The National tribune., 1896-01-30
OUR RURAL TOPICS.
Some Practical Suggestions for Our
Agricultural Readers
Shorthorn Cattle.

However estimates of the shorthorn as a
dairy breed may differ, all stockmen unite
in chasing it among the best beef breeds.
That the shorthoru worthily holds this place
at the head Of the list was proved in the late
New York stock show, where the honors
were carried off by a shorthorn heiier, who
won the grand sweepstakes for best steer or
heifar, any age, breed OF grade.
Abroad the verdict Of the Fat Stock Show
at Birmingham was confirmed at Smithiield,
where, at the very best show ever held.
sh0rthOrn heifer, Frederick, was again the
victor, sweeping all before her and securing
the cup for the best of her breed. the cup
for the best female, the championship for the
best animal in the show, and the Queens cup
for the best animal bred by the exhibitor.
The total prizes won by the heifer at the
show amounted to 81 600 The victory was
a popular one because the heifer was the
property of the Queen. Like the American,
the English champion belonged to the
CTUickshank strain of shOrthOrn. Frederick
was sired by Volunteer, which was by the
great SittytOn bUll GOudomar, whose dam
was by Cumberland. Tidy Girl, the Ameri-
can champion, YVES sired by Gay Monarch
IuC NltibAN VI IAtiN Viii WIS a SURPRISE 10
many, for heiiers are not generally highly
esteemed here as butchers cattle. though
they rank above steers abroad. These two
independent successes are likely to boom the
breed and cause increased demand for short
horn cattle.
Wheat under Irrigation.
Three years experience in wheat growing
have convinced the Wyoming Station of the
great advantages Of raising wheat under irri-
cation. By this method a certain crop,
larger yields and heavier and better grain are
secured and the fertility of the soil is main
tanned. The cost of raising wheat is put at
from $3.50 to S1336 per acre. Estimated
cost upon 40 acres or more by the use of i'm
proved machinery, S7.75 per acre. Profit
varies from $1.73 to $16.70 per acre. Aver
age profit is $lO16 per acre, which is 10
per cent. income upon a land valuation Of
over 500 per acre, OF over 40 per cent. upon
a land valuation of S25 per acre.
Cost of Milk Production.
Prof Wing, of Cornell, in his summary Oh
Bulletin %, on "The Cost of Milk Produc-
ton, says: "Our records of this herd for
the past year seem to warrant the following
conclusions
''With fairly good herd, carefully fed
ana kept, mix can De produced Tor 3D. cents
per hundredweight, and fat for IS cents per
pound for the cost of food consumed.
That individuals Of the same breed differ
more widely in milk and butter production
than do the breeds themselves
The larger animals consumed less pounds
of dry matter per /, 900 pounds live weight per
day than did the smaller animals.
That in general the best yields of fat
were obtained from COWS that gave at least
fairly large flow OF milk.
In general the COW consuming the most
food produced both milk and tat at the low
est rate"
CIubrOOt In Cabbage,
For clubroOt, or foot, as it is variously
called, in cabbages, turnips, etc, no remedy
or sure prevention has yet been discovered
save strict rotation. Never plant cabbages
or any other member of the same family