Page 1 |
Previous | 1 of 18 | Next |
|
|
Loading content ...
^Lf^iWEEKCr VOL. XXV. INDIANAPOLIS, IND., FEB. 1, 1890. NO. 5 INDIANA BREEDERS. The Live Stock Associations of the State in Annual Convention. Good Attendance—Increased Interest. Reports of the Different Meetings Held. The State Industrial livestock associations held their regular annual meetings in this city last week, and the usual congregation of farmers and breeders at the capital city interchanged opinions and ex peri" ences in the past year's work, and went home amply repaid for the time and expense. These yearly meetings area valuable means for the dissemination of practical knowledge and should receive the hearty support of every stock breeder in the state. Their beneficial Influence can hardly be overestimated. The attendance this year was perhaps not as large as it should have been,but each association shows quite a list of new members, and taken altogether, tbe meetings were a decided success. We give below a report of the proceedings. THE WOOL GEOWEES. Fifteenth Annual Meeting of the Association. The 15tli annual meeting of the I ndianaWoolG rowers' Association convened ln the State Agricultural Rooms on ihe 21st inst., and was called to order by tbe president, I. N. Cotton,of Traders Point. Thirty members were present, and the Interest manifested was very encouraging to all. - PRESIDENT COTTON'S ADDRESS. Gentlemen of the Indiana Wool Growers' Association: We have met to-day In our fifteenth annual meeting as wool growers, and not only as wool growers but as mutton producers. And we shall endeavor to take a retrospective view of ourconditlon and progress. Aud In doing this we will not do It ina narrow and selfish way, but with that spirit which looks to the bettering of the larger number of this nation,, knowing that when tbe larger number is benefitted the Individual Is likewise benefitted. There never was a time in this country as now when the agriculturist is looking in every direction to discover the product of the farm that will give him the best returns for his labor, and many eyes are turned to the sheep. And while we have lost in number we have gained In value, not in the increase of price of wool per pound, but In quantity; for we have in the last twenty-five years doubled the clip In pounds and improved It iu quality, and who would dare say to-day that we, as a nation, cannot produce wool of every desired quality, from the covering of our floors to the finest broadcloth and worsted worn either by man or woman. Some are in favor of flooding tlit:. country with foreign wool. What would be the result? Some one says, cheaper clothing. And what docs cheaper clothing mean? It means cheaper labor for the wool grower, cheaper labor for the spinner, cheaper labor for the weaver, and cheaper labor for the tailor. And what does all this mean? It means less food for those laborers or it means a less price for that food, and who does that less price strike? I answer the farmer, the producer of the bread, beef, pork and mutton that the laborer consumes. Let us increase the number of our sheep from 43,- 000,000 to 100,000,000 shearingC00,0«-,00j pounds of wool, doubling the number of sheep, doubling tlie number of farmers raising sheep, doubling the number of factories and factory hands and tailors, diverting their labors from some other overproduction, while we feed these men and their families on our corn, our wheat, our beef, our pork and our mutton, the sheep consuming tons of hay, acres of pasture and thousands of bushels of corn and oats. Why shall we not divert millions of capital and thousands of laborers fr^m other Industries of which there Is overproduction rather than to allow other nations to crowd their productions onus. This increase of sheep and wool would enable the producer, the mechanic and the laborer to purchase and consume the more food and clothing, to build better houses and barns, and patronize schools, colleges and churches. It would give employment to a multitude of men and women, and rich and poor alike would rejoice In the prosperity. Foreign flock-masters and the enemies of our national Industries alone would suffer and howl. Of all stock raisers, the wool growers have the least cause to complain of depression so far as the sheep relates to human food. The sheep to-day is bringing the best price of any of the domestic animals that go to the butcher's block. The principal reason for this improvement is found in the confidence given to the trade by certain rulings given by the secretary of the treasury in relation to the class- iflcationof wool and woolproductsand theincreased duty which foreign wool has to pay In consequence of said ruling. The present demand for mutton shows that we are -becoming a mutton-eating people, and the wool grower may become a mutton grower. We are now annually consuming over one sheep to the adult in habitant. The history of growth and progress In this country clearly develops tlie fact that whatever seems essential to convenience and health of the people is what they will have, und also that when there is a demand for any product of tbe land, American enterprise and industry have always been ready to supply It. Man, Individually or collectively, never gains any material results