HOW TO PRODUCE FARM ANIMALS 213 



obligation toward dependent creatures, but may prove a 

 source of profit as well. -i 



Farm animals are more sensitive to irregular feeding 

 periods than human beings. Regular feeding is important 

 where it is a question of making an animal produce most 

 efficiently and profitably, and not merely one of keeping 

 it alive, as in " roughing " calves through the winter. 



Water must be provided with the same regularity as feed. 

 It is better to supply water so that animals may drink as 

 much and as often as they desire. 



Salt seems to be necessary to maintain the health of live 

 stock. It is especially important for cattle and sheep. Salt 

 should be given at regular intervals not too far apart. Some 

 dairy farmers add a little salt to each daily ration. 



Animals need fresh air but they should not be exposed to 

 cold and wet. The comfort of the animal is not the only 

 consideration. The heat necessary to keep the body warm 

 and to evaporate cold rain or sleet from the body surface 

 is generated by the feed eaten by the animal; therefore, the 

 more the animal is exposed the more feed it will need. Conse- 

 quently it is economic as well as humane to give farm animals 

 shelter adequate for protection from bad weather. j 



It should be the rule to be kind and gentle in the treat- 

 ment of farm animals. Such treatment is not only of benefit 

 to the animals themselves but reacts also upon the person 

 handling them. 



Improving animals. A reference was made in the first 

 part of this chapter to the advantage of securing well-bred 

 animals over using those of inferior breeding. In farm practice 

 the method most used for improving live stock is known as 

 grading. Grading is based upon selection, and by means of 

 it an inferior group of animals may gradually be replaced by 



