ON THE MANAGEMENT OF LIVE STOCK IN SCOTLAND. BY THOMAS SULLIVAN. It is admitted that in no department of the counties. It is from a belief that there are some parbusiness of the agriculturist who practises the ticulars connected with the management of stock mixed system of husbandry, is he, generally speak-north of the Tweed which might be usefully adopted ing, less accurately informed, more liable to err, in the southern counties of the island (as there are and more frequently at a loss how to proceed, undoubtedly many practices in England which than in the rearing and management of live stock. could be most beneficially introduced into ScotExperiments innumerable have been instituted of land), that I have undertaken the present subject. late years to ascertain the comparative effects of I shall first advert to the most general treatment certain manures in promoting the growth of crops; of work-horses. In one of the best conducted farm and the extension of chemical knowledge among establishments in the north of Scotland, when the the more intelligent portion of the agricultural sowing of the turnip crop is completed (which is community, has enabled them in most cases to commonly done by the 10th of June), the horses draw correct conclusions from the results of such are turned afield to graze both day and night. experiments; but the principles of animal physiology There being no land to summer fallow, there is are not so well nor so generally understood by scarcely any work for the farm-horses after turnip our farmers and graziers. Experiments have indeed sowing, until the carrying of the corn crops in been conducted at different periods, and by several harvest, except the necessary hoeings of the turnip individuals, with a view of setting at rest some and other drill crops, and the carting of lime. particulars in the breeding and management of During the carrying of the grain crops, they (the stock, respecting which considerable diversity of horses) get a limited allowance of oats and cut opinion continues to exist; but the circumstances vetches, but are turned out to graze overnight. affecting animal nutrition, either in promoting or After the beginning of October, all the horses on retarding the accumulation of fat and muscle, are the farm are stabled at night, and generally so various, and their individual influence so im- about the 10th of that month (the labours of perfectly understood, that it is exceedingly difficult, the harvest being then over) the ploughing of the if not impossible in the present state of science, to stubble land intended for green crops the ensuing arrive at any thing approaching a correct decision: season is commenced, their being rarely any wheat the constitution of animals too, even of the same to prepare. The horses are then put on their regular species, breed, and stock, differs so much that it is winter's feeding, namely, hay and oats: the former hardly possible to conduct experiments in the feed- is given ad libitum, and is considered to be ultiing of cattle under precisely similar circumstances. mately as economical as oat straw, which is the We have also a great many breeds of each species kind of provender most generally given in Scotland of stock, distinguished from one another not only to farm horses during winter, the hay being reserved by peculiarities in their shape or configuration, but for the period of active labour in spring and early also by different degrees of hardiness, and adapta- summer. Each horse gets two feeds of oats (weightion to particular circumstances of situation, food, ing about 381b per bushel) in the day, with an evenand climate; hence different modes of management ing feed consisting of a boiled mixture of weak oats are expedient and justifiable; and almost every and Swedish turnips, which is highly relished by county possesses some peculiarity in the rearing the animals. The raw oats are usually crushed by and treatment of live stock. There are, however, an apparatus for the purpose attached to the threshcertain general principles of breeding, rearing, and ing machine, whereby a considerable saving of feeding the animals of the farm, which are every-grain is effected, four bushels of housed corn being where applicable; and undoubtedly there are some considered to go as far, in the feeding of farm districts in which those principles are better understood, and more closely adhered to in practice than in others. There is hardly any district in which some useful peculiarity of practice does not exist, and which may beneficially be introduced to other localities; and hence the utility of correct and detailed reports of the existing husbandry of different horses, as five bushels uncrushed. This mode of treatment is continued with but little deviation, until the cutting of clover is commenced, when the hay is withdrawn. On the majority of farms, however, in the north of Scotland, hay is given only for about a month after harvest, in order to allow the oat straw to acquire a sufficient degree of dryness. B In the Lothians, where, on almost every