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SHOOK'S GUIDE
SWINE, POULTRY.
AND
BPOCK BREEDERS.
BEING A
ae AREFULLY COMPILED SLURS
OF THE
ORIGIN, DEVELOPMENT AND PRESENT CONDITION
OF THE
SWINE. POULTRY, SHEEP.
CATTLE AND HORSES
OF AMERICA,
AS WELL AS FULL INSTRUCTIONS FOR BREEDING, REARING AND
MANAGEMENT OF THE SAME.
TOGETHER WITH
A VAST AMOUNT OF VALUABLE MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION
FOR STOCKMEN, AND A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON
HOG CHOLERA-SWINE FEVER.
AND THE VARIOUS DISEASES OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS, AND THE PROPER TREATMENT
FOR THE SAME,
By J. B. SHOOK,
CIRCLEVILLE, OHIO: ¥
UNION*HERALD BOOK AND JOB PRINTING HOUSE,
1885...
f P 4 } een
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Entered as a to a ef ia 1s oe in the yer oT ny
| By J. B. SHOOK, ;
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, he Washington, 1
; / Sg " S
: ms . All Rights Reserved.
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TO THE
AMERICAN FARMERS AND STOCK BREEDERS,
I RESPECTFULLY DEDICATE _
THIS WORK.
Devoted to their Interest aud Service.
PREFACE.
eee
The object of the author in offering this work to the
public is to furnish to American stockmen a concise and
reliable treatise on the breeding and rearing of domestic
animals. :
In this work, especial attention has been given to the
diseases of swine and poultry, as the experience of the
author has shown him that such diseases as Hog Cholera
—Swine Fever, and the various diseases of Poultry and
the proper treatment for the same, are less understood
than ailments of other animals and their treatment.
Believing that no disease exists for which nature has
failed to supply the proper remedy, the author, many
years since, began the study of these diseases, and the
success which has attended his treatment of the same has
fully confirmed his theory that domestication should not
be allowed to change the physical condition of swine, and
that artificial means should be employed to supply what
nature requires. Intelligently acting upon this belief, the
author has completely demolished many old theories, and
a simple, practical and efficient course of treatment has
superceded the ignorant methods formerly employed.
The increasing demand for information concerning do-
mestic animals, their diseases and treatment, renders a
work of this kind indispensable as a book of reference.
The opportunity which the author has had to gather in-
formation by reading and observation, as well as his years
Vii
of practice in breeding and handling stock, and in
treating their diseases, enable him to compile a work,
which, in his judgment, will fully meet the requirements
of the American stockmen.
The author, in this work, has given to the public not
only his own ideas, but has in many instances furnished
the remedies used, as well as the modes of treatment
practiced by some of the most learned veterinarians and
scientists in the land.
The ideas it contains are couched in plain, simple lan-
guage, and all technical terms have been avoided, so far
as possible, thus peculiarly adapting it to the wants of
the farmer and stock breeder.
It has been condensed into the smallest possible space,
and the contents so arranged that any subject can be found
at a glance, and the information wanted easily obtained.
Ina work of this kind, more perhaps than anywhere
else, applies the often quoted remark of Dr. Johnson:
“Books that you may carry to the fire, and hold reading
in your hand, are most useful after all. A man will often
look at them, and be tempted to go on, when he would
have been frightened at books ofa large size, and of a
more erudite appearance.”
For the protection of the public, as well as the reputa-
tion of the author, this work will be sold by subscription,
by responsible agents who deal directly with the pub-
lishers, and who will be furnished with the proper cre-
dentials. As none but men of character will be employed,
persons buying can confidently rely upon the authentic-
ity of the book published.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
HISTORY OF SWINE IN EARLY DAYS.
‘The first introduction of Swine into America.—Their
characteristics—Mode of living, and their health.—
How they became benefactors.—Their improvement
and health——The germ theory. 6
CHAPTER II.
IMPROVED SWINE.
The first improvement of swine.—Names of the differ-
ent breeds.—Magie, or Poland China.—Chester White.
—Durock, or Jersey Red.—Berkshire.—Victoria.—
Yorkshire.—Suffolk and aii —Their origin and
characteristics. 9
The Chinese hog and his dec upon antes brace 17
What breed of hogs to use. : : 19
CHAPTER III.
SWINE BREEDING.
‘swine breeding a science.—How to select the breeders.—
Selecting Sows. 22
The boar. ; : ; - Ba
How to judge pigs. ;, ; 25
Breeding time. ae
One litter a year better than two. . ; 28
1X
Exceptions to the general rule... 30
Fall pigs, and how to winter them. . ; 43
Make them comfortable._-Age of pigs best suited for
clover. : 33
Old view not correct. ; 34
A case of cooking that pays. 30
CHAPTER IV.
THE BOAR, BROOD SOWS, PIGS, AND HOW TO CARE FOR
THEM.
The boar and his care. 38
The brood sows.—When to ut then Up a este
When and how to feed them. : 4I
Notes worth mentioning. ; VRAD
Teach the young pigs to eat. eas 43
Keep them from robbing each other. haa
Treatment of suckling pigs... : , 46
Weaning time. . a 50
The time to castrate pigs. ag e the SOWS. ; 51
Care of pigs after being weaned. ope
Good things repeated. _.. : me
CHAPTER V.
. FATTENING SWINE.
The most profitable age to fatten swine.—Farmers A and
B’s experince. : ' 56
Mixed husbandry. : , 59
Times have changed. . , 61
How and when to feed fat hogs, dod Sein fond 62
Neglect of farmers or feeders. i d vielt 64
'
-How much pork will a bushel of corn make? —.. 66
Feeding hogs for a special purpose. , 70
Professor Saborn’s experiments. —_ .
CHAPTER VI.
PURE BRED SWINE.
Pedigreed swine. ; oe 74
A good time to buy pure wea. swine. : {28
Show pens.—That fine pig and its care. mre |
Don’t go too much on the color. .
Where to keep the young boar. ee 82
_ Breeding swine for breeding purposes. a
This business demands a good profit. 84
When to breed the sows. ; : Ae
Take care of the brood sows and pigs. ei
Fitting swine for exhibition or sale. : oe
CHAPTER VIL.
SEL Oe OF SUBJECTS.
Improved and enn stock. ; ae
Fixing the characteristics of a breed of hog 93
An illustration how to form a breed. . 95
In and in-breeding. ; 97
Merit pedigree and color. . mes! 97
Roots, vegetables, grass etc., for swine. . . 99
Ringing hogs. : ; oe 106
Stock catcher. : . 2 t ; ta
Our hogs as to trichine.. .. 27 ee IIO
Trichinze.in perk, by Dr. Deters?” “22 ae
How hogs are killed. ’ Phe (Se eee IIy
- ———————— ee
XI
CHAPTER = VIT.
BUTCHERING AND CURING THE MEAT.
Preparing to Butcher . . : ; ee ye.
Rack to hang hogs on fh
A regular system of killing and es ning = hee ne Be
Cutting up the hogs 124
Preparing the lard and sausage : neat he»
Preparing and curing meats . 126
A dry salt and quick sugar cure. meron
Brine for pork or beef . . 129
CHAPTERS.
HOUSES AND TROUGHS FOR SWINE.
Hog houses or pens are necessary Bs me 131
Building designs - P24, 197 and #40
A bath box for hogs : ) RES
Movable pig house —. TN Seen, 142
Troughs for hogs ; . =, 146
CHAPTER X.
PREVAILING CAUSES OF SWINE DISEASE.
Cholera—Swine Fever---Its causes ; 148
Certain breeds cholera proof : SOTA
Common errors in feeding 150
Wheat stubble pasture : ¥E5O
Confinement, bad food and water : 152
Straw stacks, manure heaps and barns rakes
Cholera—Swine fever in its infectious or con-
tagious character ; , es
Danger arising from streams or pools. 156
Danger in exposure of the dead hogs 1556
X11
Periods between ex posure and its attacks 157
CHAPTER XI.
INVESTIGATIONS OF SWINE DISEASE BY THE GOVERNMENT.
Investigations ie 159.
Reattacks of cholera _. : 2
How cholera——swine fever ea ts the lungs. I6I
When the death rates increase : 162
Intestine and lung worms. 163
Opponents of the germ theory i)
Extracts by Prof. James Law 165 to 170
Theoretical and practical ideas. a
CHAPTER XII.
TREATISE ON DISEASED HOGS.
Introduction BS 174 to 176
Choleras*Swine feyer 74 . Te
Observe its causes 177
When medicine fails EIS
Sort the hogs . or ; 179
Exercise and air . . 56g
Grade the sick ; 181
When to feed . 262
How to prepare the feed : See
Length of time it takes to cure sick hogs . . 184
As a preventative ; ; 185
When hogs are coughing . , . 186
For pigs or hogs with scours . 186
How-to drench’. hae ' Ser ic Hy,
Injections : 188
External applications . : . 189
X11
Rheumatism liniment : ; gO
Tonic powder, see recipe or EGE
Treatment of sows with pig ; 192
Objections to pens . 193
Directions for medicine repeated Fa cae 194
Medicine for poultry reat 1
Caution as to drugs. : ; 195
Incurable cases. ! eh OS
Why my treatment is a success 197
_ For further information see Special Notes.
Practical explanation of hog cholera-swine fever 457-60
CHAP THR AP.
LOCAL DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT—REMARKS.
Local diseases—thumps 199
Pneumonia—lunyg fever . i ZOD
Sore throat—diptheria é , 200
Kidney disease. ; : 201
Blind staggers—founder and itiauietn qi onOe
Snuffles and Piles. . 21) 20%
Intestine worms . ; ' 204.
Sweating pigs and scours 204
Blood poison, scrofula : 205
Mange fvi205
Lice : : 206
Frosted hogs é gery
Black teeth 208
Prevention is better than cure : 0 2 ZOO
Hints as to feeding ' 5 210
Special notes as to myrformula 2 swine . ieee
Remarks as to my treatment 212
XIV
Offers for a cure for hog cholera: wine 214
My methods of disposing of my | treatment 214 ee 216
My propositions , 215
How my medicines are prepared : egy 2,
CHAPTER XIV.
PROFITABLE POULTRY RAISING.
Poultry Raising i Pies 221 to 227
Light Brahmas nee eee Perea
(ne old bige Tens —.. » 228
Plymouth Rocks :) 2a
American Dominicks a 230
Poultry investments : eae
Careful selections . : 232
Cull the flock : 233
Incubators : &) : 235
How to feed fowls 2:36
Nest for hens . 239
Poultry inthe garden . . ae
Sunflower seed es Ss 242
Poultry houses : ~ a
Eggs—how to preserve them 245
Eggs—their weight : > 366
Vermin—Lice ; 246
Ducks—their houses . ’ i 249
Geese—their treatment. : 251
Turkeys , , 2452
Diseased Poultry. 254
How to tell when sick ; 255
Cholera ; 255
Roup . ; 258
XV
‘ CHAPTER XV.
TREATISE ON SHEEP HUSBANDRY.
Sheep husbandry Ze" ; : 261
Why wool growers do not fail 262
Forage consumed by sheep ; : 265
Information as to breeding : » ae
Coupling season... 267
Selecting a ram : : : 268
Ewes—when to breed ea 268.
Lambs—their care. , 269
Castration—methods 269
Weaning Lambs : 240
Mutton breeds : z + Ie
Cotswolds, Southdowns and Hamshiredowns 205
Merino ; | 272
What constitutes a yao: sheep ; 273
How to breed up 274
Suggestions as to feed and care ; : 275
Things to be remembered ‘at 278
CHAPTER XVI.
THE AMERICAN CATTLE INDUSTRY.
Cattle industry . . ; 283
Shorthorns » hee
Herefords, Polled Apes and Ee ikasean : 288
Holstein and Jerseys ; Bae. 3:
Ayrshires—Noted cows and steers . 292
The monster steer fi , «296
How to seléct breeders 297
Controlling influence | ee
XV1
Handling stock — be ee 2a
Breeding from show herds La Anas ys :
Science of inbreeding ae , Wee:
_Stock raising profitable ae Ga
Growing of feeding cattle % epee
Water for stock te ae
Bull and his care. ie : cae
Cows andcalves—their care .
Improper milking _ ee ;
Removing calves... ae Sink
First year of calves ee
Age heifers should calve ‘ . Ute
Unruly milkers . 2 ,
CHAPTER XVII.
MODERN METHODS OF DAIRYING.
Dairying for profit...
The best dairy cattle | >
How tojudge acow. . Py
How to buy a cow rd Ms
Stabling cows ; ei
Ventilation not necessary ‘
Bedding more necessary—How to feed and milk |
How to produce milk ae :
Making butter , :
Packing butter wang Cae
ut)
aa
ie
CHARACTERISTICS.
yy
a | The ancient horse ; 341 ae
The Canadian Kanuck , 342 Es az
The thoroughbred 8 REA IRE, 344. Bt |
The American trotter ; 5 348 x
The founder of trotters Z ; 340. AGO
Sprained tendons—swelled eget muiricit and mange 431
Hide-bound— galls or boils and wolf teeth eae
Valuable eye wash : 433
Cataract liniment—-cooling eeeicies or body wash 434
Foot oil—removing Bele ee Stl 8 recipe and
May apple liniment ; 435
Corrosive liniment—worm Sauiden teabr cinder
and cough powder 436
Condition powder—cleansing sidialex and Dexber
liniment ; ae. iy .
Healing REE P to arbenee prespiration—
strained stifle or whirlbone—to stop flow of
joint water—-capped hocks—canker—sore mouth
or tongue, and sweating liniment 438
Tonic preparation—care of tail and mane and par-
turition—giving birth : 439
Diseases or injuries of colts. : - 441
Wounds or cuts : ; : 442
nO. ¢
CHAPTER XXII.
VETERINARY DEPARTMENT FOR CATTLE AND SHEEP.
Sore eyes and Scotch powder
Hoven and milk fever, or garget
Abortion with cows
Cow pox and choke
Egat, smut poison or murrain
Black leg :
Foot and mouth ae and eienree pneumonia
Hide-bound urinary trouble
Scours with calves or lambs and grub in sheep
Maggots and scab
Foot rot with sheep .
443
444
440
447
448
449
451
452
452
- 458
454
CARD.
This book, if carefully read and studied, will be
found a practical educator for the general farmer or
those interested in stock. It will not only learn them
how to plainly treat all the fatal diseases to which our
domestic animals are now subject, but also, to intelligently
discuss any subject pertaining to all our improved domestic
animals, as to where and how the breeds originated and
their characteristics, which are subject of greats import-
ance to those contemplating or already engaged in hand-
ling stock of any kind. For by being well educated in
this line, as well as any other, any one can often save
some serious mistakes.
If a man empties his purse into his head no man can take
it away from him. An investment in knowledge always
pays the best interest. FRANKLIN.
> oe
Tri,
ORIGIN AND DEVELOPMENT
OF
>
PLM E RICAN SWINE,
FROM 1609 TO 1885.
A TREATISE ON THE BREEDING, REARING AND FATTENING OF SWINE,
WITH INFORMATION AS TO THE BEST METHODS OF BUTCHERING,
CUTTING AND CURING THE MEAT, TOGETHER WITH A REVIEW
OF THE PREVAILING CAUSES OF THE VARIOUS DISEASES TO
WHICH THEY ARE SUBJECT, AND THE MOST EFFECTIVE
MODERN TREATMENT THEREFOR.
a ee
CHAPTER I.
‘ HisToRY OF SWINE IN EARLY DAys.
THE FIRST IMPORTATION OF SWINE.—THEIR CHARACTER-
ISTICS.—MODE OF LIVING AND THEIR HEALTH.—HOW
THEY BECAME BENEFACTORS.—THEIR IMPROVEMENT
AND HEALTH.—THE GERM THEORY.
THE FIRST IMPORTATION OF SWINE.
THE first swine in America, according to history, were
brought by Columbus in 1493, then by De Soto to Flor-
ida in 1538, and then in 1609 some were brought to Vir-
ginia, direct from England. ‘The congeniality of the
climate favoring their rapid increase, and from being so
worthless that no one cared to possess or use them, or
from some other cause, in less than twenty years they had
so increased about Jamestown as to be a public nuisance,
and. to have made it necessary to fence the settlement
against them. Other lots of hogs were afterwards brought
to the colonies from Europe, and later to the states. They
were seldom bred with much care, and in some localities
became almost as troublesome as they had been at James-
town in 1627; for, as history goes to show, very strict
laws were in force in a great many places as to killing
them. |
As the tide of emigration moved westward, the hog went
with it as one of the means of food supply in the new set-
tlements. There is no record of those early times to show
4 HISTORY OF SWINE IN EARLY DAYS.
that civilization had as yet taken hold of « His Lordship,”
the American hog, in any great degree. On the contra-
ry, we find that, as of old, he often went wild when op-
portunities for doing so were offered him. As late as
1828, according to history, large numbers roamed the
wild woods of Ohio and Indiana, far from all human
dwellings, where they grew very fat upon the abundance
of oak and beech mast, and in some parts, where great
numbers were allowed to run almost wild about the set-
tlements, a triangular yoke was placed around the neck,
to keep them from breaking through the fences.
HOW THEY BECAME BENEFACTORS.
In the problem of subduing the great territories of un-
improved lands west of the Allegheny mountains, the hog
was destined to become an important factor. The im-
mense forests and heavy mast, the fertile valleys along
the rivers and streams, and the broad, rich prairies of the
uplands between, produced corn in the greatest abund-
ance. One of the most ready means of disposing of
these vast crops was the feeding of them to hogs and then
driving them to market, and as late as the year 1840 they
were gathered together in large droves from the forests
and feed lots of Ohio and driven to Philadelphia, Pa., or
packed and then shipped upon flat-boats to New Orleans.
Efforts were made from time to time to improve the feed-
ing capacity of the breed by the introduction of better
feeding stock from the Eastern Hemisphere, chiefly from
Europe, and the success of those efforts have been that we
have exceeded the weight of the old elm peeler at one-half
the age ; but as to what effect this improvement has had
upon the health and constitution of the hog, we have seen.
My object in repeating, in the way of an introduction,
HISTORY OF SWINE IN EARLY DAYS. 5
this often told story of when and how the hog was first in-
troduced into America, and the way he was raised and
fattened in those days, is to once more recall to the
mind that for about three hundred and fifty years under
such treatment, such a thing as hog disease was entirely
unknown. - It was only when we began to improve and
civilize the hog that he became subject to all the ills and ail-
ments known to civilization, and sickened and died. When
they were allowed to roam at large over the wild wood
and prairie, and develop more slowly, building up the bone
and muscular system first, before being fed upon corn,
disease of any kind was unknown to them.
BLOOD, CONFINEMENT AND CORN.
It was only when the improvement of swine was begun,
and after considerable progress in that line had been made,
then by confining them, thus depriving them of the wild
range and the roots and herbs that nature supplied and
instinct taught them to hunt, without being supplied with
any artificial substitute to take their place, and the con-
stant exclusive feeding of corn from the time the pig will
eat it until he is taken to market, that they became dis-
eased. While none of us might be willing to go back to
the old fashioned hog to once more have health among
our swine, yet I wish to offer the suggestion that this
alone should prove to any breeder or feeder of swine, that
the way to raise them 1s as near like nature as possible.
Also, against the constant confinement of swine in any form,
for I believe it produces many of the ills to which hog
flesh is heir. Corn may be the principal food, but along
with it should be fed shorts, oats, oil cake, milk or slops
of any kind, vegetables, weeds or grass, and plenty of ex-
ercise in the pure air, with “fresh water and clean mud.”
6 | HISTORY OF SWINE IN EARLY DAYS.
The first and the most important object to the breeder or
feeder is the health and constitutional vigor of his stock,
and in the way I have indicated, it can be best secured.
“It is of the utmost importance to successful swine
breeding and fattening, that attention should be given to
the development of growth as well as fat. It 1s of so much
importance and yet 1s so largely neglected, that we deem it
prudent to refer toit frequently. ‘The swine of this country
have been greatly injured by our very prevalent system
of feeding by the crowding and forcing process to which
they have long been subjected.”
THE GERM THEORY.
:: If the very generally accepted theory of disease i is Cor-
rect, such a course can but result in making the hog an
easy prey to disease. The parasitic or germ theory de-
pends upon the system, human or animal, being vulnerable
to the attacks of the parasites or germs. If the system is
perfectly strong in every part, disease cannot find a lodg-
ment init. In general, parasites do not seek a particular
organ because they prefer that organ, but because it is
weak enough to allow their depredations. ‘There is no
part of the skin that they would not attack, if it were vul-
nerable, and the blood were in such condition as to favor
their depredations. But the skin is able to resist, and
hence they seek the weaker membranes and muscular tis-
sues. It is, perhaps, impossible for us to keep our animals
or ourselves in such strict accordance with the laws of na-
ture as to prevent sickness, and hence disease and death
from disease are in the world and are more or less active.
But we can and should live up to the knowledge that we
have. We know that if a child’s bones are weak, it may
not only lead to deformity, but that the child is not vigor-
HISTORY OF SWINE IN EARLY DAYS. >
ous. ‘That is just as true with the animal, though it may |
not show it as plainly as would the child. If a hog
has never been furnished with material with which to
build up its bony and muscular system, it 1s practically in
a diseased condition all the time. If the same state of af-
fairs existed with an animal of less vigorous digestion, it
would go to pieces and become a wreck at once. But
the hog’s digestive apparatus will often keep working
very successfully, while its system is a perfect bubble,
ready to collapse at any moment. But no one should be
surprised to find any or all of the organs of such a
hog refusing to perform their offices at any time. Hence
such an animal is constantly exposed to disease. Cholera,
in some of its forms, breaks out in a herd and sweeps
through the community, and in most cases the learned
veterinarian, or those whose services are sought, attributes
the difficulty, in all probability, at once to uncleanly
surroundings. But, as we have frequently had occasion
to know, he is astonished when he arrives at the farm
where the disease exists, to find everything as neat as a
pin, and is dumfounded, and knows not to what cause to
attribute the disease. As said before, our hogs, or other ani-
mals, may live in violation of the laws of nature, without
our knowledge, and hence sicken or die under apparently
the most intelligent treatment. But there can be no
question at all that in the vast majority of cases in which
the cholera appears, where the surroundings are cleanly,
the cause is too much corn and a consequent unequal de-
velopment of the system. Our unlimited supply of corn
in this country has not been an unmixed blessing. It is so
plentiful with us that we feed it in ruinous excess, even
when we are not prompted to make a hog before the ani-
ae HISTORY OF SWINE IN EARLY DAYS.
~ mal has ceased to be a pig, and there are millions of dollars
lost every year through the sickness and death of animals
that have been stuffed with this compartively unnourishing, -
but fat producing and heat creating food. Fat, except in
limited quantities, is not growth or an element of strength.
It is a disease—unquestionably a disease—because it is
wholly useless, and not only that, but a burden. What-
ever is useless in the economy of nature, is at variance
with nature, and excessive fat is as useless as a Wen on an
animal, so far as the needs of the system go.
Now the constant exclusive feeding of corn from the
time the pig will eat it until it is taken to the market, un-
der our very bad system—as we think—-of fattening hogs
the first year, is a direct effort to create a diseased condi-
tion. It makes fat and nothing else. ‘The bones and the
muscles are not nourished, and they cannot be forced to
maturity, except to a limited extent. They may be said
to be forced when the animal is fed all the bone and mus-
cle forming food that it will assimilate, as distinguished
from starving it, but there must be time allowed it for full
development. The process cannot be hastened, except
in a limited degree. But we can force fat whenever we
wish to. We can fatten the pig, or fatten the hog.”
CHAP Fee:
IMPROVED SWINE.
THE FIRST IMPROVEMENT OF SWINE.—NAMES OF THE
DIFFERENT BREEDS.—THEIR CHARACTERISTICS.—THE
CHINESE HOG.—HIS EFFECTS UPON OTHER BREEDS.—
WHAT BREED OF HOGS TO USE.
THE FIRST IMPROVEMENT OF SWINE.
In the early history of swine-breeding in the Miami
Valley in Ohio (for it was here, beyond doubt, that the
first and greatest efforts were made to improve our
swine), it is clear from the best authority that there
were two breeds, the Russia and the Byfield.
In 1816 the Shakers, of Union village, Warren county,
Ohio, purchased at Philadelphia, Pa., one boar and three
sows, pure China, called Big China hogs. The Shakers
and other judicious breeders of Warren and Butler coun-
ties continued to use the breeds at command, and pro-
duced by repeated crosses a hog of exceedingly fine
qualities for that period, known as the Warren county
hog. This condition of the breeds continued until some-
time between 1835 and 1840, when the Berkshires and
Irish Graziers were introduced. Some claim that the
Berkshires were introduced first, and others the Irish
Graziers. But let that be as it will, positive proof shows
that these two breeds of hogs were crossed upon the hogs
already produced by the cross of the China, Russia and
Byfield.
IO IMPROVED SWINE.
