The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1873-11-08
short Horns

Fifty years of careful breeding o
Durham cattle Ia this country has moi
failed to show vast superiority of this
over any other breed of cattle for beef
both in size and quality.
1t Is falling much too common
among farmers who have not given
due attention to stock raising, that
they look more to the quantity than
the quality of the animal, but more
experience aud observation viii dis
cover to them that the highest quality
commands the highest price in the mar
ket, and is most profitable to breed.
And that to secure this, an indlspensa
bic requisite is a male animal Of fine
quality and thoroughbred
As rule the Durham is prepotent
over the native, and In fact over all ,
or nearly ali other breeds, and will
transmit to the offspring the Durham
excellencjes, and hence the great value
of thoroughbred Short Horn male to
use on native or grade cows. But if a
bull possessing the prepotent power,
and OF fine make, Is secured, though
coupled with a coarse made COW, the
calf will take on the form and likeness
of the sire and possess his valuable
qualities.
An animal may be bred for great
weight at the expense of the finer DUAL
tiles for beef. It will be found that a
medium sized steer Of fine quality
puts on flesh far more rapidly, and is
sooner fit for market, and commands a
higher price per pound than the larger,
coarser and more bony animal.
While It is true that the short horn
cattle viii yield more good beef from
the same feed than native or grade
stock, it is not in this alone that their
greatly superior value consists. 1t is
largely III the fact that they can con
sumo and assimilate a much greater
quantity of food in the same time, thus
saving a year or more III fitting steers
for the market for beef.
As a class the short horns are a very
quiet breed of cattle, and if proper food
and drink are supplied IN sufficient
quantities aud accessible at all times,
they will fatten more rapidly than any
other. But If one turns his fine steers
on the dry scorching prairies, with no
protection from the vertical rays Of the
summer sun, and when they Will have
to travel ten or fifteen miles to find a
moderate feed, and have water but
once or twice a day, and then from the
filthy ponds upon the prairies, he will
look III vain for rapid growth or ten
der marbled beef.
The superior advantage of abundant
and fresh feed and pure, fresh, cold
water, accessible at all times, is not con
fined 10 fine thoroughbred stock, but
will pay well TO any one engaged in
Iaislng cattle. And one viii not go far
astray in Judging of the feelings of the
cattle and their ability to thrive, by
con sulting his own feelings, while
drinking the same kind of water, ana
travelling the same sdistance to get
1t, and working as many hours to get
his meals as does the COW or steer.
If the farmers of Iowa will keep less
cattle and CT better quality, convert the
Wild prairies into tame grass meadows
and pastures, and provide fresh water
at all times III the pastures, as we'll as
salt, they will IN this way learn that the
same amount invested Will bring a
larger income and with far less labor.
d. ". Gage, an Brain and Muscle.