Cut Bank pioneer press. [volume] (Cut Bank, Mont.) 1909-current, 1916-01-07
i've STOCK AND FENCING

O'O ehCio was al OppOrtun0
time for the farmers on the prairie to
invest in livestock, that time is now.
The northwest never produced a crop
like that of the past season. While
the price of wheat is less than was
expected, it is relatively good COM
pared with the prices paid in recent
years, with the exception of 1914.
While no doubt much of the return
will be wanted in other ways, surely
some of it can be spared for making
ia beginning in livestock for those
who have not had any. The one Oh
stacle In the way is the high price
which stock commands. 1t is not so
'hlgh, however, but that the farmer
who has been favored with a big
crop of wheat may not spare from
the proceeds enough to pay for a
couple of cows or a few brood sows or
far small band f sheep. This win call
for some Fencing, but the amount cali
ed for need not be large. A begin
ming will thus be made. The stock
will soon increase, and ere long the
farm will be stocked to its full ca
pacity.
II the question is raised which kind
of stock should be purchased, the
answer is that circumstances should
determine the Investment, where
there is a family, cows should be
bought. Where there is no family
sheep or swine may answer the pur-
pose better. Another man may pre-
fer to raise horses from the brood
mares which are used in doing work
of the farm. The natural tastes of
the individual should govern also,
at least to some extent.
h danger is on the part of those
who invest in stock that they will
want to purchase more than they
should. The American farmer sell
dom wants to begin in a small way,
and there is merit in such an ambi-
ton, but like an unruly steed, it
should firmly be kept in place with
bride and bit. 1t would be a great
mistake for one to go largely inH
keeping livestock for one who is not
well used to the same. The person
also who does not live on his farm
and who cannot give it close per-
sonal supervision should also go slow
ly with livestock investment.
If the claim is true and it certainly
is. that the areas now devoted to the
growing of grain exclusively will give
"a better return when farmed on the
mixed farming plan, why should it
not be thus farmed, and why should
not the farmers generally begin to
farm it thus, A few animals on the
farm may carry through in a year
when the grain crops are a failure.
In nearly all areas of the northwest
a COW can be carried for a year in
good form OF the produce of from
three to four acres of land, should
the products grown be winter wheat
for pasture, and corn and alfalfa for
fodder. This can be done on almost
any dry land farm. The cream
from that COW should be worth $500
per. year in the average market. Her
calf well raised should be worth $50
in a good market at ore year old.
The return on the cow and calf for
n year should be $125.OO.
The two should be kept during that
year on the produce of five acres.
This would mean a return of $25. 90
an acre. OF course the labor must
be taken into account. The man who
can do that can live nj make some
money on the dry land farm.
But should it be objected that the
farmer and especially the beginner
in northwestern areas where the mar
kets are not well adjusted cannot get
these prices, which is probably true.
Then let a deduction be made of 20
per cent or one-fifth of the whole,
the return from the five acres is
or $4,000 an acre. Now if the
dry land farmer can get a return OF
$4,000 an acre for his labor, where
he any ground for complaint.
though it took seven acres to
the two animals there is still
s14.00 an acre and it is a sure thing.
Twenty bushels of wheat per acre in
dry areas is not a sure thing nor are
IL bushels always sure. have seen
in the northwest during recent
months. one acre of which had en-
ough of food nutrients in it to feed
a COW for a year.
THOMAS SHAW.
Meanwhile, Constantine gaily whets
his knife and wonders in lust what