The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1885-08-26
Testing the Animals ON the Farm.
lPhiladelphia Record

Ihlladelphla Record.
Public tests of celebrated dairy cows may
be eli but little value 10 the average farmer,
as be does not practice the modes of feeding
during such tests nor give the same care
and management 70 his stock. But tine tests
are valuable. as indicating what an animal
can he forced TO do If the conditions essen
1ial 10 success are complied with. Now, the
farmers business is to discover what the
conditions for the success of his stock are.
He may have the examples of others as
guides which will materially assist him; but
there are conditions, however, peculiar 10
his own circumstances, to which he must
conform and in which no one can assist him.
His soil, buildings, water, shade, quality of
pasture, method OF feeding and kind Of food
used are all important factors to be be con-
siGered. So far as the denial of the
utility of public tests are concerned, tic fact
remains that the serve as beacon lights in the
direction of which all must steer. 1t signi-
hes nothing that the product Of the COW may
apparently exceed the nutritive value of the
food consumed for the figures are stern, and
point EnerTingly 10 the realization OF the OBJ
ject sought, and through the high-pressure
public tests may be of kind not approved
OF by the farmer, yet they open up 10 him
wide field for reflection, and teach him that
while lie may not hope to equal such, yet he
must also test his stock. if he is to succeed
without regard to capacity.
Every animal on the farm should be teSteG
whether cattle, sheep, swine or horses
The ordinary COW should have her merits
known to the dairyman, and he should
familiarize himself with her qualifications
not only as a mixer but az To the kind and
quality of food best adapted for her pur-
poses, and the most profitable. \ COW may
give only twenty pounds of milk a day and
Yet be an excellent animal If she can pro-
duce that amount at low cost, while
another COW IN the same herd may yield
thirty pounds per day and yet prove un-
profitable compared with the other. the
eve should give twin lambs, but it is more
important that she should give them suifi-
cient nOurishment, as well as yielding for
herself fair average of wool. The mare
may be Serviceable for all kinds of work and
yet be unproductive as a breeder, while the
sow. though bringing forth large litters of
pigs, may be unsuccessful with them as a
nurse. Nor are the males to be excepted.
The quality of their get is important, while
they must give profit for themselves as
individuals.
in order TO know each animal ii must
therefore be tested, and not only tested dur
ing certain seasons but at periods ranging
over the whole year IN order to thoroughly
understand the conditions. Then the feed
itself is 10 be tested, as it differs in quality
at certain times. A crop of hay one year
may be different substance from that OF an
other time and hence the results obtained
ltllOus MlllCl uOl always ell
Tighten the farmer to his proper course at
another time But such tests Will materially
assist him TO avoid mistakes previously COM
mitted, and teach him where to ecomize and
when TO be liberal and generous with his
stock.
Public tests demonstrate that there is no
limit TO the capacity of an animal "a long as
the conditions are not complied with. She
may be able to do more without having been
given an opportunity of so doing, and thus
il is on the farm The farmer should not
condemn his animals until he has faithfully
endeavOred to give them the full privilege Of
demonstrating their capacity, and when he
has performed his part he will then know
that his profits will be according to the
quality OF the stock, as he can retain any
such as have proved themselves worthy Of
his confidence, while the inferior class will
be discarded, the result being that the stock
will be gradually improved and the profits
increased.