The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1881-01-20
for the farmer.
PRINcIPLEs IN STOCK RAISING.

No well defined system of stock management
resting upon the laws of animal growth, and OF
the relation of foods TO each other in animal nu-
triton, is in practice to any considerable extent
in this country. II is self-evident statement
that working in harmony with law, is working
TO the best advantage. As farmers, we are sad
ly out of harmony with the best methods of stock
management, thus coming greatly short OF Oh
tanning the possible effective value of our foods
Feeding is not as yet developed science, but
very hopeful developing one. Closely pressed by
having TO compete with the low prices of prairie
steers the only hope of Eastern feeders lies IN
the search for for, and observance of, the laws
that control in this department Offarm husband
ry Allow me then, 10 name q few important
noint that have come nader my observation III
experimental feeding for 3 few years past.
THE STEER TO FEED.
Every reader Mt once declares that the matter
is cIear-it must be 4 steer that has been well
bred that iuherits d large capacity for cOnsUmp-
ton digestion and ASSIMILATION of food. IL is
useless TO attempt to feed any other for profit in
the East but under the head OF tie steer TO feed,
wish TO make this point, resting upon my own
observation and that of others: This is the only
steer that one can afford to feed high; for, when
fed an increased ration over an ordinary one, the
well-bred steer assmlates very much heavier
percentage Of this increase than an average
steer and the poorer steers capacity for assiIni-
lation is so low that it will not give favorable
response to a heavy ration.
LARGE BREEDS.
Our steer must be of the larger breeds: for
a rapidly growing or a large animal will make
more growth on pound of food than one of a
smaller breed. A large beast presents less ra-
dating surface in proportion than n small one.
Thus, in of the latter, more food is required
particularly in winter, to maintain the animal
heat. On this head practical experience con-
firms theoretical considerations. The animal
should he early matured. If a steer is sold when
four and one-half years of age, weighing Loco
pounds, then his average weight for his life
time would have not been FIR from SEQ pounds.
Such an S00-pOund steer j have found will con-
sumo fourteen pounds Of hay day, as mainte-
nance fodder, making no growth. Now the steer
has consumed fourteen pounds day, for four
and one-half years-how many steers require six
years 20 weigh 600 pOunds-smply to run the
machine. 1t is the hay given over this amount
daily that makes the growth. Growing
our steer to LOCO pounds at two and oue-half
years. save maintenance fodder for two years or
in round numbers, for two winters, or 3GO days,
we shall save two and one-luarter tons of hay as
well two years pasturage. But again, find
that young animal will make more gain ON a
pound of food than an older animal thus making
double gain. Moreover an animal when small
will make very much more gain than an animal
nearly matured. The difference is 80 great rs
to become of much importance. This fact should
lead us so to breed as TO get an animal that will
come into shape to command full market prices
at . much less weight than that named. Could
a market demand be developed for S00-pound
calves, these could be furnished at a profit by
| the side of Texas steers.
FEED FOR MANURE.
Unhappily most farmers consider this heading
as a part of another question. 1t is, however,
| inseparably connected with the entire system OF
mixed farming with u.s. For generation most
of the stock of New England has been kept fol
| the direct purpose of manure making, and they
are yet its cheapest sources. Were il not so, in
short time there would be but very little stock
in the East. Yet in feeding, the prime object
| the fact that our steers simply manure man.
ufactories-isl lost sight of. The Englshman's
| first question is: "Wbat is a manure value OF
the foOdi" Then in buying foods, l buy
heavily because | find it the cheapest means Of
| obtaining plant food, and for another object
will name further on always consider the
amount of the elements of planI-foOd contained
| in the proposed purchase. / do not say that
that shall be the sole criterion of purchase, but
it must have determined recognition. 1t not
unfrequcntly happens that heterogeneous food
| is nearly quite, worth its cost, as a manure
| Intending here to call attention only to prOmi
nent points in stock management, that are set
| tied, but not accepted generally in practice,
will foreSo details, and simply say that in prac
| tice / can give cOrroborative evidence from NY
records, of the facts here stated.
COMBINATION OF FOODS.
Chemistry has blundered around badly on the
question of the nutritive value of foods, as il
| has on other questions of agriculture. But the
| stimulus il has given to practical investigators
pointing to the door, and as an aid to them, will
result in an immense saving of food values.
Pardon me for referring TO personal data again
| such data, however, always bear more directly
/ on the point than what one has heard of. Al
the result of three years careful weighings o.
food for several sets Of steers, l am thoroughly
convinced that an extremely important saving
| can be made in feeding mixed rations, and thai
| it is not enough that these mixtures be indis
criminately made. In general terms, nitrogenou,
foods should be mixed with carbOnaceous; oil
bran, peas cotton seed, oil cake, blood, meat
and clover should be given i'll connection Will
coarse foods, like straw, corn fodder and swalt
| hay. Happily it is the first named foods thai
| are rich manure-makers, and, in using them, W,
accomplish two important purposes. ". San
| born in Rural Ner Yorker.
STATE FARM, Agricultural College, Hanover
| n. ii.