The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1885-07-16
Rooms Papered Complete, including
Paper for $500 by B. M. Jamison. .i4.I
Splendid Herd

Mr.. Alex. Mcdonald, of the Lynchburg
Neacs, gives the following extract from an
account of his visit to the splendid stock
farm of Palmer 81 Bowman, at Saltville.
Old Augusta has never give Mr. Bowman
up yet, and his many friends herewith read
with interest the description of his SUI
perb herds:
But this is all incidental to the main
business, which is cattle raising. This is
on a scale of magnitude that few are
aware of. 1t Will doubtless surprise all
who read it when | say that it IS claimed
that right here in this Salt Works valley is
the largest registered herd of Shorthorns
IN the aUorld. 1t is comprised of $50 head
of the purest strains of thorOughbreds
whose blood is contaminated by noignoble
crosses. In 1t one sees. indeed, magnif-
cent specimens of the animal kingdom.
This herd is the product of the combined
efforts and liberahty Of Mr.. Palmer land
Mr.. A. M. Bowman, late of Augusta
county. who have united their experience,
energies and pride to build up a herd, the
reputation of which shall not be- confined
to the limits of the United States, and it's
fame has gone abroad. They do not spare
money to accomplish their purpose. For
iristarcess hook at that superb animal, the
head OF the herd, the 9nd Duke of Kent
Last year he was purchased in Kentucky,
and guess for what price. You give it
up Well, yes. you would not come
within $1,000 OF it. Just $1,000 is the
sum wrapped up in his hide. Il He stands
there proudly IN his fifteen-acre field,
fenced off all to himself, literally as pretty,
as picture, and looking as though he
knew his Value and his aristocratic origin.
In an adjoining lot are two COWS which
cost SIS. 100 each. Think of it, $4,000 for
bull and two COWS Most men would
think they were comfortably rich if they
had to their credit in bank the money that
these three bovine specimens represent.
The profit in the business is selling the
progeny of the herd to cattle, breeders in
and out of the State. Many of the calves
go as far as Texas and Arizona
In addition to the Shorthorns. Messrs.
Palmer 4 Bowman have herd of the cele-
brated POlled Angus CATTLE Scotch
breed, perfectly black and hornless. They
are good for beef and for milk They also
have Jerseys and cross breeds in variety.
hope that our people will be able to see
specimens of these famous herds at our
next Fair. Mr.. Palmer is partial to the
Lynchburg society, and if he sends ANY,
where will send to us. The risk and
trouble, however, are so great that he nat
urally hestates before making positive
promise. 1000 az.
/ am now going to speak Of the most
important subject of this letter. and one l
conceive of very great. Importance. 9 L in
vite the attention of cattle men to it es-
pecially. | refer to ensilage as cattle food
for winter. Mr.. Palmer is delighted with
it. He thinks be has found the phil
osopher's stone of success in the cattle
business. Last year he built two silos of
the capacity OF some 1000 TONS These, he
filled with green corn.stalkS, fodder ear
and all, cut line by machinery, trampled
down by mules, and well weighted. In
the winter he opened and found it green,
sound and sweet, and the cattle ate it with
ayidity. But here comes the remarkable
part OF the story. An acre will produce
some eighty tons of the ensiage while it
produces only two tons of hav: and the
product of one acre of the former will win
ter fifteen head of cattle while of the latter
it will winter. only ONES See what. -s.A@xast
difference. The silorS are very simple and
easily built.-7.Afr. Palmer has dem on
strated that tie plan of 1ennstruetlag them,
in the gr0urifi is "a fa1lacy.g His.af built
above ground and at small expense. The
sides are of double planks' with -farred
paper between. to intake them aiEtight.
These Sil0s have hereto fore bees bniIt of
stone or brick below ground, .at heavy ex-
pense but it is demonstrated fact. that
the simpler and cheaper plan as asst las
good, if not better and i. m tie reach. Of
every farmer With The vast benefit they
confer in-taking cattlet through the winter
it will be. strange if they sdossnotg become
appendages of every farm Fifteentp one
IS an advantage WHO h . 4 % ford
TO aisiesaiu. Elax. s5sss,.allT LEE ~