This crossing of breeds continued for some time, until
the breeders of swine in the Miami valley settled down to
the conviction that the basis of a good breed of hogs had
been established, and stimulated by the success, they
have aimed to improve what they have been so successful
in forming. All defective points or qualities have, as far —
as possible, been corrected or improved by care. Thus
we have a breed thoroughly established, which can be re-
lied upon for the production of like qualities and character
in progeny. ‘This breed of swine was formerly known as
the Magie, or Butler county hog—having derived that
name from David Magie, of Butler county, Ohio, who
was one of the leading men in introducing this hog into
the heavy feeding districts of the world—but was after-
ward named by the Swine Breeders’ Association, Poland-
China. The best specimens of this improved breed, Po-
land-China, have good length, short, broad backs, straight
on both lines, deep sides, very broad, full square hams
and shoulders, drooping ears, short heads, slightly dish-
faced, broad between the eyes, with a good coat of hair,
-and are of a dark, or spotted color. They are hardy,
vigorous and prolific. ‘Their chief excellencies consist in
their quiet disposition, and their susceptibility of being
well fattened at any age, large growth when desirable,
and a great amount of flesh laid on in proportion to the
food consumed. ‘They sometimes dress three hundred
and fifty pounds when no older than ten or twelve months,
and if kept until two or three years old, will often dress
from six to nine hundred pounds; and as a machine to
turn corn into pork they bave Ivut few equals.
THE CHESTER WHITE.
The Chester White is a native of Chester county,
——=:
~ ian aS
eee Raa a —
PURE BRED SWINE. : 85
In order to make it both profitable and pleasant, as I said
before, the breeder should have a natural love and desire
for the business. A good situation is also necessary, al-
though most any place can be made suitable with labor
and money. A dry, rolling piece of land, with plenty of
good water and shade, is the best, for it is much healthier
and far more pleasant than a wet,-level place. - In
purchasing the breeding stock to begin with, nothing but
first-class individual stock should be purchased at any
price. It should be purely bred of whatever breed the
breeder desires, and of good, thrifty, growing stock.
Good judgement should be used in procuring this stock,
for it is not always the highest priced animal, or those
that are purchased the farthest away from home that
are the best.
“Breeding stock of any kind is often held above its
worth. It is not infrequently the case that a breeder
asks much more than the value of the animal, or the
cost of its production will warrant. The purchaser must
be on his guard on this point. This, however, is rather
exceptional, for, as a rule, breeding stock is worth all it
commands in the market.”
nN (Alay ‘ ne RINT C MAT SRNT LR TROT ~ ‘ 4 " ‘ |
WHEN TO BREED THE SOWS.
Once the stock is brought together again, good judg-
ment must be used in the breeding of it, so as to have
the pigs come at the proper time. If the herd, or any
S6 PURE BRED SWINE.
part of it is to be exhibited the coming season, the pig's
must come so as to be of the proper age to suit the
premium list; or if only intended to be sold during the
season without being exhibited, it is best to have them
come as early in the spring as possible, so as to have the
advantage of as much age as the former case will omit,
and to be as early in the market as possible, in the latter
case; as pigs with the advantage of a few weeks in
age have quite an advantage over the younger ones,
either in the show pen or in the market. Of course, in
order to have these early pigs, and to save and care for
them, good quarters of some kind are certainly neces-
sary. It is not necessary that these buildings should be
so costly, but they should be so constructed as to be warm,
easily ventilated and kept clean. For information on
_ this subject see plan of pens. Now the next thing on
the programme is the care of these hogs. This is some-
thing that breeders cannot afford to slight in the least, if
they expect to compete with others. ‘They must have
these hogs fat, sleek and clean, looking well at all times,
and ready for a purchaser, for in this business, like any
other, no man knoweth when a buyer cometh. There-—
fore, be ready, at all times and for all kinds of customers,
for the least thing will sometimes drive a buyer away;
such as a coughing pig, or the hogs not fat and look-
ing well, dirty, filthy pens, and perhaps some of the pigs or
hogs lying around in the manure pile or a dusty shed.
The buyer will soon begin to talk about disease and
leave. Remember that nice, fat, clean, sleek hogs, with
everything around clean, pleases the eye; and that is what
is wanted if the sale of the hogs is expected, and the
breeder expects to prosper. |
® “a s)
a oo
. ' - : "
- ote §% =. * op iy -
vv Ee eoeeeeeermleee
PURE BRED SWINE. 87
TAKE CARE OF THE BROOD SOWS AND PIGS.
As the sows are bred, each one should be carefully reg-
istered so as to know when they will farrow. There is
but little variation from sixteen weeks as the time sows
carry their pigs; the older ones not infrequently going
_ beyond a few days, and the younger ones farrowing
a few days earlier than this. If proper care be taken
in the management of the boar, allowing but one
service to each sow, the dates at which the pigs should
come can be made a matter of record, and the necessary
attention given the sows as the time for their farrowing
approaches, when they should be put up separately, and
‘in time, in order to prevent any accident that may cause
the sow to lose all or part of her pigs. If their quar-
ters are warm and dry, it is about all that is necessary,
except in extreme cold weather, when the pigs may need
looking after. Here is one place where it pays to have
the sows quiet, for, at the critical hour, assistance can be
given the pigs to get around to their mother’s breast, and
after they are all snug and safe, if she and the pigs are
covered up with an old horse blanket or a piece of car-
pet, she will remain quiet long enough for the pigs to get
dry and warm, and nurse. After that there is but little dan-
ger of them perishing with the cold; and in this way,
sometimes, a fine litter of pigs can be raised, that would
otherwise perish. The old saying, “take care of the pen-
nies, and the dollars will take care of themselves,” will
hold good in swine breeding; take care of the pigs and
the hogs will take care of themselves. In one case, with-
out pennies you have no dollars, and in the other, with-
out pigs you have no hogs.
As to the feeding of the sows and pigs, I suppose
88 PURE BRED SWINE.
enough has been said on this subject in former writings of
this work to instruct the readers.
FITTING SWINE FOR EXHIBITION OR SALE.
From four to six weeks before the exhibition or sale of
the swine, they should be put up, and become accustomed
to being handled, washed and brushed, which should be
given them every day or two. After they are brushed dry
they should be oiled; this will make the skin soft and pliable,
and the hair glossy. For this purpose there is nothing
better than lard and sperm oil, equal parts mixed. Damp-
en a sponge or wollen cloth with it and oil them, but do
not use too much oil, as it will show, look bad, and cause
remarks.
If in the summer time, when the weather is hot, they
should be kept out of the sun during the hottest part of
the day, and should not be allowed to wallow in the mud.
In case they do, it should be washed off in the evening,
and' not allowed to remain on over night, as it will cause
the hair and skin to become rough. Never maim, or dis-
figure the nose, tail or ears in any way, if it can possibly
be avoided. If they have been rung, cut the rings in two,
and take them out before exhibiting them.
If one wishes to use ear marks, I know of no better
plan than the patent ear tag. These should be put in
the ears at, or before weaning time, so as to guard
against mistakes as to what sows certain pigs belong.
Then tags are numbered, and the numbers should be —
carefully registered. In putting them in, care should be
taken in the operation, for they may cause the pig
to carry a bad ear, especially if the ear becomes sore.
Some breeders object to these ear tags, as they claim |
they gather mud, and sometimes are the cause of the
;
PURE BRED SWINE. 89
ear being frozen, or becoming sore, and use in their place
an ear punch, an instrument similar to a leather punch.
With this they punch holes in the ears, and thus mark
the pigs. Where this is done, the pigs should be care-
fully registered, giving the number of holes in the ear,
| and the position also as to what sow such pigs belong.
In order to take them to fairs or exhibitions of any
-kind, and in order to ship them if sold, each hog should
be boxed in a good, strong, but light box, with a small
trough or tin vessel in it, to water and feed out of. If
the breeder is well supplied with cards, showing whose
hogs they are, what kind they are, how old they are, how
much they weigh, and if for sale, he will save answering a
great many questions. Now, one thing more to the new -
beginners. Once they have thrown out their card to the
public, they must not expect to sell all the hogs that are
needed the first year they are in the business; for if they
do, they are liable to. be disappointed. It takes time, en-
ergy and a great deal of experience to establish a repu-
tation as a first-class stock breeder that commands _res-
pect and patronage.
CHAPTER VII.
SELECTIONS OF SUBJECTS.
IMPROVE YOUR STOCK.—SCRUB HOGS.-—FIXING THE CHAR-
ACTERISTIC OF A BREED OF HOGS.—AN ILLUSTRATION
OF HOW TO FORM A BREED.—-MERIT AND PEDIGREE,
~—ROOTS, VEGETABLES, PASTURE, ETC., FOR HOGS.—RING-
ING HOGS.—HOW TO HOLD THEM.—OUR HOGS.——TRICHI-
' NAE IN HOGS..-HOW A PIG SUDDENLY BECAME PORK.—
SLAUGHTER WITH THE BULLET.
IMPROVE YOUR STOCK.
The advantage of good stock over scrub stock is daily
becoming more evident, an incontrovertible argument in
favor of the former. This is a pleasant fact to contem-
plate ly those breeding up their herds, and should serve
as an incentive to future effort by others who have hith-
erto refrained from so doing. ‘The improvement in stock
throughout the country is marked, but the large increase
of pure bred stock, the frequent public sales and the rea-
sonable price at which they sell, enable men to make still
more rapid improvements in the grading up of vast herds
in the West, that cut the chief figure in our meat supply.
In passing through the country now, one cannot fail to
note the changes that have taken place in most sections,
as regards the improvements in all kinds of stock, and
especially swine. People have begun to know the differ-
ence existing between a good hog and a scrub one. One
may occasionally find a person who has made no improve-
SELECTIONS OF SUBJECTS. ot
ment in his swine, but he is only an exception. He will
soon fall in the ranks, for it is evident to anyone that it is
as easy to raise a good hog as a poor one, and far more
profitable. Pure bred swine of most all kinds have become
so plentiful that it is no longer a difficult or costly matter to
procure them, and once procured, they re-produce them-
selves so rapidly that it is very evident that in the near
future the pure bred, or high grades of swine, will take
the place of the native, or scrub hog, even in the most
remote rural districts.
Other improved stock has made very rapid progress
in the last ten years, and no doubt will continue to do so
in the future, for the more plentiful it becomes, the easier
it is obtained, and the more enlightened the people be-
come, the more it will be sought after; but on account
of it being more costly, or slower to reproduce itself, it
can never make the progress that swine can or will. Ev-
ery effort should be made to grade up all kinds of stock
as fast as possible. As the use of good males of most
all kinds of stock is now obtainable at a reasonable price
in most all parts of this country, the people should not be
slow to patronize them. By this means it takes but a few
years to make quite an improvement in any kind of stock,
and the idea that the market will become overstocked
_ with any kind of good stock is all wrong. The demand
will always exceed the supply.
“It does not pay to breed or to feed poor hogs. ‘The
hog is a voracious animal, and unless his voracity can be
turned to profitable account it is better to have nothing to
do with him. The great majority of farmers who breed
pigs do so without definite aim toward producing a profit-
able animal. Some of them have got a nondescript sort
92 SELECTIONS OF SUBJECTS.
of stock of no particular breed, and remarkable only for
combining as many of the bad qualities and as few of the
good points as it is possible a hog can have. Having
come to them as it were as a common legacy, they look
upon it as being a bounden duty to perpetuate the race.
Yet bad as these hogs are, they have two redeeming
points. In the first place, they are hardy, and have
good constitutions; and in the second place they are capa-
ble of being rapidly improved at small cost, by crossing
them with the modern improved breeds of pure-blooded
sorts. Use what breed you will to begin the improve-
ment, if it is only persevered in by those who understand
the business, it must result profitably. A good thorough-
bred boar costs money. We will say twenty-five to fifty
dollars for a really first-class young one, three to six
months old. But one is enough for a whole neighbor-
hood, and if several will club together to purchase and
keep one among them, or agree to pay a moderate
sum for each sow they may get served, the cost will be
small to each.” ,
As to what breed is best to originate the improvement
from, much will depend upon circumstances. If medium
sized hogs are desired, use the Berkshire, Yorkshire, or
Essex; for those who want larger hogs, giving from
three to six hundred pounds when fattened, will find
nothing better than the Poland China, or any of our
other improved large breeds. Once they have made a
_ choice of any one breed, it should not be changed unless
they are thoroughly convinced that they have made a
mistake; but everything should be done to improve it, al-
ways selecting and retaining the best sows for breeders,
and every time boars are changed, try to get a better one.
SELECTIONS OF SUBJECTS. 93
FIXING THE CHARACTERISTIC OF A BREED OF HOGS.
«The time required in which to establish a breed, and
the difficulty of the undertaking, depends largely on two
things—the number of the characteristics desired to be
fixed, and the rapidity with which the class of animals
selected reproduce themselves. It is obviously a very
much less difficult task to secure the reproduction of one
characteristic than it is to secure half a dozen. It would
be much easier to produce a breed of hogs which should
be uniform in color, without regard to size and time of
coming to maturity than it would to secure uniformity
in all these points. The rapidity of breeding is an
equally important element. Compare the horse and hog
in this regard. A long life time would not enable one to
do more with the horse than could be done in ten years
with the hog; in each case the breeder being confined to
his own animals. Before the. effects of a second cross
could be seen in the case of the horse, the hog breeder,
starting with a single pair, could have a herd of hun-
dreds, with a good degree of uniformity. Producing
young once or twice a year, and several at each birth,
the hog, of all our domestic animals, gives much the best
opportunity for selection. Swine reproduce at so early
an age, so many at a birth and so often, that in no other
field can the student of the science of breeding and the
art of selection and crossing so readily note results and
acquire information by actual experience. Indeed, with
a single sow and her descendants, for a period of five
years, an observant, intelligent man may learn more con-
cerning the laws of reproduction and the effects of in-
breeding and crossing, than with any other variety of
farm stock in a lifetime.
94 SELECTIONS OF SUBJECTS.
Estimating the produce of a single sow at a very mod-
erate rate—one litter a year from the time she is one year
old, and that from each of these litters there should be
saved three sow pigs, which in time should be equally
productive—we shall have, by the time the first sow is
five years old, a herd of 1,024 females. These will have
been produced at 341 different litters, and the most re-
mote will be five generations from the first dam. But
when we consider that it is quite within the limits of
possibility that each sow will produce two litters a year
instead of one, the number of descendants and the oppor-
tunity for observation are materially increased, as this
would give us nine litters from the old sow alone, instead
of five, as in the preceding calculation, and the total num-
ber of female descendants possible in five years, where
two litters a year are produced, counting only three fe-
males to the litter, would be 2,683.
If, as is claimed by many, five generations serve to
fix any given type with reasonable certainty in any of
our domestic animals, it is quite within the range of possi--
bilities for each farmer to create a breed of hogs for him-
self, in the course of five years. This case of fixing its
characteristics, which the hog possesses in so marked a
degree, enables any farmer to secure a stock which pos-
sesses in a very large degree the qualities he desires. If
he will use well bred boars of the breed he prefers for
four or five years, selecting the sows with care, his en-—
tire stock will very closely resemble the pure bred ani-
mals of this breed.
If he wishes, he may produce a new breed, or modify
an old one, but in the large majority of cases this will
not be a wise attempt, as those now common at large
. . » 2
. ore, “ewe ot ae
inch at one side, so as to catch within the siding. On the
other end of the battens we have a button on each to
catch the upper and lower rails. By swinging a door in
the remaining space the haquse is closed, and there
is complete protection against storms. We use these moy-
able fronts in early spring until the pigs are old enough
to endure the cold, when the front is taken off and laid ©
away. If the house is set up on a dry spot where the
water will not run under, or if a trench is cut behind for
the drip of the roof to run off, the inmates will be more ~
comfortable than in any of our big houses.
Each spring and fall we take these houses down and
whitewash inside, and never have a new litter begin life
in the old filth of their predecessors. With a clean house,
on a clean, fresh sod, the young things start life without
being handicapped by disease. The sow should become
a 5 a a ee ee a ce ek
HOUSES AND TROUGHS FOR SWINE. T45
accustomed to the house two weeks before farrowing, and.
the swinging door should be kept open. The night she
is to farrow it may be closed, and then the pigs are safe
from any storm we ever have in this latitude.
A handy man can make two of these houses in a day,
and the cost of material does not exceed $2.50.
The above description is for a house without the sky-
light. The sash and lights cost about $2. In bright,
cold, or windy days, in March or April, the glass lets the
sunshine pour into the bed, which the pigs enjoy. We
cannot get too much sunshine for the pig in the spring of
the year.
These movable pig houses will be found most conveni-
ent on small farms where permanent hog houses are not
provided. To the tenant who wishes to give his pigs
better care than the quarters of the rented farm afford,
they will be found of especial value, as he can move
them as he does his implements and stock. To move
one from one lot to the other, a sled may be slipped
under, or the house can be taken down by removal of the
pins, and placed ina wagon, or carried piece by piece by
one person. On flat land, where drainage is poor, it will
be well to make a floor of inch boards, cut so that the
pens set down over it. This keeps the floor perfectly
‘dry. The floor should fit the house, so that there will
be no danger of a pig’s foot or leg béing caught between
_ the floor and house. In order to prevent killing the grass
and destroying the sod, we do not allow the house to stand
long in one spot. Move often to keep the soil and grass
fresh. With clean beds, in clean houses, on clean sod, we
may hope to raise healthy pigs, if fed judiciously and bred
for constitution rather than color and fat.
146 ' HOUSES AND TROUGHS FOR SWINE.
TROUGHS FOR SWINE.
Every farmer in this wide land of ours, from Ocean to
Ocean, is interested in hogs. No well regulated farm
should be without them. They fill a niche in mixed
farming that no other animal can supply. They largely
subsist on stuff that would otherwise be wasted. They
are economizers. If you are opposed to raising hogs for —
sale, at least try and keep a few pigs to consume the —
waste. It will pay to do so. |
The trough is as essential as the breed, sie should be |
well filled. ‘The breed is the machinery and the trough
supplies the raw material for manufacture.
Since information on making troughs for swine —
may be of value to some of the readers of this book, I
will endeavor to explain how to make a few troughs that
will be found practicable to use. First, the old log
trough, made by squaring up a stick of timber, gx12 and —
of any length, and hollowing it out by the use of an ax
or foot adze, is a good stationary trough, for the hogs
cannot upset it, and if made of good-timber, will last for
years. A trough similar vo it can be made by spiking
and bolting together three two-inch boards, with end
pieces well set in. ‘To keep hogs from crowding one an-
other, upright pieces can be fastened on the sides about a
foot apart; if set against a fence or in a pen, only one
side should have the pieces. Light troughs for pigs, or
for general use where they are to be lifted about, can be
made in the same way out of six inch fencing boards.
The eves-trough, made by nailing together two boards
edge-wise, of any length, width, or thickness, and then
nailing on or setting in end pieces, is a common and
handy trough. Large troughs made this way, can have
HOUSES AND TROUGHS FOR SWINE. 147
a wide board or two narrow ones, runing lengthwise in
the center of the trough and braced by pieces from the
edge of the trough to them, to keep the hogs from crowd-
ing or getting over the top. Troughs for small pigs are
made low and nearly square, as more pigs can get
to them, and they cannot be upset; they are also easily
cleaned. Oak lumber is the best to use to make troughs
out of, as it will last longer and hold the nails better.
The hogs can be kept out of the trough until the feed
is put in by means of a wide board, or two put together
with strips. It should be wide enough so one edge can
rest on the edge of the trough or on slats put across the
trough, and the other edge fastened to the pen or fence
by straps or hinges; this board must be in a sloping posi-
tion, the board or shute that carries the swill into the
trough, being under it. When the hogs are wanted in
the trough, raise the board by the use of a rope or strap
fastened to the outer edge of it and fasten it up. As
soon as the hogs are done eating, it can be lowered again;
in this way the hogs can be kept out of the trough and
it can be kept cleaner than when they have free access
to it all the time.
CHAPTER X.
PREVAILING CAUSES OF SWINE. DISEASE.
WHAT CAUSES CHOLERA.—SWINE FEVER.—ITS PREVAIL-
ING LOCAL CAUSES.__CERTAIN BREEDS CHOLERA PROOF.
—-COMMON ERRORS IN FEEDING.WHEAT STUBBLE PAS~-
TURE,—-CONFINEMENT,BAD FOOD AND WATER.—STRAW-
STACKS, MANURE HEAPS AND BARNS,—ITS INFECTIOUS
CHARACTER.—DANGER ARISING FROM RUNNING STREAMS
OR POOLS.-DANGER IN EXPOSURE OF DEAD HOGS.—_THE
PERIOD BETWEEN EXPOSURE TO CONTAGION AND ITS
ATTACKS.
HOG CHOLERA AND SWINE FEVER.
What causes hog cholera or swine fever ? is a ques-
tion which has been often asked, and for which many an-
swers have been proposed, but among the hog growing
people of this country, it is as far from solution as ever.
While certain theorists and their advocates talk “filth” all
the time as its cause, others unmercifully condemn the
improved breeding of swine. The farmer knows there
is something in this when carried to the extreme, but he
is often puzzled to know why his hogs get sick, when
kept in clean quarters and not pure bred, while his neigh-
bor’s pure bred hogs are in good condition; and on the
other hand, it not infrequently occurs that the farmer
who keeps pure bred hogs, loses his, while his neighbor
owning native bred hogs has his herd in a thrifty con-
dition. In studying the cause of this epidemic, too much
(je. See
PREVAILING CAUSES OF SWINE DISEASE. 149
attention cannot be given to the local causes, as well as
the artificial condition of the patient. “It is true, when a
rapid growth is attained by artificial means, we lose in
vitality, hardiness, and constitution.” This is especially
the case in the improved breeds of hogs, which now
weigh as much at nine months as the old hardy breeds
did at eighteen. Instead of roaming at large, unlimited
by field or pen, as the old native breed did, and maturing
more slowly, they have been subjected to confinement, fed
with corn, cooked food, distilled or other slops, etc., which
were entirely unknown to them in their native state, thus,
opening up the way for hog cholera and other fatal di-
seases. This cause has also been increased by inbreed-
ing too close, or breeding from too young or runty and
inferior animals. To obviate this, too much attention can-
not be given to the selections of thrifty and well matured
animals as breeders, and treating them as near like nature
as possible. ig. )
CERTAIN BREEDS CHOLFRA PROOF.
No breed, however, is exempt from this disease. Even
the “Hazel Splitter” with all his vigor of constitution -
could not resist taking this disease when exposed to it in
its epidemic or coutagious form. The representation
that any improved breed of hogs are cholera proof is a
fallacy. It istrue, the better constitution a hog has, the
better fortified he is against such epidemics. Hence a hog,
forced in growth all the time, is more liable to disease,
than one grown more slowly—because its digestive and
other organs become impaired and its ability to resist the
attacks of disease is thereby lessened.
The present practice of raising swine artificially by the
use of such stimulating foods as will secure a rapid
T50 PREVAILING CAUSES OF SWINE DISEASE.
growth and quick development, is the most fruitful cause
of disease among swine otherwise well cared for.
COMMON ERRORS IN FEEDING.
Unquestionably many healthy hogs are made sick and
die, by the thoughtlessness of their owners in suddenly
changing*from dry feed to green corn. The vast amount
of saccharine matter taken into the stomach of the animal,
impairs its digestion, and on failure of assimilation the
food ferments and sets up an inflammation in the stomach
and bowels which either produces an active diarrhea or
severe constipation. Both these conditions are often no-
ticed in a herd of hogs at the same time, and apparently
arising from the same cause.
The same effect is produced on hogs when taken from
short dry pasture fields, where they have been kept for
some time, and turned into a stubble field where there is —
a rank growth of clover, or into a clover field, where the
second crop is growing rank. The disastrous effects of
these changes are more easily noticeable if the change be
made during a warm, wet time, as under sich circum-
_ stances fermentation takes place mn the stomach of the
animal more quickly than at any other time. Another
fruitful cause of sickness from which farmers suffer
greatly is allowing hogs to run in matured clover fields
and feeding old corn, or not feeding at all. The effect
noticeable in this class of cases is almost universally a
constipated condition of the animal. The same fevered
and constipated condition is noticeable when hogs are
shut up in pens, or lots, and fed old dry corn in large
quantities, for the purpose of fattening.
WHEAT STUBBLE PASTURE.
Another dangerous practice which causes the same
PR a Oe re eran s.
i
.
:
f
;
|
PREVAILING CAUSES OF SWINE DISEASE. E5I
trouble, is that of turning hogs into a wheat field, in a
dry time, particularly so, when the herd is small or the
field very large, and the amount of wheat left on the ground
in harvesting is considerable. ‘The hogs begin eating the
‘dry wheat at once, and continue just as long as they can
find it, unless they get sick before it is all eaten, which
not infrequently occurs. The dry wheat, when taken
into the stomach without proper mastication, is almost
certain to clog the stomach, and remain undigested, pro-
ducing a bilious condition of the animal, resulting in fever
and constipation.
