206 VETEEINAEY HYGIENE 



that there is economy in cake and meal feeding, as a 

 definite quantity can be given without waste. 



If the system of ' soiling ' be carried out, it is absolutely 

 essential the grass should be mown and brought to the 

 animals twice a day, otherwise if left in a heap it will 

 ferment and be productive of disease. Care also should 

 be taken that no excess of grass is given, it all should be 

 cleared up, and the animals fed four times a day. 



If soiling has its advantages, it is not without the dis- 

 advantage of requiring more labour to carry it out, and 

 this means expense. 



Soiling can only be satisfactorily effected on good land, 

 and where careful provision has been made beforehand as 

 to the amount of succulent food required. It has been 

 authoritatively stated that each head of cattle requires from 

 one and a half to two square rods of land a day, and this 

 presupposes that the amount of whatever material is used 

 in soiling, be it grass, oats, barley, etc., is calculated 

 beforehand with some degree of nicety, in order that it may 

 be fit to cut at the right moment, and last a given time. 



Grass after attaining a certain length becomes stationary, 

 but if cut there is a constant state of growth ; this fact is 

 counted upon by those who advocate the system of soiling 

 as an economical measure. 



Sheep like cattle and horses, may be ' soiled ' during the 

 summer. 



Purging Pastures. — Some pastures cause cattle to purge ; 

 the cause of this was inquired into by Dr. Voelcker many 

 years ago, and was found to be due to immature herbage. 

 Grass in a young and growing condition contains a con- 

 siderable amount of soluble mineral matter and organic 

 acids, such as malic, citric, tartaric, etc., and it is to these 

 the purging is due. 



Grass acts as a laxative to horses, and it also possesses 

 diuretic properties. The change from hay to green food 

 is greatly appreciated by all animals, and is certainly 

 beneficial, but it invariably produces purging to begin with. 



G7'ass as a Diet. — It is impossible to get anything like 



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