Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-09-15
handling Of livestock that will make
success or failure.

success or failure.
First, Study and Observation: The
agricultural department al Washing
on has Issued many valuable bulletins
on every phase of the livestock indus
try, from how to feed and care for
the various kinds, to the disease and
treatments Of these diseases. These
bulletins or booklets are available to
anyone making inquiry for them. The
report on the study Of diseases of farm
animals is~ especially valuable and
should be on every farm where there
is M amount Of livestock Kept. A
great deal is also to be learned by oh.
serving what is done by others in yohr
neighborhood, and also by visiting
fairs where livestock is shown.
Second, Begin Modestly: The man
who has not had any considerable
experience with livestock would be
justified In beginning naodestlE, 50
that IN. n case of failure, the results
would not be disastrous.
1t is also essential that the kind of
stock that are best liked be secured.
We all do better when working with
the kind OF stock we like, or we should
learn to like the kind that it would
be est for us to handle.
Third, Grow Feed: Before getting
any considerable amount Of livestock
on hand, the feed necessary to handle
them should be grown This is i'm
sportant because it makes no difference
N kind of stock, or how much
care may be given, II the right kind
Of e is not available the greatest
success cannot be expected.
The kind Of feed grown will depend
on the kind OF stock that are to be
handled. Stock cattle a be wfntered
through on much coarser feed than
would be suitable for dairy cattle,
while hogs would require more grain
than stock cattle.
Fourth, Water Essential: One con-
'%sideration which is frequently neglect
ed, and causes a great deal of loss in
livestock, Is the matter Of having a
sufficient n available supply of wa
ter. Livestock of all kinds must have,
a good supply of water, or they do
do their best. On man. farms
this is a serious proposition, and one
which will not be easily solved, as
there are regions in which good water
is hard to obtain. Where lakes,
stream or springs r not available,
wells must be resorted to. !.
While stock seem to thrive fairly
well on water that is more alkaline
OF salty than be endured by hui
man beings, there is no reason to sup
pose that suchawater does not have an.
injurious effect on the stock. We have.
Known of cases where dairy cows have
been badly effected by water contain
ing too much mineral salts, while.
in other cases there seem to be no bad
effects whatever. The question of Just
how muc salts the water may con-
tain and still remain suitable for stock
purposes, is q question that can be
determined only by carefully made
trials. In any Ease, the supply Of wa
ter should be sufficient, and some
means for pumping or having it avail
able at all times should be available.
The pumping of water by HAND is
work that is not eenjoyed, and too
often is neglected on this account, to
the l~detrirnent of the stock. Wind
mills, with storage tanks, are very sat
~isfactory, but If there is much stock
on hand, some means of pumping by
other power, such as gasoline engine,
should be available.
Fifth-Fences: The handling of
much stock on the farm will call for
fencing. This is a matter that may
necessitate considerable outlay. al
though it does not require q great deal
to makes beginning. Ultimately all
land should be fenced and & cross
fenced, so that when a crop is remov-
ed stock may be turned in to utilize
the waste. In fact, it has been shown,
by carefully conducted trials, that in
grain fields there is SUFFICIENT waste
from year to year to more than pay
for and keep up fences, when such
waste is utilized by livestock, such
as hogs Of sheep.
There are a few principles in fence
construction that need to be given
consideration. Where it can be af-
forded, the best fences are now made
of woven wire and posts Of cement
o. good wood. Such fences will turn
all kinds of stock, and if properly
built will last without repair for many
years. However, there is a great deal
more Of fence built with two and three
and four strands of barb wire than
there is Of woven wire. A good cattle
fence may be made with three good
wires, while two wires will turn horses
and in some cases cattle may be held.
A good serviceable cattle fence, how