Smyrna times., 1877-01-10
For the Smyrna Times.
Farming in Delaware--No. 5.

| think an erroneous opinion prevails
with farmers generally in regard to the
profit of raising cattle, if they are to be
pastured on, or fed from, arabic lanch it
does not pay to raise such cattle as are
generally raised in Delaware. A veal at
six weeks old will sell from Sc to $40; a
three-year-old heifer or steer will bring from
$50 to $40, which will leave the farmer
from $20 to $24 for feeding and caring for
the animal for three years. A milch cow
would consume but little more grass or
prOvender, and during the same period
would produce easily 300 Tbs. of butter,
worth $75 and three veals worth about S25
and all the benefit from the use of milk.
1t will therefore pay much better to keep
milch cows. If the cows are properly
cared for and we'll fed on meal and bran,
greatly increased yield of butter would be
the result; but with clover pasture in
the summer, and long fodder and
clover hay in the winter the esti
mate of products above will be easily
! lSdllHSNs hlIliOuO ItSulIS Sidlu. IL CtIe IL
taken in the selection of COWS, and they
have grain in the winter, the profit as well
as products would be increased; farmers
who have a good range of suitable marsh
land for pasturage may raise cattle to profit
! but it is a waste of grass and labor to
attempt it on arabic land. The raising of
colts is far more profitable, and well deserves
the attention of every farmer. large
amount of money goes from the State every
| year to pay for horses and mules. We
ought to raise all we need and sell as many
as we now buy. Sheep raising deserves
more general attention than it is now re-
ceiving, and will pay as large profit as
anything the farmer raises, if he can pro
tect them from dogs. The best law passed
by the last Legislature was the law taxing
dogs, but needing the clamor raised by the
gunners about the towns, it is most likely
they will repeal it this winter. If they dt
| hope the farmers will have sense enough
to show party leaders that they have the
ballot, also, as we'll as the gunners. 4
great need Of the farmers of this State (anC
perhaps all other States) is closer com
munion with each other, greater interes
in each other and frequent interchange o
thought. For this purpose they ought t,
encourage agricultural societies, and JON
the Grange and avail themselves Of tn
advantages it affords. The paltry sum re
qured for initiation fees and dues bear n
comparison to the benefits to be derived,
the movement becomes general among tn
farmers of neighborhood. The socia
features of the Grange are of inestimabl
value, as we'll as the comparison of view,
and the experience and results achieve
by each member becomes the cOmmo
property Of all the combination for pu
chasing articles needed, and for the sale {
products, are of great advantage, and tn
inducements to farmers to bring their pu
chase to a cash basis would all tend to the
advantage. 1t is unfortunate that with l
this movement has met with the persster
opposition both of merchants and mechanic
and it is a shame and disgrace to the ia
mers that the talents and vices of the,
classes have been permitted to nfuenC
them so much. These gentlemen will me,
together weekly, fix the price to be pal
J, for the farmers products, and the goods
u will be likely to need-and then, with
{ naOdesty deserving the highest praise, attemI
y to rule and control the farmers if they me-
in the Grange to promote their social an
e financial interests, holding the penny
T. close to the eye that they fail to see Il
o dollar in the distance-unmindful of Il
e fact that whatever improves the conditiC
's of the farmer, will be benefit to the me
II chant and mechanic. c.
&c DOVER, January 3D., 1877.
r Millard Fillmore, in extreme youth, W
rocked in a sap trough for want of bett