1086 THE COMPLETE GRAZIER. BOOK xn. 



at a later period of the year. If the fields are small, and this is the 

 best arrangement for pasturing, decide upon the order in which 

 changes from field to field should be made, according to condition of 

 grass, &c. 



For Store and Fattening Cattle the remarks of last month will apply 

 pretty generally to this ; with the proviso that much more might be 

 made of the home-made artificial foods than is as a rule the case, and 

 with a decided saving. In this, as in many other departments of 

 cattle-feeding economy, the money of the stock-keeper might be saved, 

 as also the well-being of his stock secured, by a little timely attention. 



Fattening Cattle. Mangel will be much more valuable at this season 

 than swedes, so they should be given to the ripest beasts, and the 

 swedes to those not so fresh. The addition of parsnips or carrots is 

 an advantage. Potatoes as feeding material for fattening cattle are as 

 much disapproved by some feeders, as they are appreciated by others, but 

 generally they are considered more suitable for store cattle. If given 

 to fattening cattle they should be mixed with the roots and with oil- 

 cake or home-made meals, to which salt should invariably be added. 

 See to the general condition of the health of the stock, special atten- 

 tion being paid to what has been called the "sheet anchor" of this 

 the bowels. 



MAY. 



The first good supplies of pasture grass may be looked for this month, 

 and the precautions to be observed on putting stock in pasture fields 

 have been noted in the Text. May-day is considered the best average 

 time for turning out, but this depends very much on the district and the 

 season. It must be remembered that the " May-day " spoken of is, 

 according to the old reckoning, the 13th and not the 1st of the month. 

 Stock which have hitherto been fed on winter food are changed to 

 green pastures ; the transition must be made gradually from food 

 which has been generally dry to that which is more or less- succulent. 

 It is best to turn the stock into the pasture for a few hours a day at 

 first until they have got quite accustomed to the change of food ; the 

 dry food they still receive in the yards will have a composing effect on 

 the bowels, and instead of being thrown back in condition the animals 

 will continue to steadily improve. In no case over-stock the pasture to 

 such an extent that the grass will be too much fed down, but at the 

 same time the herbage should not be allowed to get too much ahead of 

 the animals, or it will grow old and stale too early in the season. All 

 pastures are sweeter if well bared at all events once in each year. 



Fattening Cattle. Those of the store cattle which have been 

 gradually ripening are now to be drafted off to supply the place of the 

 animals which are despatched to market. Of these store animals 

 select the best, and those likely to be got ready most quickly for the 

 midsummer sales. To the pasture food to which towards the latter 

 end of the month these selected animals will be put excepting in the 

 case of those reserved for the soiling or stall-feeding system add a 

 gradually increasing allowance of oil-cake or home-made meals. 



