The Iowa transcript. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1858-1866, 1864-04-28
(Comn,unicatcd.)
Mr.. EDITOR.

make few suggestions upon the times,
~ they appear to the man of business.
However much even men may differ
as to the measures pursued by tue Ad
ministration in relation to the position
Of our distracted country, all agree that
the state Of our finances render il ne.
cessary that taxation to its fullest ex-
tent, should be the resort 10 meet the
present crisis, create sinking fund,
reduce the public debt, and maintain
unimpaired the national credit. We all
understand that each individual has to
bear his part Of the burden, and as
shrewd men ofbusiness,it becomes US to
inquire how most successfully We can
prepare to meet the emergency, or in
what particular branch of business
engage with the promise of most remu-
nerative returns.
First. will premise that on account
Of cur remoteness from market, and the
exorbitant tariff imposed upon grain,
BY the transportation companies Of
Iowa, the raising Of grain exclusively,
or to large extent (wheat) is not to
be the best paying. The present high
prices cannot continue long, and no
one with ordinary observation can ex.
pect . recurrence Of the present state
Of things therefore, I say grain growing
for market is not to be the paying
business for the farmers Of Iowa, as we
cannot compete with. our neighbors
east in quantity and quality; we can
IN rrice, but not after paying transpor.
tation.
But Mr.. Editor do not understand me
As advocating the doctrine that growing
coarse grain cannot be made to nay.
l have alluded to it heretofore only in
its grade state as an article Of Transport
tation. That combined with the rear.
Jig and feeding Of stock will pay, and
in this We can compete with our more
fortunate neighbor east Of us.
The rearing Of good cattle will al
ways pay; and contend it is as easy,
and much more agreeable and prof
table to raise steer that at years old
will weigh 1900 pounds as one that will
weigh 1900. 1t may require little
more money at first but the returns will
be quick and ample.
Again, wool growing in Iowa, at the
present price Of sheep will pay. With
the exception Of California, Missouri
and perhaps a part Of Texas. l do no,
believe there is better climate for
sheep in the United States. Sheep
brought from the east readily ac!imate,
and steadily increase in weight and
fleece for Is months, and there canno,
be any material decline in fine wool for
some time to come. It is about as cheap
to produce lbs of fine wool as one oil
coarse grade or common. That is to
say it cost no more to keep sheep
that will shear 6 to lbs Of clean wool
than one that only shears from 3 to 1
pounds. Thus any one can see the
comparation profit Of purchasing and
keeping fine sheep even at an extra out
lay in the purchase.
And last but not least, Mr.. Editor,
the breeding Of horses, for years to
come, will be ono Of the best paving
branches Of stock kusbandry. The
country is SO thoroughly drained Of
horse stock for army purposes that the
raising Of horses must pay largely. And
here again viii be found quite as much
difference in the profit comparatively,
of growing really fife and medium OF
low priced horses. Thus, an intelligen,
observer will not only see to it tina, he
uses brood mares Of known and APPROX.
ed breeds, but that the stallion from
which be breeds is the best to which,
he can have access, regardless Of price.
In coming to his conclusion, he will first
take into account, purity Of blood, in
the particular stock to which his alton
ton is directed and will require I'm
doubted evidence. No mans word,
without corroberatipg testimony, will
satisfy bis mind. He will want the
testimony traceable directly to the
blood in question. The writer has seen
some fine horses in Iowa, Int is, Of the
impression that horses Of established
reputation, ofknown and tried qualities,
and Of pure blood are rarely to be met
with here.
We have those called Morgan. but
when we take INTO account the fact
that "Justin Morgan, the originator of
the stock died in 1921 leaving but. 8
colts to whom reference is made as
being worthy the sire, we must con-
clude the amount Of really, Morgan
blood, now in the country must be very