The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1874-08-08
M'ht. Eatt,t+
STOCK FARMING.


STOCK FARMING.
The most perfect farming is that by
which the greatest value of product is
raised upon the least area of land, and
generally as a rule the most perfect
farming is the most profitable. There
may be conditions under which it is
most profitable to raise large crops of
grain upon virgin soils Of extraordinary
fertility, and sell the product for very
small sum comparatively, and thus con-
tinue for time until the soil is ex-
hausted, but such cases are exceptional.
There may also be conditions under
which large herds of cattle are raised
and grazed upon pastures of vast ex-
tent, but of little value for other pur-
AS the business may for sea-
extremely profitable; but these
!, are exceptional and of tenn
existence, and can only occur
the settlement of new countries.
not upon such temporary condi-
or expedient that the world can
d for its supplies of bread and
for within the narrow limits of
s lifetime the end of these abnor-
states of agriculture can be fore
Within score of years past the
and populous States we used to
Western have passed through the
additions Of wilderness, pasture, corn,
= and wheat fields, until now mixed farm
ing, in which the feeding of stock holds
y prominent position, has assumed a
peremptory place. The earlier methods
of agriculture no longer pay in those
States, and the production Of high
class of beef cattle, mutton, and dairy
products has been mingled with the
productions of crops of grass and grain.
Thus it will be until the limit of agri-
culture in its stricter sense has been
reached, and the permanent grazing
fields of the Plains only are left Even
they are beginning to be occupied by
the settler on his quarter section, and
this settlement at this early period is
interfering with extensive grazing in
Texas, Colorado, Western Kansas, and
Nebraska. All these facts go to point
toward the immediate necessity of a
large increase of stock farming east of
the Plains. The feeding Of the better
class of stock east of the Alleghanies,
even, is found to be profitable in con-
nection with a system of agriculture
suited to this business.
We do not know that there is any
reason why our farmers should not
either be compelled, or what is exactly
the same thing, find it their interest to
adopt some such a system of stock
farming as is carried on in European
countries, but especially in England.
We are wont to look toward the meth
DDS of English farmers for instructions
and hints for our own advantage occa-
sionally, and it would seem that in this
we might borrow leaf from their book
with profit. There, in the northern
part 81 the Island of Great Britain,
herds of cattle are pastured upon the
hills and cheap grass lands, and brought
into condition for stall-feeding or higher
grazing. These grass cattle, brought
into droves from the northern hill pas
lures, are driven southwark, and on
their way are distributed to hundreds
of purchasers who are found among the
tenant farmers of the southern and
midland counties These farmers work
upon system in which this purchase
and fattening of score or two of cat
tie yearly is an important part. They
have large quantities of roots, hay and
straw, the produce of their farms,
which it is their business to turn into
the more profitable product-meat-
either beef, mutton or pork, but mainly
the first two. With purchased oil-cake,
Indian corn meal, and bran they add
to the resources of their farm in the
way of feed, and add to the fertilizing
properties of the resultant manure. A
double profit is thus made. The gain
in weight and quality of the beef or
mutton made repays with profit the
cost of feed and labor and the enlarged
and enriched manure pile is an impor-
tant addition to the profit. In this
manner farm is expected to carry at
least one head of fattening stock per
acre-sheep and bullocks together in
certain and proper proportions-in ad-
dition to the working and breeding
stock. This is the English system.
In parts of Pennsylvania and New
Jersey somewhat similar plan is fol-
lowed. Each Summer and Fall the
roads trending eastward from the Ohio
and the Alleghanies are traversed daily
by droves of young horned stock Of
fair grades of Devon and short-horn
blood, and of store sheep culled from
the herds and focks of those Western
districts. These animals arepurchased
in small lots by farmers who have so
planned their farm operations as to have
on hand extra feed, which they may
turn to account in feeding them during
the Winter, after which the stock is
disposed of at profitable advance to
buyers for the New York or Philadel-
phia markets, or to supply local de-
mands. In much the same way droves
of Texan cattle are picked up by Iowa,
Missouri, Illinois and Ohio farmers who
have corn to spare Hogs of their own
raising follow the beeves and fatten
with them by consuming their waste.
These, however, are but intermediate
stages of the business, as it might and
should be. We have not yet, except in
rare instances, progressed so far as to
make this business effective in the most
important way, which is to improve the
condition of our farms We purchase
NO artificial feed, except rarely Western
corn-meal The vast quantities of cot
ton-seed and oi-seed cake produced go
past our doors, and are sent abroad to
be used by the English farmers, whose
example has here been used as an illus
tration of the moral we design to point.
American farmers merely feed, and do
not fatten. 1t is the fattening animal
that leaves behind it the richest manure;
the feeder carries away with it the most
valuable parts of its food, (the phos-
phates,) and leaves manure behind it
which is comparatively weak and moor