by inactivity. I would therefore recommend a vigilance on all subjects of legislation whereby our interests may be protected and advanced. And as long as this Government collects iU revenue by tariff", or any portion of lt, the wool grower should not relax his effort to secure his full proportion of that tariff. Why shall our representatives in Congress strike especially at the wool grower aud place him on the free list? The fanner is to-day bearing the heat and burden of this Government. And as long as the ballot remains in our hands if we are trampled down it will be our own fault. Let us demand of the custom-house officers a rigid enforcement of our laws in the collection of revenue on wool. We have reached a period fn the agriculture of the country when success in farming means the maximum or greatest yield of products; the minimum or smallest yield means indebtedness, hard times, self-dental and poverty. Mr. J. R. Dodge says that sheep above all domestic animals, show a decline in numbers from 1884 to 1889 but are increased in value. This undoubtedly shows that we are drifting to the mutton sheep. For the Increase In value can not be attributed io either increase in number or Increase In valueof wool, Secretary Rusk, in his recent report,says: "I respectfully call your attention to a fact full of •significance. In this connection. There have been serious Interruptions to the prosperity of the wool growers since the reduction of the tarlffof 1883; the number of sheep have apparently been reduced 7,000,000, and the importation of wool has increased from 78,3W>31 pounds tn 1884 to 126,487,7*j the past year." Upon the sheep and wool Industry of this country the burden of this loss has fallen. Organisation is the order of the day. Then, let us not only bold our wool growers* organization, but find means to more closely unite all the live stock and agricultural organizations, not only of this State but of the whole nation fn one solid effort not only to protect ourselves but to act for ourselves. We, being In a majority, should not be asking for this or that legislation but should legislate for ourselves* Let us look about and see how it Is, regardless of party. If there is an office to be filled, tbe farmer may get one In a hundred. RAISING SIIEEP POR MUTTON. I. J. Williams, of Muncie, presented the above subject in a very creditable manner: lie said: This question has been one of considerable thought, yet there Is a diversity of opinion among good judges, but 1 will answer the question by saying now, for if we raise sheep Just for mutton, why not abandon them and raise cuttle. In raising sheep the wool will pay for the keeping, if we breed for mutton, we decrease this profit, and therefore we must not breed for one thing alone. If all sheep breeds were to breed for mutton, then the entire wool trade would be turned over to Australia, and this would raise the price of wearing apparel, or turn the entire wool business over to our Merino friends, and we all can not afford to wear such fine clothing. Therefore in order to gain a requisite amount of profit we must raise a sheep that will combine both wool and mut ton. If we drop the wool market, we arc losing that which we should have, for If the wool pays for the keeping, then we have the lamb as a profit whlchjisgood Interest on our money, for illustration take £100 In the fall, buy 'JO ewes for $7-., and one good ram for $33, lu the spring you will have 30 lambs worth $3 73 per head, which would be £73, which will be 73 per cent on the money Invested. Now In the fall you will have $30 worth of wool. Sheep breeders can sell the mutton at the same price of beef, and make more money, and the sheep do not tramp the ground like cattle, and their fertilizing qualities are better. The Hon. Calvin Cowgill, of Wabash, read a lengthy article on HOW SHALL SHEEP HUSBANDRY RE MANAGED TO SUPPLY OUR HOME CONSUMPTION IN WOOL. He began by reviewing the great sheep industry of the State, aa well as the entire country. He showed by statistics the decrease iu the sheep market, as well as the price of wool. He showed conclusively that bj' proper management enough wool could be grown In the country to supply the demand of manufactures. He advocated the protection of the wool traflic by a rigid tariff, thereby shutting off the importation of wool from other countries. His address was listened to with great interest and was discussed by all members present. AMERICA VS. ENGLAND. Jno. L. Thompson of Arcana, discussed the subject. Can the keeping of sheep be made as profitable in America as In England? This subject was ably handled by Mr. Thompson, who has made yearly trips to England, and therefore Is welt versed upon the subject. Among the many good thoughts he advanced the following were noted: He first spoke of the meaning of profit, what consists In profit. Then be dwelt upon the cost of keeping sheep in England, their pasture and the advantages that existed; the price of mutton and the only way to get a good price for It was to have a good market. The manure of the sheep was far better than any other animal. The reason sheep husbandry failed in part in this State was because It was not managed on business principles. Glancing briefly at the past, present und future of sheep