Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1853-08-06

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY.
June 8rd. 1853.


june srd, 1863.
TO Hrs RxcELLENcy, DAVID s. RErD-
SNSY have been tempted to dwell on the import
ance of the clover crop, because deem the cultiva
ton of this plant as the most important measure
which the planter can adopt Ihave alluded to Its
value as fodder for stock, and have also dWet
upon its Importance Fertilizer. 1t is true, II Is
not so valuable for horses and cattle as timothy or
the red ton still its qualities recommend it to plant
as one of the best crops for the purposes nave
named The pea it is true, is more easily cultivated
and forms substitute for clover. To person who
has been familiar with stock growing country it is
difficult to reconcile his mind to condition which is
so ,nfavorable to this branch of business. He secs
corn fields and wheat fields but where the grasses
and clovers which constitute so largely the food of
stockI It is true cattle and horses fond enough
of the leaves of the Indian corn but of this there is
never full supply. Corn, yet on the cob, is the
principal article of food for horses. What is the
consequence HALF almost half of the horses arc
blind from inflammation of the eyes, produced by feed
ing this stimulating food But cows believe, never
get corn any thing else except what may be said
they literally work for Poor things, have said,
whensI met them grubbing in the woods, your own
ers deserve short allowance of bread at least
two days in the week Then to see their bags which
about the size of coffee cup, and to crown the
whole, the girl stripping at the teat with one hand
and holding half pint cup in the other to catch the
puny stream and the little catike calf bunting away
on the other side to encourage the poor beast to give
down the precious fluid. The subject is too serious
TO be laughed at and yet sober mans gravity IS
have named. Why is it the cattle are so lean and
dwarfishe Did they spring from a little breed, like
the little breed of horses called shetland ponies!
Certainly not. They are dwarfish, little and lean
because their food is scanty and poorly adapted to
their wants. Equally true is it. that they are small
and lean because they obliged to roam the fields
and woods in all without shelter or protectlon
from storms. 1t may seem unnecessary IN climate
SO mild as North Carolina to provide barns for the
special purpose of protecting stock Facts, however,
strong arguments If a well bred and portly COW
is brought from any CLINE and put upon the snort
allowance of the common herd here, 1t Will not DC
one generation before the change comes on, and IN
place of good looking progeny, they have already
passed into thin deteriorated race The climate OF
North Carolina it is true is by no means severe the
winters, compared with those OF Massachusetts ana
New York are mild and yet the severity contributes
directly to dwarf the animal. With good hay and
regular feed shelter would not perhaps be so neces-
sary; STILL shelter and suiciency of good food arc
essential to the maintenance of good breed Even
the present breed, properly cared for would present
striking improvement in single generation. Let
Them therefore, be fed it will pay compound interest
into the pockets of the owners.
But, then essential requisite to accompany such
q change It will require the cultivation of the grass
and clovers. The arguments for measures of this
character do not come solely from the possession OF
better cattle and better revenue from their species
of hlsbandry. This, however, taken by ITSELF is
sufficient argument for the change L am advocating.
This change requires, if attempted confinement OF
the stock in pastures yards and stables the effect
VIII be, that all the fertllzlnS matter ueIlVaoIe from
this source may be saved; it becomes at once man.
ageable and it should follow from all this, that the
plantation itself should also undergo material change
for the better How is It with the English feeders
of stock? Why they purchase, at high prices cat
tie for fattening and though they may expend upon
the carcase as much it has cost them, and there
fore make nothing when brought to the slaughter
house, yet money is made by the accumulation of
excrement This renders the fields green and luxu-
rant grows the grain and adds to the wealth of the
owner. So in this State, change of the kind
have attempted to advocate would, 1 believe add
greatly to the wealth of individuals and the State.
] am, most respectfully, your servant
E. EMMONS.