The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1888-03-30
FRIDAY MORNING.
Talks by Supt. Gregg, DR.. Dickson
and Dr. Currv0r,


and DR.. Curryer.
This mornings session was we'll at
tended. Chairman Brown called the
meeting to order at ten o'clock, and said
that he perceived by the many faces be-
fore him that one night in the city had
not had very bad effect on them. He
presumed that the farmers had taken
their boots off on retiring the night be-
fore. Although his own nose was red
he assured the audience that it was ow-
ing to the coldalone.
.Supt. Gregg was then introduced, and
took for his subject, the cow, using Illus
trations. The two main troubles with
the cattle of the State are the wretched-
ly bad iull bloods and the bad use made
of them. We must use full bloods to
make a success in cattle raising, but I'M
less we make right use of them We had
better leave them alone. There are
many classes of full bloods that had bet
ter be branded, and the mark should
mean Glands off," We should leave
them alone. The average COW of Mime
sofa is an absolute failure and humbug,
and it is no wonder that the dairy inter-
ests are no better. We have some of
the finest dairy blood in the world in
this State, but it is SO badly mixed with
full hoods that they are weil-nigh
worthless. We must have the right
types of full bloods-
Mr.. Gregg then took for special sub
ject "the dairy COW" as opposed to the
beef form. The dairy form was made
for a purpose, the same as web foot for
swimming bird. The question of breeds
is merely a matter of choice. Some are
better for one thing and another for
another thing. In selecting ii COW for
quality the speaker did not know of a
single external point whereby it could
DO judged. Tie speaker then took up
the points Of good COW.
The mouth of "a dairy bred COW is large
because she is large eater. She must
supply food for herself, her young and
her owner. The pounch and udder are
also large. In beef animal, which Is
mIserly in its habits and soon becomes
barren, the mouth is smaller. The next
point is the eye, which should be large,
because the nerve and milk qualities are
developed at the expense of the bone
and muscle. The only place that the
nerve system shows itself outwardly is
In the eye. The speaker had never
known the eye point to fail. The eye
should be quiet, as quietude in the nerv-
GUS system is wanted. In crossing the
dairy and beef COWS, once in great
while a good mixer can be obtained,
but not often. The time of the speaker
was up, and he left off just before taking
up the third point, to take it up later.
At this point Chairman Brown read an
alleged telegram from Grover Cleveland
which caused no end of amusement.
DIR. w. Dickson was introduced, and
spoke upon "Odds and Ends" He took
up first the subject of kindness to dumb
animals. If farmer takes good care of
his stock there are very few cases in
which he wants assistance. When an
animal is really sick the farmer should
obtain the very best advice in his power
and then follow it. Branching off, the
speaker said that the farmers should
raise farm horses. They are always in
demand, If they are of good stock. There
Is also less risk in raising them, and it is
not hard to break them. They are
ready for work year earlier than other
kinds. Geldings should not be raised
by farmers. 1t doesn't pay.
The question of weaving colts and
breaking them was taken up. Fall
colts should be raised, as they can be
turned out in the spring, and have green
food. They should not eat hay or oats,
for they become lean and backward.
The way to wean fall colts is first to teach
them to drink SKINNED milk, and eat
bran and linseed and little hay. If he
doesn't drink milk easily, put him with
other colts that do. Wolf teeth have no
connection with blindness in colt. If
they are irritable remove them your
selves, as there is no need to employ
any one to do it. Lambers should not
scare farmers much, nor do bots do
much harm. The stomach of horse is
the natural winter residence of the bots,
and if physic is given him they will dig
Through the membranes and do
harm. Distemper is another common
ailment with colts. The first thing to do
is to give fresh air to the colt. Many
stables could be much improved in the
matter of fresh air. The feet should be
kept in shape. The long toe furnishes
the difficulty that brings on ringbone
and other bone troubles. The wooden
floor and the bad blacksmith are the
horses worst enemies.
Chairman Brown here entered into q
little discussion on the hog, which he
promised to continue as opportunity
would permit.
DR.. Curryer was introduced and spoke
upon the education of the horse. A
horse has mind and is capable of re.
ceiving an education. Horses vary in
intelligence and dispositions as much as
man and have many Of his propensities.