Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1912-12-19

I number OF cattle 10 an ebIiinAeeu q"
per cent Of what the country has nor
mally carried. Manp thousands OF
head were sold before winter set In
because OF starvation and exposure
but the actual loss, measured In dol
lars and cents, was much less than
the loss sustained nearly every year
through the attempts OF the farmers
to grow wheat In this same region.
The surprising thing ID that this
loss in live stock, when considered
In tho light of the above facts, caused
more worry and concern among farm
ers and business men, generally, than
the repeated loss OF the wheat crop.
The reason for this is apparent
when analysed. The loss OF the i've
stock was the loss OF q tangible IN
come producing mortgageable secur-
ity: or, in other words, the loss OF
actual wealth-the thing that kept
tho average farmer from bankruptcy.
The wheat crop is a liability; the
cattle crop an asset.
The encouraging feature about 1t Is
that the farmers who have stayed long
| in the country look to live stock as
their only possible insurance against
being compelled to leave.
The peculiar system of rainfall on
the Great Plains Area, speaking OF
that portion south OF the Kansas Ne
braska line, insures in all but the ex-
ceptional year, such as year ago, an
abundant supply of feed for the grow
ing of all classes OF live stock. The
silo. which is no longer an expert
ment but a tested and proven insti-
tuition in this region, is opening up
new fields of opportunity for the
stockman. 1t has been demonstrated
! that even in years like last year there
need be no shortage Of feed, and tnat
Kafir and cane are most excellent
silage crops. A supply sufficient TOT
two or three years can be carried as
insurance against such disaster.
This country is facing q shortage
of cattle. Prices are higher than ever
! DetOre knOWu. lHS SASSS
center Of the Central Mississippi VAL
lev will, in all probability, be unable
to keep pace with the demand Of the
future. The western ranges are, TO q
large extent, broken up. These vest
ern ranges, as small ranches and
farms Of not less than a section IN
extent, may yet produce many times
the number Of cattle that the old
range conditions furnished. The
farmer can grow feed; the range men
could not. The farmer can grow feed
where grain fails. The farmer can
store this feed against a time OF
drouth. The farmer can give his per
sonal attention to the improvement
of his stock. The stock farmer car
preserve the fertility of his land and
build I'D its drouth-resistant qualities
Every argument stands for the en-
couragement and development OF a
vast live stock industry on the Great
Plains. Let the stock farmers ano
the business men organize for tina
purpose. Encourage the growing Of
crops that have proven resistant u
unfayorable conditions, such as KatiiH
Milo and other sorghums. Build stor.
houses against the time OF need
Learn from the experiment statlon'
what is possible under the best con
ditions of culture.
The business men and the bankers
hold the secrets of the community al
do no other class OF men. Their yer
dict Is based on business necessity
The man with live stock has credit;
the grain farmer has none.