1855. 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



49 



WINTER CARE OF CATTLE. 



The good farmer should feel, that the comfort of 

 the stock he owns is dependent in a great measure 

 upon him. Especially is this the case in the win- 

 ter. At this season, they require constant atten- 

 tion in feeding, watering, carding, &c. They 

 should be fed at proper and stated times, and as 

 nearly as may be, have an e(jual allowance at each 

 meal. By this regular feeding, they will thrive 

 much better, even on a smaller amount, than if fed 

 at irregular times, and with varying quantities of 

 food. They want, also, a variety in regard to food. 

 A few roots are very useful to them daily- Corn 

 fodder, if fed to them once or twice a day, will 

 generally be eaten up clean, whereas, if they are 

 fed on it constantly, much of it will be refused and 

 ■wasted. They should not be put on the poorest 

 hay first. This should be reserved, and fed to them 

 occasionally, in the coldest weather, when it will 

 be eaten up clean. 



They should have an abundant and convenient 

 supply of water. In this our farmers fail to sup- 

 ply the wants of their stock more than in feeding. 

 Many depend for water upon a brook or spring, at 

 some distance from the barn. In cold and stormy 

 weather the cattle, especially the weaker and 

 younger portion, are driven back, and not allowed 

 to drink until their thirst becomes excessive, and 

 then at the peril of being hooked and injured by 

 the others. 



Water, either by a well in the yard, or in some 

 other way, should be supplied to the cattle in suf- 

 ficient quantities, so that they can all drink as 

 much as they choose. If the water is brought into 

 the yard, the trough from which they drink should 

 not be placed under a shed, or in a sunny part of 

 the yard ; if it is, the cattle after quenching their 

 thirst, will stand around it and prevent the others 

 from coming up. 



We think well of the plan of keeping the cattle 

 in the barn through the day, except when they are 

 let out to drink ; especially, if the barn is tight and 

 warm, as all our barns in this cold country should be. 

 They may be kept in as good condition on a less 

 amount of food in this way, than if turned out in 

 the cold bleak winds and storms ; and much more 

 manure will be saved to the tarmer, by this course, 

 particularly if there is a good cellar under the 

 barn, and the owner has provided it with a good 

 thick bed of peat, or some other absorbent to hold 

 the liquid manure. 



Above all things, it is poor economy for the far- 

 mer to allow his cattle to go roaming round through 

 the pastures and by-ways, through the bushes and 

 woods in the winter, browsing. They should be 

 kept constantly in the yard, if not in the barn, for 

 by this course alone will he save his manure, and 

 if this is not saved, his next year's crops will at 

 maturing show him his negligence and improvi- 

 dence. — Granite Fanner. 





~l\^ 



IMPROVED SHORT HORN BULL. 



We are mainly indebted to the Rev. Henry rump, in the runners, flanks, buttocks, and twist, 

 Beruy, for just descriptions of this noble breed ofiand in the neck and brisket, as inferior parts." Mr. 

 cattle. In some localities they are great favorites, Dickson also speaks of tht'ii "exquisitely symmet- 

 and prove good milkers and workers. The colors rical form of body," as going to " form a harmony 

 of the improved short horns are red and white, or which has never been surpassed, in beauty and 

 a mixture of both ; " no pure iw/jrortvZ .s/(ori /<o/-n.«,'' sweetness, by any ether species of the domestic 

 says Mr. Youatt, " are found of any other colorjox." 



but those above named." Mr. James Dickson,' i\Ir. Ct'LLEV, another writer, states that "the 

 another com[)etent judge, says, " in its points, for!short-horned cows give a greater (juautily of milk 

 quantity and well laid on beef, the short-horned ox than any other cattle; a cov/ usually yielded 24 

 is quite full in every valuable part ; such as along'quarts of milk per day." 

 the back, including the fore ribs, the sirloin and 