husbandry, he gave some good thoughts on the Improvement, on care and management. We want better breeds; every farmer should keep a small flock. It will be a good investment, and bring him good returns. The cheap price of land is no bar, for poor land can be made good by having sheep to graze upon it. Have more -iyfetem In your dock management, then let us learn what to sell, when to sell, and how to sell. If these three things be your motto, you will surely succeed. EXPERT JUDGES. Tbe following gentlemen were selected as expert judges: s. W. Dungan, Franklin; J. W. Kobe.Greencastle; Cal Darnell, Indianapolis; T. C. Phelps, Greensboro; J. 11. Tomlinson, Fairlatid; Thos. Nelson Uloomingdale. PROGRAM 18-K). President's address. The wool and mutton Industry of the United States, S. W. Dungan, Franklin. Care and management of sheep as regards better profits, 11. F. Ging. Star, lud. The merits of Cotswold for wool and mutton, T. C. Phelps, Greensboro. What would free wool do? A. C. Cotton, Traders Point. Crossing of sheep, J. M. Miller, Upland. Diminishing herds, J. N. McCampbell, Marshland. ■Shropshires the best sheep for the common farmer, Marion Williams. The papers on Silos and ensilage, by L. R. Skinner, and Depression of the wool market, by Joshua Strange, will appear in full, later. At the election of o.tl cers the following were elected for the ensuing year: President—I. N. Cotton. Vice.president—Cal. Cowgill. Secretary—J. W. Robe. Treasurer—J. L. Thompson. JEESET OATTLE BEEEDEES. Eighth Annual Convention. The eighth annual meeting ofthe Indiana Jersey llreeders* Association held a one day's session in the Agricultural rooms on the 17th Inst., and was called to order by President Jenkins, at 11 a. m. The attendance was better than heretofore, and the Interest manifested, showed conclusively that the Jersey people were wide awake as to their Interests. Though few in numbers, no association in the state can show a better record than the Jersey breeder when It comes to making a display of their products, they pride themselves in their butter making art and are always ready to come to the front when called upon. The morning session was occupied in Introduction and greeting, and the entering of butter for awards. At the afternoon session, the program was carried out, the first on the program being the president's address. Sevcral events have transpired in the Jersey world-since we last met iu our annual meeting, which have tended to raise lu tin. estimation of ev.*ry Jersey breeder the value of this'breed of cows, As the boys say, "Things are coming our way.* Numerous public auction sales have been held Jnd ffcrent parts of the country, ami while, us is usual in such instances, the poor ones have sold at low prices, the good ones have averaged up well. Ry glancing over the list of transfers we find that abont 11,000 Jerseys have changed ownership during tho year, being about the same as last year, and about 1,000 more than in 1SS7. The last volume (XXX) of the Herd Register,issued last year,shows the total number of females registered for lHn. to be 5,-K.., exactly tbe same number as for 1888; and males l.JWO.a total of 7,939 head; a falling offof4oo in the bulls. The great event of the year perhaps has been tbe sale of the Oaklands Herd, containing the famous Mary Anne of St. Lambert, and her daughter, Marianne Pogis, besides others, only less famous tban they are. The result was looked to as a crucial test of the real status of Jerseys before the world and was certainly entirely satisfactory. Indeed it was a remarkable sale, all things considered, the best ever made. Mr. Fuller's cattle averaged over $000 apiece, and the highest price of the year was reached at this sale, $3,300. The great butter cow, Mary Anne of St. Lambert, sold for $3,100. This is In sharp contrast with a 34 pound cow of the Holstein breed that sold at public auction for $800. After this, the largest prices were reached In the regular annual sales of Tennessee. Rut the feature In this direction of tho year has been the number of private sales made at good prices. And this brings us to the BUTTER TESTS OF JERSEY COWS. Eighty-three Jersey cows entered tho 14 pound standard list in the past year. The highest record being the 31 pounds 9 oz., made by the cow Mrs. Knickerbocker, owned by Jas. Still man, Esq. Fourteen of the 83 cows made 30 pounds in seven days, and while no phenomenal yield of butter has been made by any one cow, breeders are better satisfied with the result. More 14 pound cows. Tbe reputation of the Jersey cow has been won by the tests she has made. Cows of this breed have been tested oftener than those of all other breeds put together, and the tests have been made with the utmost care, andunder every practicable precau tion to prevent either error or fraud in the results. So tested the Jersey cow has proved herself incomparably (-superior to all others, botb as to tbe quantity and quality of her butter. So identified with the test has she become that it may be spoken of as ft Jersey institution, Introduced and kept up by her. While the number of tests reported does not equal last year's reports, and the largest Is not so great by two pounds there Is one feature made prominent this year tbat marks au important gain for the Jerseys in the public mind, that is the bringing out In strong relief and establishing by every test, whether of science or common practico, tlie fact that the Jersey cow can put a pound of butter into a smaller quantity of milk than any other cow in the world. In other words, tho most noted t .