The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1884-03-20

live stock as part of general farming. read
by X. V. Munger, before the Farmers Union
held at the residence Of Mr.. NJ. Kern of
Porter, on the 9th inst
IL is not uncommon TO find men who look
upon live stock, and all that relates TO ii, as
something entirely distinct from farming, in
it's ordinary Specification. although not near
~ as many as there were few years ago.
Admitting the possibility Of successful
agriculture, with little or no use of the ami
NAL, such agriculture is simply a possibility,
not n probability. Few OF Us realize
how closely connected with our daily lite,
are the domestic animals. None of Us live a
single day without making use Of them, or
of Iheir products IN their three great par
poses, for labor, food and clothing, our farm
animals have grown to be 50 important that
to Danish them would be to entirely change
our mode of life. Even to dispense with
any one of them would cause unlimited in
convenience. Not only is this true in gem
eral way, but, as | see it, il is also true that
the future success of our agriculture is TO
depend largely on increased attention TO the
rearing and feeding of domestic animals,
and the man who tights against improving
stock, or who discards all interest III the care
improvement VI cbOCAs - al
nate man.
Stock raising is receiving more attention
in our country at the present time, than any
at any former period. This is an evidence
of the spirit of progress in the art Of hus-
bandry. Even III our grain growing Sec
tons, our formers are learning that an in
creased amount of stock may be kept, with
out lessening the production of grain, and
vet not one-fourth of our farmers keep stock
enough to make farming as profitable as
they might Here in Southern Michigan,
where grain raising has been the chief inter
est, We have learned that profits can be
largely increased, in term of years, by
feeding ali the coarse grain grown 10 stock
on the farm.
There is also an increased inquiry for the
improved breeds. No farmer with any en-
terprise. will now breed from the common
stock OF either horses, cattle, sheep or swine,
although, but few years since, this was the
common practice. Progress IS plant of
slow growth, but when the mind is directed
towards it. we have great expectation of good
results. The Importance OF raising a better
grade of stock is evident TO every intelligent
farmer, for the increased demand for Ameri-
can me ITS for expectation, and the fact that
none but the best will be accepted, must be
convincing 10 every grower OF stock. Then
the great benefit that will accrue to the agri-
cultural interest of the country by the man
uiacturo of large portion of our surplus
gram into meat, must soon be well under
stood by our farmers. No cosntry can long
maintain successful agriculture with large
expectation of grain. The soil must be fed,
ana, without the feeding of stock, there is
no manure TO replace the elements which
the crops take away. The farmer on the
rich, virgin soils of the west, will hardly
realize the fact that the soil must be replen-
isbed, but few years Of constant cropping,
and sending away his new products will CON
vince him of his error Stock raising and
grain growing must be in some degree inter
mixed TO render agriculture most profitable
We do not claim that under all circum-
stances, each interest should receive equal
attention. for many soils are not equally
adapted 10 each. In such cases special at
teution may be directed towards either, as
the soil, and circumstances are best adapted,
Int they cannot well be separated. In most
cases. perhaps, il may be admissible that
every farmer have speciality, or point at
which his chief efforts shall be directed, and
10 which other interests shall be secondary
That il, II his soil is better adapted 10 grain
than to grass. his aim should be TO keep mis-
land IN the best condition 10 produce grain.
BE should feed large portion Of his grain
at home, 10 supply his farm with manure
aud to keep up Its fertility. as 2 means Of
production. Then, again, if the farm Is bet
ter adapted to grass than TO grain growing,
1t j. wise TO make stock raising, wool grow
ing, or dairying specially, as the farmers
taste or adaptation shall best qualify him, and
let grain growing be only incidental, as the
needs of his stock require.
A liberal amount OF stock 20 consume the
coarse grain, and 20 manufacture the refuse
fodder Of Che farm into rich manure is the
best economy for the farmer.
Mrs. o. A. Brecli read the following stan
2as entitled