farm, some extent of bare fallow has to be tilled during the period intervening between the completion of turnip sowing and the commencement of harvest operations, the work horses are now generally supplied with green clover and ryegrass in the stables or court yards, which is decidedly a better practice than that of turning the animals afield to graze during the midday rest. When we consider the many advantages accruing from this practice, we feel rather astonished that it is still but partially adopted throughout the kingdom. It is not difficult to conceive the fatigue endured by horses, from being compelled after a forenoon's hard work, to undergo the additional labour necessary in a pasture field, and that probably a bare one two: to satisfy their hunger, not to speak of the annoyance to which they are at the same time subjected from a host of insects; the most troublesome of which are the horse-fly or cleg, and the botfly; whereas when supplied in a cool airy stable or court yard with clover and rye grass or vetches, they soon and easily fill themselves, and having thus more time for rest, are fresh and vigorous for the remaining labours of the day. Another important advantage arising from the soiling of farm horses is, that their excrements are thereby preserved, by which a very considerable addition is made to the quantity of home manufactured manure. The dung made in this way is also of the very best quality, the solid and liquid excrements of horses being quickly decomposed in the open air, their most valuable constituents are soon dissipated, and consequently the field droppings produce comparatively little benefit. This objection to grazing does not, however, apply with equal force to black cattle, their excrements being of a colder and less decomposable nature than those of horses; still the value of cattle droppings is greatly diminished by exposure to the sun and wind. But the soiling system is preferable to grazing, not only as affording the animals more time for rest and producing an increased quantity of excellent manure; it also effects a considerable saving of grass or green forage. It is admitted that the cutting and cartage of the forage required by a large number of horses necessarily occasions some labour which would be avoided by grazing; but this is amply compensated by the improved condition of the horses, and the other advantages above referred as arising from soiling. When a sufficiency of litter is available on the farm, the work horses may with much advantage be kept in the stables over night, in which cases the evening feed of oats may properly be withheld even though the animals be at hard labour. It has been found in practice that a statute acre of a fair crop of clover and rye-grass suffices for twenty horses during a period of fifteen days, each horse getting as much as he can consume over night and during the midday rest. It is customary to give farm horses a boiled mixture of beans and light barley, at least two nights in the week: a few Swedish turnips, cooked or uncooked, are also given every evening during winter. And it appears, as the result of experiments, that mixed food is highly beneficial and economical in maintaining farm horses in good working condition. While on this subject, it may not be amiss to introduce here the results of an interesting experiment on the feeding of farm horses on steamed, or boiled, and raw food, which was conducted a few years ago by Mr. Charles Stevenson, Redside, East Lothian. Mr. Stevenson obtained the extra premium of ten guineas for instituting this experiment from the East Lothian Agricultural Society, from whose Transactions the following results are compiled. Mr. Stevenson is of opinion that, in order to to maintain a work horse in proper condition, under ordinary farm labour, he will require each day about 15 lbs. of oats. This, for eleven months' feeding, amounts to about 5,010 lbs. of grain; and as it requires in each Lothian the whole labour of one horse for the due cultivation of about 25 Scotch acres (31 statute acres), he will thus consume annually about 200 lbs. of grain for every acre he works, with the addition of grass, straw, &c. The mode of feeding adopted in Mr. Stevenson's experiment was as follows: Lot No. 1.-Three horses fed on bruised oats and Swedish turnips. Oats, 15 lbs.; turnips, 42 lbs. daily. 2. Two horses fed on a mixture of bruised grain; two parts oats, one part barley, and one part beans. Grain, 15 lbs.; turnips, 42 lbs. daily. 3.-Three horses fed on the same mixture as the last; two feeds given raw and one feed boiled; the boiled portion unbruised. The weight of grain and of turnips was the same as above. 4. Two horses fed on the same mixture, with 42 lbs. of turnips, and all boiled, Grain, 15 lbs., as before. 5.