-sts of 1889 have beon directed, not to finding out how much butter, but the ratio of milk to butter. This Idea has spread beyond the tests and has formed a prominent feature in tho butter conferences that have attracted so much attention, especially in New York. It Is essentially a Jersey Idea. The weather gets very warm In tho South in midsummer, but It was exceedingly "hot" in and about Columbus, Tenn., at times the past season. I refer to the tests of the cow Toltec's Fancy. Tbat there was an attempt made to throw discredit on all the largo Jersey tests, by trying to prove that the milk of no breed of cows was rich enough in fats to produce the amount of butter claimed to have been made by the Jersey is to my mind a certainty. The Jersey breed, through the last lest of Toltec's Fancy, has proven beyond any cavil that It contains cows that give milk so rich that less than 5 pounds of U will make a pound of butter; milk which is almost pur;* ereain. This richness of milk or largo production of butter cannot be obtained by every Jersey cow; neither is there any great number of AxtolIsorSunoIs. These butler tests and richness of milk un. found only In tbis breed of cows. It is not worth while to challenge a comparison of theso records. If there havo been any butter tests made of ojber breeds of dairy Cows, I have not seen them ; except a few tests made by the Holsteins. ■ Another step forward In this d! recti on, are the ro" ports of the work of whole herds for a year, or for a mouth. One has but to.look at tlie records, to find that very many Jersey dairymen keep actual record of the work of each cow ; and of tho whole herd ; and in every Instance the result is satisfactory. In butter tests at fairs, whero no butter is made the Jersey Is usually beaten ; but when butter is actually made by the churn andweighed by thoscales, the only true te*.t, as lhat Is the way It is made and goes onto the market, "our Jersey" always comes out ahead. Concerning high tests and high feeding, I will say that nothing has occurred to change my opinion from last year's. 1 am still in favor of high tests (forced testsi, but not to the Injury of tho cow or race. Seven-day tests are good guides as to what a cow will do; "JO days are bottor and the yearly tests toll exactly the capacity of any cow. Feed well, food high if you will, always keeping on this sido of the danger line. Train your cows to «ivo all tho rich milk and make all the butter they aro capable of by feeding rich food in proper proportions, which is easily determined by any practical farmer or dairyman. Tbe Jersey cow can bo pushed to ber full capacity without injury and be made to yield the maximum amount of good butter, or sho can be left to plod along aud barely make her expenses. Test your cows at home; see how much butter ouch will make for one day, one week, one month and year; how many pounds of milk to the pound of butter, and how much feed it takes to do it. If critics hold np their bands in holy horror at the result, keep on with the work just tho same. Tho power of tho Jersey cow to produce butter in large quantities, economically. Is her salvation, ami 1 might say the salvation of the dairy. Tlie private tests of tbe Jersey cows will not down; tlio "hellabaloo" raised about tlie honesty of these records only served ns a stimuleut. It attracted tbe attention of many who would not otherwi*-.** have noticed them and the careful observer will also havo noticed that some of those fellows who were loudest iu denouncing Jersey butter tests are quietly falling into lino. The most Important lesson of last your, related to tlie ratio of milk to butter. It has long been known that It took less Jersey miik to make a pound of butter, than of any other milk known; but ft was only during last year that systematic efforts were mado to learn tbo comparative richness of milk from different herds representing different breeds. This has been a prominent point in the reports of butter conferences of New York, as made by Col. Curtis. At every conference It was found that there was a wide difference between herds, as to the amount of milk to tlie pound of butter, lu every instance in whic there wore Jerseys or Jersey grades in the herds tho ratio of butter In tho milk was very markedly increased. This Is of course as Jersey breeder- would expect it to bo. Thoso uniform results will unquestionably prove of benefit to tiie breed, tend to render it more popular with dairymen. This, as operating to increase tho market for Jerseys, is a matter of interest for all breeders, but my purpose at present Is to point to these results as a lesson from which Jersey breeders should profit. Itis fast coming lobe the rule lo measure the valuo of milk by its solid contents and especially by Its fats. It is in this quality that Jersey milk most excels. Rut all Jersey milk is not equally rich; in some, thebutterln the milk is only as one to twenty, while in some itis as one Continued otl page I.
