The Osceola times., 1877-09-29
recdlug ns~~r. In IIiiaci..


The American correspondent OF the
Scotsman gives the following interesting
account OF the way large Illinois farmer
feeds steers for market:
Hitherto Mr.. Gillet has commenced to
feed his steers only when they are rising
three years until they reach that age
they have to feed themselves, sometimes
scraping their daily pittsnce from beneath
q covering of snow. Of the 700 steers
nsw on hand, close on one.half were se-
lected from neighboring herds last fall,
and, along with the home-bred steers,
have siuce been fed literally on Indian
corn and grass, or hay or corn fodder
either Of the latter two being allowed in
winter, when the grass gets covered with
snow. They are now all in Mr.. Gillets
own possession; but during the winter, a
number we're let out to neighbors, who
fed them during that season for seven
cents for every pound added to the weight
of the cattle--a system that could
scarcely have been profitable TO the feed
ers. Those 700 steers will be sold in lots
Of about 100 head In August, September
and October, and during their feeding
year, they will have consumed about l3O
bushels of Indian corn head. But,
for every steer fed, upwardsoi 500 pounds
Of pork, worth at least FIVE cents per
J pound, will be raised wholly off grass,
and whatever corn the cattle may
drop. There are scarcely any
cattle-shc1 Is on the property, and breeding
is carried on entirely In the open fields.
During winter good deal Of Indian corn
is given as II grew, with ear, stalk and
blade attached; but in summer, and
during good weather in winter, the ears
are carted into troughs-one man, with a
team and wagon, feeding four hundred
cattle In four or five hours. The majority
of these steers are already In very fair
condition, and with eight or ten weeks
under Tillyfour's care, they would make
prime lot for the British metropolitan
market. There are few ordinary animals
among them, but with draft of two
hundred thrown away, they would rank
on a level with Scotland's contingent to
the London Christmas market on any of
the last four or five years-that is, before
these have received the last dip" Every
year number Of better bullocks than
any in Mr. Gillet's lot leave Scotland for
the English markets, and again the
Scotch Christmas steers are led of about
six or eight months younger, and give
indications OF afiording higher percent
age of good beet than ever Mr.. Gillet's
could under his system of feeding; but
still, taking the number into account, |
do not hesitate to say that this enter
pri-ing American farmer can boast OF the
arandest bestial display ] have ever seen
in one mans possession. believe il may
safely I've said that he is the largest g. beef
manufacture" in the world. He prepares,
in round numbers, about $40, 900 pounds,
or about three hundred and sixty-seven
tons, of beef every year, and pretty
nearly hal as much pork.
II was from this herd that Mr.. Eastman,
Of New York obtained those beautiful
samples of American beef that took
England by storm, and began the present
agitation less than year ago, and that
found their way into the residences of the
mavor of London and other English
notables; and, ever since, Mr.. Gillet has
had keen demand for his prime beeves
for the British markets. In all, during
the past two years, about /, 400 OF his
steers have been exported to Britain,
mostly alive-some sailing from New
York, some from Philadelphia and some
from Canada. Two of his bullocks are
now being prepared in the south of Eng
land for the coming fat stock shows, but,
considering the manner in which Mr..
Gillets cattle are fed, and the amount of
walking they accomplish during the first
two years of their existence, 1t would be
surprising If these two should take high
places Of honor, in competition with ami
mails fed from their cslf.hood onwards.