CATTLE ONE YEAR OLD SUMMER AND WINTER 53 



shade trees scattered through the pastures are a great 

 improvement over no shade, but to these there is the 

 objection that, through the congregating of the cattle 

 beneath them, causing the accumulation of the drop- 

 pings, the conditions are made exceedingly favorable to 

 the increase of flies. 



In pastures that are to remain as such for successive 

 years, shade should be provided by planting trees where 

 they are absent. Only those varieties should be planted 

 that are not readily injured by the treading of the soil 

 over the roots. They should be planted in large clumps 

 in the open or, what is better, in the corners of the 

 fields, or on a rim of the same, preferably on the most 

 exposed side. On many western prairies, summer pro- 

 tection may be most conveniently furnished by allow- 

 ing the cattle access to a portion of the willow or other 

 kind of grove around the farm buildings. 



The wisdom of planting shades in temporary pas- 

 tures where the fields are frequently cultivated may be 

 questioned, except when planted in clumps in the cor- 

 ners, when the fences may be regarded as permanent. 

 But it may be wise in these to furnish shade by making 

 a roof composed of poles and covered with hay or straw. 

 It will be supported by posts of suitable length planted 

 in the ground. As the object is to furnish shelter from 

 the sun, a covering of old hay or straw of some kind is 

 ample. It is best located on the higher ground where 

 the summer breeze is more pronounced than on low 

 ground. 



Supplementing the pasture. — Should the pastures 

 prove insufficient they should be supplemented either 

 with coarse fodders or other pasture sown to meet such 

 an emergency, and in some instances with concentrates. 

 Where much grazing is done, the aim should be also to 

 have reserve pastures which have been so managed that 

 they will furnish abundant grazing at that season when 

 it is most needed. 