-Two horses fed on boiled Swedish turnips, with one feed of the bruised mixture. It was found that each horse consumed daily about 150 lbs. of turnips; grain, 5 lbs. The experiment commenced in November, 1842, and was continued till the 3rd of August, 1843. The horses at the former period were all in low condition from having been previously employed in ploughing very stiff bean land. The following table contains the age, girth, and weight of the | the two columns dated 24th April are shown their animals, as ascertained at different periods-gene- | weights before and after being fed and watered in rally on the Saturday evenings after unyoking. In the morning. cake will nourish an animal as much as 10 stones of hay, or 5 stones of oats. To the hard-worked and high-fed horse, Mr. Stevenson found the use of oilcake to be very beneficial, it having a powerful effect in improving the state of the skin, which is generally a correct criterion of the state of the health. The following table shows the girth and weight of the horses at different periods, from the 6th of May to the 3rd of August, on the altered The reason why the weight of the horses is not given in the column dated 11th November, in the above table, is, that at the commencement of the experiment Mr. Stevenson's weighing machine was not ready for use. The horses were, however, very carefully measured by girthing. The turnips being wholly consumed by the 1st of May, each of the horses got 4 lbs. of linseed cake as a substitute for roots. Professor Johnston, in his Elements of Agricultural Chemistry, states that 3 stones of oil- food: Mr. Stevenson found that the horses fed on yoke, and their coats looked unhealthy. This rebruised oats were less energetic than the others; two sult is, however, opposed to the general opinion of them performed less work; they were dull in the ❘ and experience of Scottish farmers. It is consi 8 9 0 2 19 13 £11 8 13 With reference to the comparative expense of keep, it will be seen that the results of this experiment are in favour of boiled turnips, with one feed of bruised grain. But to return to Mr. Stevenson's experiment. Those on raw mixed grain were the most energetic, and a variety in the food of the horses seemed to have a beneficial effect. Those on boiled food, whether turnips or otherwise, had a healthy, glossy coat; their perspiration did not seem more abun- Having thus given a brief description of the dant than usual, with the exception, perhaps, of usual modes of feeding farm horses throughout those fed on boiled turnips. Those on the latter the year, I proceed in the next place to advert food consumed more straw, but scarcely ever tasted to the rearing and management of black cattle, and water. With regard to the health of the animals, shall begin by giving an account of the system there was little to indicate which mode of feeding pursued on a well conducted farm in Aberdeenwas best in this respect, with the exception that shire, where the rearing and feeding of stock contwo (Nos. 8 and 10) had twice an attack of spasmo-stitute a principal part of the business of the agridic colic, the cause of which was traced to their boiled food having become sour before being used; but they were constitutionally liable to this complaint. In estimating the comparative expense of the different modes of feeding adopted in this experiment, the Swedish turnips are calculated at eight shillings per ton, and the different grains at the following prices : Oats, 42 lbs. per bushel, at 17s. 6d. per qr. .... 6d. دو Ditto of boiling, d. per feed of 5 lbs. We have, therefore Lot 1.-Nine months' keep on bruised ..... Lot 2.-Nine months keep on the mixture (also bruised), composed of two parts of oats, one part barley, and one beans, amounting to 15 lbs. per day Turnips, 42 lbs. per day Lot 3.-Nine months' keep on the £ S. culturist. The farm referred to contains about 375 acres, cultivated in accordance with the six-course rotation of cropping; and, as the first year's grass is most generally depastured instead of being converted into hay, about 187 acres are annually in pasturage. About 60 acres are every year under turnip crop. About 40 milch cows are constantly kept on the farm, and about an equal number of calves are annually reared. Between thirty and forty head of oxen (according to the bulk of the turnip crop) are every year fattened off for the butcher; besides from ten to fifteen half-fat beasts which are usually bought in to consume part of the summer's grass, and are again disposed of d. early in autumn. Sheep constitute no part of the 10 19 33 regular stocking of this farm; a considerable num2 11 01 ber of the black-faced breed are, however, annually brought down from the hilly districts to eat up the old grass or foggage," as it is called, at a small charge a-head per week. These commonly remain on the farm from the middle of November to the middle or end of March. Those hardy natives of the hills thrive remarkably during winter on the old grass of the lowland farms, where they are sheltered from the stormy blasts and drifting snow which are so frequently experienced in that part of £11 85 the country; and though getting no turnips, many of them are sold off in early spring in high condition and at good prices, their mutton being, as is well known, of superior quality. Several farmers get a portion of