Object Description
Title | Indiana farmer, 1890, v. 25, no. 05 (Feb. 1) |
Purdue Identification Number | INFA2505 |
Date of Original | 1890 |
Subjects (LCSH) |
Agriculture Farm management Horticulture Agricultural machinery |
Subjects (NALT) |
agriculture farm management horticulture agricultural machinery and equipment |
Genre | Periodical |
Call Number of Original | 630.5 In2 |
Location of Original | Hicks Repository |
Coverage | United States - Indiana |
Type | text |
Format | JP2 |
Language | eng |
Collection Title | Indiana Farmer |
Rights Statement | Content in the Indiana Farmer Collection is in the public domain (published before 1923) or lacks a known copyright holder. Digital images in the collection may be used for educational, non-commercial, or not-for-profit purposes. |
Repository | Purdue University Libraries |
Date Digitized | 2011-01-20 |
Digitization Information | Original scanned at 300 ppi on a Bookeye 3 scanner using internal software. Display images generated in CONTENTdm as JP2000s; file format for archival copy is uncompressed TIF format. |
Description
Title | Page 1 |
Subjects (LCSH) |
Agriculture Farm management Horticulture Agricultural machinery |
Subjects (NALT) |
agriculture farm management horticulture agricultural machinery and equipment |
Genre | Periodical |
Call Number of Original | 630.5 In2 |
Location of Original | Hicks Repository |
Coverage | Indiana |
Type | text |
Format | JP2 |
Language | eng |
Collection Title | Indiana Farmer |
Rights Statement | Content in the Indiana Farmer Collection is in the public domain (published before 1923) or lacks a known copyright holder. Digital images in the collection may be used for educational, non-commercial, or non-for-profit purposes. |
Repository | Purdue University Libraries |
Digitization Information | Orignal scanned at 300 ppi on a Bookeye 3 scanner using internal software. Display images generated in CONTENTdm as JP2000s; file format for archival copy is uncompressed TIF format. |
Transcript | ^Lf^iWEEKCr VOL. XXV. INDIANAPOLIS, IND., FEB. 1, 1890. NO. 5 INDIANA BREEDERS. The Live Stock Associations of the State in Annual Convention. Good Attendance—Increased Interest. Reports of the Different Meetings Held. The State Industrial livestock associations held their regular annual meetings in this city last week, and the usual congregation of farmers and breeders at the capital city interchanged opinions and ex peri" ences in the past year's work, and went home amply repaid for the time and expense. These yearly meetings area valuable means for the dissemination of practical knowledge and should receive the hearty support of every stock breeder in the state. Their beneficial Influence can hardly be overestimated. The attendance this year was perhaps not as large as it should have been,but each association shows quite a list of new members, and taken altogether, tbe meetings were a decided success. We give below a report of the proceedings. THE WOOL GEOWEES. Fifteenth Annual Meeting of the Association. The 15tli annual meeting of the I ndianaWoolG rowers' Association convened ln the State Agricultural Rooms on ihe 21st inst., and was called to order by tbe president, I. N. Cotton,of Traders Point. Thirty members were present, and the Interest manifested was very encouraging to all. - PRESIDENT COTTON'S ADDRESS. Gentlemen of the Indiana Wool Growers' Association: We have met to-day In our fifteenth annual meeting as wool growers, and not only as wool growers but as mutton producers. And we shall endeavor to take a retrospective view of ourconditlon and progress. Aud In doing this we will not do It ina narrow and selfish way, but with that spirit which looks to the bettering of the larger number of this nation,, knowing that when tbe larger number is benefitted the Individual Is likewise benefitted. There never was a time in this country as now when the agriculturist is looking in every direction to discover the product of the farm that will give him the best returns for his labor, and many eyes are turned to the sheep. And while we have lost in number we have gained In value, not in the increase of price of wool per pound, but In quantity; for we have in the last twenty-five years doubled the clip In pounds and improved It iu quality, and who would dare say to-day that we, as a nation, cannot produce wool of every desired quality, from the covering of our floors to the finest broadcloth and worsted worn either by man or woman. Some are in favor of flooding tlit:. country with foreign wool. What would be the result? Some one says, cheaper clothing. And what docs cheaper clothing mean? It means cheaper labor for the wool grower, cheaper labor for the spinner, cheaper labor for the weaver, and cheaper labor for the tailor. And what does all this mean? It means less food for those laborers or it means a less price for that food, and who does that less price strike? I answer the farmer, the producer of the bread, beef, pork and mutton that the laborer consumes. Let us increase the number of our sheep from 43,- 000,000 to 100,000,000 shearingC00,0«-,00j pounds of wool, doubling the number of sheep, doubling tlie number of farmers raising sheep, doubling the number of factories and factory hands and tailors, diverting their labors from some other overproduction, while we feed these men and their families on our corn, our wheat, our beef, our pork and our mutton, the sheep consuming tons of hay, acres of pasture and thousands of bushels of corn and oats. Why shall we not divert millions of capital and thousands of laborers fr^m other Industries of which there Is overproduction rather than to allow other nations to crowd their productions onus. This increase of sheep and wool would enable the producer, the mechanic and