Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 1, 1802).djvu/497

Rh by the joint action of the sun and weather, and is thus greatly reduced: to this must be added the time and trouble bestowed on driving horses and oxen to the field, and thence to the stable or stall. These inconveniencies may, however, be obviated, and the cattle supported at less expence, by soiling them, a practice now becoming general in this country, and which cannot be too strongly recommended. By this means, very few or no division-fences are required: instead of $1 1⁄3$ of an acre, one-fourth part will suffice for the subsistence of a beast during the six warmer months; the whole of their manure is well preserved, and given to the soil, where it is most wanted, and in the best condition; the land is not trodden in, and the cattle always ready for immediate rise. They are also kept more cool, are less tormented by flies than if pastured, acquire good coats, and full flesh; though they consume a much smaller quantity of food. Many persons, however, may object to the laying aside of division-fences, that bad seasons will happen, when no grass can be cut and carried in, on account of heavy rains, or cold winds which retard its growth; and, consequently, that it will be requisite to have some fields divided off, in which the cattle may find pasturage. To these it may be answered, that it will always be found a more safe and profitable plan to keep a quantity of hay in store, to meet the contingencies of unfavourable seasons, and to feed beasts in the manner practised in towns, where they frequently are kept on hay and straw, during the whole year, and thrive exceedingly well.

Much, however, depends in the fattening of cattle, on their "thriving disposition:" singular as it may appear to many of our readers, the tendency of animals to become fat, is not a little promoted by what is called,  them; a practice which has been attended with uncommon success. This has been particularly experienced by the ingenious Mr., who asserts, that the hotter cattle are kept, the better they will fatten. He, therefore, shuts them up in an ox-house, and for some time admits no air to enter through the holes of the doors. The breath of so many beasts, and the heat of their bodies, soon make them sweat exceedingly, and when this is at its highest point, they most speedily fatten. After sweating two weeks, all the hair falls off, a fresh coat appears, and they sweat no more: but those beasts which do not sensibly perspire, seldom grow fat.

Linseed oil-cake remarkably contributes to the fattening of cattle, and renders their dung much richer than any other vegetable aliment; but, as this article is advancing in price, and difficult to be procured, it has lately been superseded by linseed-jelly, which is incomparably superior, and, when given with hay or meal, makes an excellent mixture for stall-fattening. It is prepared as follows: To seven parts of water put one of linseed, which has been previously steeped for 48 hours; then boil it gently for two hours, stirring the mass continually, to prevent it from burning. It should afterwards be cooled in tubs, and mixed with meal, bran, or cut chaff. Mr. gave two quarts of this jelly every day to each large bullock, which amounts to little more than