Loss of Muscle. 173 



of compensation, which requires the gain in one part to be 

 paid for by corresponding loss in other parts. 



There is no increase in digestive power from mere con- 

 smnption of food. Digestive activity, or power to assimi- 

 late nutrient, arterial blood, cannot, in fact, be in- 

 creased without augmented exercise and breathing. The 

 calves that run with the cows in Western herds, for in- 

 stance, could not increase their muscle and bone nearly as 

 fast as they do, without the active exercise they get. Nor 

 could the cattle that are thin in spring, regain or increase 

 their muscle at grass, without the active exercise incident 

 to grazing in summer. Muscle cannot even be maintained, 

 but, as is well known, shrinks, in horses that are not suffi- 

 ciently or regularly exercised. 



We perceive that muscle in colts is rapidly increased by 

 their great activity during the longest cold winters ; and 

 also that it is necessary for brood mares, which conse- 

 quently breed vigorous, quick-motioned colts, that jump 

 up as soon as they are foaled, because they are full and 

 strong in their muscles, which are formed from the blood 

 of the active mares. 



Witness the magnificent effects of active daily exercise 

 in millions of Western cattle, and many thousands of 

 horses and colts, that are active on foot in the herds from 

 sunrise till sundown, during the entire grazing season. In 

 these great Western herds of cattle, calves, and horses, the 

 constant activity develops 20 to 50 per cent more muscle 

 and size in the same length of time than is developed by 

 cattle that are tied up or confined to small pastures. Can 

 any facts speak more strongly in favor of regular exercise 

 for all kinds of farm stock in winter as well as in summer, 

 than the certain increase of muscle, growth, and food- 

 value in calves and cattle of all breeds, that make up the 

 great herds of the West, as we have repeatedly observed, 

 or than the rapid development of muscle in colts on almost 



