Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1884-01-10

recede from the river valleys that have lain in
unbroken silence for centuries, we hear the
shrill scream of the locomotive awakening the
sleeping Rip Van Wrinkles of the hills and val
leys as it speeds along with the burdened coal
| train like gliding serpent winding ITS way
| between the hills in its course to the lakes
| And then as press onward through what
was once cultivated fields and fertile gardens.
we see villages springing up as though by
magic. hillsides denuded OF their timber, hon.
ey-combed with coal mines and defaced with
stone Quarries; coke ovens, that obscure the
sun with their smoke by day., and illuminate
the heavens with their fires al night-all tell
| ing us of the vast resources that have been
hidden beneath our feet for ages, resources that
/ will attract immigration and employ capital
| until these valleys have become hummlng
hives OF industry. Who then can estimate the
quantity of farm products that will be required
10 sustain this mighty population? Who can
4 even approximate their value to the husband
| man of Eastern Ohio? In view of these great
possibilities it behooves US to be up and doing,
active and alert, prepared to meet the demands
of the future, ready to avail ourselves of every
opportunity that will innure to our advantage
| Let tine Young men heed the lesson OF the
hour, and stick to the farm. Don't rush into
the oyercrowded professions of the town, and
i
surrender the comfort and independence of
home for servitude of drudgery in the town.
| There is room and to spare for educated young
men upon the farm Remember the statement
| Of Mr. Campbell at our Institute last year,
| the best mixture for any soil-that which will
Weld the largest return-is little brains.
And now, friends, in conclusion, while grow
| ing in prosperity, while we are striving after
culture and education, NAV not lose that
sturdy independence, or forget those hOmely
virtues that have distinguished our people in
the past-but while achieving such grand re-
suits in material things. piercing Que hills for
their hidden store, tickling our valleys until
| they laugh with fertility-contribution by the
fruits of our toll to the wealth of the State and
the prosperity of the Nation. MAY we ever
strive to maintain the proud distinction OF be-
| ing the great conservative class IN the land
May the voice of the rural population in the
future, as in the past, be potent and powerful
| in suppressing crime, in checking corruption,
in overthrowing intemperance, and in preserv-
| ing the peace, the purity and the prosperity OF
| the Nation.
The discussion of the first topic on the
program, "Can the breeding of thorough
bred stock be made profitable to the aver
rage farmer?" was opened by John 5.
Close, Esq, of ST. Clairsville, who spoke
substantially as follows: This is a ques-
| ton which has been of much interest to
| farmers for some years past. What do
we understand by thoroughbred stock?
| will give short definition: taken for
granted that it means a breed Of stock
that has been bred in line for term of
years. Take, for example, our heavy
draught horses; they are always draught
horses-never are trotters, runners. but
are for the drawing of heavy loads, and
so with the different breeds of horses all
through. The saddle horse, the driving
horse, &C., all reproducing themselves in
great degree. So with cattle-short
horns. &C., when they are fed and bred
with care, they do better. so is it with
all classes of stock. In sheep, some fam
lilies give mutton for the feed and care,
and others return wool for the feed and
care The swine of to day gives a better
return than the old style of our grand
fathers. Our thoroughbred stock are
better adapted to this purpose than old
style stock. The farmers who are engag
ed in the raising of these stocks, and
grains, is what we mean by the general
| farmer;-those who make the breeding
of some kinds of fine stock a speciality, are
fancy farmers. They think it profitable
to raise thoroughbred stock. If it pays
this special farmer better in return for
his feed and care, it should the general
farmer. We claim that they will better
repay for their feed than the natural
stock. 1t may not be profitable for every
farmer in Belmont county to breed short
horn cattle We may start breeding some
/ = har ctn tuifh hnnAra6
dollars. from which we can breed up our
flock or herd. Try to get the most profit
from amount of feed and grain fed. If
one COW gives as much milk as two or
three COWS, even if she does need more
feed, it is surely more profitable to keep
her, than two or three; and so it is with
other stock. Every farmer must keep
some stock, and the farmer who feeds his
own grain is the most successful farmer;
and that stock which brings most return
for feed is the kind to keep. So with
poultry some kinds are more profitable
than others; some are better adapted for
eggs and some for table-the best breed
for which you wish your returns are the
broodS to raise.
Mr.. Close was to be followed on this
topic by Mr.. S. NJ. Boggs, of. Harrison
county, and BENZ. Comfy, of Jefferson
county. but they not being present, the
topic was left open for general discussion.
Mr.. John Watson, of Wheeling town
ship, in speaking on the topic, said that
he was well aware that thoroughbred
stock was OF great advantage to the peo
pie of the country. The question: rs
the raising of thoroughbred stock of ad
vantage to the average farmer?' de was
in doubt on this question. In the first
place it took big outlay. Then he must
keep it registered: believed that a high
grade stock was more profitable than the
thoroughbred stock. The average Dur
ham sales are at $40 or $3.50. To get
this price, you must keep up your regis
ter, attend fairs and show stock. The av
erage farmer can not do this; he is man
VINO generally stays at home to attend to
his business, and the buyer will not go to
his home and pay high figures, and the
farmer cannot show them and attend to
his business. l am inclined to think, as a
rule, the general farmer cannot make the
raising of thoroughbred stock profitable,
but there are others who can.
Mr.. }. II. Denham took the other side
of the question. He thought farmers
might begin in small way Young an
imals could be purchased for small
amount of money. He believed the ave-
rage farmer could make the breeding of
the thoroughbred swine profitable; spoke
of swine, as he was more familiar with
them; referred to farmers in the immedi-
ate neighborhood. If we are keeping an
imals at all, is it not well to keep those as
near perfection as possible? 1t does not
cost more to keep a Registered animal than
a high grade. Our farmers are now try
ing to get their stock in better condition.
They are housing them better, feeding
them better, and getting better stock.
Prof. l. n. Vail, of BarneSville. said that
he had attended stock sale recently in