Connecticut western news., 1877-06-01
AGRICULTURAL.

oN1s&SSA@A
 RAPID FATTENING.-The Cedar Falls (Iowa) Gdzette, states that MT. R. F. Kill patrick, living near that town, had got the idea that the common practice at the West of feeding corn in the ear in large quantities at time, is not the most profitable, as the large steers would drive away the smaller ones, and defile, more or less, the corn which they left for the weaker ones. MT. K. is feeding carload of steers, and divides his feed into three equal messes, feeding in the three meals what farmers usually feed at once, and giving them ample feed-room, so that all can eat at once if they wish. In addition, he feeds them all the good clover hay they can eat. By following this course, each head of stock requires but a peck of corn day, and does better than on half bushel of corn and poor quality of hay. To as- certain the result. of this experiment, he had three steers weighed at his farm on the 1st of December. They were weighed again on the 30th of December. The first was 8 two-year-old, who weighed on the 30th of December 1,27O pounds in the thirty days. No. was 8 four-year- old that weighed l, 40 pounds, having made gain of 120 pounds-an average of four pounds day. No. 3, a four-year- -old, weighed L1,610 pounds, having gained 160 pounds-an average of five and one-eighth pounds day This is remarkable gain, considering the fact that the corn was fed out of doors and in the ear. e This plan of feeding cattle will, no doubt, seem wasteful to the Eastern feeder, who feeds only ground grain to carefully stabled cattle, but it must be remembered that the low price of Iowa corn will not permit the Western feeder to grind the grain. Its low price, added to the cost of hauling to the mill would more than absorb all the profit from grinding. The gain reported by Mr. Fitzpatrick exceeds anything we have been able to accomplish even with the best of care-the best gain reported, being over five pounds per day. The lowest, eighty pounds in thirty days, is below our average, but so very little that we may accept it. r HORSE RADIsH.-This plant is easily cultivated and is also one of the healthi- est tonic foods that we have among those to be eaten uncooked. Cuttings of the root, even the smallest slips will grow. If the plants or roots can be se- lected, those without many fibers and about three to four inches long, are the best for quick returns. The ground should be dug deep, say eighteen inches, and well manured. The sets should be dibbled in, at distances in and between rows of ten to twelve inches, and the set when planted should have the upper end within half an inch of the surface. To make long and fine roots, the bed | should be kept clean of weeds, and once or twice in the summer remove the earth from the roots about six inches deep, and take of all the fibers which may be produced, and again cover back with fresh earth. The roots will then be long, straight and free from offsets. They can be taken up in autumn ol spring. but if left two years will be larger and longer. If the grower wants only for his family, the root is best al one seasons growth; but if grown fol market, the second season will pay fol the time in the greater size and weight of the root.-PrdctieaI Farmer.
 | FEEDING FOR BEEF.-In feeding fol beef the results obtained by practical men are found to vary widely accord ing to the method of feeding and other conditions, but careful comparison oi results seems to indicate that on gen eral average. with good cattle, twelve pounds of prime hay or six or eight pounds of grain, will produce pound of beef. According to Alderman Mech it appears that seven pounds of grair will produce one pound of meat, ne butchers weight. A less weight thar this of cornmeal has been to known te I-- 4 -
 stances will produce, a pound of beef but taking this figure as fairly within reach when right methods are used, i Is shown that an acre of corn is capable of making eight hundred and seventy five pounds of beef.