Practical demonstrations have proven that wheat
should never be fed to hogs unless ground, soaked or
cooked. The farmer who is fearful of having his fields
rooted or torn up by his hogs, is careful to put rings in
the nose of each pig as soon as weaned, thus depriving it
of a taste or smell of fresh earth, and the use of an
instinct which teaches it in bilious attacks to search
for bugs, worms, and other insects as well as_ roots
or vegetables, the natural excitants of the stomach,
liver and bowels. He never once thinks of the neces-
sity of furnishing the animal an artificial substitute
for these. Dr. Koch, an eminent German scientist and a
standard authority on cholera in the human species, says:
“Cholera will have but little effect among those who
keep the digestive organs, and the kidney and liver in a
healthful condition.” Following this suggestion of Dr.
Koch’s, the author has, by repeated experiments, prac-
tically demonstrated that swine are subject to the same
physical laws as the human race respecting the adminis-
tration of medicine for the prevention of diseases. And
by giving attention to the local condition of the animal
152 PREVAILING CAUSES OF SWINE DISEASE.
and furnishing it with proper remedies, if administered in
time, not only will the diseases arising from local causes
be removed or prevented,but exposure of the herd to swine
fever, cholera, however contagious, will not result disas-
trously.
CONFINEMENT, BAD FOOD AND. WATER.
Confining hogs in a small lot or pen and compelling
them to drink stagnant and filthy water, and in the winter
season, ice or snow water, or scanty feeding, or dry corn,
or musty, moldy and unwholesome food, causes worms in ~
the intestines of the animal, which most generally pro-
duces unthriftiness, constipation and disease; such treat-
ment will sometimes produce diarrhee or other ailments
of the digestive organs. The foregoing illustrates the
common errors in feeding hogs, which have resulted in
the disease, called cholera or swine fever. Aside from
the errors in feeding which I have briefly enumerated,
there are other causes of disease which frequently occur
which I will mention: First, allowing hogs to run in fields
along streams, or in bottom or low lands during wet sea-
sons, when decaying vegetable substances are throwing
out their poisonous miasma. Many thus contract disease
similar to malaria fever, which, if neglected, may and fre-
quently does become fatal. A timely application of prop-—
er remedies which will act upon the liver and kidneys
without irritating the digestive organs will almost inva-
riably relieve this difficulty, and it does not require close
attention on the part of the feeder to discover this con-
dition of the animals. Second, the habit of turning hogs
into a wood lot in seasons when there is a large quantity
of oak mast, is very dangerous, and not infrequently re-
sults in the death of a portion, if not all the herd. It may
a A RR
PREVAILING CAUSES OF SWINE DISEASE. 153
be inquired why did not the hogs of “ancient days” die,
when they had nothing else? The reason is plain to a
_ practical observer, and is the same as before assigned.
“The “ancient hog” was by nature calculated to root for
such things as his system required, such as roots, insects,
toads, snakes and young animals which tended directly to
_ overcome the powerful effect of the astringent properties
_of the seed or jackoak acorn. This variety of mast is
far the most dangerous, as its astringent properties are |
proportionally greater. Continued feeding upon these
nuts injuriously affects the urinary and other organs.
The cultivation of the land and removal of timber, have
left the fields free from roots and herbs, mice, insects, and
other varieties of such food as formerly was found and
eaten, rendering the hog entirely incapable of obtaining the
‘needful remedies for such condition as above described.
Any prudent farmer will see at once how necessary it is
_ to supply this necessary want, and do so, instead of allow-
‘ing the hogs to die.
STRAW STACKS, MANURE HEAPS AND BARNS.
Another and potent cause of disease is, the manner in
which hogs are kept, and particularly so where the farm-
er entrusts the entire care of the animals to the employes
about the farm, who naturally take little or no interest in
the condition in which they are kept, in order to avoid
| extra labor, and attention in caring for them. The own-
er having neglected to provide suitable quarters, the hogs
are expected and allowed to shift for themselves as best
they can. And in cases of this kind they very often seek
an old straw stack, fermenting manure heap, dusty shed
or barn in which to sleep. ‘This cannot be too severely
| condemned. Here they crowd together in large or small
154. PREVAILING CAUSES OF SWINE DISEASE.
numbers, according to the size of the drove, and some-
times even burrow beneath the straw or litter, and are :
thus compelled to breath the “impure and noxious gases
engendered thereby.” ‘These taken into the system powca |
and weaken it, and generate disease, which, sooner or
later, takes a malignant form, in the way of typhoid or lung
fever, and becomes epidemic and contagious and spreads ;
over a large scope of country. In my practice I have -
often traced the first disease that was known in a neigh- ;
berhood, to some farm where I was satisfied it started in
this way. In other instances it was traced to farms
where the swine were allowed to sleep in dusty sheds or
under barns. Here they are compelled to breathe or in-
hale the impure air and dust found in such places, which
is very dangerous, especially where the buildings are oc-
cupied by other animals. The “solid and liquid excre-—
tions” of the other stock, mixed with that of the swine, —
or the excretions of the swine, mixed with the dry litter
of sheds or barns, present the means for the germination
of disease. In warm or wet weather, the evils thaf arise
from swine sleeping in the above named places are more
noticeable and more dangerous than at any other time; as
the hogs which are crowded or piled up in such places
become very warm and wet with sweat, and upon coming
out into the cool air, undoubtedly take cold and thereby
contract a more fatal malady. By observation, I have
very frequently known this to be the cause of a very ma-
lignent type of disease, especially with fat, young hogs or
_pigs. This being the case, the farmer or owner of hogs
should seé at once how important it is to remove the
cause, and give the hogs such treatment as would release
the local trouble, before it had taken a fatal form.
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PREVAILING CAUSES OF HOG DISEASE. 155
ITS INFECTIOUS OR CONTAGIOUS CHARACTER.
When the disease has assumed a malignant form, it is
the same as the Asiatic cholera, or typhus or typhoid fever
‘with the human family, and similar to epizootic and
pneumonia with other stock, being infectious or contagious.
It has been practically demonstrated, by good authority,
that hog cholera or swine fever, isa “germ desease” ca-
_pable of being germinated, propagated and transported
in various ways. And perhaps some of the ordinary
methods of spreading this disease, cannot be better de-
scribed than to quote from the American Stock Book as
follows: “It has been a great mystery to the farmer how
_— 2S ae
.
‘the disease spreads from place to place without apparent
actual contact. It was like fighting in the dark to at-
“tempt to prevent it, and many gave up in despair and
_stoically awaited its coming, or after a few cases had oc-
curred, ceased all remedies or precautionary measures,
saying: “what will die, will die anyway.” There is no
doubt but what it is under favorable conditions infectious
and conveyed by germs or spores in the air. It is most
dificult to draw the dividing line between the epizootic
“nature of the disease, and the contagious form. ‘There is
“no doubt but what the infectious nature of the disease
“may, under a predisposing condition of local causes, etc.,
take the contagious form, which is far more malignant,
sweeping and fatal in character. That a few spasmodic
cases may occur in a drove, which if neglected, may so
increase in number and violence as to become highly con-
tagious. This contagious matter is of a fixed char-
acter, and is present in the blood, the discharges, and
of course in the place inhabited. It possesses great
Vitality. |
-
156 PREVAILING CAUSES OF HOG DISEASE.
DANGER ARISING FROM STREAMS OR POOLS. .
It is not infrequently the case that swine afflicted with
this contagious disease will go to a running stream to ~
drink, and standing or lying in the water, die. The
stream carries the virus from such dead animals for miles” ©
along both its banks. And hogs drinking the water be- _
low are almost certain to contract the disease. The same — :
class of exposure is met when buzzards which have ~
gorged themselves on the carcasses of diseased hogs, —
seek a pool of water, and after drinking, vomit the con-—
tents of the craw, either into the water or on the banks.
Hogs drinking the water or eating such material are cer-
tain to at once become diseased.
DANGER IN EXPOSURE OF THE DEAD HOGS.
Where dead hogs are buried shallow, or piled up and
left to decay, the grease from them will penetrate the
ground for quite a distance, carrying with it the poisons,
virus or germs, which away from the air retain their poi-
sonous qualities. Hogs coming in contact with those
places will in many instances root up and eat the “earth
where such dead animals have decayed, and in such cases,
they invariably become diseased. ‘There is also a prac-
tice of feeding the dead hogs to the herd, many farmers
claiming by so doing the living animals are benefited.
But in all his many years of experience the author has
never found this to be the case—unless the dead bodies
were first well charred, when there may be some benefit
derived in so doing.
The methods of exposure to this disease, the author
has found to be very dangerous; and when hogs become
diseased from either of these causes, such attacks almost
invariably are attended with fatal results. The
PREVAILING CAUSES OF SWINE DISEASE. 157
germs of the disease in such case having been brought
directly in contact with the mucus membrane of the
mouth or stomach, and the warmth of the animal furnish-
ing the germs with the needful elements of growth and
formation, the hog speedily becomes diseased, past all
hope of recovery, unless such treatment be resorted to at
once, as will enable the animal to throw off or overcome
_ the effects of the poisonous matter. This alone should
_ prove to the farmers how important it is to burn diseased
hogs as soon as dead. For by so doing all this danger is
obviated, and the germs are entirely destroyed. If left
lying where they happen to die, or if they are hauled out
and piled up, or buried shallow, the carcass or a part is
likely to be found and devoured by hogs, or else the bones
and flesh will be carried about, and sometimes for miles
by dogs or other animals and deposited in such places as
hogs will find and devour them soon afterwards, and be-
come diseased,
Dr. Detmers, a celebrated scientist and careful inves-
tigator of the swine disease, says: “The dead hogs
should be buried at least four feet deep or cremated.”
The author knowing that the farmers will not go to the
trouble of burying them four feet deep, still repeats the
advice in his writings of former years, to burn them, as
that obviates any further trouble.
THE P RIOD BETWEEN CONTAGION AND ITS ATTACKS.
“The intensity of this contagious matter seems also to
vary according to the form and malignancy of the disease.
The period which elapses between exposure and the at-
tacks is not always the same, varying with the form the
disease assumes, from a few hours toa few weeks. As
we have stated before, an infectious disease may become
158 PREVAILING'CAUSES OF SWINE DISEASE.
malignant and contagious, and one form of the disease —
does not necessarily impart the same type to another, but 4a
depends more upon the primary seat of the malady in the ©
patient. It may take the enteric form or the external car- —
buncular character. It may localize its attacks on certain
organs with well defined symptoms, which are more pro- —
longed in their results, or, it may affect the whole organ- —
ization, and destroy life in a few hours.” The experi-
ments of Drs. Law, Detmers, Salmen, Sutton, Budd, —
Osler and others, in inoculating sound hogs with the virus _
or poisoned blood of sick ones, have shown the period of —
incubation to vary greatly, sometimes proving fatal the
first day, and in other instances, not until the fifteenth
day. Dr. Detmers gives the period, “from five to fifteen
days, oran average of seven days.” The author’s ex-
perience and observation in having well hogs with sick
ones, have placed the period of infection from three to
thirteen days, but the majority of cases occuring in from
seven to nine days.
A si. oa
ee ae
CHAPTER XI.
INVESTIGATION OF SWINE DISEASE BY THE GOVERNMENT.
INVESTIGATIONS BY THE GOVERNMENT.—DISCOVERIES OF
DR. H. J. DETMERS, JAMES LAW AND OTHERS.—EFFECTS
OF THE SWINE DISEASE UPON OTHER ANIMALS AND
UPON THE HUMAN FAMILY.—GERM THEORY.—OPPO-
NENTS OF THE GERM THEORY.—-PROOF THEREOF.——-WHY
SUMMER IS THE MOST DANGEROUS SEASON.
_ INVESTIGATIONS BY THE GOVERMENT.
In support of the practical experience of the author set
forth in the preceeding pages, I cannot do better perhaps
than to give some extracts from Drs. James Law and H.
J. Detmers, in ‘their excellent report to the Commis-
sioner of Agriculture of the United States, in 1880, upon
the cause and effects of hog cholera, swine fever, or what
they called, hog fever or swine plague. In experiment-
ing in this direction and others, Dr. H. J. Detmers and Dr.
James Law, while investigating this disease in the fall and
winter of 1878 and 1879, and in 1880, being a part of the
commission as appointed by the government, made some
discoveries which I consider of value, and I will give such
extracts from their report as i think may be useful to the —
general farmer, in order to show more plainly the cause
and effect of hus cholera or swine fever and its treat-
ment. Dr. Detmers says: “When I first commenced
my investigation, in the fall of 1878 and in the winter of
1878 and 1879, I had clear sailing, because an abundance
of material was always available. The disease presented
160. INVESTIGATION BY THE GOVERNMENT.
itself almost everywhere in its malignant form. I endea-
vored first to ascertain the nature and the cause or causes
of the disease, the means and manner of its spreading, |
and the working of its morbid process; secondly, to dis-
cover the means necessary to check its spreading and to
prevent its outbreak, and to learn the most practical
means of prevention, that is, such as would most likely be
the least objectionable to the farmers, and prove both ef-
fective and easy of application; thirdly, to ascertain
whether and to what extent an attack of swine-plague
terminating in recovery is able to destroy further predis-
- position or to produce immunity from the effects of a sub-
sequent infection.” ‘Hence, as it was my intention to find
reliable means of prevention, and to subject the preven-
tives to a severe test, it was not advisable to inoculate
from any case of swine-plague that presented itself or
was convenient. But I made my selections, and only —
used material from malignant and typical cases of swine-
plague, also refusing to use any material from cases show-
ing putrefaction; therefore, I am sure [have made no mis-
takes.” The learned doctor’s investigations show that
hog cholera, swine fever, or what he named “swine plague,”
though a disease peculiar to swine, can, under favorable
circumstances, be communicated to other animals, and un-
der very favorable circumstances probably to human _ be-
ings, but not likely to the barnyard fowls.
The author has satisfied himself that the disease cannot
be communicated by working with diseased hogs in any
manner, he having been frequently bitten when handling
them, and he has many times held post mortem examina-
tions of hogs that have died of cholera when his hands
were sore and often raw in places without ever experi-
INVESTIGATION BY THE GOVERNMENT. 161
encing any unpleasant results from so doing. Dr.
Detmers says: It can and may attack one and the
same animal twice, and even three times, but if it does,
the second and third attacks are always mild ones and not
apt to prove fatal, unless complicated with other diseases.
As a rule, however, the first attack, provided the animal
recovers, produces immunity from the effects of a sub-
_ sequent infection, at any rate for some time, and it may be
for life. ‘The same seems to destroy fully or partially the
condition necessary to the development of the swine
plague germ. Even an interrupted attack, or in other
words an infection that has been prevented from causing
serious morbid changes, either by medical treatment or
otherwise, as a rule, seems to produce immunity from the
effect of a subsequent infection, the same as a fully devel-
oped attack.
HOW IT AFFECTS THE LUNGS.
“The morbid process of swine plague can have its seat
in almost any organ or part of the body. Yet it must
be considered as characteristic of the disease, that the
lungs invariably are more or less affected, and constitute in
a large number of cases the principa! seat of the morbid pro-
cess. At any rate, in over two hundred post mortem
examinations, | found this to be more or less the case.
This stage of the disease, severe affection of the lungs and
heart, is more frequent in severe cold weather, and more
acute, and fully as fatal as in warm weather, a fact easily
explained in the habits of swine crowding together and
lying on top of each other when the temperature is very
low. Whenever investigations have been made, the ex-
aminers have found the symptoms and post-mortem ap-
pearances of the disease the same, and hence agree as to
162 INVESTIGATION BY THE GOVERNMENT.
the propriety of designating the affliction under the head
of ageneral disorder. But during cold weather it does not
seem to spread so readily from one farm to another as in
warm weather, but as to its spreading trom one animal to
another in the same herd in which it previously existed,
no difference can be obseved. |
“Further, whenever the morbid process of swine plague —
has become sufficiently developed to produce morbid
changes, serious enough to manifest their existence by a
rapid emaciation, the growth and thrift will be impaired,
but the growth and thrift, it seems, remain more or less |
unimpaired only in such cases. Some years the disease
is of a much milder type and less complicated than others,
and the symptoms less varied, but otherwise exactly the
same.
WHEN THE DEATH RATES INCREASE.
The death rate in a herd of affected swine is in- |
creased or decreased respectively by the malignancy of
the disease, which, it seems, depends largely on the one
hand, upon the rapidity with which the swine plague
germs develop and propagate, and on the other hand,
upon the size of the herd, the condition of the premises
on which they are kept, the number of diseased animals
in the herd, and the mode and manner in which the ani-
mals are attended to. —
“Everything else being equal, the mortality, asa rule,
will be the greater, the more rapidly the disease is
spreading from one animal to another, and the more abun-
dant the infectious principle. ‘This is easily explained.
The larger the herd and the greater the number
of animals diseased at the same time, the greater is
also the quantity of the excretions containing the swine
i ee ee ne
INVESTIGATION BY THE GOVERNMENT. 163
plague germ; consequently the more abundant the means
of infection, and the more rapid the spreading of the dis-
ease within the herd. Again, a rapid spreading causes
many animals to become affected at the same time and
thus increases, not only the sum total of the number of
germs discharged with the excretions of the diseased ani-
mals, but also the quantity of the infectious principle
taken up by each individual pig. As a consequence the
single attacks become the more malignant, and the more
malignant the single cases, the more rapid will be the dis-
semination of the infectious principle and the spreading of
the disease.”
INTESTINE AND LUNG WORMS.
“In my post-mortem examinations I frequently found
worms in the stomach and intestines, also in the bronchial
tubes and lungs. But these worms do not constitute the
cause of swine plague, and their presence is merely an
accidental complication, well calculated, though, to in-
crease the malignancy of the morbid process, because
their presence necessarily weakens the constitution of the
animal, and thus facilitates the operations of the germs.
On the other hand, worms always thrive better in a dis-
eased or declining organism than in a healthy animal.
The same of course cannot be said of worms found in the
bronchial tubes, because in every case of swine plague
the lungs are more or less diseased, and it is difficult to
determine how much or how little the presence of those
worms may have contributed in bringing about the morbid
changes. In parts.of the lungs but little affected by the mor-
_ bid process of swine-plague, but affected with lung worms,
the mucus membrane of the bronchial tubes presented a
little swelling, or what may be called a catarrhal condition.”
\
164 INVESTIGATION BY THE GOVERNMENT.
OPPONENTS OF THE GERM THEORY.
The Doctor, in support of his theory, says :
“The opponents of the socalled germ theory of disease,
well knowing that a complete separation of the germs from
the animal tissues and fluids is impossible, demand absolute
proof, without offering any evidence whatever in support of
their own ‘theories’ or even demonstrating the existence
of anything akin to what they claim constitutes the cause
and infectious principle of infectious diseases.”
As further proof that the swine plague germ and
nothing else constitutes the infectious principle of swine —
plague, he offers the following: First, if one inoculates a
well hog with the virus of a hog that has the swine
plague, it will contract the disease, and this virus can be
retained for quite a while, and favorably cultivated in urine
or other liquids and if healthy hogs are inoculated with it,
it proves fatal. Other animals, especially the rabbit, and
rats or mice, can be successfully inoculated and die of
swine plague. Once affected they may carry the disease
long distances. Second, if portions of a hog which
has died of swine plague are fed to a healthy hog, it
proves fatal, and healthy hogs will contract the disease if
put in a pen with sick ones, or where sick hogs have been
kept. This proves that it is infectious and contagious.
Open sores, wounds or scratches attract and absorb the
infectious principle, if floating in the air; hence a hog m
this condition is more liable to contract the disease than
one. that has no eruption of the skin. Third, in
warm. weather, and especially if wet, the disease spreads
from farm to farm much faster than in cold weather.
Fourth, hogs kept separate and in the open air, will
not contract disease as quick as hogs will that are kept
|
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INVESTIGATION BY THE GOVERNMENT. 165
in large droves and allowed to sleep about old straw
stacks, etc., because nothing is more apt to absorb the con-
tagious or infectious principle, and to preserve it longer
-or more effectively than old straw, hay, or manure heaps,
composed mostly of hay or straw; for the contagion that
is absorbed by or clings to such material will remain
effective and be a source of Wiper the disease for a
long time.
Following this, the author will give some extracts from
Prof. James Law’s report, as to how the swine plague germ
may |)e stored up and transported from one place to an-
other. This will be followed by an account of such treat-
ment as recommended by Drs. Law and Detmers, as
preventive of the disease, and some remarks will then
be given as to theoretical and practical ideas, and then the
author’s practical treatment.
Danger of storing up the virus and increasing its po-
tency:—The learned Doctor says: “It is evident that we
must guard more sedulously than ever against the pos-
sible storing up of the virus of swine plague in confined
spaces where it has little access to air, and above all when
there is superadded organic matter and moisture which
may serve to maintain the vitality and assist in the prop-
agation of the poison.
We cannot too severely condemn the current practice of
allowing pigs to crowd together by scores and hundreds
in the debris of rotten straw stacks and dung heaps,
where they lie like sardines in a box, and even piled one
above the other, closely enveloped in the masses of de-
composing dung or litter, which not only shuts out the
pure and wholesome air, but generates an abundance of
noxious gases to take its place and weaken the system.
166 INVESTIGATION BY THE GOVERNMENT.
This doubtless contributes much toward laying the sys-
tem open to the attack of whatever germ is imported —
into the herd. It probably does not generate the germ,
otherwise the plague would be even more prevalent than
itis. Yet the resulting condition of the blood of the pig,
the lack of oxygen, and the growth of the virus in this
state of the fluid, in harmony with the principle we have
been considering, must enhance its virulence and increase
the mortality. But it is the intensifying of the poison
which has passed out of the body which is especially to
be feared. In deposits from the breath, skin exhalations,
urine, or dung of the pigs, the germ must find in the
damp and more firmly packed lower layers of such refuse,
and in the damp, close soil beneath, saturated with de-
composing organic matter, the best field for its preserva-
tion and for the conservation or increase of its virulence.
If the pressure of liquid charged with organic matter
could be done away with, the virus would lack for food
and would be more readily destroyed. Ifthe air could
be freely admitted to all parts of the mass and soil, the
virus would soon perish or be transformed into a harm-
less material. But as it is, this warm bed of the herd
supplies the conditions which we have found to be essen-
tial to the preservation of the plague germs and to the in-
crease of its potency. In connection with this ques-
tion it should be considered that among our domestic
quadrupeds, the pig requires the very largest amount of
oxygen in proportion to its body-weight.
CROWDING IN CONFINED SPACES UNDER BARNS.
It is very dangerous when hogs crowd together in
large numbers, in a confined place under barns occupied
by other animals. Here the solid and liquid excretions of
INVESTIGATION BY THE GOVERNMENT. 167
the stock above pass, to a certain extent, through the
- floor, and thus mixing with the excretions and exhalations
of the pigs, accumulate in the confined area, saturate the
_ ground, and produce constant emanations that deteriorate
the air and undermine the health of the animals that
| crowd together in the close and stagnated atmosphere.
_ Such sleeping places may, therefore, be set down with
_ manure heaps and rotten straw stacks as propagators,
. though they may not be germinators of the plague. In
the present state of the swine industry in the western
_ states, the swine plague is so wide-spread that the chances
_ are always favorable to the extension of the contagion,
and no herd, however well cared for, can be looked upon
as safe; yet the danger may be greatly enhanced by such
-management as to surely contribute to the multiplication
and potency of the germ.
DRAINS AND LIQUID MANURE PITS.
- So called improvements are often fraught with unseen
‘ danger. Sewers serve to spread typhoid fever, diphtheria
-and cholera; warm, air-tight barns propagate consump-
tion and glanders; and closed, covered drains, cess-
_ pools, liquid manure tanks, or unventilated spaces beneath
the floor of a pig pen, .are liable to spread hog
cholera. If these are indulged in, they should be
: _ properly ventilated by inlets for fresh air, and the latter
_ should on no account be opened into a close pig-pen to
befoul its atmosphere. Emanations from such close, con-
fined drains and pits are always unsanitary and injurious
_ to animals requiring such abundance of pure air as do
[ Swine, but they must become pre-eminently plague-pits
and passages when once the hog cholera germ has been
| introduced in them. Mr. Law continues in quite lengthy
j
168 INVESTIGATION BY THE GOVERNMENT.
details as to where and how the hog cholera germ may
be propagated, and sooner or later escape to assume its
malignant form. His suggestions are good and cannot
be too carefully read and studied by any one, and espe-
cially those who have heretofore had no knowledge of the
hog Cholera germ, or the opponents of the so called
“oerm theory” of diseases.
Danger from railroad cars and vessels.—“It must be
apparent that many of the objections to wooden piggeries
apply no less to railroad cars. The joints and crevices,
the accumulation of filth, and the absence of all system-
atic disinfections, the constant use of the cars for succes-
sive loads of swine, and the impossibility of obtaining per-
fect drying and airing in the intervals between trips, all
combine to make these vehicles the bearers and dissemi-
nators.of contagion. The absence of air in the masses of
accumulated manure, and in the interstices of the wooden
floor or wall will even go far towards adding a new force
and malignancy to the poison that may be introduced. In
boats there is the additional danger of the close atmos-
phere between decks and the bilge-water in the hold, at-
taining increased virulence and malignity and spreading a
more inveterate type of the malady than that from which
it was derived.” ,
Why summer is the most dangerous season.— 1) a
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THE NEXT THING TO BE DONE. :
After the hogs are properly sorted and put in their re-
spective lots or pens, it is best to let them go twenty-four
hours or more without food or drink, unless the weather
is very warm. They may then be given some water
with soda, copperas, lime or carbolic acid in it as here-
after directed. By confining the hogs thus they become
hungry and thirsty, and can be compelled to take the medi
cine more readily, and it will act quicker and better on an
empty stomach than a full one. Meantime see that there
are plenty of troughs in which to give them feed or drink.
