cf) THE .MANAGEilENT AND FEEDING OF CATTLE 



and more rarely artificial basins made in the earth. 

 Obtained from any of these sources it is suitable for 

 winter use, judged from the standpoint of purity, es- 

 pecially in a cold climate, but in such a climate the tem- 

 perature may be such as to more than justify the effort 

 to have the water furnished at a temperature higher 

 than it possesses naturally at that season. 



When the animals drink from a pond, the water is 

 icy cold, hence they will not drink enough in very cold 

 weather to meet their needs. The temperature of the 

 body is unduly lowered, which means an increased ex- 

 penditure of food. The labor of keeping the ice holes 

 open is considerable, and there is some loss in fertility 

 in the droppings so frequently deposited while the 

 animals are drinking. These objections apply in a less 

 degree to drinking from running streams, as the water 

 in these is always accessible where the current is con- 

 siderable without making openings in the ice. Not- 

 withstanding the objectionable features, there is prob- 

 ably no better way of furnishing water to young cattle 

 when the stream is of easy access and near by. It 

 may be different with cows in milk. 



When the water is furnished in a tank in the yard, 

 it should be heated to the extent, at least, of keeping it 

 free from ice. Suitable tank heaters are on the market, 

 and may be obtained at small cost. The fuel commonly 

 used is wood or coal, the latter being preferable, since 

 it burns so much longer than wood without renewal. 

 When the tank can be located within the shed or stable 

 in which the young animals run loose, it can usually be 

 kept free from ice by banking it around with coarse 

 litter and covering it over, with an opening in the cover 

 only large enough to allow the animals to drink one at 

 a time. This method, where not too costly relatively, 

 is ideal, as it allows the animals to drink at will. When 

 they drink from a pond, they should have access to it 



