l8 SOILING CROPS AND THE SILO. 



showers fall frequently and for days in succession, 

 SO that it may not be easy to secure food supplies 

 unless when soaked with rain ; and it may be also 

 more or less soiled with earth. To properly adjust 

 these matters in the face of varying seasons is no 

 easy task. It cannot be done without the exercise 

 of much forethought. 



Impaired Stamina in the Stock. — While, as has 

 been shown, the soiling system tends to promote 

 good health in live stock, it may easily be so con- 

 ducted as to ultimately injure stamina in the animals 

 subjected to its conditions. Up to a certain limit, 

 utility in live stock is improved through artificial 

 conditions. Beyond this limit, stamina are weak- 

 ened. AMiere the border line runs between the most 

 approved conditions of environment and conditions 

 that lead to deterioration, is not always easily deter- 

 mined. Unnecessary exertion on the part of animals 

 when getting this food lessens production. Insuffi- 

 cient exertion lessens stamina. Under the complete 

 soiling system the individual must guard against 

 imdue confinement of the animals, or their natural 

 vigor will wane. All history and experience point 

 to increased mortality among animals and also 

 among men in proportion as thev are aggregated 

 under conditions of much restraint. The dangers 

 of undue restraint, however, do not apply to animals 

 subjected only to the conditions which partial soiling 

 imposes. And with complete soiling, it is probable 

 that they may, in a great measure, be avoided by 

 gi\-ing due attention to the conditions which are 

 necessary to the maintenance of impro\'ed \'igor in 

 domestic animals. 



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