Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-09-05
and examined the elegant

and examined the elegant
| SHOHTHoRN HERD
| of Charles A. DeGraff, of GAINESVILLE, Wa
SEGA county, have become convinced that
Tor the production of fine blooded stock,
southern Minnesota rivals the famous Lex
lngton district, in the heart of the blue
grass region of Kentucky. Mr.. DeGraff
did not for moment question whether he
would fail In the business when he con-
cluded to embark in it, but with full conf
dence and a determination to succeed. he
commenced breeding short horn cattle. and
the splendid herd on exhibition at the fair
is sufficient proof to the most skeptical.
that he has not made mistake in the mat
ter. Meeting Mr.. DeGraff a day or two
ago, he invited your reporter to look at his
herd, and being somewhat of a stock fan
cier, the invitation was accepted and in
company with a number of gentlemen
we visited the pens, where we found the
cattle quietly munching the clean, bright
hay, being watched by about a score of
people who were expressing great surprise
at the appearance of the stock, which, al
though by no means has been pampered
or fed for show purposes, is in fair con-
dition, and as stall after stall was visited.
the peoples mouths began to water as they
thought Of the splendid butter and cheese
that could be made from the milk of the
COWS, or the royal roasts and juicy steaks
that could be procured from the steers, and
no doubt they wondered, if one man could
do so well with a large herd, why others
did not try their fortune in that direction.
and see if they could not also have sue
cess
It is generally conceded that southern
Minnesota is destined to become the stock
and dairy portion of the state, and within
short time equal, if it does not surpass
Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin. Farmers
are looking for
DAIRY COWS.
and your reporter learned from q gentle
man from Illinois, that the shorthorns
were looked upon as being the best breed
for dairy purposes, as the cows were large
mixers, the milk rich in butter producing
qualities, and the COWS invariably proved
themselves easy keepers. So with this bit
of information your reporter began little
matter of investigation On his own &C
count, and came to the conclusion that if
Minnesota farmers were really going into
the dairy business, they should provide
themselves with COWS that would prove
profitable. and that as Mr.. De Graft had
thoroughly tested the matter, they could
not fail if they purchased their stock from
from him. He has been in the business a
number of years, and his splendid Lake
Elysian farm gives evidence of what care
full, intelligent breeding of blooded stock
will do. His cattle are thoroughly accli-
mated and therefore safer to buy than
those raised out of the state, and which
gives them decided advantages over stock
that has not been acclimated. His cattle
are largely from the Young Marys family
of shorthorns, noted alike for their milk
and beef qualities, and which have a record
for butter not yet surpassed by any other
breed. The COWS after having served
their time in the dairy, can readily
be fattened for beef, and they are
equal to the choicest three year old steers
of other breeds. Among the COWS in this
herd now on exhibition are some of Mr.,
De CRAFTS most famous ones, and he will
furnish milk from them to the dairy de-
partment for the purpose of making but
ter for the banquet to be served when the
governors are here on Thursday, and this
Will give the farmers practical evidence of
what this breed can do in the butter line
AS BEEF CATTLE,
the shorthorns have long stood at the
head, outranling all other breeds Mr..
De Graft has several head here that are
wonderful to behold. For instance. he point
ed out a thirteen months old steer, which
was critically examined by number
of experts, who were willing to stake their
reputation that the animal would tip the
beam at 1900 pounds; other breeds and
ordinary stock are pulled up, if they can
do this at two and even three years old,
but as it is natural to the shorthorns they
can do this with ease, and upon the small
est amount of grain possible. In two of
the adjoining stalls were
TWO MONSTER STEERS,
grade shorthorns. which weighed respec-
lively 1880 and 2,450 pounds, and which
are intended for the European market
together with other steers. for Mr.. DeGraff
understanding the wants of an English
mans stomach, has prepared to supply
them with beef fully as choice as that
which can be found in the Smithfeld market
England, the home of the shorthorns.
| For some time past Mr.. De Graft has sold
his beef cattle to the export trade. and the
| favor with which his beef has been re-
ceived across fine water, has encouraged
him to still greater efforts in that direc-
ton, and from this source alone he re-
ceives large revenue. He has a large
number of very choice young bulls and
heifers for sale, and it would be but the
| part of wisdom for Minnesota farmers to
secure this stock before if is sold out of
the state. Dairymen in Illinois and
other northwestern states, are beginning
to turn their attention to Minnesota for
stock to replenish their herds, for in Ill
inois the dairymen do not, as a rule,
raise their calves, so they are
| Obliged to reDlenish their barda from,