Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1854-06-29
farmers Department,
From the Alabama Plauter.
Plantation and Farm Stock.

lIUn Gnu = eIiiA oIoSh'
That we'll regulated system o! economy,
strictly adhered to, is the great secret OF ag-
ricultural success, none will attempt to deny;
and that system by which the planter is en-.
a5lcd to live within his own means, that is,
raise his own supplies, especially his own
stock, is sef.evident.
Nothing draws so heavily upon the farmer
as the continual purchase Of horses and mules
to supply his farm, and nothing more cftec.
tually impovershes a country than such Il
heavy drain upon its money market.
1t is to the farmers interest to- raise his
own horses and mules as as far as conveui-
ent, because, apart from other considera'
,ions, those raised at home are much more
valuable than those purchased Of stock drl
yers.
Horses and mules raised in the south are
more valuable than those raised in kentucky
and Tennessee first because beinE raised
in the south, they do not have to pass the
ordeal OF acclimaton, which results in per-
manent injury to the animals eyes or consti'
tuition.
The second advantage OF home raised
horses over foreign, is that those driven to
our state are raised especially for market,
aud the sooner they are disposed OF the bet
Ter for the stock raiser; consequently they
are pushed from the hour Of toaIing uni!
they are ready for market, and, as Il matter
of course, are much less valuable than II
permitted to grow more slowly.
Mules are generally put to work at two
wears DID, and horses at three, which is, as 4
general rule, two years two early, though IN
some instances, if put to moderate work
earlier they will not be materially injured.
This steam and lightning speed with which
we arc cndeavorivg to accomplish everything
we undertake s'suicidal to the farming IN
tgrest.
As it isgclear that Southern planters can,
with but little actual expense, raise large
supply of their farm stock, and that it is
worth from twenty to thirty per cent. more
than when brought from a different climate,
it is beyond a doubt, very bad economy to
depend upon forciy IN stock ralSers.
AS much Of the value of the horse depends
on his health, and us the hurried growth q
horses, now so common, subjects them to
variety Of diseases, it IS Il matter Of no small
Importance with the farmer TO be able to
arrest those diseases which he cannot pre-
vent.
By proper care in good airy stables,
especially at night, with suitable food, many
horses may be saved from disease and death ;
while want of attention TO these will re.
suit in great losses.
TO this il is objected: "That brutcs are
adapted to the vicissiudes of weather, and
consequently they vii! be healthier, if expo
sed, than il wei! stabbed" will onIy say
as sufficient reiutalinn of this reckless no.
tion that the horse and all other wild animals.
in .h.ir rativr freedom shelter from 'an,
snow and cold in tue thick forests, and al
though ia dty time aud fair weather he pre-
fers 10 feed in the prairie, Yet at the approach
Of the n;gll or foul Weather he ha>tens t"
thick wouds Nhn does not know that he
is mach more comfortable hrueaih the heavy |
fuiiag" oi the forest trees Ihan III III open lot.
Blind S:aggc.s, SD called, bat properly
.1um;.;inn Of the brain, have II" doubt, i
rntirciy the result oi exposure, though many
persons suppose it TO originate from the use
of ciaiiy corn. Ny rea>"ns for asc'lbing
this dsead!ul disease to exposure, are the
following:
!. But lew horses kept in warm stables
during winter and spring ever die with blind
staggcrs.
. Stage horses though d'iven hard through
rain. hail and SNOW, are seldom attacked
with this fatal disease, because on reachIn.
the stand they aye put in stalls and well
rubbed.
3. In most cases where this disease has
made its appearance, it has been when the
horses have stood in oi.2n lots or have been
driven hard all day and exposed at night.
One instance
A gentleman Of my acquaintance, last
I winter went to Market on returning he
! drove unusually hard through the day, which
was succeeded by a dreadful night; he had
reached house but 4 few days when he lost
two Of his horses with this disease. Other
4 instances might be related