Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1908-06-03
Beef Type and Dairy Type.

Time since reported the results of n
years feeding test to determine the re-
lative economy for beef production of
the beef and dairy types Of cattle,
question that is receiving much atten-
tion at this time. The results attained
are summarized as follows:
Dairy type steers showed consid-
erably higher percentage Of offal and,
a lower dressing percentage.
Dairy type steers carried higher per-
centage of fat on internal organs there
by increasing the total weight of cheap
parts.
Beef type steers carried higher per-
centage Of valuable cuts. z
Beef type steers furnished heavier,
thicker cuts; they were more evenly
and neatly covered with outside fat,
showed superior marbling in flesh, were
Of clearer white color, in fat and a
brighter red In the lean meat; but
there was little difference in fineness
of grain.
The low price paid for dairy steers
may be due partially to prejudice, and
to the lower grade carcasses; but 1t is
chiefly greater expense OF carrying and
selling, due to an actual inferlority In
the carcasses.
1t is neither profitable nor desirable
to feed steers Of dairy type for beef
purposes. They are unsatisfactory to
the consumer because they do not fur
lnish thick and well-marbled cuts; they
are unsatisfactory to the butcher be-
cause they furnish low-grade carcasses
which are difficult to dispose Of, and
they are decidedly unsatisfactory to the
feeder because they yield him little
or no profit, and both breeder and feed
er waste their time in producing such
a type Of steer for beef purposes,
FiGhtins Scale Insects.
In nothing do farmers more need ex-
pert advice than in the determination
OF insects that threaten the destruc-
ton Of their hard-raised crops. Espe-
ctal study has been given to the cot
ton boil weeyil, particularly malicious
in Texas and Louisiana. The investi-
CATION shows that dry weather is de.
structive to the pest, but the entomolo-
gists agree that the worst enemy to
the weevil Is the native ant, solenopsis
geminata. Climbing the stalk for the
possible nectar Of the blossom, it en-
counters the weevil and selzes him. The
rapid spread of the ant is therefore
much to be desired by cotton growers,
and as matter Of fact the tribe Is
advancing. Imported parasites have
been tried against the weevll, but with
poor results. This native combatant Ia
best.
Another large field for the entomolo-
gists, both State and Federal, says the
Craftsman, is the study Of washes to
be used for the San Jose scale, the
enemy of orchards from California.
where 1t first appeared. eastward to
the Atlantic border. where it now In
tests peach, plum, pear and apple trees
Lime-sulphur washes have been expert
mented with, the Bureau Of Chemistry
aiding essentially in finding the best
proportions and the best manner Of
application. An efficient formula Is
found to be 30 gallons OF water, 20
pounds Of quicklime and 10 pounds OF
either flour or flowers Of sulphur, boil
ed together for one hour. Salt and
sugar have both been tried with the
above Ingredients, but the bureau finds
they add nothing to the efficacy Of the
lime and sulphur. Various other In
furious growths ON fruit trees are also
killed by this simple wash.
But better, because less trouble. is
the destruction Of the scale insects by
beetles and BIRDS This subject has
received the careful attention of the
biologists Of the department. The
cardinal and grosbeak are found to be
very fond Of the plum scale. which also
infests cherry trees. The black scale
Is now in California more serious
pest than the San Jose, and no lesa
than twenty-nine species OF birds are
known to ent 1t. They include wood
peckers, sparrowA nreos, wrens and
bluebirds. Indeed. flfty-seven species Of
birds feed upon some scale insects and
their eggs. Who knows but that, with,
out the aid Of birds, the various scales
would rob Us Of al our fruits