Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1859-02-11
To Farmers.

why the farmers of our county could not,
probably, continue during many years to
raise beef. mutton, wool and horses for
the market, so as to make the business
profitable TO themselves. If the conclu-
sion arrived at is a correct one, it is GER
tainly of considerable importance to as
certain what branch Of business can be
most proftably followed by our farmers
for This purpose. Let us then at once
give our answer to the question OF our
preyious article. 1t is This: as far as we
are able to judge from present indica-
lions, the dairy is likely to continue the
most profitable business for this section
Of country But why not beet, as well
as butter? perhaps some are ready to-
ask. The answer Is plain. In the first
place, the same breed Of cattle which are
best for beef are not best for the dairy.
All writers agree in telling US, and all
experience in proving to US, that in cul-
iivating those qualities Of our stock which
render them most profitable as beef ami
mails, we diminish those which make them
most profitable as producers Of milk, at
least in some degree. II the same breed
Of cattle possessed the best dairy quail
ties. and we're also best for beef, it would
undoubtedly be better to combine both
kinds Of business. This may be and Is
done in a degree at present. But the
fact before stated being true, one or the
other must take the lead. Either we
must raise cattle mainly for beef, o.
mainly for the dairy, TO make the business
most profitable. If beef is the principal
object, then our farmers are probably
right in introducing the Durham and
Hereford cattle. But for The dairy the
Hefefords especially are not recommend
ed by those who are best acquainted with
them. If the dairy on the whole is the
most profitable, then it is best to ascertain
what the best breed Of cattle for thai
purpose is. As before stated the western
states have the advantage Of New Eng
land in raising beef Their shorter win
tiers, and the consequent less amount o
care and fodder required; the grea
amount Of corn they can raise compare,
with our people, have already enabled
them to furnish the market with tie hes
beef in the country, and cheaper than ca,
be done by US. There can be little doub
that they will in few years drive on
beef from the market
But the Creator has not made Ne,
England without purpose. Experience
thus far shows that they cannot compel
with us in making butter, especially in {,
quality. The fact seems to be that tn
quality of the feed is such in the wesler
states, that the best quality of butter car
not be produced from it. At any rat,
the west has never yet sent butter to OF
city markets which would sell for am
thing Ike The price which eastern butte
would bring. 1t may fairly be inferrt
from this fact, that there is natur
cause for its iuferiority, inasmuch
much of the west is settled by our easter
people, who would of course conduct Il
process there in similar manner to VIII
they we're accustomed to here. Ne
England and New York, with parts
Pennsylvania and Ohio, seem to be Il
dairy region for the United States
Now the land in these portions of Il
country is already taken up, and they a
more thickly settled than any other,
that the principal increase 10 the quaint
Of butter produced will be likely 10
by its taking the place Of other produc
The quantity required to supply the ms
ket is likely to increase as fast, or fastt
than the production. so that dairy pr
ducts will probably bear as good a pri,
proportionably, as they now do, if 7
better, for many years to come. As
evidence Of this, look at the effect viii
our late financial revulsion had on
price, compared with other productio
Of our county. Butter has sold anon.
81 us, that is. in Orleans County, nearly
high the past season as it did before I
great crash; certainly it has averae
not more than 10 per cent. less. BE
grain and horses have sold for 33 Is 1
cent. less, at least.
From such facts as these, we think
may fairly be inferred that the iutere
Of the farmers Of Orleans County
which are the interests Of the VIII
county-require that their attention
turned more in the direction indicated.
the future. Let US know what the far
ers think Of this subject.
Irasburgh Lyceum.