Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1860-08-25
Communicated. /
STOCK.


The value Of stock to the farm and coun-
lty is yearly increasing. The farmers ofthe
west are growing older, and many Of them
are beginning to feel the need Of improved
stock. Towns and cities are growing mp
rapidly which call for meat from every far
mer, this home market must be supplied BY
home production. The good of both the
farmer and the country require the increas-
ed improvement Of the stock Of every farm
The special idea that | wish to press upon
the attention Of farmers in this article is,
that stock raising is the business Of every
farmer in some degree; and hence every
farmer should try to improve his stock
| 1t is a prevailing opinion that only stock
farms IRE for stock and only stock formers
should give attention to the improvement
Of breeds this is a mistake. Every man
who keeps horse, COW, or sheep is
interested in the best breeds. It costs no
more to keep a good horse or COW than a
poor one. The service Of a good one is
lar the greater; it is less liable to sickness
and death. And good breed is more safe
land agreeable than bad it costs no more
to rear a colt, a cali, lamb, or a PIG, Of a
good breed, than of a scrubby coarse breed,
and the value when reared is far greater.
Eff all small farmers would make it point
to keep and rear none but the best stock,
the profits to their pockets would be very
great in a few years.
There is still another view Of the matter.
II IS q pleasure to do a good thing, a shame
to do a mea.. thing. There is = pleas
ure III rearing good animal; a shame IN
rearing a mean one Every man should be
ashamed 10 be the owner Of q horse, COW,
hog, or sheep-a poor, coarse, shabby spec
linen Of any kind Of stock. There was q
time when a farmer was not guilty for
owning mean stock; but that time has pas
sed. Everybody now knows better. The
pleasure and the honor Of farming is 10 do
it WE'LL the pleasure and honor Of stock
raising is to produce beautiful and noble
animals Of their kind. Every man should
oct as much pleasure out Of his business as
possible. Good stock is a liyingprotit and
pleasure to the farmer.
| Stock pays all the time. This was the
remark Of an old farmer whom | was con-
yersing with about the crops and other
farm matters. Said he, one year the
wheat fails, another year the oats fail,
another the corn. He moreover remarked
that the farmers who early gave iheiratten-
ltion 10 stock raising had gone right along
without sct-backs, and had outstiipped the
grain growers. There is no doubt much
truth ia the old mans remarks. Stock is
the surest and most reinunefative.
The waste straw and offal Of the grain
crop, viii % far to feed the stock, while the
waste offal Of the stock will go far in fer
Itilizing the soil and improving its capacity
for productiyeness. The strenth Of thesoil
IS a great desileratum with the farmer
The soil is his mine cf wealth, his treasury,
bis bank Of deposit. He must kept good
or lis paper is protested; his reputation as
farmer is dishonored 1t il we'll TO keep
ayaliety Of gram crops. The general prof
its Of each year are thus kept nearly eqiial.
Farming may be done closer, less wasted
and more made
ANDREW BARNgrT.
Patch Grove, August |, 1860.