stalls, sheds or yards call for more than those tied 

 in the stall. The minimum supply of straw bedding for a 

 horse, has been put at 5 pounds by some authorities. For 

 a mature cattle beast in the stall, it has been put at about 

 one-fourth to one-third of the dry matter fed, or at, say 

 7 to 10 pounds. When earth only is used, as much as 150 

 pounds daily will be wanted. A bushel basket full of dry 

 peat daily per animal will usually suffice as an absorbent 

 of the liquids. 



The season for breeding. The season when the 

 young animals may be produced with best advantage will 

 depend : ( I ) On the use that is to be made of them, and also 

 of the dams; (2) on the conveniences available in properly 

 caring for them, and (3) on the time that may be secured 

 in giving them the necessary care. 



Foals are usually born in the spring, a result that is 

 probably to be attributed to custom more than to anything 

 else. The reasons are weighty, however, why the aim 

 should be to have them produced in the autumn. In a 

 majority of instances idleness, from the very nature of farm 

 work is enforced on the dams in winter, and work is de- 

 sired of them in summer, which means that such mares 

 can better sustain their foals in winter and can also render 

 more efficient service in summer. The work thus given, 

 if not excessive, would be beneficial to the foal in embryo 

 which she might carry at such a time. There has been 

 complaint that conception in the autumn is not so sure as 

 in the spring, and it is probably well grounded, but if true, 

 there are no good reasons why this greater shyness of con- 

 ception on the part of brood mares at that season may not 

 be overcome. 



The advantages of having cows produce their young in 

 the autumn include the following : ( i ) It secures abundant 

 milk in winter which is more profitable than at any other sea- 

 son; (2) more time can be secured for taking care of the 

 calves during the period of feeding milk, and (3) the wean- 



