Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1873-03-13
Raise the Calves.

| In consequence of the extremely short
| hay crop Of 1871, the number of cattle in
the State was greatly reduced. This re-
| duction has not vet been wholly overcome.
| There is not ut the present time stock
enough in the State TO consume the forage
| in store, though the hay crop of last season
was not an average one. surplus viii
| be left over in the hands of the farmers TO
swell the piospectively good crop OF the
coming season. In consequence of the low
price of corn. and the sharp demand for
beef to supply the local markets. full the
usual percentage of the number of cattle
ON hand are being fed for the shambleS or
has already been passed over to the butch
er. This will leave the State In short sup
ply when the spring opens. Especially
will this short supply be manifest ia steers
and oxen. Horses are TO great extent
taking the place of oxen on the farm. and
the numbers of oxen are to that extent.
and for that reason. in addition to the re-
duction caused by the short hay crop refer
red to above-being reduced. There j.
iIst>oil W AutAtapit- AsldA We ~tltti ittft
in the future, a has been the case the year
past, supply onr own people wiki beef.
Again, the establishment of cheese fac
tories, and the increased interest in dairy
demand for dairy cows. The STOCK Of
cows on hand at the present time j. very
low. Thus we see that the demand for
good steers aud oxen, heifers and cows. j.
sure 10 continue for some time To come.
and that we may safely look for paving
prices for all that will be for sale.
Then, farmers. raise the calves. They
will be wanted. But in urging tins W.
would not report the language Of AN tar
nest farmer who Was talking upon the sub
ject few days since-'.to raise all thu
calves" Our entreaiy i. to raise tie good
calves. and raise no others. III re- are
many poor calves raised every year. Good
calves and good animal, grown from
calves of this class always bring high
prices, and never are plenty. Heretofore
there have been altogether too many ia
ferior animals raised aud sold. without Any
fat To 20 with the bone and muscle. To t!ir
butcher for an extremely low price. BE-
cause nobody else will have them. Such
practice i, ruinous. a any one can >ce.
and should at once be discontinued Then
raise none but first class animals. Give
them good corn, good feed and plenty OF
it. and grow them up TO maturity, well de-
veloped. profitable animals II purcha>-
er wishes TO buy he will give price which
will compensate the grower for his outlay:
if the grower wishes to sell lac need not
name a ruinously low price in order to
make a sale.
The reputation of the different breed, of
thoroughbred cattle i seriously injured
and many time 5 their Introduction retarded
by the practice of raising inferior calves.
A Hereford bull, perhaps i grade. will bee
introduced into 4 neighborhOOd. where
all the bull calves that have a white face
must be raised. Apparently there i little
distinction made whether the dam be good
or inferior. The consequence is crop OF
steers-some of them choice. but many Of
them fiat ribbed, coarse, ili-shaped ami
mails. Improbable alike TO the grower,
breeder and butcher. The same practice
prevails with the Jerseys, and the same
Improbable result follows II crop Of in
ferior heifers.
Select grade calves from each OF the
above breeds make valuable animals
each in his own sphere of useiulness-and
animals which will always be in demand
with equal truthfulness of Short-Horns and
Ayrshires- Particularly will good heifers
of the two last named breeds be in demand
TO meet the prospective wants of associat-
ed dairying Maine Farmer.