REARING AND FEEDING 01' ANIMALS. 355 



the open air, is kept always fresh. The treatment of the cattle, too, in these 

 sheds and yards is easy, and the injurious effects to the animals obviated of 

 any deficient ventilation, or any want of care in the management. And expe- 

 rience has fully shown that the finest animals may be fed in these sheds, better 

 even than in the warmest house, when they are tied to the stake. 



But the latter practice of feeding is the more common; and it is the most 

 necessary, too, to be described, because it requires greater attention on the 

 part of the keeper. 



When the cattle are for the first time to be fixed to their stakes, some care is 

 needed to induce them to go forward. Gentle means must be employed; they 

 must be somewhat tightly tied at first to prevent their turning round; and 

 watched for a time, lest they injure themselves by struggling. They must be 

 well littered, and the turnips placed in the low manger of the stall before them. 



Early in the morning the first operation to be performed is, to remove the 

 dung from behind the cattle, and to place the turnips in the stall, the stems 

 and tap-roots having been previously cut off. While the cattle are feeding, 

 the dung is to be wheeled out of the house, and deposited in the yard or dung- 

 pit. When the turnips are eaten up, a little good oat-straw or hay may be 

 placed before the animals; and they being now littered, will soon lie down" and 

 chew the cud. 



At mid-day they are again to be fed as before, and again before sunset, a 

 little provender of hay and straw being placed before them after each meal; 

 and finally, the keeper, before retiring for the night, is to examine them with 

 a light, see that all is right, stir their litter, and place a little hay or straw be- 

 fore them. Under this system the oxen will be fully fed, and induced during 

 the intervals of feeding to lie down, and left to repose during the night; or they 

 will take a little dry food, should they be inclined to feed. Early in the 

 morning the same process recommences; and the utmost regularity is to be 

 observed in these operations, for the animals know the precise time of feeding, 

 and become restless when it is not observed. Careful feeders currycomb their 

 cattle in feeding, and in all cases observe that the skin is kept free from vermin, 

 or other impurity. 



Frequently the turnips are cut into slices by the turnip-slicer. This, though 

 not essential, is very beneficial, by enabling the animals to take the turnips 

 more easily into their mouths, and masticate them. In spring the white tur- 

 nips decay, and then there should be a succedaneum, first of yellow, and next 

 of Swedish, turnips, which last retain their juices the latest in spring. 



If the animals are kept in the yards with shelter-sheds, the principle of feed- 

 ing is the same as that described; but the dung in this case is not removed from 

 the animals, the litter being spread above it. 



An ox of 50 or 60 stone weight will consume abont a ton of turnips in the 

 week, or about an acre in 24 weeks. If he thrive well, he will gain in weight 

 14 Ibs. or more in the week. 



Sometimes cattle, especially when tied to the post, are apt to be choked by a 

 piece of turnip sticking in the throat. In this case, the common practice is, to 

 endeavour to push the piece of turnip gently, but firmly, down into the stomach 

 by means of a flexible stalk, terminating in a round bulb of wood or bone. 



The feeding with turnips is the most simple and economical method prac- 

 tised in this country. Turnips, however, cannot in all cases be raised in suffi- 

 cient quantity, and in some cases they cannot be produced at all, and then, if 

 a system of feeding is to be carried on, recourse must be had to other sub- 

 stances. 



Mangel-wurtzel, the carrot, the parsnep, and the cabbage, are all suited to 

 the purpose of feeding; and the manner of consuming them is so similar to 

 that of the turnip, that when the mode of applying the one is known, that of 

 using the others is easy. 



Potatoes are also a nourishing food for ruminating animals. When given 

 raw, they are applied in the same manner as the turnip; but care should be 

 taken to begin somewhat gradually, because this food is apt to scour and injure 

 cattle at first. Potatoes and turnips may, with great advantage to cattle, be 

 given at the same time. Different kinds of food seem to have an exceed ins- 

 good effect in promoting the tendency to fatten of all cattle: and in the case of 