These should not be too large, so as to interfere with their
drinking. Have plenty of them and keep them clean.
For this reason there is nothing better to use than six inch
fencing boards,,edged together with end pieces. These
— SSS SS ~~
|
|
lt il atin
TREATISE ON DISEASED HOGS. 183
can be of any length desired, and will be light to lift about
from one pen to another, or can be taken back and forth
from any part of the farm by a team, in order to treat
two or more lots of hogs.
_ THE BEST WAY TO PREPARE THE FEED.
When'there are very many hogs to be fed, it is best to
prepare a barrel of swill at a time, as it will take a barrel
or more to feed them, when they are in large droves, and
if it is not all used at once it will not spol until the next
feed, or for a day or two, even in warm weather. When
it is prepared in this way, it can be made of one strength
better than if mixed in small quantities, and by different
persons each feed, as often occurs. A barrel of swill
will feed from seventy to one hundred and twenty hogs,
depending upon their size, and the fatality of disease, etc.
Hogs which are very costive will require more swill than
those which are not, and large hogs more than small
ones. This will have to be governed by the feeder. Af-
ter the medicine has begun to take effect, no more should
be given than enough to keep the bowels in a normal
state. | ,
TO MAKE A BARREL OF SWILL.
For forty or forty-five gallons of swill take two bushels
of bran, mill feed, ground oats or barley; put it in the
barrel, then add the drugs, as given in the first four num-
bers of the recipe. (See recipe.) _
Take five pints of No. 1, two or more pints of No. 2,
from one-third to half pint of No. 3, four tablespoons of No.
4, then fill the barrel with milk, slops, or water, and add
no more liquid until the whole is used up. Stir the swill .
well while feeding, and feed only what the hogs will
drink up clean, twice a day; in most cases, especially in
184 TREATISE ON DISEASED HOGS.
warm weather, they should be fed three times a day. Do
not keep it by them.. Give them only what they will —
drink up clean.. Three gallons is enough for five or
more hogs, according to size. In order to get the hogs
to drink the swill, it is sometimes necessary to sprinkle
bran, oats, or meat cracklings in the troughs, all*of which
are good and beneficial. Be sure that the hogs are all —
up around the troughs when fed, so that they all drink.
Success depends a great deal on this; when they will not
drink they must be drenched. (See directions.)
_ Diseased hogs should be kept under treatment from
five days to two weeks, according to fatality of disease.
Sometimes they recover very quick if properly cared for,
and then again slow, the same as with any sick animal;
and for this reason it is best not to despair and quit be-
cause they do not get well in a day or two. As they be-
gin to improve, any kind of light food is good to feed
them. It is very easy to tell when they begin to improve,
as the urine will come more abundant and clear, and their
discharges soft and regular. In using this medicine for
sick hogs, allow no water or corn for four or five days,
and but little corn for a few days after a cure is effected.
This, again, is something that must be strictly observed; do
not feed sick hogs corn while under treatment, especially
old corn. It seems natural for all feeders to want to feed
corn if the hogs will eat it, and with this one thing I have
-more to contend than anything else. New corn is
not so bad, because it is not so heating or hard to digest.
Sometimes I put shelled corn in the swill barrel and let ©
it soak. This is good after the hogs have begun to —
show some improvement, and is very good to entice them —
to eat.
TREATISE ON DISEASED HOGS. 185
AS A PREVENTIVE, TO BE FED AFTER THE SICK ONES
HAVE BEEN TAKEN OUT. —
In feeding large herds, where it is not convenient to
_ feed the swill, use this same medicine, Nos. I, 2,3 and 4,
(and the amount of each as given in the recipe;) mix, use
one pint of this mixture in one half bushel of wet bran,
_ which is enough for twenty or thirty head, and feed twice
. a day forthree days. This will act upon the entire system
and check the disease. It will be found the most reliable
_ and cheapest remedy that can be used as a preventive,
where they have been exposed to the disease, and the
-swill cannot be given. But it is better to give the swill
_as directed, to all the hogs, than to do any other way, as
they get the medicine better. In the use of corn (at all
_times when feeding the medicine) feed light for a few
- days where the hogs have been exposed to disease.
TREATMENT FOR GENERAL USE.
, This treatment is intended for all the ordinary diseases
| known to hogs, either as a preventive or cure, and can be
| relied upon, as it is a powerful blood purifier, and also
acts asa diarrhetic. It prevents inflammation or ulcer-
| ation of the intestines, breaks the fever, regulates the
bowels and destroys all intestine worms, thus relieving
or curing the patient.
| ‘Special Notice: The first four ingredients of the recipe
| as it is filled out are just right for a barrel of swill of forty
gallons, for ordinary diseased hogs for general use, or as
a preventive, when hogs have been exposed to disease.
| But it is necessary sometimes to make a change in it to
Suit more mild or more severe cases, as follows: If for
pigs, use one pint less of No. 1. But for large hogs
which are very costive or badly diseased, add one pint
186 _ TREATISE ON DISEASED HOGS.
extra of No. 1 and also add No. 5, as given in the recipe. —
This will increase the strength and it will act quicker :
and better. But in two or three days it can be reduced
again as above. Thatis, use only five pints of No. 1. If —
they are coughing, keep on using No. 5. If not, omit its
use. 3 ei vay
For a Cough: If hogs are coughing and the first four
numbers as given fail to break it up, then add a heaping
table spoon of No. 5 to a barrel, or a level teaspoon to
three gallons of swill. A gallon of swill is enough for
three or more hogs, according to size.
FOR PIGS OR VERY SICK HOGS.
Sometimes very sick hogs or pigs refuse to drink the
swill made as described. If they do put them and those
which have the diarrhea by themselves, and use Nos. 2,
4, 7 and 8, as given in the recipe, to fina gallons of swill.
(See recipe). |
Take two or more pints of No. 2, four tablespoons of
No. 4, five pints of No. 7, and four tablespoons of No. 8. ©
To this can be added two pounds of powdered charcoal |
with good results. Especially in all cases of diarrhea, as —
it is an absorbent, and in cases of dysentery it is soothing |
and improves the consistence of the stools; it is good in |
the case of gasses on the stomach, as it abates the pain |
and sickness. It also is a disinfectant, appetizer, and aids _
digestion.
With sick hogs, use plenty of No. 2. Toften use on
gallon to forty gallons of swill. | fig :
In using the above avoid the use: of corn meal in the 4
swill; use bran, shorts or midlings, two bushels to a bar- |
rel, and after the hogs begin to improve, use the first four
or five numbers as given. This I prefer to the other, |
fa)
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oh — ee
TREATISE ON DISEASED HOGS. 187
ifthe hogs will drink it, as it is a powerful blood purifier,
and controls the bowels and urinary organs better.
_ Hogs or pigs which have the diarrhea can be treated
very successfully in this way: Take sweet milk, let it
come to boiling heat; in two gallons of this milk put one nalf
pint of soda; tothis add three gallons of swill, made of
_ the four or five numbers of the recipe. This is the best
treatment for typhoid pneumonia or fever, or ailing pigs.
with scours (cholera infantum,) that can be given. If
they are still sucking the sow, give the swill to her also.
_ But the prepared milk is not necessary for her, unless the
pigs are very young; otherwise the swill can be given
full strength. If the sow is not showing any signs of dis-
_ ease one feed a day for two or three days will do for her.
_ But the pigs or very sick hogs that this milk preparation
is made for, should have it twice or three times a day for
_a few days as the case may require.
If swine which are being fed on warm feed, get
sick, the swill that is given them should be fed cold, and
the same way in thesummer. In winter, the swill is best
made blood warm.
How to drench a-hog: In extreme cases it may be
necessary to drench, but it should be avoided if possible,
and should be done with great care, as an over-exertion
will very often kill the hogs. They should be put ina
close place where they can be handled with care, and
should not be run or dogged, as it is liable to kill them.
Then take a piece of small rope, stand beside or across
the hog, put the rope in its mouth, and hold its head well
up; give it only what it can swallow with ease, and be
careful not to give anything while it is squealing, for the
medicine will go into its wind-pipe and kill it.
&
“
188 _ TREATISE ON DISEASED HOGS.
In drenching, the use of an old soft shoe is very good.
Cut a hole in the toe of the shoe, then put the toe
in the hog’s mouth and pour the mixture in the mouth
of the shoe; in this way the hog can keep its mouth
shut, so it can swallow, and it is not so liable to
squeal. | 3
Drench: For a hog that will weigh one hundred
pounds that is constipated, in one half pint of sweet
milk put one tablespoonfull of No. 1, one-fouth of a pint
of No. 2, one teaspoon of No. 3, and one-half of a tea- —
spoonfull of No. 5, or ten drops of No. 8. Increase Nos. —
3 and 8 according to size of hog; give once, and if it
still refuses to drink the swill, give the second time,
which is as often as I ever found it necessary, until they
would drink the swill, as described for sick hogs, or gen-
eral use, which should be given for a week or more, in
order to cleanse their blood and system. In case the hog ~
has diarrhea, omit No. 1, and use a tablespoon of pow-
dered charcoal.
7 et Stet tp Ble re
HOW TO GIVE INJECTIONS.
It 1s necessary at times, in cases of extreme costive-
ness to use injections in order to save an animal. This is
the case with hogs as well as other animals. Very often
a hog’s life can be saved in this way, and it may not take
but a few minutes to complete the operation. It can often
be done by one person, but in most cases it requires an
assistant. Put the hog in a close place where it can be
handled quietly. Then the assistant, by the use of a
wide board, can confine the hog to one side ot the in-
closure. The injection can now be easily given by the
use of a syringe. Use soap suds and a small amount of
turpentine, (a teaspoonful to one gallon of suds.) Avoid
,
al
TREATISE ON DISEASED HOGS. 189
all violence, as any worry may kill the animal. In this
way several hogs may be given injections in a very short
time, and be the means of saving them, when otherwise
they would die.
EXTERNAL APPLICATIONS.
The use of external applications properly applied, are
just as necessary in the treatment of swine as they are in
the treatment of other domestic animals or the human
family, to produce counter-irritations, or by their cooling
effects, help to remove pain and fever, and relieve the
suffering patient. Those I herein describe are cheap,
easy to make and use, and their effects are beneficial.
For sick hogs that are feverish, mangy or lousy, take one
gallon of coal oil, one gallon of lard, two tablespoonfuls of
carbolic acid, mix, make warm and grease the hogs well
with it. When there are several hogs, they can be close-
ly confined in a scale-pen or any small inclosure, and the
mixture put in a sprinkling can and applied in that way.
This will remove all mange, scurf or lice, cleanse and
heal sores and assist greatly in removing fever. This
preparation should be applied to every lot of diseased
hogs when put under treatment, and if necessary re-
peated. It is good to use on swine when castrating them.
I consider it better than tar; it will also remove any
sscurf or itch, with horses, cattle or sheep, lice on any do-
mestic stock, or scurf on fowls, and is valuable to grease
the heads and the throats’ of fowls with when they are
sick, especially with roup. In using this preparation on
anything but hogs, it must not be used too heavy—yjust
enough to dampen the affected parts.
In order to remove lice on hogs, fowls or cattle, leave
out the carbolic acid; the coal oil and lard will do just as
Igo | TREATISE ON DISEASED HOGS, —
well. With fowls, grease them under the wings and. —
about the head and throat. With cattle, grease them.
clear around the neck, and along the back to the tail, also
in the flanks; this will soon remove all the lice. But in or-
der to keep them off, good attention should be given to
their surroundings. Their stables, houses or pens should _
be thoroughly cleaned and whitewashed. If some carbol- _
ic acid is put in the whitewash, it is good as a disinfectant.
Rheumatism liniment: Made by taking turpentine,
three ounces; ammonia, three ounces; gum campher,.
two ounces; chloroform, one ounce; opium, one ounce,
arnica oil, one ounce, tincture of cayenne pepper, SIX,
ounces; coal oil, one half gallon. Mix and aes shake
well when using.
When this liniment is wanted, it is best to copy it to
and have some druggist put it up, so as to avoid any mis-.
takes, or at least the first seven articles; the coal oil can
be added at home. This is an excellent remedy to re-
move any trouble arising from kidney disease, paralysis,
lung or, throat trouble, rheumatic or neuralgic pains,
either with swine or the human family. Its penetrating
powers are wonderful.
Carbolic acid, copperas or soda: ‘These dissolved in
water and used to wash or sprinkle hogs with in the sum-
mer time, when very warm, are beneficial remedies. One
pound of copperas or soda, dissolved in four gallons of
water, or two tablespoons of carbolic acid in the same
amount of water, is the right strength fora wash. ‘These,
when well applied, have a great tendency to remove fever;
also the same is true when they are administered inter- —
nally; when given as a drink, it should not be more than
one-third as strong, as when used as a wash. |
ask Ls
TREATISE ON DISEASED HOGS. IgI
As a fattening agency, or a tonic powder, as a preven-
tive against disease, to be used at all times to keep the hogs
- in good health, and make them thrive fast, take No. 1,
eight pounds or pints; No. 7, eight pounds or pints; No.
4, one pound; powdered charcoal, one pound. Mix; use
one pint of this mixture in one half bushel of wet bran
or ground grain of any kind, except corn meal. ‘This is
enough for twenty or thirty hogs at a time, and should be
given once or twice a week, or as their condition may re-
quire it. It is better than salt and hickory ashes, cop-
peras and sulphur, or any other preparation I have ever
seen or heard of.
It should always be used when commencing to feed
corn at any time, or on a new herd of hogs which are
brought on the farm, so as to guard against disease. A
small expense at the first indication of disease, or as a
preventive, will save hundreds of dollars in the end. This
‘mixture, or the one given for general use, will be found
invaluable to use with hogs at all times, especially when
they are running on a dry or stubble pasture, or
‘black, mucky ground, and also when on a heavy growth
of matured clover, or when being fed on dry corn,
either of which is liable to cause constipation or
sickness. They should receive it regularly once or
twice a week. In feeding large herds the mixture can
be made in a box and then put in barrels and taken out in
the field with a team, the hogs all called up and then fed
on the ground. In feeding it in this way it should be put
out quickly, so they all get it. I have fed some three hun-
dred hogs at a time in this way with good success.
This tonic powder will keep them in a high state of
health and make them thrive very fast, especially where
IQ2 TREATISE ON DISEASED HOGS.
they are being highly fed, or running on mast the latter
part of winter or in the spring; mast is then very
dangerous, especially jack oak (red oak) acorns. But
where hogs have been exposed to disease, or are dis-
eased, mix the first four numbers as directed, adding the
fifth if coughing, and use in swill at all times if possible.
TREATMENT OF SOWS WITH PIG.
For diseased sows that are with pig use the first four
numbers of the recipe as given; mix, use one half-pint of
_ this mixture and No. 6 as given in the recipe, to four gal-
lons of sweet milk or any good slops. ‘This will prevent
abortion, and is good to give to sows a few days before
and after farrowing; it will keep them from eating their
pigs. This mixture is a powerful anti-spasmodic, and
will prevent convulsions of various kinds, spasms of the
stomach, bowels, etc. It is also cooling and waylays
fever and prevents constipation, which causes sows to eat
their young; and when a habit is once learned it is hard to
break them off. In fact the only sure cure for an old ha-
bitual pig or chicken eater is the butchers’ block.
Diseased sows which are with pig will have to receive
good attention, and in time to prevent them from losing
their pigs, for when once they. are badly diseased, they
are almost sure to lose them, and often do so when under
treatment. ‘This has lead some to believe that it was
caused by the medicine, but such is not the case. The
medicine mixed as directed will not do any harm, unless
an overdose is given, when it may make them quite sick
for a few hours, but they will soon recover. Sows that
are half gone or more with pig should be kept away from
other hogs. ‘They are very often injured by being over-
layed, or otherwise, and in that way lose their pigs.
AT ee
TREATISE ON DISEASED HOGS. 193
HOG HABITS OF SLEEPING, OR OBJECTIONS TO PENS.
Where hogs are confined in close, small quarters, it is
important that.some absorbent be provided. Straw and
leaves are both objectionable. Hogs are apt to become
overheated at night on account of their crowding propen-
sities. They like to sleep three double. When litter of
any kind is provided the danger is greatly increased.
Straw is one of the poorest conductors of animal heat that
is known of, and as a consequence its use for littering is
highly objectionable. Leaves or corn fodder are either
one better than straw when litter of any kind is used, as
it does not become so foul and warm. Dr. Law says:
«Dry earth is a better absorbent than anything else, and
conveys away animal heat, although not so rapidly as to
chill the animal.” This is one reason why I recommend
out door treatment for sick hogs at all times, when the
weather will permit it. The dry or fresh earth has a
great tendency to reduce the fever. Then again, they
can be kept cleaner and separate, and do not come in
contact so much with one another or with their poisonous
discharges; and they also have the benefit of the fresh
air, or in cool weather, tke warm sun.
A prominent writer says: “Especial care should be
taken to secure for swine a good supply of fresh air, es-
_ pecially in the fall, when the atmosphere is unusually liable
to foulness. Swine sleep just as close together as they
can get, and will breath second-hand, and for all I know,
forty-second-hand air, without reference to decayed teeth
or foul stomach. It is needless for me to tell you that
this is liable to produce disease unless fresh air be sup-
plied liberally, and just as useless for any one to try to
convince the swine that it is highly improper for them to
194 TREATISE ON DISEASED HOGS.
do so. The only remedy is to supply plenty of fresh
air. :
Directions as to medicines repeated: “The directions
for treating hogs when in large numbers, and for
mixing the medicine, have been extended by the author
probably more than necessary; in order to make it more
plain and to give the reasons why such treatment is used,
it is necessary to again give the directions for mixing
the drugs which constitute the different medicines, used
in the various treatments of swine, and also poultry, before
taking up the description of local diseases.
In order to make the medicine for any use as herein
directed, taking the amount of each drug as given in the
recipe and putting them together as given in the treat-
ment Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4, make the mixture for general
use. If necessary, add the fifth, in order to increase the
strength. If to this mixture is added one pound of pow-
dered charcoal, it makes the meaicine I can and sell. For
all severe cases of sickness with swine or poultry, this is
the most valuable to use. For pigs or for hogs which
have the diarrhea, take Nos. 2, 4, 7 and 8; to this add
two pounds of charcoal. Either one of these mixtures
will make 40 or 45 gallons of swill. For sows that are
heavy with pig, use the mixture made of the first four
numbers, as for general use; to one-half pint of this mix-
ture add No. 6, as given in the recipe. This will make
four gallons of swill strong enough for use. For the
tonic powder, use Nos. 1 and 7, equal parts, No. 4 and —
charcoal equal weight; mix and use one pint ot this mixture
in one-half bushel of wet bran or groud grain of any kind
(except corn meal), to twenty or thirty hogs once or twice
a week, as their condition may require.
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TREATISE ON DISEASED HOGS. 195
MEDICINE FOR POULTRY.
For poultry, as a cure for cholera, roup or gapes, in
one gallon of soft food of any kind, bread, meat scraps,
bran and milk, etc., (never use corn meal,) use as follows:
No. 1, two tablespoonfulls; No. 2, one-half pint; No. 4,
_ one tablespoonfull; No. 8, one tablespoonfull. Mix thor-
oughly, and feed once a day for two or three days. Asa
preventive, once every two or three weeks, owing to con-
dition of fowls. For small chicks use less one-half, or omit
No. r.
_ No. 4, carbolic acid, which is about the right strength
for“any use as given in this treatment, is made by taking
one-fourth crystal carbolic acid, and three-fourths rain .
water. Always buy pure drugs, and use strictly accord-
ing to directions.
Never give this medicine to horses, cattle or sheep. It
is very strong and more or less poisonous. In keeping
some of these drugs around the house, they should be
kept secluded from children or other persons not know-
ing what they are, especially Nos. 5 and 8.
INCURABLE CASES.
In treating swine, as well as any other domestic stock,
especially when in large droves, and when the disease has
assumed a malignant form and they have been allowed
to run for some time without treatment, there are almost al-
Ways some incurable cases. And anyone claiming a
specific “a cure all,” for hog cholera or swine fever, cannot
be too severely condemned. Such a claim should prove
to any one, who stops to think, even for a moment, that
such treatment is a humbug. As long as we have no
specifics for the cure of the diseases of the human family
which we have every means of treating promptly, why
196 TREATISE ON DISEASED HOGS.
should we expect it for so fatal a disease as hog cholera
or swine fever. These fatal diseases with swine can be
told by the following symptoms, which, even under good
sanitary or medical treatment, unless promptly attended
to, seldom recover. First, severe constipation, accom-
panied by high fever, rapid emaciation, lameness, and
often bursting and sloughing off of the ears. These are
symptoms of typhoid fever. With typhoid pneumonia, these
are accompanied by a severe cough, and when once
either disease has assumed such a form that chronic diar-
rhea sets in, and the ears and body become cold to the
touch, then the case will prove fatal. This is also the
‘case when blue, purple, or red spots appear under the
throat, chest and belly. This shows that inflammation of
the lungs or bowls, or both have set in, and the case is
most always hopeless. The same may be said of those
patients which bleed at the nose and ears, or have bloody
passages. This is caused by hemorrhage, by the bursting
of the tissue linings of some of the vital organs, bowels or
intestines. Frequently the disease assumes a gangrenous
form and_-settles in the limbs, and often one or more
slough off, especially the feet. They will live in this way
sometimes a long while and frequently recover, but never
do any good. They are a loss to their owner and had
better be killed. With what may be termed cholera,
vomiting, purging and severe cramps, as if attacked with
colic, will soon prove fatal if not well treated. When the
patients survive a few days, they may be, and frequently
are, affected as before described. Any of these fatal dis-
eases are known under the name of hog cholera, swine
fever, or swine plague, and in treating them not only,
must the best of medical means be used, but the best of
TREATISE ON DISEASED HOGS. 197
sanitary means. When this is done, and in time, before
the disease has assumed a malignant form, almost if not
all the hogs can be saved. In treating any herd, when
even afflicted in the most violent form, if well cared for,
the largest part of them can be saved, and the disease
kept from spreading. Therefore, it is much better to
treat them than to let them all die, or to ship them to
market to be eaten by our fellowmen.
WHY MY TREATMENT IS A SUCCESS.
Very frequently in talking with farmers and profes-
sional men, they will say, “If the ‘germ theory’ is correct,
anything that would be given the hog that would kill the
germ, would kill the hog.” This is no doubt true to a’
certain extent. But I do not claim that the medicine I
use destroys the life of the germs direct, but what I
do claim is that swine afflicted with swine fever, known
as hog cholera, or swine plague, can be given medicine
that will so affect the system, as to check and prevent the
propagation, or multiplication of the germs, and have
_ such an effect upon the bowels and urinary organs as to
cause the poisonous effects of the germs to be passed off
through these channels; and these poisonious discharges -
exposed to the air, soon loose their poisonous effects.
Therefore, when treating in the open air, and especially
when the hogs are allowed some range so they do not
come in such close and constant contact with their pas-
sages, the disease can be checked and cured. ‘Thisis the
main secret of my treatment, either as a cure or as a pre-
ventive, and why it is a success while so many others are
failures. |
. The main points in treating any diseased animals are
first to know what ails them; then be sure that the medi-
a
-
go: | TREATISE ON DISEASED HOGS.
cine that is given them will have the desired effect to as-
sist nature to cast off the disease.
David Crocket said, “Be sure peri right, then
go ahead.”
The author does not claim that this is the only treat-
ment that will cure diseased hogs of hog cholera, but it
is the best that has ever come under his observation, and
is the most practical treatment ever published; and if it is
the means of saving the swine of a few farmers among
the many, it is a work well done.
CHAPTER XIII.
_ Loca DisEAsEs, AND THEIR TREATMENT. REMARKS.
THE LOCAL DISEASES.—PNEUMONIA.— DIPHTHERIA.—
KIDNEY DISEASE.—INFLAMMATION OF THE BRAIN.—CA-
TARRH.—PILES.—WORMS.—SWEATING PIGS.—SCOURS.
—FROSTED HOGS.—REMARKS.—MY PROPOSITIONS.—FOR
SALE.
THE LOCAL DISEASES. |
In describing the local diseases and their treatment, I
shall endeavor to make it as short and plain as possible, so
that the general farmer can understand and treat them
; © successfully. i hope the readers of this work will not say,
2 «Oh, I have seen that tried before, and it won’t work.”
_ Give my treatment a fair and impartial trial, and I am
_ Satisfied you will be successful. In describing the differ-
ent forms of diseases, | will name them as known by the
, ismner or feeder of swine, as well as by the more scien-
tific names.
THUMPS—-PALPITATION OF THE HEART.
) __ This is the last stage of lung disease, and is only ob-
served in very sick hogs or pigs, and if cured must be
given good attention, and in time. It is often caused by
an over-accumulation of fat around the heart and lungs
in over-fat pigs, or with weak and deficient bred pigs,
| caused by breeding too close, or breeding from weak and
| inferior stock. .
