St. Paul daily globe., 1896-04-06
PROF. THOMAS SHAW SAYS MINNIE
sofa CLIMATE IS NOT TOO
SEVERE.
TUBERCULOSIS IN THE STOCK
TO IMPROPER BREEDING OF
THE CATTLE.
CLIMATE BLAMED TOO GENERALLY
Ayrshires Could Be Raised With
Profit, but Cost Too Much to
Get Here.

There has been seme questioning of
late among people interested in live
stock raising as to the ability of Jer-
sey cattle to stand the Minnesota cli-
mate. From the experiments that have
been carried on at the state agricult-
ural school, in reference to this uues-
ton, 1t seems that there need be little
If any fear In fact, it has been shown
that, considering all sides of the ques-
ton, the Jerseys are really the best
stock for the Minnesota farmers to
raise for dairy purposes.
Prof. Thomas Shaw, who has conduct
ed the experiments at the agricultural
farm, ST. Anthony Park, in speaking of
the question to a Globe reporter.
said
L have often heard the assertion that
Mlnnesota'S climate is too severe for
the successful raising of the Jersey
stock, but 1 have never been able to
substantiate the statement, and every
experiment conducted at the farm has
been in favor Of that breed. 1t is fact
that there is prevalence Of tubercu-
losis in the stock, but it is not a nat
ural characteristic; it has been caused
in-and-in breeding has been carried on
to such an extent that the disease is
quite common. But there is no other
cause fer 1t than what I have stated. I
raised Jerseys for a number Of years in
climate much more severe than this
one, and I was successful.
You know there is tendency here to
lay every malady at the door of the cli-
| md s,..,.
done. L have found that one Jersey cow
can be kept well for one year upon two
acres of ground. One of the acres should
be devoted to raising the grain and hay
Tor winter food; two-thirds of the other
acre should be used for summer pas
ture, and the other third acre should
be set out with peas, oats, sorghum and
corn for spelling food. Under these
conditions and with the existing prices
a farmer can make a profit of 500 a head
during year. 1t is easy to see what
man with small farm could make by
raising Jersey dairy stock"
What other stock would you rec
ommend?''
Next to the Jerseys come the Ayr
shire. They are very rugged and could
be raised with profit here But we can't
get them into Minnesota now without
great expense. I do not know Of sin
gle cow of the breed in the state, and,
considering the additional cost, would
advise Minnesota farmers to raise Jer-
seys. 1 am surprised that the people
Of this state do not give more attention
to stock raising. 1t is the best stock
raising section in America, and 1t will
never realize its greatest possibilities
until the farmers take up the industry
as speciality. am pleased to see that
they are in many places and the results
are always gratifying"
do you find tuberculosis existing
among any other breed in the stateo"
1T is found wherever the in-and-in
breeding is practiced, no matter what
the stock may be- The disease is found
In Jerseys more than in others be-
cause this poor breeding has been
carried on with them more. The Ayr
shires, or the Holstein, or the Guern-
seys, or any Of those standard breeds
will be affected with tuberculosis un-
der the same circumstances, and exper-
iments bear me out In this assertion.
farm in Ontario, which, you know,
has a climate just as severe, if not
more so, than Minnesota. The amount
of cheese exported from that section
is marvellous; in fact dairy and stock
| raising are among the chief indus
tries. and the Jersey breed is most
common. They are careful about the
breeding, and have but little tuber-
culosis. But having spent several
years in both places I believe Mime
sofa has the natural advantage over
| Ontario.
'"There is another point that must be
considered. I have always maintained
that, while the question Of breed
should come in as the first considera-
ton, the individual animal should be
noticed. There are poor Jerseys, and
| there are poor Ayrshires, and there
are good COWS to be found among the
common breeds. A man going into the
| dairy business should be able to tell
a cow Of good dairy form at first sight"