BOOK VI. xxii. 2-xxin. 3 



in the plain ; for it is better for them to feed in grassy 

 woods and places covered with bushes and sedge-beds, 

 since in dry, stony places their hoofs become hard. 

 They do not require rivers and streams so much as 

 artificial ponds, since river-water, which is generally 

 colder, causes abortion, while rain-water is pleasanter 

 to the taste. Cows, however, endure every out- 

 door cold better than horses and so can easily pass 

 the winter under the open sky. 



XXIII. Enclosures must be constructed which Enclosures 

 allow ample space, so that one cow may not in gheds?^ 

 narrow quarters cause abortion in another and that 

 a feeble cow may avoid the blows of a stronger. 

 The best cow-sheds are floored with stone or gravel, 

 though sandy floors are also suitable, the former 

 because they keep out rainwater, the latter because 

 they quickly absorb it and drain it away. In either 

 case they must be shelving, so as to make the 

 moisture flow away, and they should face the south 

 that they may dry easily and not be exposed to 

 the cold winds. The care of the pasturage is a 2 

 small matter; for, in order that the grass may 

 grow more abundantly, it is usually burnt in the last 

 part of the summer. This makes the fodder more 

 tender when it grows again, since the hard briers are 

 burnt, and it keeps down the bushes which would 

 grow to a great height. Salt sprinkled on the stones 

 and water-courses near the enclosures contributes to 

 the good bodily health of the cattle and they gladly 

 have recourse to it after they have eaten their fill, 

 when what may be called the cowherd's signal for 

 retreat is sounded ; for this too ought always to be 3 

 given at dusk, so that any cattle which have remained 

 in the woods may be accustomed, when the horn 



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