Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1870-12-09
Farmers C[ub.

Paris was held. pursuant to adjournment,
at Lincoln Hall, on Saturday evening
Dec. Sd, at which the debate OH the
question of raising stock was resumed
aud the discussion finally closed.
Any one listening to the discussion and
relying implicitly on the judgment and
opinions of the speakers, from the adeas
advanced and not controvcrted but gener-
ally acceded to, would come tn the con-
clusion that tho following propositions are
correct. namely
Stock-raising is profitable for the farm
ers OF Maine. 1t is the leading industrial
branch with the agriculturalists of this
State, and the chief, or main source from
which they raise the 'tin," or derive the
means to meet their liabilities, replenisl,
empty purses, OF lay up something
against rainy day"
As to particular fancy breeds, while
much depends on the selection of good
blood in order TO derive profits, much
moro depends on the treatment. manage.
ment and care of stock, than on the breed.
All animals have their native climate
and natural food, if allowed to remain in
the latitude where natures God has placed
them If changed from a lower TO a higher
latitude, their tendency is to degenerate,
In conformity TO The feed, the pasture and
the climate.
This may be the result with imported
stock whose native climate and feed is
not exactly congcnial with ours. What
we call our native stock, may have origi-
mated from the best blooded stock, when
first imported.
The farmer might realize more ready
money by selling his hay and fodder.
than by feeding it to stock. The COM
paraliye value ofthc growth or income OF
stock, would reduce the value of hay and
fodder to low figures, but the man who
st rs his hay soon finds that his soil be-
comes exhausted, his farm detcriorates
and his source ofincomc gradu ally disap-
pears, leaving bin only barren soil. with
no means OF rcsuScitation. He might
keep his farm in healthy condition by
purchasing manure ii he could find it;
but The farmer who is too wise TO sell his
hay, Is generally too wise to sell manure.
Horses have been fonnd less profitable
to raise than neat stock, partly from the
fact that too many farmers. heretofore, in
stead OF keeping healthy and good blood.
cd mares for breeders. have been in the
habit of assigning the business of propa-
CATION to their old, worn ont, HUNGRY,
sbackle -boucd. spawned animals. the re.
suit of which has been that the larger
portion Of the colts never have arrived
Il maturity in sound condition.
In raising horses, the farmer would
realize The most profit by endeayorng
TO raise such as should be hardy, sound
and strong. tit for the carriage, the farm
or the field The attempt that many have
made TO make money by raising fast
horses, has not been attended with gcncr-
al profit 10 the State; while some have
been successful, more have tailed in the
attempt. and lost, and the community
has not been the gamer, either in wealth,
or in morals.
As worker. the horse is more protta-
bic than the OK. A span OF well trained
horses will perform more ordinary labor
on the farm or road than two pair OF OK
en- of comparatiye size. while the expense
OF keeping and taking care of the horses,
will be less than onc-hafrcqured for the
oxen, and besides The saving in keeping,
onc.half the expense of mans labor is
saved by working the horses.
As 10 what kind OF stock is most profit
able to raise, it would depend much on
the condition of a mans farm. the charac'
tel of the soil, the facility FOR cutting hay,
aud the pasturage, &c. The larger
portion of The farms in this county are
well adapted to the raising OF nca. stock,
and where such is the case neat stock is
preferable.
A; the close oflhc discussion the follow.
ing resolve was passed without dis
scnsion:-
ReSolrcd. That stock-,aisng is proiita-
BILE and that neat stock is the most profit
able for farmers in Oxford County.
The following question was proposed
by the Committee and adopted for the
next discussion, viz What is the best
method of treatment and of feeding dairy
cows
The meeting then adjournedto Saturday
evening next al { O'Clock.
S r. n, Asst Sec'y.