the laborer to purchase and consume the more food and clothing, to build better houses and barns, and patronize schools, colleges and churches. It would give employment to a multitude of men and women, and rich and poor alike would rejoice In the prosperity. Foreign flock-masters and the enemies of our national Industries alone would suffer and howl. Of all stock raisers, the wool growers have the least cause to complain of depression so far as the sheep relates to human food. The sheep to-day is bringing the best price of any of the domestic animals that go to the butcher's block. The principal reason for this improvement is found in the confidence given to the trade by certain rulings given by the secretary of the treasury in relation to the class- iflcationof wool and woolproductsand theincreased duty which foreign wool has to pay In consequence of said ruling. The present demand for mutton shows that we are -becoming a mutton-eating people, and the wool grower may become a mutton grower. We are now annually consuming over one sheep to the adult in habitant. The history of growth and progress In this country clearly develops tlie fact that whatever seems essential to convenience and health of the people is what they will have, und also that when there is a demand for any product of tbe land, American enterprise and industry have always been ready to supply It. Man, Individually or collectively, never gains any material results by inactivity. I would therefore recommend a vigilance on all subjects of legislation whereby our interests may be protected and advanced. And as long as this Government collects iU revenue by tariff", or any portion of lt, the wool grower should not relax his effort to secure his full proportion of that tariff. Why shall our representatives in Congress strike especially at the wool grower aud place him on the free list? The fanner is to-day bearing the heat and burden of this Government. And as long as the ballot remains in our hands if we are trampled down it will be our own fault. Let us demand of the custom-house officers a rigid enforcement of our laws in the collection of revenue on wool. We have reached a period fn the agriculture of the country when success in farming means the maximum or greatest yield of products; the minimum or smallest yield means indebtedness, hard times, self-dental and poverty. Mr. J. R. Dodge says that sheep above all domestic animals, show a decline in numbers from 1884 to 1889 but are increased in value. This undoubtedly shows that we are drifting to the mutton sheep. For the Increase In value can not be attributed io either increase in number or Increase In valueof wool, Secretary Rusk, in his recent report,says: "I respectfully call your attention to a fact full of •significance. In this connection. There have been serious Interruptions to the prosperity of the wool growers since the reduction of the tarlffof 1883; the number of sheep have apparently been reduced 7,000,000, and the importation of wool has increased from 78,3W>31 pounds tn 1884 to 126,487,7*j the past year." Upon the sheep and wool Industry of this country the burden of this loss has fallen. Organisation is the order of the day. Then, let us not only bold our wool growers* organization, but find means to more closely unite all the live stock and agricultural organizations, not only of this State but of the whole nation fn one solid effort not only to protect ourselves but to act for ourselves. We, being In a majority, should not be asking for this or that legislation but should legislate for ourselves* Let us look about and see how it Is, regardless of party. If there is an office to be filled, tbe farmer may get one In a hundred. RAISING SIIEEP POR MUTTON. I. J. Williams, of Muncie, presented the above subject in a very creditable manner: lie said: This question has been one of considerable thought, yet there Is a diversity of opinion among good judges, but 1 will answer the question by saying now, for if we raise sheep Just for mutton, why not abandon them and raise cuttle. In raising sheep the wool will pay for the keeping, if we breed for mutton, we decrease this profit, and therefore we must not breed for one thing alone. If all sheep breeds were to breed for mutton, then the entire wool trade would be turned over to Australia, and this would raise the price of wearing apparel, or turn the entire wool business over to our Merino friends, and we all can not afford to wear such fine clothing. Therefore in order to gain a requisite amount of profit we must raise a sheep that will combine both wool and mut ton. If we drop the wool market, we arc losing that which we should have, for If the wool pays for the keeping, then we have the lamb as a profit whlchjisgood Interest on our money, for illustration take £100 In the fall, buy 'JO ewes for $7-., and one good ram for $33, lu the spring you will have 30 lambs worth $3 73 per head, which would be £73, which will be 73 per cent on the money Invested. Now In the fall you will have $30 worth of wool. Sheep breeders can sell the mutton at the same price of beef, and make more money, and the sheep do not tramp the ground like cattle, and their fertilizing qualities are better. The Hon. Calvin Cowgill, of Wabash, read a lengthy article on HOW SHALL SHEEP HUSBANDRY RE MANAGED TO SUPPLY OUR HOME CONSUMPTION IN WOOL. He began by reviewing the great sheep industry of the State, aa well as the entire country. He showed by statistics the decrease iu the sheep market, as well as the price of wool. He showed conclusively that bj' proper management enough wool could be grown In the country to supply the demand of manufactures. He advocated the protection of the wool traflic by a rigid tariff, thereby shutting off the importation