Symptoms: Breathing rapidly and laboriously, like an
Ye eee Fe
200 LOCAL DISEASES, TREATMENT, REMARKS.
over-exerted animal. Treatment: Use medicine as for
general use; one tablespoonfull twice a day in sweet
milk, or any good slops, and give on tongue one-half
teaspoonfull of No. 5, once a day; also bathe the chest —
and sides over heart and lungs with the rheumatism
lintment, or coal-oil and turpentine, equal parts; this is very
good. Continue treatment until relief is given.
LUNG FEVER—PNEUMONIA.
This is an acute lung disease and is a dangerous and
common disorder. It commences with a severe chill and
fever, accompanied by a deep, hoarse cough, and locomo-
tion difficulty, seeming to be weak in the back.
It seems to be an affection of the lungs, commonly
called lung fever, but it is really caused by the blood be-
ing impoverished by the non-removal of the natural acids
by the liver and kidneys. Pneumonia is always proof of
diseased kidneys and liver. Indeed, this is true of many
other lung disorders, also. Pneumonia is a very com-
mon and fatal disease, and if cured must be treated with
care and intime. Treatment: The same as with thumps;
or, fora large lot of hogs use the medicine made of the
first five numbers of the recipe, and sprinkle them well
with coal-oil, lard and turpentine. Give them soft, laxa-
tive food, and good, dry quarters.
STRANGLES, SORE THROAT, QUINSEY, DIPHTHERIA.
This disease can be first observed by the difficult
breathing and swallowing. The throat becomes sore and
swollen, and in the more advanced stages in a diphtheria
form, the animal often sits upon its haunches like a dog
in order to breathe, and frequently strangles and dies in
that position. Very often this disease becomes epidemic,
similar to distemper or epizootic with young horses, and
-
LOCAL DISEASES, TREATMENT, REMARKS. 207
proves fatal. It isin a certain degree contagious; that is,
by contact with the shreds coughed up by the diseased
ones, well hogs will take the disease as readily as it is
communicated by the human family, and owing to this, in
its fatal type, is frequently mistaken for cholera—swine
fever. It is caused by sudden changes of atmosphere.
Allowing hogs to pile up in strawstacks, manure heaps,
and other warm places during cold weatner, is one of the
most fruitful causes of this disease. When they are
allowed to pile up in such places, upon coming out, es-
pecially on a cold morning, the cold air strikes them, and
any one must know that such sudden changes will pro-
duce this or some other more fatal disease, and especially
with pigs or young hogs.
Treatment: Separate the sick from the well ones, di-
vide them up into small] lots,and give them good, dry
quarters. With those that are very sick give them twice
9 three times one-fourth pint of No. 2, one teaspoonful
of No. 3; for a pig, one-half this amount, and bathe throat
and chest well with rheumatism liniment or turpentine.
With those that will still drink, the medicine can be given
in sweet milk or any good slop. ‘Those that show no in-
dication of the disease, can be given as a preventive, the
medicine for general use, and should not be allowed to
run with the diseased ones.
Kidney disease—paralysis of hind quarters: With this
disease hogs become weak in the back, the hind parts
will wriggle about, and finally the pigs will sit down on
their haunches; after some effort they will get up again
and run rapidly straight ahead for some distance, then
swing to one side awhile and then go to the other
side, and finally get down and are unable to rise again,
202 LOCAL DISEASES, TREATMENT, REMARKS.
\
and drag their hind parts about until death occurs, which
is almost sure to come unless something is done for them.
Treatment: Use the medicine as for drench; it can be
given in slops. Repeat the dose two or three times once
a day or oftener if necessary, and bathe the back across
the kidneys with the rheumatism liniment once a day for
three or four days. |
Blind staggers—inflammation of the brain. This isvery
frequent with hogs. Symptoms: At first the animal be-
comes dull and stupid, the eye red and inflamed, and the
bowels constipated. Ina short time, if not relieved, the
animal runs wildly about, usually in a circle, seems blind
and the breathing becomes rapid and laborious. ‘Treat-
ment: Give twice a day in some sweet milk or rich slops,
a tablespoon of the first five numbers mixed as given in
recipe, and bathe the head between the eyes and ears
with rheumatism liniment, turpentine or any strong lini-
ment that will produce a counter irritation.
Founder. Caused by over-feeding and lack of exercise.
“Symptoms: Loss of appetite, and so lame and stiff they
can hardly get around. Treatment: Use swill as for
general use for a week or more, and give on tongue a
tablespoon of powdered alum. In very severe cases re-
peat this dose in a day or two, and avoid the use of corn.
Feed light and soft food of any kind and turn them out
for exercise. i
Rheumatism. This is something that swine are as subject
to as any other stock. Itis often caused by close confine-
ment, and especially on board or stone floors, or when
being compelled to sleep in a damp and cold place,
Symptoms simaril to founder, being sluggish, with indis-
position to move, accompanied by fever, pain and swelling:
LOCAL DISEASES, TREATMENT, REMARKS. 203
of afflicted part. Frequently the swelling is of a wander-
ing character and changes about from one location to an-
other. Treatment: Use the swill as for general use and
bathe afflicted parts with the rheumatism liniment.
Snuffles with pigs. This is caused by catarrh in a
chronic form. Caused by repeatedly contracting cold
and being neglected, and frequently by improper breed-
ing, the same as pigs with thumps. This is thought
by some breeders to be hereditary, and no doubt is,
when those badly afflicted are used as breeders. But
this can be said of any other badly diseased hog; unless
they are perfectly cured they should not be used as breed-
ers. The treatment for this disease is light and soft food
at all times while under treatment. Use the medi-
cine as for general use. To this add No. 8, as given
in recipe, to a barrel of swill, or a teaspoonful to two gal-
lons, or ten drops to a dose.
Piles with hogs. Piles are a disease which frequently
occur with hogs, but are not dangerous, as they seldom,
if ever, cause death, but are very painful, and the animal
so afflicted will not do well unless cured. Piles are seldom
discovered until the knots are visible, but occasionally
may be, after the disorder has so advanced that blood
passes off with the excrements, or the hair around the
anus is blood stained. ‘They are caused by the use of
rich and heating food, or sour slops. They occur more
with still fed or pen fed hogs than any other kind, and
often with hogs that follow cattle. Treatment: Use the
swill as for general use; avoid the use of corn, feed light
with soft food of any kind, or turn them on grass. An
injection of warm salt water or salt and vinegar is very
good, but when the gut is much protruded it should be
204 LOCAL DISEASES, TREATMENT, REMARKS.
replaced first, before giving the injection. This can be
done by oiling it with any kind of oil.
Intestine Worms. These sometimes accumulate to such
an extent in hogs as to be injurious to them, and often cause
death by strangulation, as well as constipation and un-
thriftiness. Symptoms: More or less coughing, hair
looks rough, appetite good, but hogs do not thrive. Treat-
ment: The same as for general use, which will soon re-
move all trouble. Cause: Close confinement or dry and
musty food, stagnant, snow or ice water, and neglect to
give them the needful care, in the way of a change of the
proper kind of food or remedy, to overcome the evil
effects of the above named causes.
Sweating pigs. This is caused by a lack of vitality, the
same cause that produces night sweats in human beings.
Divide the pigs up into small lots, and keep them out of
their bed during the day. Compel them to exercise and
use the medicine as for general use for a few days, which
will remove all this trouble.
Scours—Cholera Infantum. Many of our swine breed-
ers sustain considerable loss annually by their pigs dying —
from this disease, which is caused by the bad quality of
the sows’ milk. ‘The disease is more apt to make its ap-
pearance when the sow has been fed upon dry corn or
musty food. It generally attacks them within two or
three days after their birth, but sometimes after they are
much older. I have never failed to check and cure this
disease when I used the following treatments: Use the
medicine as for general use; to this add No. 8. Ten drops
to a tablespoonful of the above mixture, given to the sow
in some sweet milk or good slops, twice a day for two or
three days, will give relief. Or the treatment for pigs —
Rae
7
../
LOCAL DISEASES, TREATMENT, REMARKS. 205
given on page 194, will be certain to effect a speedy cure.
Blood poison, scrofula or cankerous sore mouth. This
is a common occurrence with unthrifty and badly kept
pigs, often caused by the use of musty and unwholesome
_ food, or the bad quality of the sows’ milk, and very often
dirty pens and dirty udders will make young suckling
pigs sore about the mouth and head; also, frequently the
tusks of young pigs are so prominent as to cause them
to bite and lacerate their lips, which become sore, and in
either case the inflammation will spread. ‘Treatment:
When pigs are not doing well, use the medicine as for
general use. When the pigs are still sucking give the
medicine to the sows also, and apply externally upon all
the parts where any sores appear the following mixture:
Coal oil and lard, equal parts; to one-half pint of this add
one tablespoon of carbolic acid; this will heal the sores.
This is good to use on hogs when being castrated, or on
very mangy ones. When either the pigs or pens are
dirty, both should be thoroughly cleaned and kept that
way. Sometimes pigs have what is called “measles”—
pimples all over the body. They usually appear first about
the kead or flanks, and are caused by the blood being im-
poverished or poisoned. ‘This, if neglected, will very often
turn to scrofula or cankerous sores. But if treated as di-
_ rected, and when the hogs areconfined, turned out on the
fresh ground, they will soon recover.
Mange. This, like most all other diseases of the hog, is
infectious or contagious, and is similar to the itch in the
human family, or scab in sheep. It is quickly and easily
cured by using the swill as for general use for a few days
to cleanse the blood, and applying thoroughly this treat-
ment: ‘Take coal oil or black oil, such as is used for ma-
206 LOCAL DISEASES, TREATMENT, REMARKS. —
chinery, and lard, equal parts; make warm, put it in a
sprinkling can, get your hogs in a close place and give
them a good sprinkling once every month or six weeks.
This is the best treatment that can be given them. It
rids them of all mange or dandruff, opens up the pores,
and helps to promote health generally. The same mix-
ture is good to use tor lice, in fact is the best thing that’can
be used, ana should be applied once a month or every six |
weeks; this will rid them entirely of the pests. I have
used this for the past fifteen years with good results, and
have never had any cause to change it. This is one of
the first things that should be done with a lot of diseased
hogs after you put them under treatment, is of great
benefit to them, and should not be neglected. In extreme
cases of. mange it may be well to give the animal a thor-
ough washing with soap and warm water, then apply
the treatment as given. Never use the coal oil alone,
especially in hot weather, as it will scald the hog, and
cause the hair to come off.
LICE.
Lice are a great pest to hogs as well as other animals,
and one they should be kept rid of. There is no
dcubt they will do better off than on, and the time they
are employed in rubbing them off, as some let them do,
could be more profitably employed putting on flesh by
keeping quiet. Treatment the same as for mange.
Some make use of sulphur and wood ashes, coal
oil or black oil alone. All are bad and will scald the
hair off, and often do harm. The cleaner you keep the
hog house or their nests, the cleaner you can keep your
hogs of the vermin and the better will be their health and
condition.
:
|
LOCAL DISEASES, TREATMENT, REMARKS. 207
FROSTED HOGS. | |
This is something that occurs more or less every win-
ter with all kinds of hogs, and often proves very injur-
lous, especially to fine pigs, which are intended for the
breeding or show pen, by disfiguring the ears or tail,
and causing the hair to come off in spots, which makes
them look very bad. Treatment: To one ounce of salt-
petre, dissolved in as little water as possible, add one
tablespoonful of spirits of camphor, one of oil of sassa-
fras and one-half pint of coal oil. Bathe frosted parts
once a day for a week. (Hogs which are intended for show
use should be clipped in April, then the new coat of hair
will come on more even.) ~ |
The above mixture is invaluable for frosted flesh, either
with stock er the human family, and will also remove the
soreness frem corns or chilblains.
HOW TO PREVENT THIS.
It should be borne in mind that there are but few of
our domestic animals that are more keenly sensitive to
cold than the hog, and no farmer should endeavor to keep
more of them through the winter than he can provide
comfortable quarters for. During the winter months
they should receive especial attention. If they are per-
mitted to do so, they will seek the fermenting manure
heap, on account of the heat which is therein engendered;
but this in no case should be allowed, as it is a’ prolific
source of disease. Provide them with a warm place,
well ventilated, protected from the winds, and with plenty
of dry bedding. It is only in extreme cold weather that
hogs freeze or suffer if kept dry. Don’t permit a very
large number to pile up together in the same bed. Feed
bountifully, allow them free access te the surishine on
208 LOCAL DISEASES, TREATMENT, REMARKS.
pleasant days, and they will repay you for your care by a
constant increase in flesh. But, on the contrary, if they
are allowed to lie in the manure heap, or to shiver with
cold on the bare floor, with the thermometer below zero,
allthe food that is given them is simply wasted. It will
pay better to kill them at once, and save feed, than to
waste it upon hogs so kept. The main secret of success
with hogs in the winter is comprised in three words—
food, warmth and ventilation.
BLACK TEETH WITH HOGS.
Very often I am asked the question, do black teeth
-killhogs? Or some one will say that a certain person
was going through the country pulling out the black
teeth of hogs, saying that “they were what caused hog
cholera.” Now it is all a mistake to suppose that black
teeth cause death to hogs. Black teeth never kill hogs
any more than botts kill horses, and it has been proven
by practical men long ago that such a thing 1s impossible.
Of course hogs may occasionally have a bad tooth that
would be better out than in, but not often, especially if it
is an upper jaw tooth, for then corn or other food will
pass through the cavity caused by pulling the tooth into
the nose, and cause more trouble than if it had been let
alone. Therefore, I will say that if anyone wants to pull
out your hogs’ teeth, tell him you will leave them alone to
crack corn with.
The same is true of smut poison. If a hog never died
until it died of smut poison or black teeth, there would be
no use for hog medicine. What are called black teeth is
a symptom of disease, and shows a necessity for a treat-
ment of the general system. All pigs have the little
black teeth in the middle of their jaws, which worry
LOCAL DISEASES, TREATMENT, REMARKS. 209
people so much. ‘These are the teeth in the males which
make the tusks, and in the females which keep the rope
from slipping off of the jaw when they are caught to be
rung. When the pigs are young these teeth are very
small, but sometimes so sharp that they lacerate their
tongues or cheeks so that they cannot nurse or eat well,
and then they “do miserably.” When a pig shows these
symtoms, these teeth should be broken off smoothly with
a pair of pincers. Taking the pig between the knees and
putting a small cord with a slipping noose around the up-
per jaw will cause it to open its mouth, and at the same
time it can be held firmly.
A PREVENTIVE IS BETTER THAN A CURE, _
The old saying, “An ounce of preventive is better than
a pound of cure,” is a true one in swine raising. And
therefore, by observing and remembering some things
which i will now brifly speak of, it may be worth a great
deal of money to the many readers of this work:
First, I will again mention how the disease may be car-
ried from one place to another. Second, as to buying or
handling diseased hogs. ‘Third, as to their food and care.
When the hog cholera—swine fever is in a neighborhood,
it can be conveyed from one lot of hogs to another, by
having hogs along a stream of water where there has
been diseased ones above. This is very dangerous, es-
pecially in dry seasons when the water is scarce and stag-
nant. There is also a good deal of risk in having them
in fields adjoining those in which diseased hogs are, or by
allowing strange hogs brought on the place for any pur-
pose, as weighing, breeding, etc. But the greatest evils,
and those that spread the disease over the greatest scope
of country the quickest, are by driving diseased hogs
210 LOCAL DISEASES; TREATMENT; REMARKS.
along the public road, or having them exposed where
they have died. I have known whole neighborhoods for
miles around to be inoculated in this way. Hogs that die
of cholera or any other sickness should be burned im-
mediately. This is an easy and the best way to get rid
of them, for then you are certain that your own farm or
that of your neighbor will not be inoculated by this dis-
eased flesh being carried around by dogs or other ani-
mals, or by fowls, or by the stench being carried in the
air, which is thought by most farmers contagious. ‘That
all diseases known to the hog are infectious or conta-
gious, is certainly an undisputed fact, therefore we cannot
be too careful. In buying hogs for feeding or breeding
purposes, great care should be taken not to buy those
that show any indication of disease, and if they are to be
shipped home in cars, see that the cars are clean and
have been sprinkled with air slacked lime or a strong
solution of carbolic acid, as.a disinfectant before loading
them. :
A few hints as to ae ling hogs might be beneficial to a
few, but no rule can be given that would be or can be
adopted by all feeders; but hogs, like any other stock,
should be fed regularly twice or three times a day, and
only be given what they will eat up clean, a change of
food, the use of pure water, and salt regularly twice a
week, and a grass or wood lot for range.
Now I am aware that some persons claim that hogs do
not need any salt, but that does not prove it to be so. I
have also heard people claim that sheep did not need any
water, and one claim has about as much foundation as
the other. Salt, and hickory ashes, when they can be pro-
cured, is one of the best things that can be given hogs, and
LOCAL DISEASES, TREATMENT, REMARKS. 211
is something that they should have once or twice a week.
But the tonic powder made according to the instructions
in this book, is much better, as it contains the properties so
much needed, being a stronger and better preparation than
the former. :
Cleanliness with raising and feeding hogs is just as es-
sential as it is with other stock. The idea that anything
is good enough for a hog is an idea of the past, and is
one that should not be practiced in this progressive age.
The meat of a clean and well kept hog that has been fed
on a variety of good food is far sweeter and better and
more healthy than one raised in the filth. The practice
of feeding hogs in the mud and filth, and the constant
use of bad water, over-feeding of corn or any other heat-
creating food, is very wrong, and will bring on disease.
A change should be made. By being careful and observing
these rules, a great deal of trouble and money can be
saved. An artificial food or compound should also be used
as given in this treatment, for a blood purifier and ap-
petizer, which acts’ beneficially on the stomach and kidneys
alike, it being valuable in sickness and health. In ages
of time past as well as at the present time, compounds
have been popular with the people for the improvement
of the health of animals, and follow economy and civiliza-
tion.
For this purpose use the treatment as given for general
use on page 185, or as for the tonic powder, on page IgI.
| - SPECIAL NOTICE.
Do not take the recipe for the treatment of hogs and
poultry to a drug store to have it prepared. Make out
a memorandum of what you want, and mix the medicine
at home. Do not loan the book or recipe to any one for
212 LOCAL DISEASES, TREATMENT, REMARKS.
the purpose of treating their"hogs, or make the medicine
for anyone, without my consent. Remember you have
signed a contract to that effect. The treatment as given
in this book and my recipe, for the cure and the preven-
tion of the diseases of hogs and poultry, is protected by
letters patent and copyrights, according to the Laws of the
United States, and anyone infringing upon my rights will
be prosecuted to the full extent of the law and my purse.
REMARKS.
It can readily be seen by examination that this book
contains a plain, practical and improved modern treat-—
ment of all the various diseases of swine, never before
published. It is just such a book as has long been need-
ed, and fills a vacuum long felt, and should be in the hands
of every breeder and feeder. It is written in plain Eng-
lish, and is free from technicalities which so frequently
blind the average reader. Common terms are used in
describing symptoms, treatment and remedies, thereby en-
abling anyone to readily understand the nature of all the
diseases and how to treat them, something never
before given in the cheap works of this kind that
have been sold through the country or published through
the newspapers—through charity. My long experience
and extensive practice in the field for years, in the treat-
ing of diseased hogs and poultry, has enabled me to prop-
erly compound a medicine to be sold to the public for this
purpose only, that I consider is superior to any other rem-
edy known, and is free from much of the cheap rubbish
that goes to fill up the majority of the remedies made and
sold at an extortionate price by druggists and others, who
know nothing whatever of the diseases of swine or their
treatment—especially with the so-called condition powder,
2 es ee eee ee ae ee ee
LOCAL DISEASES, TREATMENT, REMARKS. 213
which is made and recommended for all kinds of stock.
The powder never was made which is fit for horses, cattle
or sheep, that will cure diseased hogs; and it is by the use
of these powders and worthless hog powders, causing so
many failures, that has caused so many people to think
that diseased hogs cannot be cured. But that idea, like
many others, is becoming a thing of the past, and thous-
ands of farmers and feeders who make constant use of
my medicine testify to the same. Besides the numerous
recommendations I furnish at all times with my medicine
or works, I have hundreds of others from the best farm-
ers and breeders at home and all parts of the United
States who have tried my treatment. Three years ago I
sold four hundred copies of my “ Treatise” to good farm-
ers, under a contract ‘that they could be tried for six
months, and if they did not give good satisfaction, upon
the return of them I would refund their money. Nine-
ty-eight per cent. of them were kept and highly endorsed.
And now that my treatment is greatly improved and
simplified, it will bear the most critical examination. What
I claim is first, that there is no other work of this kind
published upon which there has been so much time, or
practical experience spent in its completion as on this.
Second, that none has ever been sold and tried under
as severe tests as this one, and is as highly endorsed and
recommended by such an array of men of high author-
ity and practical experience.
Third, that there is no other person known that has ever
had the experience in this business that I have had. In
all my travels, which have been quite extensive in the
past four years, I have never met anyone that would un-
dertake to compete with me, and I have frequently
£
2I4 LOCAL DISEASES, TREATMENT, REMARKS,
treated herds with the best of success that had baffled all
other treatment, and have never failed to give entire sat-
isfaction to all persons for whom I have worked.
Fourth, that all attacks or criticisms are caused by ig-
norance, jealousy or envy of my great success on the
part of persons not competent to judge, and who do not
compare with the high character of the men who recom-
mend me and my treatment.
For my own benefit, as well as for others, I will an-
swer a question’here that has been very often asked me.
“Why do you not sell your treatment to the govern-
ment; they offer a hundred thousand dollars for a
cure?”
Others will say, “Certain States offer ten or fifteen
thousand dollars for a cure.” Now I have heard this so often,
and often, too, from good authority, that I supposed there
was something in it; but upon investigation I found it all
false. There never was, and probably never will be
such an offer. It would not make any difference how
good a cure any person had, to cause such an offer
would take the united efforts of the entire agricultural
press and people. The only way this terrible scourge
can be controlled is for every swine breeder or feeder to
take an interest in it, and make use of the best method of
treatment that is known. And believing that I have that
treatment, I take the following plans to place it within
reach of every one:
First, by placing my medicine upon the market, so that
any one can get it. Second, by selling my Practical.
Treatment to all who may wish to buy it for their own.
use, which is the best way, especially for those who han-~-
dle very many hogs. ‘Third, by selling to veterinarians
LOCAL DISEASES, TREATMENT, REMARKS. 215
or others who may wish to use and sell my treatment, the
right to do so.
This book, with my recipe, will show my full treatment
for swine and poultry, and can be had at any time by ad-
dressing me, and remitting ten dollars ($10), or it can be
had of anyone selling my medicine.
MY PROPOSITION TO.THE PUBLIC.
I will visit any part of the United States, Canada or
England at any time requested for the purpose of treating
diseased hogs, and guarantee to do all I claim, or make
no charge beyond traveling expenses. If in visiting dis-
eased herds of hogs any place and treating them, I war-
rant a cure of at least three-fourths of any herd of fifty
head or more, and will check the disease in three or four
days from spreading any further, no difference how bad
it is. My terms, either by day or head, are very reason-
able, or my treatment as given in this book, if used as
directed, will cure or prevent the diseases of hogs or poul-
try better than any other methods ever published.
If it is given a fair and impartial trial and is not what I
claim it to be, I will cheerfully refund the money paid for
it, by complying with the terms of the contract under
which I sell it. I also believe that the medicines I make
and sell to the public for,the cure and prevention of all
the diseases of hogs and poultry, will excel any other
medicine known to the profession. It can be had of drug-
gists, or send direct to me and I will send by return ex-
press, prepaid, six pounds for $2.50, or 13 pounds for D5.
For larger orders a liberal reduction will be made.
BEWARE OF COUNTERFEITS.
My medicine as a cure for diseased hogs or
poultry, can also be used asa preventive, is putin tin cans
216 LOCAL DISEASES, TREATMENT, REMARKS.
of four sizes and sells at the following prices: Thirteen
pounds, $5.00; six pounds, $2.50; two and one-fourth
pounds, $1.00; and one pound, 50 cents. ‘They are
wrapped with green wrappers, and all bear my name
and address, J. B. Shook, Circleville, O.
I also prepare a dry preparation, or powder, as a pre-
ventive or tonig powder, to be given hogs once or twice
a week, as their condition may require, which will keep
them in the best of health and cause them to fatten very
fast, which I sell at twenty-five cents per pound, delivered
to any address in orders of not less than ten pounds. For
orders of twenty-five pounds or more a liberal reduction
will be made, or it can be had of dealers at the same price.
Now this 1s only half the price which is asked for other
swine powders, and my goods are warranted to do all
I claim for them, or the money refunded. They will go
as far in use as any other dry powder, for they are made
of pure drugs and free from oil meal or shorts, the bulk
of most all dry swine powder, or condition powder.
In sending for any amount of medicine of any kind, or
for my treatment or book, remit the money by post office
order, draft or check, and your order will receive prompt
attention, and goods will be sent by return express.
FOR SALE.
