Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-12-17
THE RAISING OF STOCK
PROFIT FOR THE FARMERS
Raise Cattle for Market and
Cut Down the Cost to Your
self, Good Profit

Not only are we ceasing to export
cattle but our own food supply is being
seriously curtailed. The past two years
have witnessed an alarming scarcity
Of feeders" and consequent high
prices, and steadily decreasing num-
Der of farmers fattening them for the
market. Last season they argued that
with corn at So cents, 1t would be q
risky proposition to take holland
many of them stayed out of their great
regret.
Those who did not go in and feed to
maturity made money and lots of it.
This year there is more corn at a
lower price, and the undoubted scarcity
Of both feeders and beef cattle and the
growing demand by steadily increas-
high prices on the finished product.
History has proven, in this as in
other kinds of business, that the man
who sticks to it"-and learns it thor
oughly-is the one who makes it pay,
and the man who gets scared out cas-
lily usually does so at a time when the
other fellow is preparing to reap his
harvest.
Another mistake some cattlemen
make is in trying to beat the. market.
Like other spectators, they will hold
out as long as the market is rising. per-
haps beyond a slight slump, but invaria-
bly, they ship when decline is well I'M
der way-and help thereby to give the
toboggan another shovel
Why not ship when cattle are ready
for market? Is it not expensive to
hold them beyond maturity? Does not
the cost of extra feed offset any posi-
BILE margin of rise in price? And If
every cattle feeder would do that would
there not be a greater regularity of re-
ceipts at all markets, and consequent
steadying of prices and a more equit-
able distribution of the profits in this
immense and necessary industry?
Stockmen should also gradually work
into raising their own feeders and
should not begrudge the pasture neces-
sary for this refnunerative branch OF
the business. The silo would prove q
fact, silage and alfalfa are destined tc
solve the problem of how to make the
most money raising live stock on corr
belt lands.
There will in all probability be pass
ed in the near future a bill preventing
the sale Of calves under six weeks OF
age, which will be both a humane and
Immensely beneficial measure-a beet
will feed twenty times as many people
as veal and to their better nourish-
ment. How many thousands of young
calves are slaughtered yearly thai
could be easily raised to fully matured
fine beef cattle!
Gilbert Hubbard has said, "It is q
wise farmer who turns his grain into
live stock before marketing" Not
only is it more profitable, but it puts
back into the soil that which keeps II
rich and fertile. Rotation of crops
will not do it alone, commercial fer
tilizer is not sufficient, but, as DR.
w. e. Taylor, soil specialist of Mo-
line, says, THE land needs a certain
element of animal matter which car
only be had from manure" In Eu-
ropean countries the soil is examined
before a tenant goes onto a farm. II
during his tenancy the fertility Of the
soil is depleted he is fined accordingly
If, however, he leaves the land in bet
ter shape than he found it, he is re-
warded in proportion.
Must we pass laws to that effect II
this country? If the present wastefu
overworking of our farm lands is con
tinued it must come to that Must we
reach such an extremity? Why moi
better our methods of our own initia
tive, why not take pride in improving
our own lands? Why not do that which
will build up our farms and increas'
their productivity-and our profits?
The growing population must be fec
and needs meat; the soil must be i'm
proved and made to produce greater
crops-and needs manure; and farmer:
need greater profits which careful stool
raising will alone insure.
AS the result of a most thoughtful
study of the live stock situation, this
is our opinion addressed to every corr
belt farmer:
Get into the stock business-ther'
was never a better time! Talk to your
banker-he will help you to start There
are no better loans than cattle loans.
Don't worry about the markets-th
man who loses is the Spectator. FeeC
your stock, ship when it is ready tt
market-be generous to the earth which
yields you her harvest and sure ant
rich reward will be yours!