their turnip crop consumed on the ground by sheep purchased for the purpose by dealers and town butchers. Commonly one-half £13 10 4 8 17 2 11 5 O 66 of the turnips are pulled, and removed to the steading, for the use of the cattle, previous to putting on the sheep, and the farmer furnishes hay or straw, according to agreement. Turnips to be eaten off by sheep are sold at from £4 to £6 per acre. This is the most general practice in the low parts of the county of Aberdeen, few or no sheep being kept by the farmers themselves. native cattle are more likely in the majority of seasons to remunerate the breeder. Several farmers, however, possess fine specimens of that admirable breed. The first cross between an Aberdeenshire cow and a short-horn bull is commonly accounted the most valuable animal either for the home or the London market. As already mentioned, about forty calves are annually reared on the farm to which I have adverted; thirty of these are commonly fed from the pail, the remainder being allowed to suck their dams. The most desirable period for calving is during the months of February and March: if cows calve earlier than the 1st of February, they good pasturage; and calves dropped after the 1st of April are always inferior to the rest of the lot. Calves from superior parents of the shorthorn The native cattle are of two kinds: the polled (or hornless), and the horned. The former is greatly superior to the other in size, symmetry, and almost every other good quality, and is therefore preferred in the low parts of the county. The prevailing and, as some contend, the only genuine colour of the pure improved polled Aberdeenshire may become almost dry before the grass affords a cattle is black; while the horned are usually red or brindled. The latter being much the hardier are met with chiefly in the upland districts. Since the introduction of turnip husbandry vast improve-breed are usually allowed to suck their dams: the ment has taken place in the character of the stock of this locality; and the utmost attention has for some years past been devoted to their rearing, with the view of producing the desirable tendency of arriving early at maturity. This object has, to a great extent, been accomplished. The polled Aberdeenshire breed is now much esteemed in all parts of Scotland, and is peculiarly adapted to the climate and pasturage of the northern counties. The improved stock are small in the bone, long in the body, straight in the back, and deep and heavy in the fore quarters: they have a soft glossy skin, with short hair; are easily fed; arrive early at maturity; and attain a large size. The cows yield a considerable quantity of milk, which is of rich quality. The fattened bullocks very generally fetch the top price in Smithfield market. calves intended to be fed from the pail are placed, shortly after being dropped, amongst straw, in an apartment appropriated to the purpose adjoining the cows' byre. The calves' house, it may be proper to observe, is thirty-one feet in length by eighteen inches in width, and is open to the roof, with a view to ensure its adequate ventilation. The side walls are twelve feet in height, and the roof is furnished with "ventilators" to permit the escape of vitiated air from the interior. Along the middle of the floor in the longitudinal direction is placed a row of six cribs, each four feet square, in which the calves are deposited amongst clean straw on being removed from their respective dams. These cribs are formed of wooden posts and rails, and are four feet in height. The floor of this apartment is paved with small round stones imbedded in sand, and provided with gratings and underground drains for conveying the urine to the liquid manure-tank. Along the front and back side-walls are arranged a number of small stalls, in which the calves are tied up by the neck, on being removed from the cribs, after they are three or four weeks old. They are three-and-a-half feet in width, and are furnished with a low rack for hay and grass, and a manger for sliced turnips. An apartment thus fitted up with cribs and small stalls, and sufficiently lighted and ventilated, obviously possesses a great advantage over the loose boxes and outhouses in which calves are too frequently placed before weaning. The short-horn breed has recently been intro- During the first week after birth the calves that duced, and is, upon the whole, gaining ground in get their milk from the pail are allowed a Scotch the low and well-cultivated grounds; but the cli- pint-and-a-half (about 5 pints English) of milk mate and pasturage of Aberdeenshire are not con- fresh from the cow, each per day, given at three sidered to be generally well adapted for the profit- meals. During the second week they get from two able rearing of this comparatively delicate descrip- to three Scotch pints a-day, after which age they tion of stock; and in the opinion of many intelligent generally are allowed as much as they are willing and unprejudiced agriculturists, the improved to take, there being then little risk of their drink |