In order to more rapidly and effectually introduce my
treatment and medicine for swine and poultry, I offer for
sale State and County Rights at common sense prices,
with full instructions how to compound the medicine I
sell to druggists. I also furnish the directions, wrappers,
circulars, letters, cards, posters, etc., to work it with, if
wanted at publishers’ price, and usually a large amount
free with the sale, also the farm right recipes, contracts
LOCAL DISEASES, TREATMENT, REMARKS. 214
and small book of instructions, and when wanted I will
furnish this book at a very reasonable price. This is
something that will pay any one to buy and work, as it
will not only pay well in any neighborhood, but be very
beneficial. And besides it is well protected by letters
patent, copy-rights, etc., necessary to protect an invention
of thiskind. No great additional expense need be added
to first purchase, as all the advertising matter can be got
of me at cost, which is low, and then you have the benefit
of all my newspaper advertising, which is extensive and
still increasing. ‘There are but few if any investments of
the same amount, that could be made, that would pay as
well as to buy a State or County right on this invention.
Ihave frequently known inexperienced men to make
$100 a week selling this medicine and the treatise. It
always sells readily, and the better it is known the
better it sells. The profit on the medicine is as much as
any one could wish, and the farm rights the same. From
$500 to $1,000 can be made out of a county in one season,
if worked. Prices low, terms reasonable. Correspond-
ence cordially invited and cheerfully answered.
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CHAPTER XV.
TREATISE ON SHEEP HUSBANDRY.
SHEEP HUSBANDRY.—WHY WOOL GROWERS DO NOT FAIL.
—INFORMATION AS TO BREEDING.—REARING AND
HANDLING.—ORIGIN AND CHARACTERISTICS OF THE DIF-
FERENT BREEDS.—SUGGESTIONS AS TO FEEDING AND
CARE.
SHEEP HUSBANDRY.
Sheep husbandry in the United States is becoming one
of the great pursuits of this country. In former years
the entire interest in raising sheep was for the wool clip,
but of late years the production of mutton has been given
some attention. The Americans still give more attention
to the production of wool than mutton, while in England
the reverse is the case. This is only a natural result of
the different conditions of the markets and surroundings.
England is the best mutton market in the world, while
wool commands the best prices in the United States.
‘That these conditions will change is not a matter of very
much doubt, especially in the east, and near large cities,
where there is a demand for mutton, and especially lambs,
but still the time has not come yet, when mutton sheep are
as profitable in this country as in England. The Amer-
ican demand now seems to be for a sheep which grows
the finest fleece on a medium carcass, producing both wool
and mutton. Wool must be, for some time to come, of
262 TREATISE ON SHEEP HUSBANDRY.
at least equal importance with mutton; and in many por-
tions of the country, from necessity, in the far west, away
from the meat raising markets, the wool must be the
main object.
With this business, as with any other, the question is
often asked, Does sheep raising pay? Judging from the
reports as given from all parts of the country one year
with another, it is very doubtful if the breeding and
raising of any other stock pays as well for the capital in-
vested, as that of raising sheep. Mutton, it is claimed, by
the aid of a good fleece, should be raised cheaper on the
high-priced lands of the Eastern States than beef on the
cheap lands of the far West. While in the far West,
where sheep are raised on a larger scale upon the cheap
lands, it is claimed they pay one hundred per cent. upon
the capital invested.
If these claims are true, and no doubt they are, sheep
husbandry is without question profitable.
WHY WOOL GROWERS DO NOT FAIL.
Another question which is often asked, is why wool
growers do not fail, as other business men do; and is
answered by a wool grower: “Simply because the
growth of wool and increase is as perpetual as the times”
in which they live. It matters not how dark the night is,
the wool continues to grow; and it matters not how the
wind blows, or how it may storm, gestation is never long-
er than one hundred and fifty days. The lambs will)
average one-half females, and often twins, and they breed -
the next year, making “double-compound,” a perpetual
growth, and no loss. Everything that does not go into
market goes to enrich pastures. ‘Though the landlord —
may be sick, it does not stop the growth of the wool and
a
TREATISE ON SHEEP HUSBANDRY. 263
lambs. Not. so with other business. The merchant,
_ mechanic, or the man who works for a salary, has noth-
- ing to grow while he sleeps. When his labor ceases his
income stops, and his expenses are perpetual. It is true
_ there are perpetual expenses attending the sheep business,
but under the most unfavorable circumstances, where
they can live on the cheap grass lands without feeding,
the meat of the wethers will pay all expenses, without
drawing on the wool or increase of the ewes. Hence it
_ is like a perpetual stream, flowing into a basin. It is
only a question of time about filling it to overflowing.
The great drawback seems to be that men do not relish
_ living away from thickly populated settlements and towns,
depriving themselves of society, for the sake of making
money. This objection can be obviated in all new coun-
tries. There are villages constantly springing up, near
_ which good sheep farms can be had, where the owner
can visit his flock daily, and also give his family the ben-
3 efit of schools and society. ‘There are many such now on
_ the plains, and one is reminded of the patriarchal days,
for there is no lack of society in the shepherds and in the
_ family, and the long summer day and evenings are pleas-
ant. In short, the way to success and happiness is to build
up an independent civilization. ‘To a man of energy and
some means, such a life is pleasant and attractive. It is
hard to answer the common inquiry as to what the profits
of the business are. As much depends upon the indi-
vidual care and management as in any other business, but
I am safe in saying one hundred per cent. per annum,
het profit, is realized by wool-growers that make a
_ permanent business of it. Many intelligent wool-growers
are of the opinion that should wool yield only twenty
aie phat Mgiteaads
264 TREATISE ON SHEEP HUSBANDRY.
cents per pound they would have a more pleasant, cer-
tain and remunerative business than any other branch of
agriculture in these United States.”
Taking the judgment of those who follow the business,
there is no doubt but that sheep husbandry, judiciously
and scientifically followed, is one of the best paying pur-
suits of the American people, and especially with the
general farmer who is engaged in mixed husbandry.
*
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Sheep are o asus suited to the ainall fara and to
the farmer of limited means, on account of the small
amount of capital and limited range necessary to provide
for a small flock. .
And it is a well known fact that, with the keeping of
sheep, the land does not deteriorate, but its fertility is
constantly increased. So that on lands which have been
used as sheep walks, when a crop of any kind of grain
is desired, a marked increase is invariably noticed, as
sheep distribute their droppings more evenly than cattle,
and on the highest ground—where they are most needed.
Again sheep are closer feeders than any other farm
stock and great foragers, consuming a greater variety of
food than any other stock; thus often proving beneficial
as well as profitable in reclaiming an old farm, or one
i A OOO
TREATISE ON SHEEP HUSBANDRY. 265
which is covered over with briers, and it will pay well to
purchase a flock of sheep to aid in subduing them.
A comparison was made by Linnzus, the naturalist, as
to what kind of stock ate the greatest variety of forage.
He found; The horse ate 274 species of ordinary forage
plants, and rejected 212; cattle ate 276, and rejected 218;
while sheep ate 387 species, and refused but 141. The
value of the different foods for sheep is a matter of no
small amount, and one on which the success of the flocks
depends more than on any other in the far West or else-
where, when kept in largenumbers. In the present state
of the flock industry every experiment looking towards
the cheapness of foods should be eagerly welcomed, and
no doubt the fodder, sorghum, root, and millet crops will
play an important part in furnishing this cheap food. Two
sheep can be raised where one is raised now, if judiciously
cared for, and shepherds would do well to try, on a small
scale at least, the crops mentioned, and alfalfa besides.
But in attempting to cheapen the cost of rearing the flock,
the wool and the carcass should not be forgotten, but let
them be steadily improved each year.
Sheep breeding and wool growing are arts which allow
of no half way measures; but the whole attention of the
breeder must be given to the management and care of his
_ flock, if he expects the highest success.
INFORMATION AS TO BREEDING.
In breeding sheep, as with other stock, every one should
be governed somewhat as to their situation. The eastern
farmer, or those living near large cities, where they have
the advantage of a good meat market, can no doubt make
the production of mutton more profitable than that of
wool, or the farmer who keeps a few sheep can give them
-266 TREATISE ONISHEEY HEB ANURES
better attention than where large flocks are kept; and
perhaps those farmers who cannot well keep large num-
bers could handle the mutton breeds to better advantage.
They require just such treatment as these farmers are
best prepared to give them.
The papers from different sections state that the con-
sumption of mutton has increased greatly of late. Is not
this due, to a great extent, to the improved quality of the
mutton? If so, cannot the demand be much further stim-
ulated by feeding the people on better mutton still?
The English sheep breeders pay more attention to mut-
ton than-wool. If we, in this country, would follow their
example, we would hear no more clamoring about the
tariff on wool. It is bad enough to. fear Australia, with
thousands of miles between her shores.and ours, but the
difficulty lies in our failure to realize all that is possible
from the sheep industry, and our failure of breeding a
better mutton sheep, and striving in which to select and
grade up the quality. The Oxfords, Shropshires, Hamp-
shires and Southdowns are becoming numerous, and are
as far superior to the scrubs as an electric light.is to a tal-
low candle. Not only do they possess size, but certain
characteristics that improve the quality of the carcass
and enable the breeder to secure a higher price for ex-
cellence, as well as for greater profit for weight. |
It is not altogether the weight that breeders must con-
‘sider, though. weight is a very desirable matter. We
wish, in our markets, better mutton, of a juicy, marbled,
attractive quality, that commands a sale as soon.:as’ it ar-
rives, and which will always. be in demand. Such mut-
ton is as easily. produced as that which is inferior, and we
are safe in guaranteeing a heavier fleece also. The lambs
TREATISE ON SHEEP HUSBANDRY. 267°
from the improved breeds, or grades, are also more sale-
able than those from natives, to say nothing of their rapid
growth and heavy weights ‘at an early age. We have
alluded to this subject for the purpose of ‘advising the
farmers to endeavor to raise better mutton, for by so do-
ing they can laugh to scorn the tariff, and derive a larger
revenue in a’single season from mutton ees — can
from ro: in twice that length of time.
THE COUPLING SEASON.
_«“Where the highest type of perfection of offspring is
desired, the condition surrounding their begettal needs to
_ be looked after as carefully as those necessary to their
proper and rapid development after birth. As a rule, it
is not good policy to allow rams to run with thé flock dur-
ing the coupling season. When so allowed, all control
over the crosses is surrendered. The heavier and more
_ pugnacious rams soon become masters of the situation,
_ though not without’ much injury to themselves, as well as
4 their weaker antagonists. Rams that have quietly lived
together all the previous season, will be found no excep-
tion to his rule, when turned with a flock of ewes during
the rutting time. Add to this the further act that much
vigor 1s expended by repeated service of the same ewe,
and but little experience is required to predict an offspring
_ lacking in some of the characteristics of lambs begotten
under more favorable conditions. When but one ram is
to be used, and the service required of him quite limited |
—say not more than twenty-five ewés—the lazy man’s
policy of “turning’ in” may find some excuse; but then
only with the understanding that he is separated from the
flock during the night, that both ewes and ram may have
the rest requisite to a:proper discharge of their reproduc-
268 TREATISE ON SHEEP HUSBANDRY.
tive functions. We are aware that a different course is
generally pursued—the exception being found among
those breeding high-priced animals—but are satisfied that
it is so pursued at a loss to flock-masters in delaying the |
building up of a thrifty and profitable flock.”
SELECTING A RAM. :
A sheep grower gives the following points in selecting
aram: “Every discreet shepherd who is about to pur-
chase a ram, seeks these three desiderata: First, the max-
imum wool with the minimum of yolk. Second, the
greatest amount of muscle done up in the least wrapping
of skin. Third, an animal that will reproduce himself
the greatest amount of times, 1. e., constitution, wool,
mutton. In a humid climate one dare not concede a sin-
gle point in constitution. Unless the flock master has
personal knowledge of the animal’s exceptional vigor, he
should demand a good barrel, ribs well sprung out, eyes
large and prominent, and square rump, body coupled up
rather short, ears thick and soft, and they and the face cov-
ered with fine, white, silky hair. But inthe skin resides the
surest test. I have known a ram to have nearly all the
above points and yet be delicate; but I never knew one
ee a bright, rosy skin to be lacking in robustness.”
THE EWES.
The ewes should be bred so as to have the lambs come
as early in the season as possible, so they can be saved;
better lose two in the spring than one in the fall. As
the ewes near parturition they should be well fed, with
an occasional feed of laxative food, roots, or oil meal and
bran. ‘They should be provided with shelter during lamb-
ing time, and so arranged that they can be kept warm at
cold times. In case they have any difficulty in lambing,
ss ot
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TREATISE ON SHEEP HUSBANDRY. 269
they should not be assisted for at least a few hours, but
let nature alone. When any assistance is given, let it be
with caution and gentleness. In case of any trouble or
sicknes, see veterinary department.
After lambing a ewe should not move about much. If
she is weak, give her some good whisky or whisky
gruel. If herteats are closed against the efforts of the
lamb, try and squeeze them out with the wetted fingers;
or in case they have grown shut, open them with a knit-
ting needle, being careful not to insert the needle too far.
If they are inflamed, bathe with some cooling lotion, and
hold her while the lamb nurses. If she disowns the lamb,
or is wanted to adopt another, shut her up with the lamb
away from the other sheep, and hold her while it nurses.
Bathe her nose and the lamb’s with whisky, which will
sometimes bring her to terms.
THE LAMBS.
New born lambs that can help themselves should not
be interfered with. Ifso weak they cannot stand, they
should be held up to nurse, and in case the ewe has no
milk, use a nursing bottle with a gum nipple; these are
now sold by dealers, and should be kept in readiness for
use. The milk of the cow, fresh and warm, is just right
for the lamb. It should be given often, but too much
should not be given at a time. If the lamb be chilled by
the cold, it should be taken in the house to the
fire and cared for, by warming and feeding it. When quite
weak give it milk and a little whisky, which will soon
- restore it.
In castrating lambs, there are two methods used. I
have seen both. performed with good success. Neither
one is difficult, and can be done by any farmer. The first
270° TREATISE ON SHEEP HUSBANDRY.
is, to cut off the lower end of the’scrotum, press the testi-
cles upward and make’ an incision in the inner skin and
thus remove’ them, the’same as is done with a pig. The’
other plan is, after removing the end of the scrotum as
usual, seize the testicles with a pair of pincers, and remove
them by a quick jerk, without cutting the inner skin.
This’ is: thought sic some to be the best method that can
5 used. |
tbs - WEANING LAMBS.
cies should be weaned at four months of age, er put
on a good piece of fresh grass. In absence of this, or
when a rapid growth is desired, they should be fed on
green fodder, roots or grain, so as to keep them:
growing fast until matured. This is the great secret of
raising sheep or other stock—early maturity. As cold
weather approaches, they should be sheltered and well
cared for. |
7 ini THE MUTTON BREEDS. |
The improved mutton breeds which have found most
favor in the United States, are of the long or middle wool.
Of the former, the Leicesters, Cotswolds, and New Ox-
fordshires; of the latter, the Southdowns, Hamp-
shires and Shropshires. The Leicester sheep are un-
excelled in earliness of maturity, and none make ‘better
returns for the amount of food consumed than they do,
but they require ‘better shelter and care than any other
variety. The ewes are neither so prolific, nor so good
nurses, as those of other mutton: families, and the lambs
are delicate and hard to raise. The mutton is-only mes —
dium in quality, owing to the great amount of fat. The
fleeces are composed ofa long combing wool, and averaee
with select flocks, about ten pounds each. . er ae
‘TREATISE. ON SHEEP HUSBANDRY. Ay
? THE COTSWOLDS.
The Cotswolds are a larger, hardier and more prolific
‘sheep than the Leicester, and the ewes are better mothers;
their wool is valuable for combing use, but the fleece is no
heavier than that of the Leicester, but their mutton is far
superior, as it is not so fat, and the fat is better inter-
-mixed with the lean meat. They are much used in cross-
ing other breeds and varieties, and are decidedly the fav-
orite long wool sheep of America. The Lincolns are as
large as the Cotswold, though in other respects, as now
-bred, very strongly resemble the Leicester; but the
fleece is longer and heavier, and. unsurpassed in luster,
commanding, therefore, the best prices in the market.
_ > © THE SOUTHDOWNS. aC tered
The Southdowns are the oldest established. hon
wooled, improved mutton variety. In size they rank with
‘the Cotswold, but have a lighter fleece. Their mutton is
very choice, and commands a better price than that of
any other breed. T s are hardy,’ Pia feeders, and
excellent nurses. ;
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THE HAMPSHIRE= -DOWN S.
ih hic: family is the result of a cross between the South-
downs and a long-wooled English variety of greater size,
and better constitution. 'They-are coarser than the South-
downs, but possess nearly all the good qualities of that
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2 het TREATISE ON SHEEP HUSBANDRY.
breed and are hardier, and the mutton commands a good
price. The Shropshire was also produced by a cross of
the Southdowns with a hardy short-wooled stock; and
some have a dip of the Leicester and Cotswold blood.
They are large, and unite to an uncommon degree the good
qualities of the short and long wools. ‘This mutton is of
good quality, and the ewes prolific and good mothers,
The Oxford-downs are a comparatively’ new family, and
are across between the Hampshires, Southdowns or
Shropshires, and their characteristics are about the same —
as the Shropshires, though they vary some in their ap-
pearance and quality.
THE MERINO.
The American Merino is a descendent of the old Spanish
or French Merinos, judiciously crossed and bred almost —
exclusively for the production of wool. They are a small,
compact, hardy breed, with a very. dense fleece, shearing
some eight pounds per head, of a short, oily wool. The
Merino is well adapted to be kept in large numbers upon
the plains, or rough, poor land. They are great walkers,
traveling a long ways for food, and are freer of disease
than the larger mutton breeds. Almost all sheep demand
for their health dry land, but with the Merino, dry land 1s
indispensable. ‘There may be wet land in their range,
but they must not be confined to it. They will thrive on
less feed than other breeds, and can travel further to ob-
tain it. Hence they are well suited for all countries
where sheep raising is done on a large scale. The
ewes are very prolific, good sucklers, and the lambs
hardy. The Merino, on account of its density of fleece,
with which it is well protected, and its hardiness in con-
stitution can stand more exposure than other breeds. ‘The
TREATISE ON SHEEP HUSBANDRY. 273
Merino cannot be matured under three years; tliis makes
- it necessary that this breed must always remain a large
4 producer of wool, and any course of breeding tending to
_ lessen the fleece is a move in the downward direction. A
noted breeder says he believes that the continual use of
smooth, long-wool rams was contrary to the correct prin-
3 ciples of breeding, and always resulted disastrously, and
_ what sheep-breeders had yet to learn was that they need-
_ ed density of fleece, more than length of staple. Mutton
; sheep, to do well, require richer soils than the Merino, and
_ those yielding regular and good food, but they most all
_ do better on a rich upland than on low land.
What constitutes a good sheep? This is a very impor-
_ tant question, yet perhaps no one could give an answer
_ which would be satisfactory to all sheep breeders. One
_ breeder admires size and symmetry, another desires to
_ breed a medium sheep—good for mutton, with medium
_ fleece—while another cares nothing for the carcass, as long
as he can grow a fine fleece of the greatest weight. A
_ sheep adapted to every section and to every breeder’s sur-
- roundings cannot be grown in the same animal, so that
_ a description of a breed which would be one man’s ideal,
q ; perhaps, would be entirely unsuitable to any other man
or his surroundings.
A good cross is obtained, when early maturing
mem or size is wanted, by using a cotswold buck,
or a buck of either of the down breeds, with Merino,
: or common ewes. The fecundity and excellent nurs-
“ing qualities of these ewes give them the first place
in breeding for early lambs; or a common flock of sheep
Pes be bred up-to a great improvement, by the use of
| a pure buck of the characteristics desired, and the best
274 TREATISE ON SHEEP HUSBANDRY.
ewes of that cross retained and bred toanother good buck
of the same breed.
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A COTSWOLD RAM.
The realization of profit does not always depend upon
immediate results. The breeding of a common flock to
a profitable basis requires some time and means; but the
end should be more carefully kept in view than imme-
diate profit. The flock should be carefully sorted each
year, and nothing but the best retained for breeding pur-
poses. Sometimes large prices can be obtained by letting
a dealer take the pick of the flock, but this would be
worse than folly, and would ruin the prospects for years
to come. The flock should be graded up to a high standard,
even at considerable cost; and it should be remembered that
the choice of the flock which has been bred so carefully
for years, is worth more to the owner than anyone else.
In breeding, it is always best to give both the subject —
and the flock some study, and learn exactly what class of
wool your flock now clips, and what kind would pay you
best to raise—then breed for this type alone. This is
very important in securing an even clip of wool of average
quality. This, of course, cannot be done in one season.
But by carefully selecting the breeding flock and using a
ram of the same type of wool, in a short time the flock
eS ee
ae et ee
TREATISE ON SHEEP HUSBANDRY. 275
can be bred up to such a point of excellence that their
fleeces will be uniform in quality and difficult to tell one
from another. Until such is the case, as long as in sort-
_ ing each fleece has to be thrown into a separate pile, or
as long asa mongrel clip is raised, just so long will the
wool have to be sold at a disadvantage.
SUGGESTIONS AS TO FEEDING AND CARE.
Good shelter, as well as food and water, is indispensable
for sheep in the winter time. Their feed should be com-
posed of a variety of foods. Hay, corn-fodder, corn, oats,
mill-feed and roots, intermixed and given regularly.
In growing sheep, the first requisite is an intelligent
shepherd, the second good sheep, and third good care, in-
cluding good feeding. ‘This states in few words all there
is in sheep-growing; but those unversed in the matter
would be surprised to find out just how much intelligence
and skill, how much care and feed, and how much capital
is invested, in rearing a fine flock to produce profitable
results. The spring is the time when sheep require the
most careful attention, and is also the season in which, as
a rule, there is the greatest mortality among them. At
this season tne sheep are weakened in vitality by the long
winter’s cold and storms, and their system is not able to
withstand the climatical changes which occur at this time;
_andunless very carefully tended they must succomb in
their weak and debilitated state, to the inevitable. The
sheep now should have an increase of grain food, and
their feed be changed, and some kind given them which
will tempt the appetite. The weak ones should be put
by themselves and receive extra care.
In turning sheep out to grass in the spring, it should be
done only an hour or two during the day at first. In this
246. TREATISE ON SHEEP HUSBANDRY.
way they are not so liable to scour, as the change from
dry to green food is less sudden. If they do scour when
turned upon grass, feed some corn and bran dry, which
“awall check: it,
The sheep should be prepared for the summer by being
tagged in early spring, before being turned on grass, their —
feet trimmed, and the animals carefully watched, that mag-
gots do not get on them and destroy them. One principal
argument for early shearing is that it obviates all danger
of trouble with these dangerous pests of the flock. Noth-
ing is more conducive to the welfare of the flocks than
just such management as will always keep the sheep com-
fortable, thrifty and in good health. If this is done
nothing more is needed to insure the highest condition
and profitableness of that flock according to its grade. It is
important that the flocks be carefully sorted, and the weak —
sheep not allowed to run with the stronger ones. Sheep of
different ages and conditions should be sorted into separate
flocks, and the weaker ones have a little extra feed. Old
sheep ought to be in a lot by themselves, so as to take
time to eat their feed, like old men and women take more
time to eat. Feed a half bushel of grain morning and
evening, to fifty head; this is enough in one lot to feed
right and do well.
In culling out the flocks in the spring, about as good
disposal as can be made of the culls is to fatten them on
grass. The sheep can be fattened very rapidly, as well
as cheaply,on good grass, with the aid of some grain
twice a day, and the local butchers will, as a rule, pay a
fair price for such muttons. Dispose of all the yearling
underlings. The reason for parting with yearling under-
lings is this: They are liable to breed disease among the
EE
TREATISE ON SHEEP HUSBANDRY. 277
flock, and nothing should be retained unsightly to the eye
of the flock-master. The more evenly sheep are graded,
‘the more evenly will they thrive. .
The day has gone by when a man’s flocks will be esti-
‘mated and valued by their numbers. Henceforth it will
‘be the income that each sheep will yield that will
' determine the value of the flocks, whether it be in wool
or mutton. ‘Therefore keep none but the best.
Good sheep require good care to maintain their excel-
lence, or they will soon deteriorate.
Do not undertake to keep sheep on low, undrained
lands. They will surely contract disease, and a sick
sheep is about as mean a thing as I know of, a sick hog
not excepted.
_ There is nothing more injurious to a sheep than to lie
on a fermenting manure pile. Therefore keep them well
bedded. They, of all stock, must have dry and com-
_fortable quarters.
_ The sheep is exceedingly neat and even fastidionts
about its food and drink, and hence should have clean
_ grass. and clear running water. -~Though they use less
| water than other animals, often passing whole days with-
out it, it is none the less necessary for their comfort and
health that it should be accessible.
Salt regularly twice a week, or keep rock salt where
_ they will have free access to it. It is essential to their health.
