Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1904-08-30
Beef and Working Cattle.
SHEEP IN NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. YOUNG
CATTLE-NoRGAN HORSES.

In your issue of July 30th, in an article
by Mr.. Allen w. Thomson, there was a
statement of much moment to the in
dustry of not only the state of Vermont,
nor alone of New England, but of every
state of the Union, and of America at
large: "There are not quarter as many
oxen in the state as there were fifty
years ago." This statement of fact is
equally true of oxen on the farms of
nearly every state. 1t ia due to this con-
dition that the meat trusts have been
made possible, which have caused the
prices to have risen so high as to have
distressed consumers of meat.
A business man of New York city,
running several farms in western New
York, Mr.. David Tower, has wisely taken
advantage of the local meat demand by
buying up yearlings and steers under two
years old, putting them on his good pas
lures, then wintering them one winter on
hay, straw and silage, then in the spring
fattening them on grass, selling them at
double their cost and keep, thus making
each average him sS clear profit. This
method commends itself to farmers gen.
orally and to New England farmers par
ticularly.
Another plan of Mr.. Tower worthy of
following is the feeding of good mutton
sheep of the Downs breeds in his well
kept apple orchards, thus keeping the
orchards in the finest condition, and the
fruit of the finest quality and largest
quantity. He advises trees to be set 80
or 40 feet apart. Such advice is worth
respecting, as he markets from $4,000 to
IS, 900 worth of fine apples annually.
commend the Dorset sheep for early
lambs, for these always bring good
prices.
From large and long experience, l
cheerfully commend the following state
ment of Mr.. Thomson: "VermOnt is
noted for it's fine horses, oxen and sheep.
Vermont horses are sought for in the
markets on account of their great lasting
qualities, caused by the rich, hilly pas
lures. Horses raised on the hills are
much more enduring, have better bone,
muscle and wind, and are less liable to
stumble than those raised on low lands"
The Morgan horses are the finest for the
saddle, the harness, for the road and for
long drives. They are sOunder, keep on
less food, and are harder than any other
breed. BY persistent effort to accumu-
late the Morgan blood, this most valu-
able breed of horses may be reclaimed.
Their special fitness for the armies of the
world should stimulate this reclamation.
Local meat producing animals should
revive the hope and prosperity of the
eastern farmers. 1t has been claimed
that corn is king, but for the raising of
meat yielding animals and good horses,
grass is the Ultima Thule.
Clear up your worthless fields of brush
and weeds with sheep and Angora goats;
raise for dairy cattle Shorthorn and
Devon crosses, the Shorthorns for milk
and meat and the Devons for farm work.
The properly broken Devons will do
much better and more work than small
trotting horses can possibly do. And
they can be converted into beef at any
time and at profitable prices.
Rebuilding may be expensive in these
two most valuable industries, but it will
broaden foundation for sure profit.
Work as your fathers worked, be as eco
nomical, and prosperity will bless and
encourage the New England farmer.
The French farmers put money into
their purses by raising and working cat
tie. Are we less shrewd than the French?
Our farmers are men of many arts. They
have the best and cheapest farm imple-
ments; they have ability, they have am
bition. May God give them prosperity.
"A. S. Heath, NJ. D., in New England
Farmer.