458 Suggestions for Stoclc-feeding in the Winter of 1893-94. 
in the shape of either hay, straw, or roots. Many will un- 
doubtedly be compelled to sell stock at half their average value. 
Others more fortunately placed will probably make desperate 
efforts to retain animals which in numberless iustances could 
hardly be replaced; being the result of many years’ judicious 
selection and breeding, to suit the requirements of the soil and 
locality. Very little can be done at the end of September, 
by way of making provision for late or early keeping ; our 
seedsmen, however, testify to the fact that the advice given on 
all sides to shorten the winter in this way has been generally 
followed. 
In offering a few suggestions as to how an ordinary culti- 
vator, of perhaps limited means, may cast about to his advantage, 
I am primarily impressed with the idea that, should the winter 
be ever so favourable, there is not on hundreds of occupations 
sufficient bulky feeding material to combine with such alimentary 
constituents as it may be within the farmer’s means to supply, 
or purchase, for his cattle. This being the case, there will be 
next to nothing to spare for bedding or litter, even inside the 
buildings. Probably every known substitute available, locally 
or otherwise, will be requisitioned, and peat moss litter will be 
largely bought. In nine cases out of ten, as the cost of haulage 
will put this out of the range of ordinary farmers, experience 
indicates that dry earth may be stored for use with advantage. 
In proof of this, — our circumstances on 800 acres being those 
indicated above, — a large number of sows and pigs and weaning 
calves (the only stock under cover) have for the past three 
months had nothing else, thereby saving a considerable bulk of 
straw. 
The use of burnt earth or clay, the efficacy of which as a 
mechanical and manorial improvement to stiff clay land is 
universally acknowledged, was advocated in the Journal forty 
years ago by the late Dr. Voelcher, and since then by many 
able writers, including Lawes, Mechi and others, as one of the 
best absorbents and deodorisers, when used as bedding for stock. 
It appears to commend itself in this time of scarcity as the 
cheapest and healthiest layer for any kind of stock, and when 
its subsequent value as a manure is considered, it will be seen 
that a moderate outlay made in burning some handy hillock, or 
headland, with the aid of useless old pollards or other waste 
wood, or fine coal (if cheap and easily available), would furnish 
a valuable addition to the supply of manure in a season which 
will find it woefully deficient. 
The cost of burning will vary from 8 d. to Is. per yard, and 
care should be taken not to get the heap too big or too hot, when 
