1032 THE COMPLETE GRAZIER. BOOK XH. 



economised. The manure as it is thrown out of the stall should be 

 well spread ahout the yards, so that it may be mixed thoroughly with 

 that which has not been so well treated. 



DECEMBER. 



Young Stock. If the animals have been comfortably placed in their 

 winter quarters during the past month, very little change need be made, 

 for everything should have been got in order by this time, and the 

 point to attend to is to see that they are steadily improving in con- 

 dition ; if they are not doing so, there can be no profit. An extra 

 pound or two of cake or corn per day may make all the difference 

 between profit and loss in a winter's yarding. Feed regularly, not 

 an allowance of cake one day and none the next. Keep the bowels 

 open, but not too much so ; in cases of constipation an increase of 

 roots and a corresponding reduction of cake will generally have a 

 salutary effect. Always keep a lump of rock-salt near the animals, so 

 that they may lick it when they wish. See to the soundness of the 

 food, the quality of the water, and the sweet condition of the bedding 

 alike in sheds and yards if hammel-fed, and in stalls if stall-fed. 



Store Cattle. See remarks of last month. If pastured in outlying 

 fields, make daily visits to the stock, and see that they are supplied 

 with abundance of food, and that the ponds or troughs, if ice-bound, 

 are broken up. If very severe frosts or heavy snows prevail, extra food 

 should be given to the outlying animals, for they require more in bad 

 weather than in good, and are unable to get as much off the pastures. 



Fattening Stock. This being the great month of the year for fat 

 stock sales and shows, the few days at its beginning should be taken 

 advantage of to prepare those animals which are to be sent for ex- 

 hibition. Look well to the state of the skin and coats of the animals ; 

 rub them down daily with clean straw, and currycomb or brush them 

 at least three times weekly. This will add greatly to their appearance as 

 well as their health. Those animals which are ready should be care- 

 fully looked through with a view to selecting the best ; and should 

 there be a doubt as to the points or condition of any one, the doubt 

 should be settled by the keeping back of the animal, to be sold off at 

 the earliest opportunity. For if the feeder "goes in" for prizes at 

 shows, and aims at a reputation for breeding fine stock, this should 

 not be risked by carelessness in sending out doubtful animals. 



Those animals not designed for the shows or sales of this month, but 

 which are nearly ready for the butcher, should be pushed on rapidly, 

 the best food being given and in liberal quantities, the allowance of oil- 

 cake now reaching its maximum, which varies very much in the opinion 

 of feeders. Some think 6 or 8 Ib. daily sufficient, while others give 

 considerably more, but it is always advisable to give a mixed ration of 

 corn and cake instead of cake only. Cattle can be got to eat a very large 

 quantity of corn without injury, but, if a certain point is exceeded, 

 there is not a corresponding increase of meat, and so there is waste. 

 When the quantity reaches nearly to the maximum that an animal can 



