Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-09-27
FOR THE FARMER.
Advantages Of Raising Cattle on Farms In
stead Of on the Ranch aud Free
Range,
Suggestions for Summer Seeding Of Grass
and the Rlddancc of Weed Seeds.
BEEF PRODUCTION ON FARMS.

BEEF PRODUCTION ON FARMS.
So much has been written during the
past few years about the profits of beef
production on the range and ranch that
many farmers owning from fourth to
an entire section of land have come to
the conclusion that they can not sue
cessfully compete with the "beef bar
ons" in supplying the market with
meat. They accordingly rejoice that
the president has turned these gentle
men out of Indian Territory, and has
ordered their fences removed on all
parts of the public domain. That these
orders will result in diminishing the
profits of the range and ranch men
and increasing those of persons who
Keep cattle on their own farms seems
certain. In the future capitalists who
are able to purchase several thousand
head of cattle can not appropriate
large tracts of land belonging to the
nation or included in Indian reseiva-
tions and devote them to pasturing cat
tie on which they pay no taxes. Per-
sons who keep stock on their own
farms will be nearer on an equality
with the ranch and range men in the
matter of expenses. They can not do
as extensive business, but the capital
they have invested in it will pay as
large dividends and be subject to fewer
chances OF loss. In all probability the
competition of the ranch and range
cattle will diminish year by year.
ln many respects the man who keeps
cattle on his own farm has better
prospect for success than one who
keeps them on a ranch or free range.
He can have personal oversight of
them all the time. II an animal is all
ing he can take it from the herd and
nurse it till it becomes well. He can
recover his animals if they are stolen,
though thefts will not be likely to oc-
cur in civilized community. He can
give extra feed to young cattle that do
not thrive well on grass alone. He
can inspect all his animals every day
and note the condition of each. He
will experience no losses by having an
imals stray away from the herd. He
can furnish them with cut food during
times of protracted drought He can
furnish them with protection during
storms and throughout the winter sea-
son. He can keep them free from ver-
min. lie can so manage that they
have an abundance of pure and cold
water at times when cattle on the
plains greatly suffer from thirst. He
can furnish them with salt with very
little trouble or expense. He can pro-
tect them from the sun by raising trees
or building cheap sheds. In short, he
can keep them in the best possible con-
dltion to thrive and gain during the
entire year. Few of these things can
be done by persons owning large herds
OF cattle left to roam over the great
western plains.
Much has been written about the
rapid increase OF cattle kept on the
range ana ranch. But the increase on
farms Is stlll greater. Many calves
are iost when large herd Is left IN the
hahus OF COWBOYS. COWS that have
recently dropped calves are in an en-
ieeoled condition and require special
care lhey are llabie to many diseas-
es' such as ieVer ana caked Dag Un-
less they are taken from q herd and
carefully nursed they are likely to die.
a "o'herIess cai1 on the range or
fahch Is almost certain to die. There
are no faciiltles Tor bringing 1t up by
hahd. hood nursing Is as necessary
10 me raising oil large herd OF cattle
as TO bringing up family OF children.
on the ranch and range 1.-THE httest
survive out on the farm nearly all
40 oh larih COW VIII, IN addition
10 bringing up call, furnish a large
amount OF mi1k To be used IN the fami-
~ 10 De used IN making butler and
cheese or TO DC led to pigs Calves
can DC weaned on the farm much bet
Ter thah on the range or ranch. They
can at the proper age be Isolated from
the herd. fed on skinned milk or CRU
ell. and gradually taught to eat grass.
hay. and grain. The mothers. released
from the care Of their calves, will soon
gain in condition ond ilesh Range
and ranch cows are kept poor by their
calves during the entire summer and
fall.
Persons who raise cattle on farms
will always enjoy monopoly in sup
The flesh of cattle unprotected from
storms and compelled to pic up their