The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1897-05-19
parts of the country, and take back but

parts of the country, and take back but
about SO for 1t. The worth Of his time.
labor and team is equal to half of this,
and ususally more. When the labor
of caring for the crop and gathering is
considered, the corn grower mas moth
ing whatever for the use of his land.
The condition is deplorable in the case
of the renter who must give one-third
of the crop to his landlord.
The growing of corn and oats west
of the Missouri River is, therefore, not
at all profitable, if produced with tha
intention of selling outright. The
farmer must plan to reap the manu-
facturer's profit by feeding it out on
his own ground. 1t is ordinarily esti-
mated that twelve bushels of corn fed
in the wasteful way on the average
farm should produce 100 pounds of
pork. This means more than 20 cents
per bushel for the corn, at the average
price of gross pork during the past six
months.
1t is true that the farmers labor is
increased to take care of the hogs. 1t
is also true that the hogs furnish en-
ployment to the farmer If the farmer
produces 1900 bushels of corn, and by
feeding it to his stock secures $12O adj
ditional fer it, this means $40 per month
for the year, payment for his pains,
which should not amount to more than
one-fourth of his time. This estimate,
however, is but an exceptional one. The
very careful stock grower will realize
double this amount on an average with
all kinds of meat producing stock, as
average returns during any period of
ten years. The worth of the grain is
not to be computed from the direct re-
turns which follow feeding it out. The
combination Of grain in moderate
amounts with hay, fodder and other
rough food gives the grain usually a
much enhanced value.
Besides this, a judicious mixture of
several kinds of grain usually forms a
ration which yields greater returns
than any single grain alone. There is
further economy in feeding a parIcu-
lar grain at certain stage of the ami
malls growth. During considerable
part of the summer and autumn, it is
economy to feed no grain whatever to
some OF the stock. Again, under ether
circumstances, it is the poorest ecsno-
my to neglect feeding plenty of grain.
In winter, the weather is below zero,
nearly every domestic animal should
have a moderate ration of the most
condensed form of one OF more of the
grains produced on the farm. The
animal nature calls for fuel to main
tain the heat Of the body at this time.
A considerable waste Of flesh and
vital energy follows neglect to sup
ply heat-producing food. Buildings
and proper shelter from the winds
form substitute in part for heat
producing food. In the milder climate,
in winter, plenty of dry hay or other
provender tends to balance up the RAJ
ton of grazing, roots, vegetables, etc.
In the frosty weather the animals will
find considerable worth in the dry food,
wbAaver it be, and this dry food may
beused as substitute for corn or other
grain when such condensed food is not
available.
The farmers who can in no way pro-
vide stock to consume their grim,
should make every possible exertion to
carry over for another year as great
portion as can be held, as there is prob
ability of much better value within the
coming twelve months.
With the great amount of cheap
money talked about now, honest men
should be able to borrow moderate
amount of funds on good, sound grain
that is carefully stored.
Every effort should be made to grow
pigs and lambs the coming seasSn.-
Farm, Field and Fireside.