The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1891-01-30
The Egis & Intelligencer
Rel Air. MD. January 80 1881.
GRAZING.
MOST PRoFITABLE MODE OF FARMING.
The Opinions of Deer Creek Farmers.

Mr. George r. Stephenson was in the chair, with
Mr.. james B. kenly Secretary Others present
James w. Hanna, Thos. L0chary, John b. Wysong,
VIM D; Lee, r. John Rogers, r. Harris Archer pehr;
Edward p. MooreS, VIM. Munnikhnysen, Robert
W. Holland, b. f. Hanway, Rush Nelson and +.
w Baker.
upon the condition OF the farm and premises con-
sisted of Messrs. Thomas Lochary, WIN. B.. Hop
the entire club, in their tour of inspection, and re
ported that Mr.. MoOres has a large field of wheat.
Moores said it had been sowed early. His stock
cattle look nice They were on a good strong SOD.
His sheep which are pure bred Shropshires, can
Uttered, has water in it, which is supplied from
eistern; is well sheltered from wind and storm and
his stable is comfortable. Mr.. MOores has some
very fine Jersey cows
GRAZING.
Mr.. Moores said the subject of "GraZing" had
suggested itself to him, while the members were
inspecting his cattle. 1t is his opinion that there
is still money in farming provided the farmer can
regulate his expenses properly On one of his
fields OF about 80 acres he cut last year 70 tons Oh
hay. On another of about the same size he fatten-
ed 20 head of cattle. They had IN addition. the
advantage. of the second growth on the moved
have fattened Them The profit on the cattle was
nearly 5000, while the profit on the hay at 81 ton
would be S445. Besides the difference in cash, the
land is left in much better condition after grazing
than after moving. ON a moved field he would
expect more than 10 barrels of corn TO the acre
while on graZed field from 10 to 20 barrels might
be raised. After moving field for three years it
is in poor condition for corn and crop is uncer-
absolutely certain. he had never raised large
crop of corn except upon land which had been pre-
viously graZed. His permanent pasture has been
plowed only in 40 years and then had 900 lbs.
of bone to the acre applied to IL. 1t has had very
little manure 4Iner tham dhe nr t pf 81 e
short corn, worth from 81 to Sl.25 barrel, and
wintered in the field on fodder Feeding the short
corn not only helps his cattle but fattenS his tur
keys. his neigh6ors' chickens and the crows
Natural grass will come by feeding on the field
better than in any other way. Kentucky blue grass
might give sod more quickly but that costs money
and farmers must do everything they can with as
little outlay possible. 1t costs about 81 month
winter cattle in the barn yard, when YOU count
the cost of hauling out the manure. This cost
nothing when you winter them in the field. Til,
fodder should be fed on the bare places About
2s acres of fair land will fatten steer. and he
profit on the steer ought to be s25. The manure
fit. therefore, would be $40 an acre.. Mr.. Moores
said he had af %qe d Pa H 6ens @
barnyard, and in the spring the hens were worth |
more than in the fail. Sheep can be grazed with as
much profit as cattle. A permanent pasture is not |
absolutely necessary for grazing cattle. They can
be fattened on timothy and clover. He never
knew, but one man in Hartford who failed when |
handling cattle and he had no sense.
John B. Wysong said that at present prices fat
farmer can do Sheep fed on fodder OH pernan-
ent pasture will improve land: Grazing adds to !
he Sracticed TO " limited extent on ordinary
farms, and he regarded it as doubtful whether it |
would pay to buy provender to improve land by |
feeding cattle. Grass appears to grow better |
where the ground is packed as it is by cattle.
Edward Z. M0OreS said more money Is made |
with less work by grazing than in any other way
To be enabled to Craze mixed husbandry must be
practiced. man must raise provender to feed
during the winter the cattle he expects to Craze
the following summer. If man bought cattle in
the spring and made only Sl.5O per head per
monsi on them during the summer. it would pay
better than cutting hay. After moving a field
year after year it is long time before it will pro-
duee good crop With clover and dta fodder Id fn
stock he can Craze during the summer.
r. John Rogers remarked that there is no profit
i'm hau of anf rDriRn il n
land and il you charge it with the cost of harvest
ing there is little left. Almost any kind of stock
farm pas However should raise all the grain he
needs for his stock. Grazing is the cheapest way
James B. keniy said every farmer who has land
that will raise good quality of grass should keep
Grazing is the easiest way to make land better and
to keep the fertility afterwards, He feeds nearly
an OF ms hay corn straw ana iodder 70 eat.e
giving larger range for the remainder. He is
thereby enabled to fatten more cattle than he could
the year is better divided The harvest is not
large as there is not much hay to cut and the cattle
give work for the winter season. An acre of corn
fodder with straw and shelter. will winter steer.
