The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1889-11-15
miscellaneous.
THE DEER CREEK FARMERS CLUB.


THE DEER CREEK FARMERS CLUB.
Breeding Horses.
Reported for The EgS.
The Deer Creek Farmers Club met on
November I'd, at the residence of Mr.. r. John
Rogers, near Bel Air. The members present
were Messrs. Jas. w. Hanna, President, Geo.
r. Stephenson Secretary, K. John Rogers,
John B. Wysong, VIM. Munnikhuysen, Jas.
F. Kenny, E. P. Moores and W. D. Lee,
with Messrs. John G. Rouse, David Hanway
and E. B. Whistler guests.
Messrs Wysong, Lochary and Lee were
appointed committee of inspection, and re-
ported that Mr.. Rogers premises were in ex-
cellent condition. The greater part of his
stock being at some distance from the house
and the weather inclement the committee
did not see it. He has several very fine look
ing Jersey cows, and lot of exceptionally
fine Berkshire shoats The corn ground
wheat looks well and the ground shows care
full and thorough preparation. The fences
appear to be in ffrst-class condition. The
ience-rows and fields free of weedsand briars.
He is well advanced with his -husklng.
In fact, Mr.. Rogers name is synonymous
with first-class farming.
AZ lue lhsI iutetiuB VI tuc CluD, III ulsCuSS-
ing wheat culture, one Of the members re-
marked that much wheat is lost by the drill
hoes jumping out of the ground when strik-
ing clods or stones. Mr.. Rogers ingenuity
has solved this difficulty, by fastening piece
of old light wagon tire across the top of the
drill hoes, reaching from outside to inside.
The plan works admirably, hoes runs smooth
ly and rarely lift high enough to show fert.
lizer or wheat
The subject selected for discussion was
"Horse Breeding"
Mr.. Rogers stated he had little experience
in raising horses. A farmer now, in view of
the low prices for farm products, should raise
the horses required on his farm. He had
raised four horses and was offered 5000 each
for all of them. He sold one for $225. He
always had horror of breaking colts. Great
risk generally attends the breaking of a colt
risk of injurng it and risk of spelling it,
Before the railroad was built to Bel Air farm
ers in that vicinity had to haul their hay, a
large quantity, to Baltimore, and mare ad-
vanced in foal was not fit to travel that dis
lance. Therefore a mare for several months
beforehand after foaling was of no service for
that purpose. Now 1t Is different and farm
ers here can raise colts with more profit and
less inconvenience The kind of horses to
raise depends upon mans fancy. He
thinks there is more money in work horses,
and would breed with that view. 1t is rare
chance that breeder gets a fast horse
There ia always demand for heavy draft
horses. He knew of one pair that sold in
Baltimore for 800. The service for track
horses comes nigh-much higher than for
horses of general utility. In handling colt
1t is absolutely necessary TO have careful
man, and farmers generally do not have such
assistance. He thought onc-fourth to one
eighth Percheron blood sufficient. Percherons
of full blood are too heavy for general pur-
poses Few people are now inclined to
raise mules. Young mules, are very mis-
chievous and apt to give trouble.
John Moores thought Mr.. Rogers quite cor
rect in his views. Good horses once sold
high and sell at good price now. 1t costs
little to raise a colt and need be but little
trouble. Some years ago colts received very
little care, even in winter, having access to
hay stack for feed and shed for shelter. In
Hartford county much progress has been
made in horse breeding. At the fair this
year the horse exhibit showed great improve
ment. with some promise of speed. The
breeding of mules is curse TO this county
Mules will not breed and are therefore value
lees for that purpose. An old mule or an in
jured mule has no value. A mare at IL or IA
years IL TtnueTeu uHHJ iOE WbIh ny INJURY
can be used for breeding purposes. Many
farmers are replacing mules. with horses
The mule is not q popular animal. While
not claiming to be reformer the mule is a
great kicker.
E. B. Whistler said his experience in horse
raising was limited. Independent Of the cost
of the service of the horse he had found the
expense of raising colt but little more
than OF steer at two years old. Feeds but
little grain to colts under three years old,
and finds that colt eats no more than a steer
Has three year old colt that he refused $125
for He prefers to breed for ordinary work
horses. Had tried q high priced horse once
expecting to get high priced colt, but
the colt proved to be the poorest one he ever
raised. Farmers generally cannot afford Ia
keep driving horse, and 1t is not profitable
to breed for driving purposes alone, although
a good driving horse sells better than good
draft horse. Percheron horses are too heavy
for general purposes.
r. Harris Archer said his knowledge OF
horse-raising was limited entirely to obser-
walton, as he had never raised horse. His
opinion was that farmers who attempt to
raise colts, as a rule become over stocked. If
correct accounts were kept with colts 1t would
be found their cost would generally equal
their market value. A farmer might raise his
own horses with some profit. For profit he
would rather pasture 20 calves than 10 colts.
From observation he thought the risk
against colt to be five times as great as
against a calf He supposed anyone would
feed colt grain the first years, and thought
it should be done to make greater growth
On an ordinary farm two horses, as general
rule, are sufficient. lfone of them be mare
and in foal much service would be lost. She
would certainly be unfit for driving. His
chief objection to horse-raising is in the tend
ency to overstock ourselves. Colts have no
market value. A steer at 2 years old has and
is easily disposed of.
VIM. Munnikhuysen said 1t pays to raise
colts. He could always sell young horse.
Has seen yearling colts sold at sales ut from
$150,to $175. He has q mare that received
a serious injury, which rendered her totally
unfit for service for several months. He bred
this mare and now has yearliDg colt that
cost but small part of its present value. He
has another colt rising three years old that
cost $18 for service of the horse. This colt
passed two winters in the barnyard without
grain and was fed entirely on hay and fodder.
Had refused $3.50 for 1t. He has two heifers
now fresh, that he could not get over $50 for.
These heifers during two winters past were
stabbed and fed on grain, receiving more ex-
pensive attention than the colt. He recently
sold steer two years old for $40 that was
stabbed last winter and fed on grain. Farm
ers should keep mares in preference to horses.
He likes the Percheron stock but not full
blood. Percberons are not as clumsy as
some assert. He knew of a Percberon mare
% years old that was very active. They will
always sell at good price. Saw a pair sold
in Baltimore Tor $780, He doesn't think
either Percheron or Clydesdale have good
feet. From what he has read of the Ceve.
land Bays he thinks they could be bred with
the greatest profit General utility should
be the farmers aim in breeding. Without
doubt there is more money in colts than cat.
tie or wheat. The Percheron's disposition ia
above reproach. His chief objection TO the