The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1884-12-24
764
Grass, Stock and Climate.

There is no industry that pays better
or brings more comfort to the human
family than successful stock raising.
The stock raiser always has in reach
milk, butter, cheese, meat, work-cattle,
horses, and many other advantages arts
ing from that industry. In order to ac-
complish these results the stock raisers
must have grass, rich nourishing food,
which will not only give vigorous growth
to animals, but make them fat and fit for
Strengthening and for profitable work.
The native grasses as a general thing
are good, and embarrassing on the broad
extended plains in the lower counties of
the State is, and has been profitable,
but it fails to reach that point which the
wants of consumers demand. And the
time is approaching, and has already
come, when radical change in the
old system of stock raising becomes me-
cessary. When we take into account the
mild climate of the lower peninsula of
Florida where shelter for stock to protect
them from the ravages of cold, so seri-
ously felt in the north, where perennial
grasses can grow all the winter green
and luXuriant, where whole townships
of lands can be secured at fair prices
lands, too, which are susceptible of pro-
ducing large fields of Guinea grass, Para
grass, Alfalfa, and many other valuable
varieties of tropical and 'semi-tropical
grasses and forage plants OF more or less
value to great perfection. We really
come to the conclusion that the Florida
peninsula is destined to take very con-
spicuouS place in the stock raising dis
tricts OF the country. Another improve
ment of paramount Importance must
accompany the improvement of grasses
and the improvement system, which is !
the Introduction OF improved herds of |
both horses and cattle. 1t costs no more i
to raise fine horse or beef steer, than |
it does to raise scrub or common stock,
while the value of the ami nal is one-third
more. In order to introduce the i'm
proved breeds OF stock, stock farms
must be established by the stock-raiser,
where special care can be taken of the
breeds introduced. No well informed
breeder would take the risk of turning
his fine stock animals loose to run at
large among their herds on the range.
The change of climate and kind of feed,
together with the exposure to the wealth
er, would be a hardship upon the fine
breeds first introduced, which would
prove disastrous and drawback to the
Breeds hence the necessity of good
stock farms, with rich pastures, large
and sufficiently spacious to accommodate
the stock first to be bred from. As to
the success of the half-breeds coming
from our Florida cows there can be no
doubt, and they could be allowed to run
at large with the great herds, and they |
would be as healthy and do as we'll as
the Florida cattle. By breeding from |
none but males sent from the breeding
pastures or stock farms, very soon the
Florida cattle would be worthy of the |
attention of the most fastidious breeders,
and with its warm climate and green
grasses, stock raising would keep pace
with other advancements and improve
ments of which this highly favored
country is so susceptible.-F A. H., IN
Fort Meyers Press.