Rensselaer Gazette, Volume 2, Number 36, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 December 1858 — SHELTERINGI STOCK. [ARTICLE]

SHELTERINGI STOCK.

i One of the prominent rules in agricultural ■ economy is this: Provide comfortable shelI ter for your stock. There is, however, among prairie men no instruction that is more flagrantly violated. It is true that I every farmer has the privilege of conducting Jiis affairs in the way he thinks fit; but we ■ start out upon ’he supposition that it 'is his t object to improve in his method of cultiva- , tion and farm management, and that for this ! end he is willing to pay a proper respect to the experience of the votaries of the field, and to the result of scientific inquiry. i Now, it is a well-established fact that the best farm administrators pay close and unwearied attention to the condition of their stock, and consider it to be tire bight of folly to allow cattle to shilt for themselves. It will not be disputed, we presume, that the Dutch farmers of Pennsylvania stand at the i head of the profession. They are acknowl- ! edged on all hands te be the most scientific and economical tillers of the soil of the mass of hard-working, practical farmers. f.Nor will it be disputed that they are gathering a rich harvest from their lands. In other words, they are superior agrestic controllers, and are getting wealthy from their system of management. Of course, then the result of their experience is authority in good husbandry. And what is it! One item therein is simply that neglecting to protect the stock and herd is b ggariy policy. Who ever neard of a Pennsylvania Dutchman who was not proud of his barr.s? He must have a fine residence for his stock at all events, although he has a poor one : for himself. Indeed, an elegant house and j a shabby barn about as incongruous in i the eyes of a genuine stock-grower as a i span of poor horses and a costly carriage are to the vision of a true lover of the steeds. Beside, the testimony of the learned men called scientific is on our side. The old kettle upon which agricultural writers drum so loud and long is this same one of shelter. In fact, go where you will, consult whomever you may, the rule is set down to be valid—the experience of mankind is in its favor. Inasmuch as men work for their own interest, their adoption of the system is a powerful argument in its behalf. It is not. easily to be set aside, however much it may be ridiculed. In nature the accumulation of fat upon the bodies of animals was designed for a •pecial purpose. Its object is to supply

warmth to the beast during the winter, not siipply as a covering for it as fuel? - A long cold season, with damp rainy weather, draws heavily upon the fund; and the animal comes out of the winter in the condition familiarly known as “spring poor.” It requires two or three good months to regain what he has lost. This is a positive expenditure to the farmer. Now, stabbling supplies the place of fodder; it is so much grain saved. And the Question is, Will it pay? The prairie man says it will not; that lumber is high; that it will cost some time and trouble to build it; that the cattie will injure one another, and he can better afford towrap them with grain than shelter them with wood. The objection of time, trouble, &.C., is not well taken; the practice of good farmers is against it. It is true that sheltering for a large lot of cattle, made from good materials, substantially and artistically put up, is expensive, but in the end it is economy; and if the farmers of Jasper will turn some of their rich acres into barns they will find it so.- It may not be convenient, and, perhaps, not expedient, to build extensively at the outset. A farmer can gather up the materials as the chances offer themselves, and work them into form during his leisure moments. Let him put up a part at a time, always constructing, however, ac- ( cording to a general plan so that when they ■ are are all up there may,be compl°teness in the parts and harmony in the whole. In the i meantime, sheds made from poles,’well lined with prairie grass, and with ample arrange-I meats for light and ventilation, will answer the purpose very well, and be the,means of bringing many dollars into the pockets of] the farmers. A man, however rich he may [ be, cannot afford to shelter stock with corn. \ If he can afford, to raise cattfe at arf, he can-I not afford to waste a particle of fodders It < he has more grain than he needs, let him enlarge his herds or- lessen the number of j

acres in his farm.

R.