Elements of practical agriculture; comprehending the cultivation of plants, the husbandry of the domestic animals, and the economy of the farm / By David Low.

  • Low, David, 1786-1859.
Date:
1847
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Elements of practical agriculture; comprehending the cultivation of plants, the husbandry of the domestic animals, and the economy of the farm / By David Low. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    the following summer they are kept on the coarse pastures of the farm ; in the following winter they are maintained as in the former one, and so on until disposed of, which may he in the se¬ cond or third, or even sometimes the fourth year of their age. The sooner cattle, under these circumstances, can he brought to maturity, the better is it for the interests of the breeder. The system of breeding, however, where the nature of the farm is such as to afford a supply of proper food to the animals, and where the finer class of stock is kept, is altogether different. In this case, the principle of the system followed is to afford a full supply of food to the animal, from the birth to the time that it is transferred to the butcher. This principle applies to all animals intended to be fattened. The calves, after being weaned, are put, it has been said, on good pasture, and fed for the remainder of the season. When the herbage fails in autumn, which is generally by the end of Oc¬ tober or beginning of November, the animals should be put in yards, with sheds, into which they may retire for shelter. The number put into one division or yard should not be too great, though this is less important at this period of their life than afterwards. Calves to the number of 20 may be kept together in one yard, provided they have plenty of room ; but when ani¬ mals are of a large breed, it is better that the number should not exceed 10. The yards should have pure water in each, conveyed to them by pipes, and retained in troughs, to which the animals can have access at all times. Each yard should have, along one at least of the sides, shallow troughs, formed of wood or stone, for the purpose of holding turnips and similar food. The yards should be so dry, that the animals may not be incommoded. The ar¬ rangement of these yards, with their sheds, will be seen in the design of fann-buildings afterwards given. Before bringing the calves home for the winter, the yards should be bedded with a layer of coarse straw, or dried stems of plants of any kind. In the middle of each of these yards should be placed one or more