The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1880-12-11

! be to know what to do and how to do it,
to make their labor and capital give the
! largest return.
They have tried wheat and barley
raising until many of them have been
compelled to mortgage their farms. This
single cropping can succeed only in $50
lated instances, and then only when the
crops are good and prices high. Meat,
bread and vegetables have to bo pro-
yided for families, either by raising them
or by purchase. Any farmer in any por-
tion of Pacific Coast can produce meat,
bread and vegetables in great abundance
for family use; in some sections with but
little labor, and in others it will require
more, but it can be done, and ought to be
by every farmer on the coast; and the
sooner this course is adopted will pros
perity follow. The three articles of food
mentioned above will cost family of six
or seven persons from $500 to $500 per
year. In most cases farmers can raise
them cheaper, and better article than
can be purchased from other parties.
No farmer can be said to be independ-
ent or prosperous who refuses to raise all
or most of such articles of food as are re-
quired for family use. In doing this the
younger members of the family are edu-
Gated in all the industries Of the farm,
which is very important. When boys
learn how to handle, to feed, and to man
age oil kinds of stock, they learn to love
it. 1t keeps them at home; it gives them
constant employment; it teaches them
patience, method and perseverance, and
in large majority of cases they become
good and prosperous citizens.
What pleasure to see the farm stock
ed with the highest type of horses, cattle,
sheep, hogs and poultry. In breeding,
feeding and cultivating this class of farm
stock in connection with other farming,
to my mind is the most interesting as
we'll as pleasurable, that men can follow
It is the parent of good habits; it is the
foundation of good living; keeps the
family together; is interesting in its de-
tails; moral in its associations; and leads
to prosperity.
The occupation of the farmer cannot
be overrated or overstated. They feed
the millions. Let them cease their Ia
bors for q single year, and famine en-
sues. From their ranks the mighty in
tellect is drawn that governs and con-
trolls the United States in all its depart
ments. All the presidents and most, if
not all, the distinguished statesmen and
generals of this country. from its founda-
tion up to the present time, were at one
time farmers boys, and learned their
first lessons in life's business on the farm
and at the farm hearth. Their occupa.
tion and habits at outdoor work ensures
a vigorous constitution. This gives
good foundation for the intellect to grow
and ripen. The country supplies the
great commercial centers with brains,
muscle and energy that has astonished
the world in all the departments of in
dustry. 1t is the daily inquiry where
was so and so from The time honored
answer is: Born in such county, and in
such State; farmers son; worked his
way from small beginnings up higher
and higher, until the great people seeing
his worth have made him general,
| Judge, senator; and every four years
they select one from among them, and
make him President. Then take cour-
age, farmers. All the world have to draw
their drafts On your ranks. Then make
farmers out of your boys, and if they
have talent to fill high stations III life,
| they will find their way up.
All the improved breeds of stock are
more or less valuable to breed and raise
on the farm, and especially SO in regard
to cattle. They fill o larger space in sup
plying families with the good things Of
life than any or all other stock. 1t may
be said that any class of cattle is valua-
BILE to the farmer. This is true. But
still there is one tribe which is pre-
eminent in my opinion, taking beef and
milk of q superior quality, early matu-
rity, besides other valuable considera
tions. The Short Horn is the grandest
and noblest animal of the bovine tribe.
The history of the Short Horn, for gen
eratioIs back, is full of interest. The
perfection the early breeders brought
them to, by the exercise OF common
sense in breeding and feeding them for a
long series of years, until they had estab-
lished the perfect type, both in form,
pedigree and color; and that type has
been maintained by succeeding breeders
with the utmost care up to the present
time. Their early maturity. the quantity
and quality of marbled beef they pro-
! duce at any age Is most en-
! couraging to farmers; and when they
are bred for the dairy they are
as much esteemed for their milk and but
ter qualities as they are for their juicy
and succulent beef. They have the quail
| ity of crossing to great advantage with
| oil other breeds to an extent that no
breed of cattle can claim or are entitled
to. 1t is safe to say that all farmers can
and ought to keep more or less stock in
connection with other farming; and that
class of stock ought to be selected that
will be most suitable to the farm, and
will yield the largest income to help sup
port the family.
think it is safe rule to lay down
that any farmer of ordinary capacity can,
in reasonable time, learn to manage to
good advantage all kinds of domestic
stock; for the education the farmer gets,
makes him jack of all trades. This being
a fact, then the first consideration is to
select that class of stock that will give
the greatest return.
The trouble with our farmers is to
change their mode of farming; to COM
mence adding other industries to single
cropping that will ultimately keep the
sheriff from the door. Now of all the
domestic animals, / would select the
Short Horn Durham to place on the
farm to be certain to get the largest re-
turn for money and labor expended.
Most farmers are compelled to keep
COWS. Then the first thing to do is to
buy a Short Horn bull to grade up. If
you have but half-dozen 1t Will pay;
and the larger the herd the greater the
profit. The great secret of success in
this business is patience, and good care,
generous keep, will ensure success.
Remember, you can't squat on large
herd, nor can you own one without large
means; but you can, by patience, grow
one, and by that time you will learn to
handle them, While on the other hand,
starting with large herd without ex-
perience, you are most likely to make a
failure, at least for a time.
Suppose q farmer has small herd Of
common cattle, would recommend him
to buy thoroughbred Short Horn bull
and two or more heifers from reliable
breeder, breed up the common cattle,
save the thoroughbred and grade heifers,
and almost before he knows it be has
fine herd of pure bred heifers, besides
his high grade heifers Short horns are
now in the reach of most farmers.
Farmers should awake to their interest
and add this important industry to their
other farming. Is there any good reason
why such q county as Santa Clara and
many other counties in this State should
not be able to sell 80, 900 or 40 600 head