It has been proven by actual experiment that beets or
ets can be raised, lifted and stored for six cents per
_ bushel. At this cost they certainly are a profitable food
q Bor sheep, and any one who has not tried raising and
: _ feeding turnips to sheep cannot have a full appreciation of
_ the benefit derived from this. cheap food, and in the in-
278 TREATISE ON SHEEP HUSBANDRY.
creased thrift of their stock. There can be no doubt of
the advantage of the English method of feeding compared
with ours, if we compare their immense fat muttons with
ours; and in all the feeding districts of the English pro-
vinces turnips are fed in immense quantities.
Good corn fodder is an excellent sheep feed. It is
loosening, cooling, and relieves constipation. Also early
made, properly cured and stored hay, either clover, tim-
othy, or millet, is far superior to matured hay for sheep..
Frequently the agricultural papers advise farmers to
pasture their orchards with sheep. Any one having the
least practical knowledge of the nature of sheep knows
that they would rather peel a nice, thrifty young apple
tree any day than eat the most tender grass, and that they
will even peel quite large trees. Therefore, they should
never have access to the orchard. A change of pasture is
good for sheep, but medium short grass, on high or dry
land, suits them best. In the fall, if the pasture fails, do
not put off feeding them hay or grain too late, unless a
good crop of pelts is wanted in the spring.
CARE OF SHEEP—-THINGS TO BE REMEMBERED.
First, keep sheep dry under foot with litter. This is
more necessary than roofing them. Never let them stand
or lie in mud or water. Second, take up lamb bucks
early in the summer, and keep until December following, |
when they may be turned out. Third, count every day,
and if any are missing hunt them up and see what ails
them. If any sheep is hurt, catch it at once and wash
the wound; and if it is fly-time, apply spirits of turpentine
daily, or wash with a solution of carbolic acid. If a limb
is broken, bind it with splinters tightly, loosening as the
limb swells and bath with arnica. Fourth, keep a num-
een eT era ee gis 5 ee
TREATISE ON SHEEP HUSBANDRY. 279
ber of good bells on the sheep, as they are a protection
against dogs.
Fifth, begin yraining with the greatest care, and use
small quantities at first. Feed grain, if you have to sell
half the sheep to pay for grain for the other half. Sixth,
separate all weak, thin or sick from the strong in the fall,
and give them special care. Have some rye for weak
ones in cold weather, if possible, and be sure to get it.
Seventh, never let the sheep spoil wool with chaff or
burs. Remember that burs in the wool are removed
only by machinery, and therefore reduce its value. Cut
away the weeds that produce burs. Eighth, if a ewe
loses her lamb, milk her daily for a few days, mixing a
little alum with her salt. Ninth, have the lambs come as
early as possible, so they can be saved. The early lambs .
require more attention than late ones; but when fine fat
lambs are finished in time to meet the early market, it is
doubtful whether any other kind of stock pays better.
Tenth, give the lambs a little mill-feed in time of weaning.
In preparing them for market, keep in mind that the more
fleshy and fat they can be made, the better prices they
will command. Thisis,in reality, much more important
than extreme size. Eleventh, let no hogs eat with the
sheep in the spring, by any means. ‘[welfth, never
_ frighten sheep, if possible to avoid it, and kill all the dogs
that bother them, your own not excepted. Thirteenth,
cut tag-locks in early spring, which will prevent foulness or
maggots. Fourteenth, for scours, give ginger and pow-
dered charcoal in wheat bran; prevent by taking great
care in changing dry for green food. Fifteenth, if one
is lame, examine the foot; clean out between the hoofs, if
unsound, and apply tobacco with blue vitriol boiled in a
280 TREATISE ON_SHEEP HUSBANDRY.
little water, and never buy lame sheep and bring them on
the farm, as by this means foot-rot is spread. Sixteen h;
shear at once any sheep beginning to shed its wool un-
less the weather is too severe, and save carefully the pelt —
of any that die. Seventeenth, the wool business is not
likely to be overdone in this country, as we do not now
supply our demands, and the market will increase as rap-
idly asthe supply. Eighteenth, the crossing of the long
wools and Merinos cannot be done without sacrificing the
fineness and combing qualities of the fleece. Wool is a
commodity—a manufactured article, which requires the
highest intelligence and skill in the production of a fine
article. Nineteenth, have at least one good work on
sheep, to which you can refer, as in this progressive age,
no one can make the raising of stock a success without
some study.
Ts
| THE AMERICAN CATTLE.
THE Carre Inpustey
‘OF AMERICA,
CONSISTING OF A DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIOUS BREEDS, AND INFOR-
| - MATION AS TO BREEDING, GROWING AND FEEDING; ALSO THE
MOST APPROVED MODERN METHODS OF DAIRYING.
CHAPTER XVI.
THE AMERICAN CATTLE INDUSTRY.
THE CATTLE INDUSTRY.—VARIOUS BREEDS.—FAMOUS
COWS AND STEERS.—HOW TO SELECT BREEDERS.—VAL-
UABLE BREEDING, GROWING AND FEEDING SUGGESTIONS.
—MANAGEMENT OF BULL, COWS AND CALVES.
THE CATTLE INDUSTRY.
The growing of cattle in North America has become
one of the great live stock industries of the world.
The congeniality of the climate, as well as the soil
in most all parts of North America, are such as to pro-
duce abundance of grass and feed, and thereby render
the growing of cattle profitable; and the last few years
has shown a great increase in this industry. Not only
has the natural increase’ of population, and the advance
of civilization greatly increased the production of cattle, but
men of immense fortunes, both in America and foreign
countries, have embarked in the business of raising cattle
in large numbers upon the vast plains of the West, for the
production of beef; and now herds of one, or even ten’
thousand head, are of no uncommon occurence. Follow-
ing this great increase of the production of cattle, natur-
ally has come the introduction of the strains of good
blood, and now America is well represented with large
and numerous herds of pure bred cattle of all the im-
proved breeds, namely, the Short-Horns, Herefords,
Polled Angus, Galloways, Red Polled, and Devons,
284 THE AMERICAN CATTLE INDUSTRY.
which represent the beef breeds; while the Holsteins,
Jerseys, Gurnseys and Ayrshires, represent the dairy
breeds. The characteristics of all these cattle are such as
to well adapt them to the wants of the American people,
when pure bred, or crossed upon our native stock. The
most of these cattle are too well known to demand any
special description or comment, but I will give a brief
description of each breed, as to their origin and charac-
teristics, for the benefit of those who may not be well ac-
quainted with them, and who may be contemplating the
purchase of some of the new breeds.
THE SHORT-HORNS.
The Short-Horns are one of the oldest and best establish-
ed improved breeds of cattle known. They first originated
in England, and were known as the Teeswater, or Dur-
ham cattle. Charles and Robert Colling were the
first and most successful breeders of these most famous
cattle, commencing about one hundred years ago. ‘The
bull Hubback, the founder of the breed, was purchased
in 1785, by Charles Colling, at a low price, and was
raised by a poor man upon the highway. He was of
medium size, compact form, admiral touch, and of a yel-
lowish red color. He was so easily fatted that he soon
became useless as a bull. This bull was bred to the cows
owned by the Collings, and later an infusion of the Gal-
loway blood was introduced in their herd. This progeny
was inter-bred until 1810, when they had succeeded in
forming a very fine breed of cattle. “Messrs. Bates,
Booth, and other breeders of England, have done a great
deal to improve this fashionable breed of cattle, and in
1850 Mr. Bates sold the Dutches family, part of which
were calves, for an average price of $581, and in 1853,
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Lord Ducies’ herd averaged $760, for sixty-two head.
Since, individuals of superior excellence, have been sold
at fabulous prices.” As now bred, the improved Short-
Horn is less in height, broader, more compact, and heav-
ier than of former days. In color, they vary from snow
white to cherry red, though the red and white, or roans,
predominating. They are easily kept, fatten readily at any
age, and obtain as great a weight, at any age, as any
other breed. They are heavier milkers than any other beef
breeds, and very valuable to cross into the native cattle.
The public sales of Short-Horns that occur. nowadays
bring forcibly to one’s mind the fact that the day of fancy- ,
priced Short-Horns is at an end. “It was only a few years
ago when, atthe New York Mills sale, one cow realized
$40,000. Another of the same herd was taken to Eng-
land for Lord Bective at about $30,000. This was in
1873, but $20,000 and $35,000 respectively were paid
for two heifers at Windermere six years ago. At the
Dunmore sale, in 1875, $22,500 was paid for a bull, and
the same year in Toronto a Duchess heifer less than six
months old brought $18,000. In 1876, a pair of Duch-
esses realized $21,000 and $23,000 respectively. In 1879,
at Dunmore, two Duchesses were bought at about $15,-
000 apiece by Sir Henry Allsopp, and their progeny came
into the ring in good form at one of the recent sales, bu:
failed to realize any of the above named fancy prices.”
The price of finely-bred Short-Horns, however, are very
far from what they used to be, but this does not prove any
real practical decadence in the Short-Horn breeding inter-
ests. Short-Horns are as good as they ever were, and the
fact that the Duchesses no longer bring such fabulous
prices only indicates that the excellence of the race has be-
288 THE AMERICAN- CATTLE INDUSTRY.
come more generally distributed, and that as.a whole Short-
Horns are now of more real practical value than they were
in the olden times, and the prices that they command at
public and even private sales now-days, put them within
the reach of all enterprising farmers.
THE HEREFORDS.
The Hereford cattle are also an English breed, and in
their characteristics resemble the Short-Horns very much.
They are uniform in color, being a light red, with white
or mottled face and breast, belly and feet. Their horns
re longer than any other improved breed of cattle except
the Devons ; hair soft, silky and curly, showing them to—
be a breed of great vitality. They are fully as compact
and heavy as the Short-Horns, and less in height. ‘They
are noted for being quick maturers and great rustlers, and
have become quite fashionable of late years in America,
to improve our native cattle.
ABERDEEN—POLLED ANGUS.
This is another breed of cattle that has become very
fashionable of late years, and has been heavily introduced
into America. They are of Scotch descent; have no
horns; very compactly made; about the size of the Here-
fords, and covered with a heavy coat of curly, black hair.
As quick maturers and rustlers, they have no superiors,
and should prove very valuable upon the plains, as well as
with the general farmer.
| THE GALLOWAYS
Are of the same origin as the Angus, and resemble them
very much, except that they are some rougher in form,
more slow to mature, and have a more curly coat of hair.
Hon. Wm. M’Combie, of Tillyfour, Scotland, was the
chief founder of the black polled cattle. His name was no
THE AMERICAN CATTLE INDUSTRY. 291
more inseparably linked with the fame of the polled cattle
of Scotland than is that of the Collings with Shorthorns,
or of Tompkins with the white faces of Herefordshire.
The red polled cattle are also of foreign descent, and
resemble the Angus very much. ‘They are said to be
good handlers, quick maturers, and good milkers. They
are of good height and smooth, but not as compact as the
Angus, and covered with a smooth, red coat of hair. Any
of these polled breeds are said to be very hardy, and can
endure a great amount of cold and exposure, and thrive
upon a more scanty fare than the Short-Horns or the
Herefords.
HOLSTEIN—-HOLLAND, OR FRIESIAN CATTLE.
These cattle were originated in Germany, and are one
of the oldest improved breeds known, but have not been
introduced into America very much until of late years.
They are now becoming very fashionable, and are consid-
ered the leading dairy cattle for milk and cheese. In
color, they are black and white spotted; not as com-
pact and smooth as the Short-Horn, Hereford, or Angus
cattle, nor as well adapted for beef, although they are as
large, but far superior to them for the dairy, and are thus
very valuable.
The Devons are an old English breed, and are very valua-
_ble for a rough, rugged country. They are a dark red,
compactly made, active breed of cattle, hardy and quick
to mature; good milkers, and the steers make the best of
oxen. In size, they are smaller than the above named
breeds.
: ALDERNEYS—JERSEYS—GURNSEYS.
These cattle were originated on the Britisn Channel Is-
lands of the same names. While they vary somewhat in color
292 THE AMERICAN CATTLE INDUSTRY.
from a light fawn, or squirrel, to a pale red, and also in
size, yet their charateristics are about the same, as they
are emphatically butter breeds. They are more noted for
the quality of their milk than for the quantity, it beng very
rich; and the butter for its rich, golden color, hardness of
texture and nutty flavor. ‘The laws under which they
are bred in their native homes are very: strict, and well
enforced, in order to preserve the breeds in their pure state.
The Jerseys have had quite a boom in America in
the last two years, and many have been sold at long
prices, their chief value being in the large amount of but-
ter they are capable of producing. As a cow for the
wealthy class in a city, or for those making butter for
that class of people, they are valuable; but for the dairy,
where milk is sold, or for the general farmer, they are of
but little use. :
The Ayrshire cattle originated in Scotland, and were
bred exclusively for the dairy. They are a compact
breed, 1n size and characteristics resembling the Devons,
but are heavier milkers, and of a brown, or brown and
white color. ‘They, or the Gurnseys have more size, and
are better adapted to the wants of the general farmer as
a dairy cow than the “Alderneys or Jerseys. But as a
cross upon the native cow for the production of a cow
for the general farmer’s use, there is probably no breed
equal to the Short-Horns, although some of the other
breeds are highly recommended, especially the Holsteins,
or Angus cattle.
| NOTED COWS AND STEERS.
The famous Jersey cow, “Mary Anne of St.
Lamberts” was dropped March 26th, 1879. Mary Anne
of St. Lambert produced 36 pounds 12% ounces of mar-
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_ketable butter in seven days in the fall of 1884. The
test was made in accordance with the rigid rules laid
_down by the American Jersey Cattle Club, and there
can be no doubt as to its thorough accuracy and reliabil-
ity. In the seven days covered by the test, this cow
gave 245 pounds of milk, an average of 35 pounds per
day; 36 pounds being the largest and 32% the smallest
yield in any one day.
The cow was fed by the manager at his discretion, and
he informs us that at the beginning of the test she was
eating thirty-five imperial quarts of feed per day, consist-
ing of the following:—Twenty quarts ground oats, ten
quarts pea-meal, three quarts ground oil-cake, two quarts
_ wheat bran, and that this was increased up to about fifty
quarts per day, the composition of the above food being
appears
varied. She was also fed a small quantity of roots and
cabbages, and a few apples, and kept in a small pasture
_ in company with another cow.
« Kurotus, ” a Jersey cow, was dropped in 1871. From
the milk, given in one year from this cow, 778 pounds of
_ butter were made.
The Holstein cow, “ Mercedes,” was dropped in 1878,
and died in 1884. ‘This celebrated cow ranked among
the heavy milkers of the breed she represented, and from
the milk she gave in thirty days, 99 pounds and 6%
ounces of butter were made, eclipsing all competitors in
that length of time for the production of butter. The
well known cow, “Aegis,” with a milk record in one
year of 16,824 pounds, was fourth in the list of
milk records, the heaviest being 18,120 pounds, 18,005
pounds and 17,746 pounds. The cows with these rec-
ords are all of one family.
296 THE AMERICAN CATTLE INDUSTRY.
It can be seen by this that great results can be pro-
duced by careful breeding, care and feeding.
At the fat stock show in Chicago, Illinois, in 1884, the
Aberdeen Angus steers, “ Waterside Jock” and “Black
Prince,’ showed the merits of this breed as beef cattle
by winning some of the principal prizes. “Water Side
Jock” was nine hundred and ninety-nine days old, weigh- |
ing 1,815 pounds, and won the first prize as a two year
old on the block. “Black Prince” was three years old,
weighing 2,300 pounds, and won first prize in his class
on foot.
At the same time and place the cross-bred steer |
“Roan Boy,” by a Hereford bull, and out of a Short-
Horn cow, won some of the principal prizes, including
the silver pitcher, given by the Breeders’ Gazette for the
best fat steer of any age or breed.
THE MONSTER STEER. ,
Probably the largest steer ever known or exhibited in
America, was on exhibition in 1885, by J. R. McGregory,
of Ripley, Ohio. He was a fair mountain of flesh, and could
be compared to no other animal, except an elephant. He
was dropped in Decatur county, Indiana, in 1879, being
now six years old, and weighing 4,250 pounds. The
author had the pleasure of examining this steer on the
22d of May, 1885, in Circleville, Ohio, where he was
on exhibition. Mr. McGregory, at that time, was ex-
hibiting him and a small Teeswater, or Currey cow, only
thirty-four inches high, and weighing three hundred and
fifty pounds, in the cities and towns of Ohio. The steer
was a rich roan, and measured six feet and four inches in
height, eleven feet and four inches around the girth, three
feet and four inches between the hip joints, and eighteen feet
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THE AMERICAN CATTLE INDUSTRY. 297
from tip to tip. He was consuming one bushel of corn,
sixty pounds of hay, and from eighteen'to twenty gallons
of water daily. He was saidto be about three-fourths
Short-Horn, with a good sprinkling of the blood known
as the Seventeens, which he showed very much in
the head and neck, also from the shoulder to flank. He
was very fine in the brisket and rump, wide, straight back,
well sprung ribs, and had good, strong, clean, bony legs,
that would carry all the flesh, that could be put on him:
He was only in moderate flesh, and was very active. The
little cow was giving some two gallons of milk a-day, and
was very much admired. “She was a dark red, and com-
pactly made, which 1s characteristic of the breed.
As said before, this is supposed to. be the heaviest steer
on record, although there has been several keavy steers
spoken of within the last twenty-tive years weighing from
3,500 to 4,000 pounds, and all were composed of the
Short-Horn: blood, and os a. Las 5 of
HOW TO SELECT BREEDERS.
_ In the selections of cattle as breeders, as much care and
judgment must be used as in sélecting breeders of any
other stock. The characteristics desired should be strong-
ly marked with the animal, as would show beyond doubt
that they should transmit those characteristics to their pro-
geny, let that be beef or milk, Unless for some good
reason, an animal of a certain color is wanted, I would
say with them, as. with swine, do not “hanker” too much
on the color; better discard the color than any other good
point. Any of our pure breeds are true enough to their
color, but quality is the first and most essential point.
Frequently at public sales of Short-Horns, a first-class
298 THE AMERICAN CATTLE INDUSTRY.
roan animal is offered, and the knowing ones will whis-
per around that it has a cross of the Seventeens in it.
That was an importation of Short-Horn cattle made in
1817, and known under that name. They were not
thought to be strictly pure bred, and frequently will sell
at a low price, as compared to a dark red one that may
have been sold before it. But any farmer who wishes a
good animal as a producer of stockers, had much better
risk that one than a cherry red one, that may havea
cross of Devon init. One of the most essential points in
any breeding animal is constitution. This, with cattle, is
observed by a good coat of soft, silky hair, mellow hide,
well sprung ribs, being good around the heart, with a
strong, clean cut, neck and head, and a brilliant eye.
Animals possessed of these qualifications, of either sex,
and a clean, bony leg, are most always vigorous and good
handlers. Other good points are a broad, straight back,
prominent hind-quarters, well let down to the hock ona
straight leg, full, deep barrel of medium length, with a full
frisket and medium shoulder. The shoulder and the head
with a bull should be more prominent than with a cow,
and also the horns—if they have any, but either one
should have a slim, bony tail.
THE CONTROLLING INFLUENCE.
The common accepted theory is, that the male parent
has the greatest influence upon the offsprings in outward
form, etc., while the female exercises a controlling influence
on the vital functions. This cannot always be relied upon
in practice, but is a very safe rule to be governed by.
Therefore, in the selections of breeders, it is best to keep
in the mind’s eye the characteristics desired in the pro-
geny, and select accordingly. If beef is the desired qual-
THE AMERICAN CATTLE INDUSTRY. 299
ity, select those of a large, compact form, that show by
good handling that they are capable of making a rapid
growth and maturing quick. If milk is the desired quality,
select females that are prominent in the milk producing
points, such as a prominent udder and milk veins, heavy
hind quarters, a full deep barrel, wedge-shaped shoul-
_ ders, slim neck and clean cut head. In selecting a bull
he should be purely bred, of whatever breed be desired,
and strongly possess, as said before, the characteristics
desired in the progeny, and if his ancestors were possessed
of the same characteristics, he is all the more valuable.
Very often a good breeding old bull can be purchased for
considerable less than a young bull, and the risks to obtain
the desired results are much less. These points serve to
emphasize the truth that nothing is so trustworthy an as-
surance that a given animal will be valuable as a breeder
as the fact that it has produced good offspring in the past.
In view of this, the high esteem in which young and un-
tried animals are often held is not well founded.
HANDLING STOCK.
The term “handling stock” is a technical one, more par-
ticularly applied to cattle than other domestic an-
imals, but a practical knowledge of it, even in sheep and
Swine, is considered important in this country, as
well as in England, by all breeders, and is thus de-
scribed: ‘In order for visitors to judge better of
the quality of the animals submitted to their inspection, I
think it is important that they should know what handling
is; and although it is difficult to define in words, I will
make the attempt, at.the same time suggesting to every
one who has nota practical knowledge of it to get some
person who has, to give him lessons direct from the an-
300 THE AMERICAN CATTLE INDUSTRY.
imals he is inspecting before him. It is this: "When the
fingers are moderatély pressed upon the fleshy parts of
an animal, and the hair, hide, and especially the flesh be-—
neath have a fine, soft, elastic spring, it is called good
handling; on the ‘contrary, if they are coarse, thick, hard,
and rigid to the feeling, with little or no spring under the
pressure of the fingers, that is called bad handling. Of
course there are as many degrees in handling, from very
bad to very good, as there are grades of animals. The better
an animal handles, the quicker it feeds—that is, the sooner
it will mature and become fully grown for the purpose of
breeding, or to fat for the butcher, and a good handler
will do this at a much less consumption of food than a
bad one.” 7 :
BREEDING FROM SHOW HERDS DANGEROUS.
Inexperienced breeders cannot be too often warned.
against purchasing breeding stock at public sales and else-
where that have been fed and pampered for the show-yard.
In the height of the Short Horn speculation it did not make
much difference; then barren show cows were carried from
place to place, and appeared first in one breeder’s cata-
logue and then another’s, until they finally drifted out of the
current and were stranded high and dry in the hands
of some unsophisticated outsider, where they were never
again heard from. Experienced persons steer clear of
these show-yard. animals, or at least will not buy them
without a distinct and specific warranty that they are
breeders; and it will be well for all who buy at public
sales, made up mainly of old show herds, to follow
their example. If these cattle fail to breed, they are
worth simply what they will bring for beef, and no more;
and the purchaser should have a distinct understanding to
THE AMERICAN CATTLE INDUSTRY: 301
that effect before he makes a bid upon an animal old
enough to breed, that does not show for itself. Breeders
_who offer stock that has been, in the main, bred and raised
by themselves on their own farm, are not much troubled
with barrenness in their cows, and when such cases occur
they are usually sent to the shambles at once; but show-
yard animals, and those that have again and again been
fitted up for the auction block, are so frequently made
barren by the high feeding and forcing to which they
have been subjected, as to put every experienced man on
his guard when such animals are offered.
THE SCIENCE OF INBREEDING.
Although inbreeding is strongly condemned as ruinous
to the vigor of stock, yet it is an admitted fact that an-
imals produced by inbreeding transmit their qualities
more prominently than do those that are the result of
_ careful selection from different strains. Inbreeding as
practiced on some farms is not done under the guidance
or direction of the farmer, but in a careless and irregular
manner. Inbreeding is a science, and demands the most
careful judgment, as it permits of no middle ground what-
ever. Its tendency is either to improve or deteriorate the
stock. Without inbreeding we wouid not be favored
with many of our choicest and most popular breeds, as all
_ of them have been established by .a_ persistent inbreeding
in order to fix the characteristics desired. Lord Western,
in his effort to make a superior breed of hogs, resorted to
but a single out-cross upon the Essex, which prompted
him to use the Neapolitan as an admirable animal with
which to blend the proper proportions of lean and fat,
and even this out-cross may not be considered as such,
the Neapolitan being really one of the original breeds
302 THE AMERICAN CATTLE INDUSTRY.
upon which the experiments were begun. It was only by
a judicious selection of the strongest and most vigorous of
:
5
i
the herd that success was attained. Had the herd been ~
left to breed in-and-in without a guide to assist in the
selection of the best, the Essex hog would have passed
out of existence long ago. Later on, however, even care-
ful selection could not prevent the breed from gradually
becoming enfeebled and weak, when the Berkshire, itself — }
a closely inbred hog, was used to infuse new blood, and
the process of inbreeding was again persisted in until at —
the present day we have a perfectly black hog without a
white spot of any kind, which breeds true to color and
stamps its features and merits on all its offspring.
The Jersey cattle are all closely inbred. But few ped-
igrees can be traced that do not run into one or two progen-
ators of the whole, and our best butter strains are all
descended from a single family. The rule of late years
has been to select for breeding purposes only cows that
have made records for butter production, they being close-
ly inbred for that purpose. ‘The surprise is that such an-
imals maintain their constitutional vigor, but, happily for
the breeders, the test of butter production is also the test”
of vigor, as the best cows are those that are vigorous and
capable of digesting and assimilating sufficient material
with which to accomplish the purposes desired; yet, with
all the care that may be exercised in the matter of selec-
tion, the animals that prove superior are few as compared
with the number that are not so fortunate. ‘he results
of inbreeding may be plainly noticed by even the most
casual observer, in the delicate shape and structure of all
Jersey cattle. :
Nor can the horses be said to be exempt. Breeding
THE AMERICAN CATTLE INDUSTRY. 303
close into the Messenger blood, through Hambletonian, has
certainly increased the speed of our trotters, and admit-
ting that the instinct of trotting has been more firmly im-
pressed, and yet there is a much larger proportion of
_ failures compared with the success attained, if we consider
the fact that the number of the whole is a hundred times
greater than that of a quarter of a century ago. The
form of the trotter, as well as that of the thoroughbred,
shows plainly the work of inbreeding, for while the spirit
and will force have been increased, it has required
an occasional infusion of new blood (not, however, alto-
gether foreign) to retain the stamina so essential to the
roadsters.
