The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1910-02-22

OF Farm Animal and Increases
Their Market Value.
BY J NJ. KELLY.
Only q few centuries ago the ances-
tors of most of us were barbarlans
without local habitation. and living
largely by the products OF the chase.
In the course of time q few OF the
wild animals about them We're dones-
ticated At first probably tor pay
things for the children. and for COM
partnership for adults, and finally for
their value as food and clothing.
Then the pastoral life began.
When in his upward development
man became wise enough to teach the
OK and the horse to draw a load,
when he found that either Of them
could. as a draft animal. do as much
work as ten men, and that by using
one OF them man could increase his
productive power ten-fold, and by
using two twenty-fold; and finally
when he learned now to teach four
or six OF them to work as a unit,
he man had increased his working
efficiency forty. and sixty-fold respec-
lively. Then he became able TO pro-
duce more food than himself ana
family required and he also had the
means of transporting the surplus TO
considerable distances. Then com
merce grew, and civilization began.
The money value of the domestic
animals Of the United States exceeds
$4,000 coo. 900. What part of TINS
value comes through their domestica-
ton cannot be accurately stated, bat
it is a very large part. as one Will adj
nit If he considers of how little value
would be all the horses II at once
they We're to return to their orlglnai
state as wild horses: or if the cattle,
al at once could be change to the
condition, the nature and the dlspo-
aitIon of the wild cattle OF the original
forest and plain.
1t Is probable that more than nifty
per cent. OF this value comes through
the kind treatment their ancestors
have received. and which has changed
their disposition. so that this dispo-
siton is now inherited and also Is
strengthened by continued kind treat
ment.
ALI who handle farm, animals know
that their value is affected by their
disposition, This disposition comes
from the state OF the nina,
and the state of his mind toward us
depends upon how WE are treating
him.. whether kindly or cruelty by
Kindness he is made trustful, fearless
snd dociie; by cruelty suspicious
fearful and intractable.
That animals have a mind is q fact
that all who have to do with them
should realize. They are not like the
machinery Of the farm. which II d
man neglects and misuSes. hurts only
his pocket book but if he neglects and
misuses his animals, he not only In
lures his pocketbook but does him
self a more g%rievous wrong. Some
times probably. there Will be written
a Psychology Of h lower animals, as
highest animal. There Is ample ma
terial for it. and it would be a profit
able study for all engaged IN animal
huSbandry.
Animals have memory, they re-
member whcre to get food and drink.
where they were comfortable. where
they were injured and where fright
ened. They remember where their
home is, and often. il taken from 1t
will travel long distances, climb high
mountains, and swim wide rivers TO
return. They remember the Volce or
a kind master. and manifest JOY at
his coming; they also remember the
voice OF q cruel master, and viii nee
st it's sound, or If flight Is impossible,
will plainly manifest their horror AT
his approach.
They have curiosity, especially the
young, and will xami a new oDJect
with great care, looking at 1T from all
sides. and from various directions:
they will smell Of it, taste of it, and
with their sensitive lips, feel Of It
They seem to enjoy acquiring kno"l-
edge.
They are sOciable. To them there
Is a pleasure in the society of others
Of their kind, hence they so in herds
and fiocks. and even sometimes they
show great pleasure in the cOmpan
tOnship Of animals belonging to an
entirely different order from their
own, for example. a horse and q dog
have been known to be very con-
genial companions, also a GOV and
Il pig.
They are capable Of forming habits,
and the great law by which their
habits are formed is the one by which
mar forms his habits, repetition, and
they, like man, are bundles of habits.
The chains of habit are strong to bind
them.
They awe individuality. AS nc
two people are quite alike. so no two