of wool from other countries. His address was listened to with great interest and was discussed by all members present. AMERICA VS. ENGLAND. Jno. L. Thompson of Arcana, discussed the subject. Can the keeping of sheep be made as profitable in America as In England? This subject was ably handled by Mr. Thompson, who has made yearly trips to England, and therefore Is welt versed upon the subject. Among the many good thoughts he advanced the following were noted: He first spoke of the meaning of profit, what consists In profit. Then be dwelt upon the cost of keeping sheep in England, their pasture and the advantages that existed; the price of mutton and the only way to get a good price for It was to have a good market. The manure of the sheep was far better than any other animal. The reason sheep husbandry failed in part in this State was because It was not managed on business principles. Glancing briefly at the past, present und future of sheep husbandry, he gave some good thoughts on the Improvement, on care and management. We want better breeds; every farmer should keep a small flock. It will be a good investment, and bring him good returns. The cheap price of land is no bar, for poor land can be made good by having sheep to graze upon it. Have more -iyfetem In your dock management, then let us learn what to sell, when to sell, and how to sell. If these three things be your motto, you will surely succeed. EXPERT JUDGES. Tbe following gentlemen were selected as expert judges: s. W. Dungan, Franklin; J. W. Kobe.Greencastle; Cal Darnell, Indianapolis; T. C. Phelps, Greensboro; J. 11. Tomlinson, Fairlatid; Thos. Nelson Uloomingdale. PROGRAM 18-K). President's address. The wool and mutton Industry of the United States, S. W. Dungan, Franklin. Care and management of sheep as regards better profits, 11. F. Ging. Star, lud. The merits of Cotswold for wool and mutton, T. C. Phelps, Greensboro. What would free wool do? A. C. Cotton, Traders Point. Crossing of sheep, J. M. Miller, Upland. Diminishing herds, J. N. McCampbell, Marshland. ■Shropshires the best sheep for the common farmer, Marion Williams. The papers on Silos and ensilage, by L. R. Skinner, and Depression of the wool market, by Joshua Strange, will appear in full, later. At the election of o.tl cers the following were elected for the ensuing year: President—I. N. Cotton. Vice.president—Cal. Cowgill. Secretary—J. W. Robe. Treasurer—J. L. Thompson. JEESET OATTLE BEEEDEES. Eighth Annual Convention. The eighth annual meeting ofthe Indiana Jersey llreeders* Association held a one day's session in the Agricultural rooms on the 17th Inst., and was called to order by President Jenkins, at 11 a. m. The attendance was better than heretofore, and the Interest manifested, showed conclusively that the Jersey people were wide awake as to their Interests. Though few in numbers, no association in the state can show a better record than the Jersey breeder when It comes to making a display of their products, they pride themselves in their butter making art and are always ready to come to the front when called upon. The morning session was occupied in Introduction and greeting, and the entering of butter for awards. At the afternoon session, the program was carried out, the first on the program being the president's address. Sevcral events have transpired in the Jersey world-since we last met iu our annual meeting, which have tended to raise lu tin. estimation of ev.*ry Jersey breeder the value of this'breed of cows, As the boys say, "Things are coming our way.* Numerous public auction sales have been held Jnd ffcrent parts of the country, ami while, us is usual in such instances, the poor ones have sold at low prices, the good ones have averaged up well. Ry glancing over the list of transfers we find that abont 11,000 Jerseys have changed ownership during tho year, being about the same as last year, and about 1,000 more than in 1SS7. The last volume (XXX) of the Herd Register,issued last year,shows the total number of females registered for lHn. to be 5,-K.., exactly tbe same number as for 1888; and males l.JWO.a total of 7,939 head; a falling offof4oo in the bulls. The great event of the year perhaps has been tbe sale of the Oaklands Herd, containing the famous Mary Anne of St. Lambert, and her daughter, Marianne Pogis, besides others, only less famous tban they are. The result was looked to as a crucial test of the real status of Jerseys before the world and was certainly entirely satisfactory. Indeed it was a remarkable sale, all things considered, the best ever made. Mr. Fuller's cattle averaged over $000 apiece, and the highest price of the year was reached at this sale, $3,300. The great butter cow, Mary Anne of St. Lambert, sold for $3,100. This is In sharp contrast with a 34 pound cow of the Holstein breed that sold at public auction for $800. After this, the largest prices were reached In the regular annual sales of Tennessee. Rut the feature In this direction of tho year has been the number of private sales made at good prices. And this brings us to the BUTTER TESTS OF JERSEY COWS. Eighty-three Jersey cows entered tho 14 pound standard list in the past year. The highest record being the 31 pounds 9 oz., made by the cow Mrs. Knickerbocker, owned by Jas. Still man, Esq. Fourteen of the 83 cows made 30 pounds in seven days, and while no phenomenal yield of butter has been made by any one cow, breeders are better satisfied with the result. More 14 pound cows. Tbe reputation of the Jersey cow has been won by the tests she has made. Cows of this breed have been tested oftener than those of all other breeds put together, and the tests have been made with the utmost care, andunder every practicable precau tion to prevent either error or fraud in the results. So tested the Jersey cow has proved herself incomparably (-superior to all others, botb as to tbe quantity and quality of her butter. So identified with the test has she become that it may be spoken of as ft Jersey institution, Introduced and kept up by her. While the number of tests reported does not equal last year's reports, and the largest Is not so great by two pounds there Is one feature made prominent this year tbat marks au important gain for the Jerseys in the public mind, that is the bringing out In strong relief and establishing by every test, whether of science or common practico, tlie fact that the Jersey cow can put a pound of butter into a smaller quantity of milk than any other cow in the world. In other words, tho most noted t .