Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1883-05-17
AGRICULTURAL.

In looking over the relative c0ndi-
tion Of the stocksr and fat stock trade,
Just now and for some time past, We
cannot avoid the conviction that those
operating in the first named class of cat
tie need TO exercise good deal of dis
crinination and care. Perhaps none Of
our readers caE remember time in
which store cattle and fat cattle have
sold so nearly together, and great
many avow their inability TO see how
the slight margin between them can be
made to cover the cost of Transforming
the one into the other. 1t is not too
much to say that, at cash prices for
grain and other feed, it cannot be done.
However, the feeder needs to count in
the problem the cost of marketing the
grain and the value otherwise obtaina
BILE for the rough food thus consumed.
He also should consider the matter of
maintaining the fertility of his farm, 4
consideration too often overlooked.
Bringing in these points will frequently
turn the scale of calculation in favor of
feeding, even with paving exorbitant
figures for stock. The fact is, d man can
better afford to lose money in the tran
saction than to allow his farm to lose its
fertility. Taking things as they are, the
farmers of this region are in measure
compelled to buy stockers and feeders,
regardless of the fact That they are con-
scious of paying too much for them.
But there is way out of this difficulty,
the adoption of which we have often
urged, and which would at least in some
degree prove effectual-and that is to
preserve the calves. The curious spec
tacle is now beheld of the markets OF
the country being flooded with veal.
while on the same markets the farmers
are eagerly hunting for almost unobtain-
able stockers. Let them, as remedy,
resolve that no calf shall be killed on
the farm and none sent to market-just
as Queen Victoria is now prohibiting
the use of lamb in the royal household,
on similar grounds. Raise your own
stocbers 1t is doubtful whether any are
as cheap as the homegrown, and on an
average few are as good. Let Ohio,
Pennsylvania and West Virginia start
their beevss from the udder, and farm
ers will seldom If ever find themselves,
as they are now, at the mercy of the
stocker markets.-IStockman.
A VERMONT sheep-raiser claims,
through the columns of exchanges, that
feot-rot can he entirely eradicated from
flock of sheep by dipping the feet of
every member of the flock, whether
lame or not, into kerosene oil, and then
putting pinch of sulphur bstween the
hoofs. One repetition of ths treatment
at the end OF two weeks, he claims, will
be sufficient. They should be kept in a
CRY place for few hours after each ap-
plication of the Kerosene. Experiment
will demonstrate whether there is any
thing in this or not (Stockman.-
1T is difficult 10 look at the prospect
of wosl prices very cheerfully in any
event this spring, but manufacturers
gents and other buyers will OF course
add a dismal touch to the picture
vheressr they can. This renders it all
tie more necessary for growers to be
hssded together for mutual protection
al.d ncouragement-to be able to com
municate and act promptly-to under
stand just what they can and what they
cannot do. There is no surer way to
give The market into the hands of the
buying interest than for sellers to stand
aloof from each other and attempt to
hold up prices single-handed.-lSt Stock
man.
THE branding of sheep is something
which should be done as neatly as pos
slble, and inst now, when the fleece is
off, is the time to do it. There is no use
in smearing over large surface with
ungainly letters or huge brands which
can he distinctly seen at long range. All
the marking needed is what is sufficient
to indicate ownership. Anything more
mars the beauty of the fleece, and is an
eyesOre to any one who admires neat
ness and order in all things Stock
man.
FEEDING sheep on hay in the past
winter was quite success in the West.
Experiments in this line had been made
before, with some degree of success; bat
last fall feeders made up their minds to
operate moro extensively than ever be-
tore, and the wisdom Of their ventures