William ID. Lee remarked that Mr.. Moores had
given practical Illustration OF tne pleasures ana
bers had just enjoyed. The only way money can
be made in farming is by grazing On thin land land
1t isa losing business to depend solely on grain
and hay.
ID.
stock sufficient to eat all his rough feed and pas
ture as much as possible. He graZes dairy cattle,
keeping them well stabbed in winter. The stables
are cleaned out every day and the manure hauled |
out and spread. Since he has been doing this he |
When he bought eommeTciaI fertilizers i His cows
average 800 lbs. of butter each per year. He is |
feeding entirely on bran this winter, at cost of |
about $3.50 per month for each cow-using the |
lightest bran he can get, and feeding about lbs.
to each animal per day. Twenty-Five cents per ID.
for butter the year around is better than raising
wheat He raises all his calves and feeds his pigs |
on skim milk. The only way to improve land is by
K Harris Archer said.it had long been his opin-
ion that the manure from cows is not as valuable |
as that from steers. MIR. Moores conceded Ill the |
VIM b. Hopkins thinks there is still some money |
IN farming ana more IN grazing IMAM man, IN RAISING
general farming. Besides farmer can raise colt |
now and then His plan is to feed fodder and rough
feed to cattle during the winter and Craze them In
The summer.
Thomas Lochary said it depended on the kind of
Craze cattle or.not A little place will not stand |
grazing to any extent, More stock can be kept if |
they are fattened in the stable They can thereby |
be made ready to sell in May when prices, generally |
good, and you have the advantage OF being |
r. Harris Archer said an old farmer once re-
marked that the secret OF profit in grazing is to |
have more grass than you have cattle An old sod |
is not essential to fatten cattle, although you can
fatten more stock per acre on it. Good clover and |
timothy will do as well. Cattle should not be sui |
fered to run all over the place. After being Kept
field for three or, four weeks he would take |
them off for awhile and let shower or two of rain
come and wash off the grass The cattle, will
then eat it with more avidity. A man must learn |
to buy as well as to sell cattle.
James w. Hanna said sheep will improve land |
as much as cattle. The largest corn crop he ever
es-aised was on land pastured with from IS to 80
ted in sheep will pay better than in |
ohts OF % ewes VIII pay the cost OF
left When V you Set YOUR 5rot from steer that is
the end of the transaction. You can always more |
than double your money ON stock ewes, One |
cost 1925 head, the lambs sold for $3.50 head
and he had the wool besides. Where you have
cattle Sheep require more care than cattle, espe-
cially in lambing Time With large lots Of sheep it
is better to divide the fields into lots and separate
Them. When a sheep gets sick it should be re-
moved from the flock at once.
Is more profit in sheep than in any other kind Of
stock; He keeps some Of all kinds and both grazes
and staiIcfeeds He had found raising colts more
eight now. He prefers box stalls to haltering
horses and teaches them to be led while they are
sucking colts. colt should be broken before 1t is
hooked up This can be done by pettiDg and talk
ing to them. II you treat them kindly, you rarely
have to whip them when you hook them up. It
costs no more to raise colt than steer. A colt
should be fed well the first year.
Geo. R. Stephenson, the President, said that in
proportion to the capital invested there is more
money in sheep than in any other stock. He did
of sheep that may be successfully kept on one farm.
II the flock is increased there should be increased
snces o fbe sbeen nt bev ea
the grass off. The hurdles then moved to
another place. If 20 acres pastured with sheep
1t would be better divide them into two three
lots and move the sheep from one TO the other. On
asma farm man can not successfully Craze cattle.
He would, in fattening cattle. reverse the methods
recommended. He thought it more profitable to
feed cattle rough provender and grain the first
winter, put them on grass the following spring, be-
gin feeding them grain early in the succeeding fall
and continue until mid winter, by which time they
would be fat and he could get more money for them
He would lay in new supply early in the fall
ANY farmer can do this if he don't cut so
much hay. BY this mode you get the benefit Of
your corn crop Immediately, and although you
keep your cattle on hand longer, you do so at a
profit.
Mr.. George r. Stephenson was elected delegate
and Mr.. Thomas LOchary an,alternate to represent
the club at the next meeting OF the State Farmers
Convention.
The club will hold its next meeting at the resi-
dence OF the Secretary, Mr. James b. Keniy The
topic for discussion is: Seeding Land to Grass"
hartford HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
A Valuable Find of Old Papers by DIR. G.
w. Archer-The Mineral Resources of Har-
ford.
Reported for The Egis.
The Hartford Historical Society met in the Court
House, last Saturday morning. In the absence of
President Forwood Vice President Colburn pre-