The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1910-04-02

THAT there Is live stock situation in
Illinois. and 10 lesser eStcnt through
out the corn bolt. Is evident TO all who
have taken sufficient interest in the matter
TO svo II serious thought The writer has
given the subject much consideration and the
object OF this article II 10 set down some
facts and observations which may assist In
clearing tho vision and pointing the way
to a rational Increased interest In animal az
fairs.
y comprehensive inquiry among farmers
throughout the state of Illinois conducted
under tic direction OF the writer shows con-
clusively that the whole there IL wide
spread tendency 10 abandon live stock pro-
duction. Briefly stated tho causes which
have most lnrgely contributed in bringing
about this condition are:
1. For brief periods grain farming has
boon more profitable than live stock produce
tion because, temporarily. the price OF feeds
used largely Ia the production of live stock
have been relatively higher In price than
animal products. These relatively higher
prices for grain have caused very material
extension OF grain growing, especially OF the
acreage devoted To corn. To secure addl-
tional areas Tor corn farmers have been
piowing up old blue grass pastures. Elimina-
tlon OF pastures from a system Of farming is
quickly followed by a very pronounced re-
ductlon in the number OF live stock
2. The most profitable production of meat
animals has hitherto been associated with
cheap lands. Tic opportunities for stock
raising offered by these cheap lands In vari-
sections OF tho west. southwest and
northwest have lured many successful stock
men from the state. Tho opportunities OF
thoso newer sections as compared with NIL
nois for tho exclusive grain grower have not
been equally attractive. hence there has been
a tendency for n large exodus OF live stock
producers. while the grain growers have moro
largely remained.
3. The great difficulty of securing tenants
who have had successful experience in live
stock management tends stll further to de-
crease the number of live stock kept. This
Is an important consideration. for the inn
preston prevails that there is n strong tend
ency toward landlordsm and tenantry
4. Tho extensive exploitation OF a simple
system OF exclusive grain farming that when
properly followed looks toward a permanent
agriculture
5. There has been and still is n very gen.
eral lack of appreciation of tho value of farm
manure produced by live stock on tho farm.
These wcighty considerations and.
operating together or singly. II Is wonder
that they should have II profound influence
in bringing about radical changes In systems
of farming.
Live stock forming furnishes the oppor-
tunlty To many intelligent workmen for con-
tinuous rcmunoratlvc work In the country.
greater intelligence and skill In tho farm
laborer. whilo such systems OF farming dis
tribute the work 10 be done more evenly
throughout the year Some systems OF live
stock farming especially the more inten-
SYc forms. Ike dalrying. furnish a greater
amount Of work Looking at the subject
from the standpoint OF public good, therefore.
1t would seem highly desirable TO encourage
systems OF live stock production. particularly
as population increases.
do not wish to bc understood pleading
for the extension or even the preservation OF
particular systems OF live stock farming that
do not fit the times ard conditions. Some
forms OF live stock production should and Will
be Abandoned; others. notceably dnlrying and
poultry raising. viii DC greatly extended.
Contrary 10 the opinion that has been fro
| quently expressed 1t Is not true. except In
| minor instances. that older agricultural ooun-
| tries like Germany, France. Holland and Den
| mark arc abandoning live stock production.
| because OF increase In population. in most
! instances. rs has been shown elsewhere. live
stock bears about The same relation TO pop
ulation that IL did several generations ago.