The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-10-07
Farmers Sh0uld Raise Their Own
Horses and Mules.


Horses and Mules.
When one compares the prices OF
horses and mules with cntton, it would
seem the greatest folly for Spara"hurg
farmers tn depend IN western mSrtrt. fol-
their farm animals. Last winter good
mules ranged from Sl20 to $l5U. That
is equal to four bales of cotton at present
prices. To bring mule through till he
is three years old, provided the farmer
has a pasture, will not cost exceeding
$75. The fact is q two-hor.e farmer will
never miss what colt eats, unless he
belongs to that class that has no pasture
land and buys his horse food on time.
Home raised colts are always hardy and /
do not have to be acclimated and hard
ened like western stock when brpught to !
this section.
A pasture set in Bermuda grass will
cheaper the price of raising colts very
much. This differs from the wire grass,
and is easily kept within its own limits.
Five acres OF fair upland or branch bot
toms set in this grass will afford sufficient
pasturage for ten head OF stock from the I
first of May till killing frost. All stock
likes the grass and it gives milk and but.
ter good flavor. Clean cultivation will
keep it from spreading Ifiti desirable
to cultivate the Bermuda pasture the sod
should be turned in the fall when the
grass has been killed. The freezes Of
winter will kill the roofs Narrowing 4
and cross plowing in the early spring
will pulverize the soil and prepare it for
q crop. A Bermuda sod will Increase tho
fertility of land so to 100 per cent. II
requires two strong, steady horses or
mules to turn the sod. -
1t is always considered cheaper TO-
raise mules than horses. They mature
faster and thrive under circumstances
that would keep horse colt poor. Bat
the true idea in raising colt of any sort
is to keep it in thrifty condition all the
time. Never allow them to get dead
poor" just to tonghen them. Even when
colts have the run of pasture small
grain ration once day will help them
very much. With this treatment will
pay for their keeping after they are two.
years old. The most salable mules, ss
we'll as the most desirable ones for our
farms, are the active, lively medium
mules. To raise such good Jacks are re-
quired, and few stylish, we'll made. fell
lows about fifteen hands high would
prove a paying investment in this Coun-
ty. A farmer, or ueighborhood, that
would purchase such s<Jack would not
lose anything. In fact it would be- g
paying investment.
Now, if our farmers determine to raise
COllo, SOIuo VI Luou Will uoSo w suhn
over new leaf. The fact is they will
have to tear out the old ones and throw
them away. A man cannot spend half
his time riding around to political meet
ings and to the little towns and raise
colts with any success. he will have to
give up western corn and hay. About
one-third of his cotton land will have to
90. He must plan for an abundance OF
forage for his work animals as we'll as his
colts. If he attempta to raise them on
liens they will cost twice their worth.
The Nan who can slways;spSre horse
or mule or milch COW when the demand
is strong and the price high, i. in pros
porous condition. He who is always
short on work animals aud has to buy on
time will keep behind. Let spartanbnrg
County begin from this date to raise
more small grain, corn and hay, 10 as b
be able to raise colts which will always
be in demand at good prices.-Spartan1
bur1 Spartan.