St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-02-16
AMONG THE HORSES.
ur. De CRAFTS Mode of Wintering
Stock Being Accepted as the
Most Rational Way.
Mr.. Bradford's Opinion on This Subject
Backman's Stations - The HambIetOn
ians as Sires-Yaluable Suggest ions.
a Proposition for Northwestern Assoei-
ation-Phlllas Against Maxey Cobb
California Matters
Mr. De Crafts Way.


The statements heretofore published in the
GLOBE in regard 10 the fact that Mr.. Charles
A De Graf, of Lake Elysian stock farm,
keeps his stock in open sheds all winter, even
when the mercury denotes 80 or 10 degrees
below zero, have provoked widespread dis
cussiou, and many are the doubts expressed
as to their truth. These doubts have now
been set at rest by the plain, straightforward
statements made BY Mr.. De Graft himself in
the GLOBE two weeks ago. What Mr.. De
Graf then said is being copied into all the
papers in the country OF any note, that make
breeding a specially. Mr.. De Graft starts
with the idea that The air inside box-stall
on the prairie is no warmer than it is out
side; that IS 10 say, thermometer hung on
the outside Of such n stall would record the
same degree Of temperature that one would
hung inside. Toe only advantage to the
box stall would be simply to protect the anil
nal from the cold wind and the storm. The
temperature Of the atmOs phere is not at all
moderated by its being boarded in. This is
tine foun dation idea OF Mr.. DeGraff's theory.
When he cut out that three-acre tract on the
south side of the woods, and put his sheds in
there, it was for the purpose of giving his
stock a place where it should be thoroughly
protected from the cold blasts and storms Of
winter, and where it should have plenty
OF fresh air and room enough for free
exercise in the dry Minnesota air. This
Mr.. De Graf regarded as being much better
than for the stock TO stand all day ant night
breathing again and again the old, dead,
poisoned air of the stable or box stall. The
condition of his stock is such as 10 demon
strAle tie correctness Of his theory and prac-
tice.
10 making this experiment Mr.. De Graft
has done something for the benefit Of the
state, aud this should not be forgotten. He
has forever destroyed the great bugbear that
ii the minds Of some people in regard TO
The detrmeut our cold weather is to raising
stock. Mr.. D. Graf is of the opinion
be taken care Of, and that
an animal with weak lungs can never be of
much value as trotter, or in any other ca
pac.tv. To give an animal good lungs it
must have plenty Of fresh air, no matter if it
is cold. This cannot be hau in box stalls or
barns. Ia this respect Mr.. De Graft has done
the state ! service that will be Of great value
10 il.
In this connection It viii be proper to call
the attention Of tue reader 10 what Mr.. Fin
lie, OF MoOrhedd, said at the recent meeting
Of the Trotting and Pacing Horse association
In tins city. Some Of the gentlemen present
affirmed that trOtting and pacing stock In
Minnesota was necessarily at disadvantage
in regard. to training compared to
the stock raised In Kentucky and California,
for the reason that young STOCK cannot be
driven here during the winter months as 1t
can in the two states mentioned. Mr. FiDkle
denied the truth of the statement and demon
strated the soundDess of his position by the
assertion that with but very few exceptions
be had driven his stock every day this winter.
Tnis is precisely the way Mr.. De Graft
Dc m0nsiratcd the soundncss of his views in
regard to raising his stock in open sheds.
He did it,. There stands the fact, and it up
sets all theories to the contrary. This is what
Mr.. Grattan calls the proof OF the pudding,
viz: Chewing the string" II Mr. De
Gran can raise stock in open sheds, others
can no the same. II Mr.. Finkle, who resides
many miles north OF st. Paul, can drive bis
young stock every day during the winter,
other breeders can do the same thing.