348 THE IMPROVED ART OF FARRIERY 



Water Necessary in Grazing Neat Cattle. 



Good water is of the utmost consequence in rear- 

 ing and fattening neat cattle ; and those graziers will 

 never meet with much success or profit whose grounds 

 do not abound with a continual supply of this fluid ; in- 

 deed beasts cannot thrive well without it, though the 

 grass should be in the greatest abundance. Bullocks 

 require a large quantity of water to dilute their food, 

 and in the summer time dehght to chew the cud in 

 pools or rivulets, where they may enjoy a cool retreat, 

 and with alternate vibrations of their tails defend them- 

 selves from the troublesome attacks of the flies, gnats, 

 and other insects which infest them. Ponds, rivulets, 

 or other contrivances for retaining water, are absolutely 

 necessary in all sorts of feeding grounds. 



Systems, or Modes of Practice in Grazing. 



In some feeding situations, places, and districts, 

 tvhere they are in the practice of preferring open or 

 spayed heifers, and other barren kinds of stock, to oxen, 

 the beasts are brought in as convenient and proper for 

 the purpose in March, or the following month ; and 

 after being kept and pushed well forward through the 

 summer season, when having been well fed out, they 

 off are sold in October and the succeeding month. This 

 method is not so convenient or ready as some others, 

 but is considered by some persons to be profitable in 

 its nature. 



A second and more usual method of practice in this 

 business, is that of buying the beasts in lean as soon 

 as the grass-feeding lands are in condition to be turned 



