The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1877-02-08
FIELD AND FARM.

C0mst0ck contributes paper 10 WottQceS
Monthly, on the above subject, from
which we condense the following:
Many breeders have plans to start with,
but either forget them at the critical mo-
ment, or change them 80 often that their
selections point to no clearly defined
method. This is nearly always the ex-
perience of the novice. He is educated
only by experience, and gains his knowl-
edge by the mistakes he finds he has made
at the start.
Hence we find many places with few
choice animals, and a large number of
ordinary ones, that it would be desirable
to dispose of could a purchaser be found,
but which are generally held because the
owner dislikes to face the necessary sacri-
flee. The first loss is generally the best
in such cases, and that fact is coming to
be generally understood with the present
depression in the selling value Of even
choice animals. Where lack of means
dictates selections, it would not appear
so strange that animals wanting in some
of the essential qualities for breeding,
should be CHANGED in the hope that the
deficiency may be counterbalanced by
other superior features, and overcome in
proper cross; but with ample means at
command many young breeders make
their purchases at random, and COM
pletely squander their advantages.
Sooner or later most of them better their
condition by either selling out entirely,
or wedding out their stock and repur-
chasing. The writer has noticed in an
extended observation of some years past,
that frequently the poorest beginnersafter-
ward become breeders of excellent judg-
ment. Experience is IN expensive but
very effectual teacher, provided the re.
cipient of the lesson is capable of learn
ing. But there is now and then clear bust
ness mind that takes up this subject of
breeding and makes q study of it before
venturing to put its deductions into prac-
tice. Such men determine what they
want before they buy at all, and then
keep their aims clearly in mind while
selecting. They go straight by their
chart from the first, and usually accom-
plish something to show for it. They do
not follow the same path, nor do they
all aim to accomplish the same object;
but, having thought far enough to create
an ideal which they hope to initiate, it
generally possesses sufficient merit to be
of value when Appropriated, and hence
they succeed as breeders.
1t is frequently asserted that there is
no defnable way of breeding that will
bring success, and that the whole system
is one of chance, great results coming
when least expected, and disappointment
following the most logically conceived
plans. There is a greater measure of
truth in this claim than even the most
ardent enthusiast on the subject can set
aside, if the object sought be profit in
the investment, and no other aim in view
in the breeding problem than the bare
question of trOtting speed, and bottom.
The most successful breeders in this cOun-
try produce too many blanks to their
number of prizes to keep the balance
sheet right, unless the blanks possess a
value independently of the question of
speed; and with the blanks in the ratio
in which they appear on many stud
farms, it is question whether their dis
posal is not matter of far greater mo-
ment in financial sense than that of the
prizes. 1t is the common experience of
breeding on any considerable scale, that
after few years trial it is found desirable
to reduce the mares in numbers to the
few for which a direct nick has been
found, and dispose of the others, no mat
ter with what care and judgment they
were originally selected. This has been
the experience at Thorndale, Stony Ford,
and other noted establishments, and must
continue to be so. Therefore, every
point which tends to produce foal sal
able for other purposes than speed, that
can be comprised without sacrificing the
chances of that most valuable element,
should receive due business consideration
in selecting breeding animals, in order
that the produce that fails to come up
to the standard may yet bring the breeder
out without loss.
The SHEEP QUEsTIoN.--.From almost
every quarter of the country, says the
Rural MeV Yorker, we hear complaints OF
sheep being Improbable at the present
prices of wool and mutton. In several
instances we have noticed articles going
the rounds of the press headed, "What
shall we do with our sheep 2" and other
similar titles which are likely to cause
those engaged in sheep husbandry to be
alarmed at the future prospects of their
very important industry.
Now, it is an old saying that "straws
show which way the wind blows" and
we think there are some straws connected
with the wool interest which may be
watched in order that the farmer may
see whether it is advisable for him to
kill of, or keep his focks. Wool is a
staple article always in demand, and for
which certain amount of money can
be obtained, and the only question for our
farmers to decide is whether they can
produce it with profit, not by basing
their calculations upon the lowest price,
but upon the average for series OF
years. AS the prices of all staple
articles are liable to fluctuations the
only safe guide in their production is to
base all calculations of profit upon
averages, and in doing this with wool we
think there are very good and substantial
reasons to be hopeful for the future. One
straw which points to hopeful future
is the fact that we have not rs yet been
able to produce all the wool required for
our own use in this country.
But we are inclined to believe that
sheep husbandry is as profitable as any
although there may be some " bad years.
still, upon the whole, raising wool and
mutton will yield as large returns for the
capital and labor invested as the pro.
duction of beef, pork or any of the
ordinary farm crops.
Raising wool is not so exhaustive to
land as the raising of grain, and the
difference should always be placed to the
credit of the wool crop, which, tits to be
feared, many of our farmers fail to do in
making up their accounts. The balance
sheet, If it shows only the cash part of a
farmers operation with sheep, and es.
pecially if it does not extend over a
period of more than one or two years,
will not give fair exhibit of either
profit or loss, for fields may have been
enriched to such an extent that they will
give large increase in the yield Of grain,
grass, or other crops for several years
after the sheep have been removed.
Taking this favorable view of the sub
ject we would not advise farmers to sell