The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-12-09

l remember well when men spoke OF Six feeC
oxen, small, ill made runts; that they would
not DOW have upon their farms, they really
were speaking Of comparatively large and
handsome oxen as they existed at that time.
At this time, the north eastern farmers
rarely raise an OK that measures less than
seven feet and half in girth, and sometimes
eight, and of proportions so beautiful that
it is pleasure to look upon them. Their
cows have Increased in size and beauty in
the same proportion.
There is one question arising upon this
subject of stock raising, to my mind pre-
senting some difficulties and one worthy of
investigation and that is as to the capacity
of our soil to produce grass for grazing
purposes. This question does not seem to
have elected much attention, because up to
the present time a supply of grass for graz
ing purposes has been unlimited but
when the lands become to be generally
taken up, subdivided and fenced, as they
must eventually be, and each mans cattle
confined to his own pasture, what is to be
the result? Nothing is more common than
to hear this called the best grazing country
in the world. AS for myself, l do not be-
lieve it.
1t is known that large proportion of our
State is covered with prairie grass. While
there is enough OF it, none can be better,
but it is we'll known to every one who has
observed anything in relation to it, that a
few years close feeding will entirely destroy
it. What grass is to take its place? 1
confess l cannot answer the question myself
and suggest it only for the purpose of elicit
ing inquiry among the farmers of the differ
ent portions of the State. There is one
fact in connection with this subject which l
have had occasion to suggest before, which
is, that in all parts of the State where 1
have been, l have observed that along old
roads, where old buildings have set, and in
all places where small parcels of land have
been used and trampled upon for series of
years, they are found covered with white
clover, the best of all the grasses perhaps
for grazing purposes. Perhaps all our
lands may produce it after having been cul-
tivated for sufficient length of time.
Again the attention of the society should
be directed to the growing of sheep-a
business of more certain and ready profit
to the farmer, than any other which he can
follow upon his farm. Our climate is
undoubtedly favorably to their growth /;
they are rapid breeders, their flesh ev.
cry one knows to be valuable, and their
wool is always a cash article and can be ex-
ported at a less expense in proportion to it's
value than anything else which we can pro-
duce, and so nearly nominal, that we
need no fear of competition with any
other State.
The raising of swine is another branch
of business which ought not to be overlooked,
and permit me here to remark that believe
their profit depends more upon the breed
than does the profit of cattle or sheep. As
a general rule the larger the breed of our
cattle and sheep, the greater the profit, but
I think this by no means follows in regard
to swine.
But am proceeding a little in advance
of my original intention. What are to be
the resources of this State? Has she and
will she have resources sufficient to make
her great in wealth. in population and pow
er is she to be first or second or third
class State in this Union These are inter-
esting questions at least to young men, and
ought to be told. TO answer these questions
it becomes necessary to enquire what we
now have or ever can have to export. 1
have already referred to cattle and sheep.
There can be no doubt whatever that we
shall be able to certain extent to compete
with many if not all the other States in
this trade.
1t is perhaps true that farther south where
it costs less to provide for stock in winter,
they may grow it at small per cent less of
labor, but l think that it is fully made up
by the greater strength, energy and endu-
rance which our people enjoy by virtue of
their climate. 1t is to be taken into con-
sideration that we shall shortly have as
cheap transportation to any part of our
country, or even to Europe, as almost any
State in the United States. We can almost
say that we have as much sea.bOard as any
of the Atlantic States. Our great Lake
bounding US upon the north is not only an
ocean in itself, but it is soon to be placed in
such cheap communication with the ocean
that it requires no great stretch of imagin-
alton to make US believe, or at least to say,
that we are bounded by the Atlantic ocean.
The great Mississippi places US in immediate
communication with the Atlantic, and at
such low rates for transportation that they
can hardly be taken into consideration. The
only doubt I have in the world upon this
subject, is to whether we can compete in
stock raising with some other States, is the
one 1 have already suggested, as to what
will be the eventual character of Our soil
for grazing but even if it shall be found
true, that it shall not prove to be generally
flrst rate grazing country, our neighbors
OF Iowa, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Illinois,
will find themselves laboring under the same
disadvantage, and we shall still be able to
compete with them. 1 therefore regard
stock raising as one of the resources upon
which the people of this State can rely for
export.
Again, shall we find any permanent re-
sosrce from the products of the earth except
for home consumption ? We can raise
wheat, corn, rye, oats, barley and potatoes
that always may be exported if the producer
can afford. it. Since l have been in this
State, l have been constant observer as to
the power of our soil to produce and COM
pete with the lower States. Potatoes must
always be largely exported from this State,
down the Mississippi river 1t is well known
that 1t requires climate as cold as ours to
produce perfect Irish potatoe, and it will