-sts of 1889 have beon directed, not to finding out how much butter, but the ratio of milk to butter. This Idea has spread beyond the tests and has formed a prominent feature in tho butter conferences that have attracted so much attention, especially in New York. It Is essentially a Jersey Idea. The weather gets very warm In tho South in midsummer, but It was exceedingly "hot" in and about Columbus, Tenn., at times the past season. I refer to the tests of the cow Toltec's Fancy. Tbat there was an attempt made to throw discredit on all the largo Jersey tests, by trying to prove that the milk of no breed of cows was rich enough in fats to produce the amount of butter claimed to have been made by the Jersey is to my mind a certainty. The Jersey breed, through the last lest of Toltec's Fancy, has proven beyond any cavil that It contains cows that give milk so rich that less than 5 pounds of U will make a pound of butter; milk which is almost pur;* ereain. This richness of milk or largo production of butter cannot be obtained by every Jersey cow; neither is there any great number of AxtolIsorSunoIs. These butler tests and richness of milk un. found only In tbis breed of cows. It is not worth while to challenge a comparison of theso records. If there havo been any butter tests made of ojber breeds of dairy Cows, I have not seen them ; except a few tests made by the Holsteins. ■ Another step forward In this d! recti on, are the ro" ports of the work of whole herds for a year, or for a mouth. One has but to.look at tlie records, to find that very many Jersey dairymen keep actual record of the work of each cow ; and of tho whole herd ; and in every Instance the result is satisfactory. In butter tests at fairs, whero no butter is made the Jersey Is usually beaten ; but when butter is actually made by the churn andweighed by thoscales, the only true te*.t, as lhat Is the way It is made and goes onto the market, "our Jersey" always comes out ahead. Concerning high tests and high feeding, I will say that nothing has occurred to change my opinion from last year's. 1 am still in favor of high tests (forced testsi, but not to the Injury of tho cow or race. Seven-day tests are good guides as to what a cow will do; "JO days are bottor and the yearly tests toll exactly the capacity of any cow. Feed well, food high if you will, always keeping on this sido of the danger line. Train your cows to «ivo all tho rich milk and make all the butter they aro capable of by feeding rich food in proper proportions, which is easily determined by any practical farmer or dairyman. Tbe Jersey cow can bo pushed to ber full capacity without injury and be made to yield the maximum amount of good butter, or sho can be left to plod along aud barely make her expenses. Test your cows at home; see how much butter ouch will make for one day, one week, one month and year; how many pounds of milk to the pound of butter, and how much feed it takes to do it. If critics hold np their bands in holy horror at the result, keep on with the work just tho same. Tho power of tho Jersey cow to produce butter in large quantities, economically. Is her salvation, ami 1 might say the salvation of the dairy. Tlie private tests of tbe Jersey cows will not down; tlio "hellabaloo" raised about tlie honesty of these records only served ns a stimuleut. It attracted tbe attention of many who would not otherwi*-.** have noticed them and the careful observer will also havo noticed that some of those fellows who were loudest iu denouncing Jersey butter tests are quietly falling into lino. The most Important lesson of last your, related to tlie ratio of milk to butter. It has long been known that It took less Jersey miik to make a pound of butter, than of any other milk known; but ft was only during last year that systematic efforts were mado to learn tbo comparative richness of milk from different herds representing different breeds. This has been a prominent point in the reports of butter conferences of New York, as made by Col. Curtis. At every conference It was found that there was a wide difference between herds, as to the amount of milk to tlie pound of butter, lu every instance in whic there wore Jerseys or Jersey grades in the herds tho ratio of butter In tho milk was very markedly increased. This Is of course as Jersey breeder- would expect it to bo. Thoso uniform results will unquestionably prove of benefit to tiie breed, tend to render it more popular with dairymen. This, as operating to increase tho market for Jerseys, is a matter of interest for all breeders, but my purpose at present Is to point to these results as a lesson from which Jersey breeders should profit. Itis fast coming lobe the rule lo measure the valuo of milk by its solid contents and especially by Its fats. It is in this quality that Jersey milk most excels. Rut all Jersey milk is not equally rich; in some, thebutterln the milk is only as one to twenty, while in some itis as one Continued otl page I. |
Tags
Comments
Post a Comment for Page 1