The first step in civilization was made by the herdsmen, we are told, and we may add that the methods pursued by many are still very primitive. Between coddling and carelessness there is a happy mean.

Air
Extreme changes of temperature do not so much affect the breathing organs as does the quality of the atmosphere inhaled.

The removal of a cow from a town-shed to the country, and vice versa, is effected in one day, and no thought, as a rule, is exercised as to the change affecting her health until something the matter is discovered. As regards air-space it is now pretty generally accepted that 800 cubic feet of air is necessary to each adult animal. If, as expected, legislation is to regulate the air space, the authorities should differentiate between town and country.

Water
Rain water is preferable to any other if it can be kept sweet. The water of many districts contains lime and the formation of stones and other troubles result. Again, in other districts the streams are polluted by manufactories, or there is lead in the soil over which the water-courses run, either above or below ground. Well water is colder than the atmosphere in summer, and therefore a source of colic and other digestive troubles. Pond water receives all sorts of polluting material, from the tramp's typhoid germs, to the red water from the cow who will often pass it, if driven in when the owner wants to see if she has the disease.

If farm buildings are properly provided with gutters, a vast amount of rain water can be saved and will keep sweet in open tanks. Animals frequently prefer the coffee-colored water into which the yard drains pass more or less tribute, and they appear to be none the worse until some disease breaks out which cannot be traced. Then it is found that the germs of disease have been accidentally introduced. A sheep with the first symptoms of anthrax may drink from the pond, or fall in when dead from its use. A bucket will be dipped into it after it has been used to wash the hands of the man who has opened a pig that died from swine fever. So many sources of possible contagion might be pointed out, but we have said enough to show the danger.

The quantity of water which is estimated to be necessary for a bullock, on board ship, is eight gallons per day; but on land, the temperature and other things have to be taken into consideration. The milch cows which give five gallons of milk a day must, of course, need more, and the fatting steer tied up and getting scalded stuff and moist rations will need less.

Feeding
The ox, being a ruminant, requires a large amount of time in which to repose while he brings back the food he has gathered, and which is only partially prepared for digestion.

Long stuff is a necessity; it is no use to give the most nourishing food unless there is also bulk, as the animal cannot get his cud or digest without a certain amount of distension.

Frosted roots should not be given, neither whole ones, but it is safer to give them whole than halved or not properly sliced into such portions that they cannot be a cause of choking.

Drainage
Surface drainage is the best. All the refuse can be seen, and the dung removed from it before it has time to undergo chemical changes. The liquid portion of the manure is most valuable and should be received into a well outside, provided with a chain pump.

Warmth
The colder the weather the greater expenditure of food there will be in keeping up the animal heat, the temperature of a bullock being always the same, whether in winter or summer. The apparent difference is only on the surface. Animals kept in a cold, drafty shed will require more food to produce the same results than those do which are confined in a warm stable. A knowledge of this fact induces many dairymen to go to the other extreme and keep the stable too hot by overcrowding.

Shelter
Pastures where there are no trees are, in summer, very trying to cattle who can get no respite from the flies, nor a comfortable situation in which to lie down and chew the cud. Some sort of a rough shanty should be put up for their protection from the summer's sun and winter's wind, unless they are got in during the day when the weather is unsuitable.

Cattle have a marvelous capacity for accommodating themselves to circumstances, and become able to bear all sorts of neglect and ill-usage, but they do not give the same return, and a good farmer will provide his cattle with all the comfort he can.