Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1881-10-06
4arm ono boasebeIS.
Raise Good Stock.

We believe in raising good stock and hy
that We mean improved stock. Indeed 1t j.
poor economy, or no eeonom, at all, to RAISE
any other kind. No matter how much OF
how little stock farmer raises. 1t should be
good j, should be IN poin, of quality a. near
perfect as it is possible 10 attain. 1t should
combine those characters which constitute
intrinsic value. The improved breeds Of
cattle, sheep. and hogs are the results OF
long continued. perseyering efforts to pro-
duce and tx characteristics that are required
TO ensure the best pecuniary returns, or en-
nance the profits arising from rearing these
useful domestic animals. Ia the case Of
beef mutton, and pork the objects sought
are early maturity, and the largest percent
age Of prime meat to weight Of carcass.
Many years Of observation and study have
brought vast amount Of KNOW ledge per
tanning TO breeding and management 1t is
10 such knowledge that We are indebted for
the excellence found in all Of our improved
breeds Of useful animals A. a general
thing. farmers raise a few horses, cattle.
and hogs, and Of late wears more of them
keep sheep than was the rule previously.
There are those who make 4 specially Of
some particular branch Of live stock hus-
bandry, and make all their farming opera
tons subsidiary TO that speciality and this
is eminently judicious in many cases bu,
farmers generally are not specialists in this
sense. They raise only such animals, and
these only in such numbers, a. they think
necessary in conducting their business to
advantage. The mistake made by very
MANY. however ]. in the kind and quality
OF the stock they raise. MANY men tho are
working small farms think that j, will not
pay them TO raise improved stock. or that
the cost Of improved breeding stock Of pop
ular strains Of blood. and Of taking care Of
it, will not compensate them IN profitable
returns. They could not make greater
mistake. The lessons taught at stock wards
and stock shows explode such hastv pre-
conceived notions. 1t costs no more. nor
as much, 10 raise improved animals, than il
does to raise the poorer common sorts.
Every one understands the enhanced value
of well-bred stock when the test of the
butchers block is applied, and if sufficient
care is exercised, or pains taken, by our
farming friends. who say they are farming
only in small way and cannot afford to
buy high-bred stock for breeding purposes
II will not take long before they will change
their minds
A common error, also, is the mistaken
opinion that to make stock-raising pay i,
must be done on large scale that large
capital is necessary to carry the business on
successfully that many broad acres are re-
qulred numerous laborers kept-some Of
them al high prioes--to feed and take care
must be purchased or supplied at no little
cost; that extensive and costly stables and
barns must be provided, and various other
accessories that are presumed to be necessary
TO the business. II is true that TO conduct
stock farm Of this kind, capital is necessary,
but it 5 also true that there are hazards to
run that are not encountered on less pre-
tentious farm, where the operations are not
on such an extensive scale. But the point
we desire to emphasize is, that on farms of
moderate size more and better stock than is
now carried, can be kept and what is kept
should be bred upcdrd until it is as near
what is desired as possible. If but single
horse is raised, let it be such an animal as
will find ready sale at paying price and
so of all other kinds of stock. However
small the scale on which start is made. if
the commencement is right and Judgment
and care are exercised in breeding, all the
time, in few years q class Of farm animals
may be produced Of superior quality, which
will represent money value far greater
than that Of common stock, and amply re-
munerate its owner for bis original outlay
for breeding stock.
The fall fairs present favorable opportuni-
ties for the purchase of animals Of improved
breeds and kinds for breeding purposes,
and that these opportune occasions will be
more largely improved than they have ever
been in this way, there is scarcely any room
to doubt, for the great majority Of farmers
now recognize the economy of superior farm
animals over the nondescript and mongrel
sort.-Prdirie Farmer.