Vernon Parish Democrat. (Leesville, La.) 1917-193?, 1919-08-23
THE SCIENCE OF FARMING
By w. A. Dougherty, U. S. D.

large numbers of cattle are fed, they
should be moved to different fields
during the feeding period and the man
ure plowed under. In three expert
ments in Alabama, shelter other than
that furnished by trees, under growth,
etc, proved unnecessary for mature
animals. Sheds are absolutely essential
in feeding calves for the market.
Notwithstanding the fact that the
type Of the animal is of very much
more Importance than the breed, there
some breeds Of beef cattle which are
better suited than others TO the South.
The different breeds are not so entire
ly similar as to prohibit the possibility
Of making a mistake in the selection Of
one TO suit particular farm or com
munity. The question is often asked,
What is the best breed of beef cattle
for the Southp" The answer to this
general question cannot be given by
naming any one particular breed.
There is no such thing as best breed
of beef cattle. One breed may be es-
pecially adapted for certain purpose
or certain farm or a certain section
of the country, while another may be
better suited for different purpose,
different farm, or different section
of the country. 1t is, however, very
often possible to answer the question,
what is the best breed of beef cattle
for my farm, when the adviser is per-
fectly familiar with both the charac-
teristics of the breeds of beef cattle
and the farm.
The Shorthorn, Hereford, Aberdeen
Angus, and Galloway are the promin-
ent breeds belonging to the beef type,
while the Devon and the Red Poled
are, at least for the South, the most
important breeds belonging to the dual
purpose type.
The Short horn is well adapted to
the South, but they are not as early
maturing and do not Craze as well as
do the Herefords. On farm, however,
where the pasture grasses are well de-
veloped and too much effort is not re-
CURED to get a sufficient amount to
eat, il would be difficult to find a
breed of beef animals which would sur
pass the Shorthorn. Polled Durham
cattle are really Shorthorns, except
that they are hornless.
The Hereford breed Of cattle ha:
been materially improved within the
last ten years and now ranks as one
Of the most prominent breeds Of beei
cattle. In fact this breed is now pro,
baby the most popular in the South
In size this is one Of the largest breeds,
ranking next to the Shorthorn. From
the standpoint Of the average farmer
the weakest point IS their inability to
give large quantity of milk; in fact
the cows average low in the amount
Of milk produced and are open to crit
icism in this respect. The breed is es-
peciaIly well adapted to southern con.
ditions. For many years to come the
South must necessarily be mainly a
grazing district. On account Of excep-
tiond vigor. rustIing ability. a thick
coat Of hair. and temperament. shs
Hereford has taken first place as a
grazing animal. The Hereford IS q
more vigorous animal than the Short.
horn, and on this account is often cap
able Of securing a good living from
pastures which afford a too limited
amount Of grass for Shorthom cattle
No breed Of beef cattle equals the
Hereford for withstanding the unfav.
orable conditions which always accom-.
pany the range system Of farming
Hereford bulls have accomplished re.
markedly fine results when crossed
with the native COWS Of the ranges 81
Texas and the western stases.
The Aberdeen-Ansus differs some
What from the shorlhorn and Here
. ford. The body as a rule being lower &