Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1873-06-06
Kindness Il Economy.

We trust that we may not speak
in vain when we appeal to the boys
Of the farm, to the farmers them
selves, and to the SHRED men," to
exercise the utmost care and kind
ness in the treatment of domestic
animals. 1t is standing disgrace
to humanity that laws ard associa-
tons for the prevention Of cruelty
to animals are at all necessary in
this country. TO the credit of the
farmers, be it said, that among
them the cases of malicious, fragrant
cruelty are far less numerous than
among those who have occasion to
use and care for the useful domcs-
tic animals in our cities and towns.
On tho farm, ownership goes a
great ways in conducting to ra:
tional course toward the brute crea-
ton. In the large cities, where so
many horses and mules are entrus-
ted to the hands Of hired drivers,
half brutes naturally, and made
still more brutal by the use of liquor
it is not matter Of so much won
der that violent abuse often occurs
that renders necessary the enforce
ment of laws for protection, or that
societies exist for this specific pur-
pose. But it is not with the latter
that the Prairie Farmer, very for
tunately, has to do. With this
class, reason is out of the question,
even at times Of personal interview;
printed appeals are still more use
less. But on the farm, luckily, such
is not often the case.
With the farmer and his boys, at
least, the ill-treatment Of stock,
whether used for work or otherwise
the matter becomes one of dollars
and cents as well as one ofhumanity.
The horse that is spoiled in temper
or habits by vicious management is
deprecated in value. The COW that
is maltreated becomes habitually
vicious, loses her milk product, and
her keeping results in loss instead
of profit. The manning, or murder
if we may so call it, Of either be-
comes q dead less to the pocket.
This is so whether injury results
from wilfulness or heedlessness in
moment of passion, neglect, or
injudicious though well meant treat
ment. But it must in. truth be
said that these principles are far
less acted upon by farmers than in
all reason one would expect. The
actual loss to farmers by culpable
ill-trcatment Of domestic animals in
any of our States would more than
pay the farm taxes thereof; while
those resulting from ignorance and
carelessness would double the
amount. There can be no question
concering the truth of these state
ments. For their verification let
any thoughtful reader take care
full survey of the condition of the
matter in his own neighborbood and
township. We are all roundly
prating about our unjust taxation
caused by the dishonesty of officials,
the rings and monopolies, which in
Heavens name we would not palli-
ate in the least, but while seeking
to stop the waste at the bunghole,
let us not forget the waste by the
spiggots that are under our own
control. We enter our earnest APP
peal for kindness and mercy towards
the brute creation that comes UNI
der the care of the husbandman,
not only for mercy's and decency's
sake, but for the sake of economy
and thrift. The busy season for
the teams of the farm is the time
for reflection and action in this
matter.-R-airie Farmer"