St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-03-02


the letter to be found in this department OF
the GLOBE to-day. 1t is an important paper,
and will be read with great interest by all
breeders.
Mr. TaDofi,t Gires HIS Tietcs on VinteF-
ing Stock.
To the Turf Editor of the Glohe:
SUMMIT FARM, near st. Paul, Feb. 81
Dear Sir As Mr.. De Crafts method, and the
subject Of wintering stock in Minnesota, is
attracting widespread interest l deem 1t
duty to contribute my experience, and give
facts and information pertinent thereto; and
as preliminary and Introductory will say |
am no fancy breeder but a straight-Out
farmer, was born and bred on a bluegrass
farm in Kentucky and was a farmer and
stocl-raiser there before removal to Mime
sofa in 1873; since which time have operated
farm here near St. Paul and another
bonanza in the Red river valley.
HOW HE KEPT THEM.
In the summer and fall of 1873 | bought
large number Of work horses to be sent to
the Dakota farm, in Rchand county, the
following spring, and these horses were win
tered outside on the farm here in sight OF
the city. They had not halter on and did
not 90 into stable or shed during the win
ter of ls7S-70. had several large ricks OF
timothy hay stacked out in the open field,
and to this hay they had free access and
lived about these ricks night and day with
no other feed except the grass they got by
ranging over the field and paving under the
snow Eighty rods away from the hay ricks
was a thick growth Of timber and ravines,
and in the edge Of the timber
long shed and stable. The doors Of the
shed were kept propped open and finally to
tempt them the stable door was left open too,
but not one of these gentle horses would
stand or stay in the timber, shed or stable,
but preferred TO stay out in the open field
around these hayreks the whole winter.
When the billiards. and wind would blow
thew protected themselves by going on the
opposite side of the ricks. They were sup
ulied with water, and / never saw horses
thrive better, and in the spring they came out
fat. The same winter | kept five of the most
valuable horses had in the stable and fed
them all the hay aud grain they wanted but
these five didn't do so well and
we're not so healthy as those
that ran outside all winter. The lower
animal, like man, will thrive best when You
give him liberty My horses have their free
dom and privilege to run out at will every
winter and are now out at the present time,
aud have been out at the hay ricks through
all this cold winter, and are wintering them
selves in splendid condition. During this
winter they have had shed to go to, and
some of them have stayed in the shed the
coolest nights, others have not been in the
4, TO-, tn fahI
county, Dakota, winter horses and cattle in
pretty much the same way as here. The
bank or slight bluff of the creek affording
protection there, aud with plenty of good
prairie hay and water they thrive well and go
through the winters fat and sleek. Under my
management / have little work and no
trouble In winterng stock here in the North
west. The animals take care of and winter
themselves.
IN SUMMER TIME.
In hay-making time / stack certain long
ricks in locations where l want it for the
stock TO run To during the winter, and moth
ing else is necessary TO be done except to
give them a daily supply of water aud leave
the shed door open II you choose, but they
will rarely go in 1t. By the time winter sets in
.he hay rieks have settled and become com
pact and solid, as though pressed, aud rs the
stock feeds at the stacks no hay Is wasted,
!he ground being frozen and dry. What
hay Is dropped under their feet Is picked up
clean. Horses waste emphatically no hay,
cattle waste little, but no more than If fed
by hand In the usual way.
When a rick of hay is nearly eaten M, or
eaten uto so that it is about TO topple over,
then, to avoid waste and prevent the stock
III 10 l..
and haul It of or leave the wagons standing
there in the field and the stock feed at the
wagons until the hay is all eaten up.
DON'T DGpiusoN THE STOCK.
From my knowledge Of the habits and dis
position Of wild aud domestic animals have
educated myself up to this primitive stage Of
their treatment WITH great success. The sim
pie reason they thrive better when turned
loose is that then they get all the exercise
that they require. ! say don't imprisOn your
stock In close barns Close aud costly barns
are iihe ornaments TO farms aud good 10 put
grain in, but be who puts his horses and
cattle in them viii hardly prosper. To the
farmers Of the Northwest | emphaticaIy
recommend chean sheds and the ground for
floor. II you are not working your aui-
mails let them run loose, give them freedom,
ApeEtE anu let tuem NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS., /
say, at will. Let them rua TO the hay riks
aud the straw riks aud give them water,
they need no grain, and you VIII soon see
they are harder aud healthier aud doing
better outside. II your mares foal or cows
calve in The winter time. let them loose in the
shed where no other stock can disturb them
With little straw or hay on the ground floor,
aud they will take care OF aud protect their
offspring the eoldes; nights BY breathing
upon them.
ms lost no STOCK ny EXPosURE.
have never lost al animal from cold or
exposure. Stock does not suffer in this
climate from cold II intslligeutly handled
Il i The vet climate Of the Eastern and Mid
ole states that chllls stock 10 death. With
plenty q provguder aud range stock will
~ through the winters Of Minnesota aud
Dakota ia good condition. without any shell
Ter save she aadulstious OF the land sud Gods
starry ornament above. Montana is recox-
mixed as a great stock country, and vet Il Is
as cold there as hery-the mercury frequently
falling 50 : aud 20 : below zero Minnesota
aud naktta uot oaly equal Montana in stock
growing. but being mere fertile are the gran
arv % TIE world possessing every element
desired 5y an agricultural people. and nov
that the p-i,s % grain has declined
cur pTsir'es auc Red river valley viii grow
In fame as a stCcS country.
rRE RLcE GRASS
IN th.s connection T vish 70 state that he