The Portland daily press., 1881-09-20
TUE PRESS.
pa,sa aood stock.


We believe in raising good stock; and by
this we mean improved stock. Indeed IL Is
moor economv. or no economy at all, to raise
any other kind. No matter how much or
how little stock farmer raises, 1t should be
good: IL should be in point of quality as near
nerfect as 1t is possible to attain. 1t should
combine those characters which CONSTITUTED
intrinsic value. The improved breeds OF
cattle, sheep, and hogs are the results OF
long-continued, persevering efforts to pro-
duce and fix characteristics that are required
to ensure the best pecuniary returns, or en-
nance the profits arising from rearing these
useful domestic animals. In 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 nave
brought vast amount OF knoWiedge per
tanning to breeding and management. IL Is
to such knowledge that we are indebted ior
the excellence found in all OF our improved
breeds of useful animals. AS general
thing, farmers raise few horses, cattle,
and hogs, and of late years more OF them
keen sheep than was the rule previously.
There are those who make a specially of
some particular branch of live stock hus7
bapdrV. and make all their farming opera
tions subsidiary to that specially; and this
is eminenily judicious in many cases; put
farmers generally are not specialists III TINS
sense. They aise only such animals, and
these only in such numbers, as they think
necessary in conducting their business TO
advantage. The mistake made by very
many, however, is in the kind and quality
of the stock they raise. Many men who are
working small farms think that it will not
nav them to raise improved stock, or that
the cost of improved breeding stock of pop.
Mar strains of blood, and of taking care OF
IL. will not compensate them in profitable
returns They could not make greater
mistake. The lessons taught at stock yards
and stock shows explode such hasty pre-
conceived notions. II costs no more, nor
as much, to raise i'm roved 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 ii sufflcien'
care Is exercised, or pains taken, by our
farming friends, who say they are. farming
only in a small, way and cannot afford To
buy high-bred stock for breeding purposes,
it will not take long before they will change
their minds.
A common error, also. is the mistaken
opinion that TO make stock-raislng pay IL
must be done on a large scale; that large
capital is necessary to carry the business on
successfully: That many broad acres are re-
them at high prices-to feed and take care
of the saristocratic'' brutes; that rich feed
must be purchased or supplied at no llttle
cost: that extensive and costly stables ano
barns must be provided, aud various Other
accessories that are presumed to be necessary
to the business. 1t is true that to conduct
stock farm of this kind, capital is necessary
but it is also true that there are hazards to
run that are not encountered on less pre-
tentious farm. where the operations are not
GU 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 uppard 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 a start is made, i
the commencement is right and judgment
and care are exercised in breeding, all the
time. in few years class of farm animals
NAV be produced of superior quality, which
will represent a money value far greater
than that of common stock, and amply re
munerate its owner for his 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 VIII DC
more largely improved than they have evel
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 mongre
sort.-Prairie Farmer.