The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1876-03-20

and manure mingled with the surface soil,
are ready for its use. A great amount OF
one kind of manure / have not found to do
as well as mixture of fertilizers. Differ
ent crops require varied proportions of
manurials. Some properties required for
perfect growth seem triliing, because so
small proportions Is used by the growing
plant; but II that small item is lacking in
the soil 1t must be supplied artificially or
the crop is used by the growing plant; but
if that small item is lacking in the soil 1t
must be supplied arti6cially or the crop is
a failure. Then how can the farmer act
safely in applying fertilizers without know
ing well the soil he treads? A. l.. FISH.
BREED AND FEKD-BY PROF. j. p. ROBERTS.
The farmers of New York desire the best
breeding beef COW compatible with good
milking qualities. The Ayrshire and Hol-
stems approach nearest this standard. The
pure short-horn OF to-day Is not good
mixer, few cases to the contrary notwith-
standing. The thoroughbred is too high
priced and too subject to barrenness. The
Hereford has fine milking qualities but Is
deficient for beef. The Holstein is too
coarse and large, through her reputation on
butter making qualities. These breeds are
all valuable in their way, and they should
be perpetuated; but the individuals cost on
an average not less than $500. We already
have, however, choice mixed breeds which
are much cheaper than this. A good
mixed COW may be produced as follows:
Choose good thoroughbred Ayrshire male,
and good native COW. Follow course
of breeding for several years feed liberal
ly and exercise care in the selection. The
method followed for few years will pro
duce the desired result, fine, paying ma
tive, mixed COW. In this case the Ayr
shire is selected simply for the sake of the
example. Each farmer may breed animals
suited to his location. The farmer who
owns a hilly farm may breed small COWS,
and the farmer of the valley or prairie,
larger and more ample breed. We can not
combine beef and milk to the best advan-
tage for both. Milking animals have less
brisket, higher flank, and straIghter lines
than strictly beef animals. Our farmers
persist in breeding inferior animals for
many reasons Among them are the ele-
ment of time, expense, and lack of scien-
tifc knowledge. The business of breeding
thoroughbred animals should be distinct
occupation. An animal closely confined,
without exercise, and fed with dry, heat
ing food can be good breeding animal.
The effect of good food and care is i'm
mediately evident A very large portion
of the constituents of food grazed by cat
tie is water hence other elements must be
supplied. Grass contains 80 per cent. of
water; and pumpkins and corn, 05 per
cent. So large au amount of heat energy
is required in winter to supply the COW
with vitality that there are good reasons
why farmers have to dry off their cows.
With proper care in warming stables and
food this need not be SO. There Is a clear
gain for the COW in boiling food before
feeding. From experience and suffering
thoroughbred may loose the capacity to
transmit its peculiar qualities.
The process of digestion should be aided
by mechanical heat. No farmer can afford
to feed his herds In winter storms upon dry
hard fodder. We have well nigh banshed
the dog from the farm yard, but we have
not banished the administration of cold
water. Thus poor beef and poor milk are
produced.