CHAP. xi. EXPERIENCES IN CATTLE-FEEDING. 187 



and fatten quicker than badly-bred ones, and therefore are the most 

 economical." 



On the farm of Mr. T. S. Minton, Montford, Shropshire, the breed 

 of cattle is the Hereford. " The calves are dropped in January, or as 

 soon after as possible. The calves are generally left in the open yards, 

 and the cows go on the pastures during the day, receiving a few roots 

 in the day and barley straw in yards at night ; the calves a little hay and 

 cake and meal. In May cows and calves are turned out together on 

 the grass, where they remain until September or beginning of October, 

 when they are weaned, the calves being housed at night and receiving 

 1 Ib. of cake and meal and hay, and out on grass in the day. As soon 

 as the roots are ready, beginning of November, they have two small 

 feeds, one in the morning after their corn, and another at night. They 

 are allowed to go out in the day as long as the weather is fine, after 

 which they are kept in warm, open yards, entirely receiving hay, three 

 feeds of roots, and 2 Ib. of cake and meal. The following May the 

 steers are turned out on the best grass land, where they remain until 

 September, when we commence giving them 3 Ib. of cake. During 

 October they are got into the yards, receiving three feeds of cut roots, 

 5 Ib. of cake and meal, and barley straw. In March they are good 

 beasts, and should be 9 score per quarter, which, when at 8d. per Ib., 

 shows a fair return <24. I think the great secret, both in cattle and 

 sheep, is to keep them in a healthy, thriving state from birth till fat, 

 not to over-corn, but a judicious allowance with plenty of natural food, 

 and never let your animal have a check." 



Mr. John Cridlan, Great Malvern, Worcestershire, states : " In 

 the first place I consider housing of the utmost importance. Large, 

 roomy boxes should be provided, that admit of the animals moving 

 about at pleasure ; stalls and small cramped boxes should be studiously 

 avoided. The size of mine, for the heavier and older beasts, is about 

 26 feet long and 10 feet wide, facing due south light and air being 

 a desideratum ; for the yearlings and two-year-olds small boxes are 

 provided. Secondly Food : This should be of the best quality, and 

 varied in character; peas, beans, maize in small quantities, oats, 

 barley, and sometimes (lately) a little wheat passed twice through the 

 crushing-machine. This I find preferable to meal, although at times I 

 use it for a change. The beasts seem to handle better and firmer than 

 when fed on meal and cake solely. It is a most singular thing that I can 

 never get my show cattle to eat linseed-cake ; I have spared no expense 

 to obtain the best, but to no purpose ; they one and all ' blow ' on it 

 and leave it. Thirdly and lastly though not the least important 

 Exercise. Each animal should be led, and every morning walked 

 about very gently and at its own pace. Mine are then stood in a 

 running ' foot-bath,' viz., a stream of pure water from the springs in 

 our far-famed Malvern Hills, which passes through the farm on its 

 way to the Severn ; the consequence being I never had an animal bad 

 on its feet." 



The experience of Mr. Edwin Ellis, Summersbury, Guildford, 

 Surrey, is both interesting and instructive : 



