262 MANAGEMENT OF GRASS LANDS. 



populous, well cultivated and rich, soiling is the mode of feed- 

 ing cattle, which must ultimately prevail. On this principle 

 it is, that .we find it practiced in the vicinity of cities and large 

 towns. But although it is the most profitable system of feed- 

 ing where it can be adopted, yet, as was remarked in the article 

 on the Management of Grass Lands, it is in some cases not 

 practicable, and in others not expedient. 



Professor Low says, that the cases in which it is not practi- 

 cable, are when the land does not possess a sufficient degree of 

 natural or acquired fertility to produce good and early crops 

 of grass; or when a sufficiency of straw to keep the animals 

 dry and well littered during the period of feeding cannot be 

 obtained. The cases in which soiling is not expedient, al- 

 though practicable, are, when the animals to be fed require 

 exercise to keep them in health and in a growing state. Some 

 say that the practice is unnatural that animals reared on this 

 system are deprived of air and exercise, and the selection of 

 their food; and in the experience of some farmers, cattle thrive 

 much better in the fields or open air, than when housed.* But 

 the principal objection is easily obviated by allowing sufficient 

 yard room for exercise, air, &c. 



On the other hand the advocates of the soiling system say 

 That it is a considerable saving of land; that is, one acre of 

 cut grass soiled being equal to three acres of the same field 

 pastured. The grasses grow much more rapidly in consequence 

 of not being trampled upon. // is a great saving of food, for 

 when, say the compilers of the Complete Grazier, "animals are 

 suffered to go upon the field, many plants are necessarily 

 trodden under foot and bruised, or partly buried in the earth, 

 in which state they are greatly disrelished by cattle, and are 

 suffered to run to waste; a circumstance which never could 

 occur, if the practice of cutting were adopted/' If the con- 

 sumption of plants is an object, that object is obtained by soil- 

 ing, for all who have paid attention to the subject must have 

 observed that cattle will readily eat plants cut, and given to 

 them when housed, which they would discard in the pasture; 

 yet, according to the authority above quoted, it is known that 

 they will eat food, when thrown to them on the ground, which 



* It is not to be wondered at, that cattle that have been accustomed to run at 

 large and select their own food, should for a time refuse to eat the best grass, 

 when cut and given to them in the shed or yard, when first put up. Neither is 



it surprising that some will not fatten at all under such circumstances. Mr. 

 LORAIN says the cause is evident: "The previous habit of the animal is entirely 

 opposed to the sudden change from being accustomed to run at large and 

 gather such plants, or such parts of them, as are most agreeable to its taste. 

 Experience also teaches us, that men, as well as the inferior animals, when 

 deprived of that portion of liberty to which they have been accustomed, repine, 

 and, in some instances, actually die from this cause alone." Page 311. 



