Rensselaer Republican, Volume 19, Number 26, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 March 1887 — THE STOCK-RANCH. [ARTICLE]

THE STOCK-RANCH.

Weaning Pigs. ' A swine-breeder says that in weaning pigs there is something more to be considered than simply taking them away from their mother. They should be weaned gradually, so as not to get any stunt or set back. To take pigs away before they have been taught to eat gives them a check for at least two weeks. Feeding them in a separate place to which they have access will accustom them to eating. Wann Water for Milch Coiri. The report for 1885 of the Professor of Agriculture at the Kansas State Agricultural College details some interesting experiments conducted at the College to determine the advantage of warm water for milch cows. From February 9 to 28, four cows were given on alternate days water from the well“and water heated to 100 degrees Fahrenheit, and the milk the evenings and mornings following each alternation in the water accepted„as indicating the effect of the change. Every day but one through the entire period covered by the experiment the warm water showed an increase in the flew of milk equal to 8.47 per cent, in the aggregate; and it is believed this does not represent the whole advantage, as the substitution of cold water every othdr day likely exercised some influence in decreasing the effect of the warm drink, and the flow on the days the cold water was given may have been somewhat accelerated from the warm drink the day before; so that really the difference should have been much greater than the figures indicate; The weather during the time the experiment was made was not severe, and it will be observed that the “cold water” was freshly-drawn well water, which must be several degrees warmer than that which cattle get from the streams and ponds. Under ordinary winter conditions the advantage, it is fair to suppose, would be much greater than here indicated. One bushel of bituminous coal consumed in an economical boiler will warm the water for twenty-five cows. But Prof. Shelton suggests that there is abundant woody fiber on every farm, in the shape of over-ripe and spoiled fodder —straw, cornstalks, and cobs —to sav nothing of recognized wood mate* rials, which can be utilized for the purpose. And it would seem better economy in pro-

viding water in cold weather to raise It to bldod heat outside the animal by the combustion of this waste material than to bum up good feed inside tbp animal for the same purpose. Beferriiig to the general advantages of warming the water the report says: That the loss to stock-owners from the use of water in a freezing condition in cold weather is very great is strongly suggested by the ordinary winter experiences of the barpyard. The picture of the herd of shivering cattle standing over the trough or partly frozen stream by the half hour, dreading the shock that the freezing water gives to the system, and after drinking shivering and shaking as if in an ague, is a familiar one to every Northern stockraiser. In striking contrast to this was the behavior of our cows after they had,learned the taste of warm water; they drank it greedily in full draughts, afterwards “stretching” themselves with evident comfort and satisfaction. Even the young sucking calves, which ordinarily took cold water with great reluctance if at all.rapidly acquired a taste for the warm drink, sipping it slyly at first, but soon taking it in full draughts. And in addition to the reasons advanced in the report, it may be observed that very many cattle will not drink in severe weather sufficient water to maintain a condition of sound-health. From the nature of their food and digestive system they require a good deal of water, and if they do not take it the organs become more or less impacted and perform their functions imperfectly, and there is a lack of thrift and improvement apparent even if a condition of illhealth is not reached. It is a much more important matter, we are satisfied, than most farmers suppose.— Breeders’ Gazette.