Objections to Soiling. 8 i 



stabled daytimes, so that no one will be found now 

 to object to soiling on this ground. 



The question of extra labor, however, cannot be 

 disposed of as easily. But even that has become 

 very much simplified and cheapened. It never was 

 in the first place half as much of an objection as it 

 appears to be. This question of extra labor is a 

 bugbear. First, let me ask you who are not soiling 

 your cows because of the extra labor, to mention 

 any branch of farm economy worth having but that 

 does require extra labor, which generally increases 

 in proportion to the benefits derived. The only ex- 

 ception known of to that rule is soiling. There is, 

 to repeat, not another thing in practice, or that is 

 known, or can be mentioned, where the returns are 

 so great as the returns for the extra labor invested 

 in soiling. The great trouble is that we do not see 

 beyond the mere question of getting something into 

 our cows' stomachs, and if they will get it there 

 themselves, what is the use of our troubling? 

 That's the principle. That is the way we invari- 

 ably have of looking on the subject. We plant corn 

 because it won't plant itself. There seems always 

 enough of that sort of work we must do without 

 cutting grass and hay for cattle, and carrying it to 

 the barn for them, and then putting it before them 

 in their racks several times a day, and cleaning out 

 the stables after them, and darkening the stables so 

 that the flies won't bite them. That is the way we 

 approach the subject. It looks like the mistress of 

 the house preparing a dinner of quail on toast for 

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