One of the mistakes of inbreeding is the infusion of new
blood through the male line. It should be through the
female line only, as mistakes may be more easily correct-
ed. ‘The sire may improve or damage a whole herd or
flock, while the dam is limited to the production of a sin-
gle animal, and should she prove undesirable may be
easily supplanted by a substitute, which is not so easily
done in the male line. The breeder, however, is the one
who really prevents injury, for a knowledge of his work
permits him to study the characteristics of each animal
from its birth to maturity, which affords him ample op-
“portunity to lay out his plans with a definite purpose in
view. ‘lhus, in the hands of a skillful person, inbreeding
is, at times, an advantage and a science, but if not*done
judiciously, it is hurtful and baneful.”
STOCK RAISING THE MOST PROFITABLE.
There is no pursuit on the farm that affords greater
pleasure or gives such sure profits as raising stock or op-
erating a dairy. Not only is the produce of the farm
304 THE AMERICAN CATTLE INDUSTRY.
more easily marketed when fed to the stock, but the fact
of converting it into meat, milk or butter enhances its
value and increases the profits in proportion to the labor
expended. ‘There is another feature in stock raising, and
one of the most important, which is that the farm becomes
richer every year. ‘Therefore, when computing the ac-
tual profits obtained, we should calculate and enter into
the account the value of the improvement made upon the
farm.
The greater the number of animals that can be com-.
fortably kept upon the farm the better. ‘The more stock,
the greater the fertility of the soil, and, hence, the larger
the crops each succeeding year, which in turn permits of —
a still larger number of animals. And in raising stock
the matter of improvement is a prime factor in the enter-
prise. Good feeding is important, but good feed gives
the best results when good stock only receives it. The
breed and the trough are twin essentials, and cannot be
separated without loss. Fill the trough full, but let it be
emptied by animals that are capable of converting the
contents into the largest quantity ‘of available product.
There should be no waste of food nor loss of time. Use
the most perfect animal to be found, if not too costly, for
crossing on common stock, and thus grade up. Pure
breeds, of course, are best, but if the foundation must be
laid on common stock, make it a point never to use a
mongrel sire. Aim to improve the stock, and the stock
will improve the farm. The task is an easy one, but re-
quires some little attention to succeed.
For profitableness we look to the animal as a machine
We know that in almost every line of industry machines
are constantly being replaced by others that can turn out |
THE AMERICAN CATTLE INDUSTRY. 305
from the raw material a larger percentage of manufac-
tured product. In just the same way, if it is desired to
_ produce meat, the old native animal should be replaced
_ by Short-Horns, Herefords, or some of the other beef
_ producing breeds, or their grades as greatly superior and
- moré economical meat-making machines. If forthe dairy,
) by the introduction of the Holsteins, Gurnseys, Ays-
_ shires or Jerseys, good results will be obtained. _ It is fool-
_ ishness—it is financial stupidity—to keep and feed a scraw-
_ ny, scrub steer or cow in these days of Short-Horns, Here-
3 fords, Gurnseys, Jerseys, Ayrshires, etc. Good grades
_ can be had anyway, and at prices not alvove the reach of
ordinary farmers. Farmers can. at least secure a few
- good native cows, and from a good bull get good grade
— stock.
___ The two rules given are not based on theory alone.
_ Their soundness has been demonstrated in practice, but
_ they are not so widely adopted as they should be. There
: is an astounding number of scrub animals in existence to-
_ day, racing along the road in summer, and shivering under
' Straw stacks in the winter, which, the sooner they are
abolished and replaced with good stock, the better it
_ will be for the owner.
GROWING OR FEEDING CATTLE.
The growing of cattle, like the growing of any other
‘stock, to be profitable, should be well conducted from
birth during all seasons of the year, and the one success-
ful principle of stock feeding kept in view; that is, to feed
liberally from birth until the animal is disposed of. The
5 proverb “well summered is half wintered,” however true,
is no more so than it is reversed—well wintered is -half
' summered. Properly summed up, both propositions but
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306 THE AMERICAN-CATTLE INDUSTRY.
amount to this: there 1s no time when the stock owner
can permit his stock to deteriorate the thrift without in-
viting loss, and quite often, disaster. The beginner who
expects to find any time during the year when his vigil-
ance as an overseer, and liberality as a provider, can be
relaxed without detriment to his stock, will have such
delusion thumped out of him by the costly cudgel of ex-
perience, if he fails to heed in time the warnings of those
who have come up through tribulations they would have
him avoid, that he will wish-that he had looked more
closely after them during both summer and winter. It is
poor economy to allow animals to run down during the
fall, expecting to winter them well, or during the winter
months, expecting that in the spring, when grass comes,
they will recover and grow the same as if they had not
been stinted.
Cattle may live and get through the winter on corn-
fodder and straw, but generally it will take much of the
spring and summer to recover what is lost. Instead of
being ready for market at two years, they must be kept
longer, in order to make a slow growth.
We cannot reasonably expect stock to thrive in the best
manner without grain during the winter. The amount,
of course, depends upon the quality of the other feed.
The best guide is their condition. They must not under
any circumstances be allowed to run down. It costs too
much to regain what is lost. I am aware that the old
custom was to keep cattle until they were three or four,
and even five years old. Hogs were not expected to have
attained sufficient growth to fatten until they were from
eighteen months totwo years old. Of course improved
stock has considerable to do with early maturity, but not
ee — a
THE AMERICAN CATTLE INDUSTRY. 307
all. Good stock, in order to grow, must be well fed. It
is as easy a matter to stunt a full-blooded animal as
a scrub, and good feed from the start will aid wonder-
fully in bringing out a scrub.
Experience has taught us that in order to receive the
most profit, we must push stock right along. Give them
a start to grow, and then keep it up by good feeding and
good care. During the winter, as often as possible, give
them a change, as they soon tire of one kind of feed, and
a change is beneficial. -Generally corn is the main reli-
ance, and as a whole it is one of the best, if not the best
stock feed we have. Yet with all this in its favor, a
change to something else is better.
Good shelter will save feed, and if one must economize
in feeding, do it by providing warm shelter. Not only
will stock be in a better condition, but less feed will be
required to keep them growing. ‘The principal secret in
profitable stock raising and feeding is to keep the animals
_ growing, and yet to do it with the least possible expense.
Cleanliness should not be overlooked. To thrive well
stock must have clean quarters, and when confined during
the winter this requires work; but it will pay. See that
they have plenty of litter, and that their quarters are kept
__as clean as possible. Where one has no barn room, very
_ good shelter can be made by erecting rough sheds or
wind breaks. Often this can be done with very little expense,
and no difference how rough the structure is, so it breaks
the wind off. The building >f two high fences close to-
gether and filled in with straw or prairie hay, rough
‘sheds erected and covered with the same material, or a
hedge fence banked up with the same, will answer much
better than nothing at all These structures should sur-
_
308 THE AMERICAN CATTLE INDUSTRY.
round a high, dry piece of ground, and then the corn fod- —
der fed on as small a scope of ground as possible, so as to _
form litter enough for dry bedding. Providing shel- .
ter for stock, simply as a question of economy in the ~
consumption of food, cannot be considered in any sense ©
an undue pampering calculated to render animals less —
hardy, or to detract, in the least, from their constitutional
vigor. On the contrary, we believe suitable shelter, to —
which stock can resort in case of storms, will tend to pro-
mote these very qualities. .An animal can, perhaps, en-
dure the full force of a regular blizzard, but it is only at
the expense of a certain amount of vital force, which ©
must leave it in a worse condition than an animal which _
has not been called upon to endure this strain. There is |
much of the time when it makes but little difference |
whether an animal has shelter or not. In clear, cold, dry |
weather, healthy live stock appear to be ina large degree
insensible to ordinary extremes of temperature; but the |
snows occompanied or followed by winds which sift it
into the hair, where it slowly melts from the effect of an- |
imal heat, tell very severely upon the condition of the |
stock. We have often observed that the storms coming
late in the season or toward spring, when snows are |
damp and often mingled with rain, are more deleterious |
than those of midwinter. When the hair is damp or wet |
there is a constant evaporation of moisture- which robs |
the animal of the natural heat and puts its powers of en- |
durance to the severest test; and animals that have been |
subjected to all sorts of extremes and exposure during the |
whole winter, approach the close of the season, the most
critical period of all, with depleted strength and vigor, and |
in the worst possible condition to withstand the severer |
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THE AMERICAN CATTLE INDUSTRY. 399
é trials which are then before them. As has been before
_ suggested, it is not necessary that permanent or expensive
_ structures be provided, but if nothing else can be afforded,
poles and straw make a shelter very good while it lasts.
When possible, all fodders should be fed in racks and
_ thus avoid wast. Some use a long manger, others a
rack of some style. The way to form a very good
_ rack is to set four fence post in a square twelve feet apart,
board up all around three feet high, as for a fence, then
_ place a center post and run boards diagonal from one cor-
. mer to another each way, thus forming four three-cor-
_nered racks, in which to put the feed. This can be made
_ and set down, and then moved when so desired. Again,
cattle should be salted regular twice a_ week, or
P ‘rock salt placed in a trough where they can have free ac-
cess to it, which is much better, as then they will only
_ take a small amount at a time, and more frequently.
| WATER FOR STOCK DURING WINTER.
See also that the animals have a good supply of water,
and not half ice. It is often the case that a large propor-
_tion of Western farmers make very poor provision for sup-
§ plying their stock with water during the winter. Springs
" that afford a supply of water that is moderately warm are
scarce, and few of these that exist are utilized to the ex-
tent they should be. Generally the water for the supply
» of farm stock is procured from a well in or, near the farm
_ yard, and is raised by means ofa hand pump. The water is
often nearly at the point of freezing when it is drawn, and
1s ordinarily conveyed into a trough that is lined with ice.
_ Animals that drink the water suffer severely from cold.
q 4 lt i is often the case that there is but one trough in the yard
' for the accommodation of a large number of horses, cat-
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310 THE AMERICAN CATTLE INDUSTRY.
tle and sheep of different ages. It is generally surround-
ed by ice on which the animals are likely to slip or re-
ceive injuries. The younger animals suffer most because
they are hooked or pushed by those that are older and
stronger. During very severe weather many farmers
allow stock to have access to water only once a day, and
as a consequence they drink so much that they suffer
from cold produced by taking so large an amount of
water into the system at once. |
If practicable, stock should be supplied during the win-
ter with water furnished from a spring, as it is generally :
several degrees warmer than that drawn from a well.
The well should be covered, as should be the trough into
which the water is conveyed. The practice of bringing
water into barns and stables has given excellent satisfac-
tion wherever it has been introduced. When it is not
practicable to convey .water into the buildings where
stock is kept, a trough for holding it should be under sheds,
and surrounded by a special platform that can be kept
free from ice and snow. Young stock should be allowed
an opportunity to drink while the animals that are liable
to molest them are out of their way. In severely cold
weather it is better to carry water in buckets to colts and
calves than to allow them to suffer the exposure neces-
sary to obtain it in an open yard. Unless during storms
of long continuance, animals should have an opportunity to
obtain water at least twice a day. If their only food is
dry hay, straw, and corn fodder, they require considerable
water in order to digest their food properly.
THE CARE OF THE BULL.
A bull should be confined in a well-fenced grass lot,
away from the cows or other stock, and when wanted for
THE AMERICAN CATTLE INDUSTRY. | ore
service, the cows should be turned into the lot to him, as.
they are more easily got in and out of the lot, than he is
to get back in the lot, when once out; and if not al-
lowed out at all, he is not as liable to become breachy.
Again, if he is allowed to run with the cows he is liable
to become cross and troublesome to other stock, and will
also exhaust himself by unnecessary service. In this lot
should be a stable for his use at all times of the year, and
his feed should consist of a mixture of corn, oats, mill-
feed, cut feed, hay and corn fodder, in the winter, and in
the summer, if not used too heavy, plenty of good grass
is sufficient, but where being used for a large number of
cows, they should have some grain, and some method to
provide him with plenty of fresh water at all times,
- should be arranged.
a. CARE OF COWS AND CALVES.
Cows, to be profitable, should not be neglected, ana
allowed to become poor at any time of the year; for no
neglected, delapidated or run-down cow, can ever be
_ profitable to her owner. No matter what they are kept
: for, beef, butter, milk or the raising of calves, the profits
will depend upon their thrift, and when well fed and
4 ared for, they pay cash down, and ask no trust. In the
summer they should have an abundance of grass, and
ty here their range is small, and the grass not sufficient to
“support them, fresh grass or provender of some kind
‘should be mowed every day, and given them, or in
absence of this, grain. In the winter, plenty of good
| food and shelter is necessary if any profits are to be de-
_Tived from them, and the warmer and more comfortable’
- they are kept, the less food they will require, and the
better will be the profits obtained from them.
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372 THE AMERICAN CATTLE INDUSTRY.
The philosophy of keeping animals warm and quiet is
simply this: Part of the food animals consume is used
just to keep the machine running. It is only the surplus ©
above this that can be used for production of meat or
milk. Now the percentage of food used in running the
animal machine depends upon circumstances. ‘Phe ani-—
mal that is just warm enough and quiet enough to be
comfortable and healthy uses much less food in main-—
taining the animal body than one that is exercised vio-—
lently and is kept cold. It takes food to maintain muscu- |
lar activity, and food must also be used as fuel to keep —
the animal warm. ‘The colder the room, the more the
fire is needed. It is possible, as now can be seen, for the
warm, quiet animal to obtain a surplus for production
from.a ration that would just maintain the animal kept in
the cold and in a less quiet condition. Does it pay to
leave a window open in the room where we sit, and then.
burn twice as much coal as is necessary in order to keep
-warm? Does it pay to burn an unnecessary amount of |
hay and grain in order to keep animals warm?
It seems to me that it ‘is much better to provide shelter |
for them, and save the feed. The man who does not
study and seek to understand the requirements of his |
farm stock and their care, should never be a farmer. A
farmer must have the well-being of his animals con- |
stantly in mind; and not only that, but their comfort |
ought to be of as much importance to him as his own.
Not only ought this to be looked at from a dollars and |
cents standpoint, but from ahumane one also. A man |
who has not enough humanity to make his stock com- |
fortable, without any other consideration, is not a typical
farmer. .
THE AMERICAN CATTLE INDUSTRY. 313
Cows not well cared for cannot be expected to give
much milk either for the dairy or their calves, or do well
upon dropping their calves. A great many cows annu-
ally die thus, by neglect.
IMPROPER MILKING.
Again, many farmers milk their cows too near the time
of calving, and a great many good milkers are injured by
this hurtful practice. The physical welfare of both cow
and calf, together with the quantity and quality of the
milk, are materially affected by thus overtaxing her, and
she should be allowed to reach the time of calving in the
best condition possible. A cow should go dry at least six
weeks, in order to gain flesh and strength before calving,
and when not on grass, shoula be fed with a good milk
producing food, as mill feed, oats, clover hay, malt and
roots. ‘Thus properly fed and cared for, the cow will .be
strong and able to nourish the calf and provide plenty of
milk for it after birth. Cows that are heavy milkers
should be looked after for some time after calving, and see
if the calf takes all the milk; if not, she should
be milked clean twice a day, until the calf is able to
take all the milk, or it is taken from her. Some cows,
when on good pasture, or well fed, require milking before
calving, as well as afterwards, and should be closely
looked after and cared for; for if neglected, they frequent-
ly are troubled with garget, or milk fever, which is very
injurious to them, if not the cause of their death. The
cows on the farm that are not pleasant and profitable to
milk should be turned out with their calves, as soon as the
calfis able to take all the milk and let run. This will
pay better than to worry with such animals. When it is
desired to make a cow own two calves and raise them,
314 THE AMERICAN CATTLE INDUSTRY.
sprinkle the calves with salt. The cow will lick this off,
and a repetition a time or two will mien secure a per-
manent recognition of the calf.
WHEN CALVES ARE REMOVED.
When the cows are expected to be milked, the calves
should be taken from them when three days old, or even
younger, as at this age they are easier taught to drink,
and then the cows do not fret after them so much. They
should be put in a grass lot, or warm stable, according to
the season, away from the cows, and fed for a few days,
new milk, or new and sweet skimmed milk mixed, until a
week or two old, when the skimmed milk will be suf-
ficient. As they become older, mill feed and oil meal can
be added to their feed with good results. One gallon of
sweet skimmed, or even sour milk, made hot, and a quart
of mill. feed with a gill of ol cake stirred into it, then cooled
to blood heat, and given a calf, will produce about as good
results as fresh milk. Feed can be prepared in this way
for anumber of calves and put in a trough, and it will
not require a very great amount of teaching to have them
drink in that way. As they become older this feed can
be increased, or else fed some dry mill feed and oats,
crushed corn, fodder, pumpkins, ctc., as the season may
afford. Where pasture is plentiful, and calves are fed in
this way, it is more profitable to keep the calves than to
sell them to the butchers. Many a farmer has found him-
self a hundred dollars richer, without missing the cust, by
keeping calves instead of sending them away, and as a gen-
eral thing, if properly conducted, it is more profitable to
feed the milk to the calves or pigs than to make fifteen
cent butter.).\"In weaning the calves, when fed in this
way, or when they have been running with the cows,
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THE AMERICAN CATTLE INDUSTRY. 315
they should be fed some other good feed in the place of
the milk, and kept growing right along, and not allowed
to become poor and stunted; and as they increase in size
and age, increase the strength and bulk of the feed, never
forgetting that the road to success in stock raising is
through early maturity. When calves are not intended
for any other use than beef, they should be castrated at
an early age—from one to four months. |
THE FIRST YEAR OF A CALF.
There is not a farmer in the country who raises his own
calves but who knows that the future value of them de-
pends upon the first year’s growth asa calf. Ifthe calfis
half starved, stunted and ill-used, there is not one chance
in ten that when it reaches the proper age it will make a
good animal, either beef, bull, or milch cow. The calf
must have the very best of food and enough of it if the
object is to make the matured animal a first-rate one, and
indeed it is necessary, too, that with yearlings and two-
year.olds, attention should be given in such a manner as
to insure the animal plenty of food.
A calf that is intended for a bull, in order to make a
first-class animal, should run with the cow till he is six
months old at least. If weaned earlier, feed on new milk
| | just from the cow three times a day till he is six months
old, then twice a day till eight months old, then once a day
for a month or so longer. At an early day, say a month
old, if not on grass, give him a little fine hay to pull at,
and later let him have some oatmeal, a little oil-cake,
vegetables, etc., increasing the rations gradually as he
grows older. Weaning from milk should be gradual and
in pasture time. Teach him to lead at as early an age as
possible, and ring his nose at eight months, and handle
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316 THE AMERICAN CATTLE INDUSTRY.
him from that time on daily. After he is weaned feed as
you would other cattle, to keep them in the best condition. —
Often a young bull treated in this way will show his supe- —
riority before maturity, and sell for a better price. In —
leading him, do not handle him too much by the ring. Put
on a head halter, run the stub through the ring, then the
pull will come more direct upon the head than the nose, | |
and still have perfect control of him. Use him kindly; ©
any abuse in any way only irritates him, and makes him ~
afraid and cross, while kindness insures success. ‘After —
he has become older and more self willed, use a bull staff,
with which to handle him. When twelve or fourteen
months old, he can be allowed to serve a few cows, but
he should not go to more than two a week, and should be
well cared for as spoken of in the care of the bull.
In growing heifer calves for the dairy, the important —
thing to accomplish is to grow the frame and muscular —
system, without laying on much fat. It is a rangy, well
developed animal, with a vigorous digestion, that is wanted —
in the milch cow. The profitable milch cow must be a
large eater, and make the best use of her food, in order
to produce a large yield of milk. In rearing the heifer,
then, she should be so fed as to give her a full develop-
ment of all the vital organs, and this will necessarily bring
her digestive organs into special activity.
Fat in the animal body seems only designated to serve
as a cushion to the tendons and joints, to fill up and round
out depressions, and, lastly, as a reserve of fuel to keep
up animal heat in case of necessity. It is not the seat of
any sensation, has little or nothing to do with the vital
processes, and generally is merely inert ballast in the
body. The food given, then, should not be designed to
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THE AMERICAN CATTLE INDUSTRY. 317
lay on fat—tfood containing an excessive amount of starch
or oil should be avoided in feeding heifer calves designed
for the dairy—but food rich in albuminoids and the min-
eral constituents of the body, is what should be sought.
‘Therefore, if the heifer calves are taken from the cows at
an early age and properly raised by hand, the results are
as good as if allowed to run with the cows, and further-
more, they become accustomed to being handled, and are
rather fond of the presence of the keeper, an important
feature with a milch cow. Kindness helps to create a
quiet disposition, and this education must begin when the
calf is young—any habits acquired when young, are apt
to cling to the cow when grown.
_ HOW EARLY SHOULD HEIFERS HAVE CALVES?
There is a great difference in the practice of farmers
in respect to how early heifers should have calves.
For beef purposes, three years old is probably soon enough;
but for a milker, I would have the heifer come in at two
and one-half years old, or sooner. She is then old enough
to become a cow. I would not, as a rule, allow her to go
to farrow too long, but milk her up to within eight weeks of
calving. A cow thus trained will give more milk and be
more likely to hold out longer in milk, if her after care is
judicious and liberal, as it should be.. Such treatment
- tends to form the habit of giving milk, and,as we know,
habit is a sort of second nature. ‘Tocouple the heifer with
a bull one or two years older than she is, is preferable to
a yearling, and better stock is likely to come from such.
After the heifer has come in, her feed should be regular
and liberal. In absence of good grass or hay, we must
make up for what is lacking in some concentrated feed,
such as oat-meal, shorts, oil meal or the like, but great
318 THE AMERICAN CATTLE INDUSTRY.
care and judgment must be used not to over-feed or
crowd, as the future cow may be ruined. Undue forcing i
shortens the useful life of a cow very rapidly. |
It is often the case when a heifer has her first calf that
the farmer thinks she will not give more milk than will
keep her calfin good condition, and lets them run together,
to teach her the mysteries of being milked when she has
her next calf. In this decision there are two mistakes
that go far to spoil the cow for usefulness. Cows are
largely creatures of habit, and with their first calf every-
thing is new and strange to them, and they readily submit
to being milked, and think it is all right; but suffer them
to run with the calf the first season, and a vicious habit is
established that they will hardly forget in a lifetime. If
they ever submit to be milked quietly, it is evidently un-
der protest. But there is a greater objection than this— —
the calf running with the cow draws the milk every hour ©
or two, so that the milk vessels are not distended with
milk, though the quantity secreted in a given time may
be large. But-this is, the natural time to distend the milk
ducts and expand the udder to a good capacity for hold-
ing milk. When, with her next calf, you require the
milk to be retained twelve hours, the udder becomes hard
and painful, and the milk leaks from the teats, or more —
likely nature accommodates the quantity of milk secreted |
to the capacity to retain it, and the cow becomes per-
manently a small milker, and very frequently learns the
habit of holding up her milk. Much of the future char-
acter of a cow, therefore, depends upon her treatment —
with her first calf. Everything that disturbs the quiet-
ness of a cow, impairs the milk, both in quantity and |
quality. To obtain the best results, therefore, there —
THE AMERICAN -CATTLE INDUSTRY. 319
should be a regular time and place of milking, and as far
as possible the milking should be done by the same per-
son. Any cow can be milked dry in a few weeks by ir-
‘regular milking, at intervals of twenty-four hours, and
sometimes six. Separation from her usual company, a-
change to a new location, a strange milker, and,
above all,a blustering manner and a scolding voice, are
sources of irritation that, more or less, impair the milking
qualities of a cow. No cow under the influence of fear
_ will give her full quantity of milk.
- : UNRULY MILKERS.
_ The habits that a great many cows form of holding up
‘their milk, kicking or jumping, and running when being
- milked, are very annoying, and the “theories” of how to
_ break them of these habits are “as plentiful as wood-
~ chucks in cherry time.” —
’ My experience in handling from thirty to fifty cows
- daily, in the dairy, for several years, proved to me that
_ the suggestions given in papers by different ones as to
7 the means for subduing these cows were only “theories. ”
To lay a wet cloth or sand bag across their loins, or
_ buckle a strap around them in order to make them give
_ down their milk, or putting a chain to their leg, or some
_ patent contrivance to keep them from kicking, are aJl in the
_ tmind’s eye, as far as a cure is concerned. By such treat-
ment they may be subdued for a short time, but it is only
“a matter of time until the old habit is renewed. My ex-
"perience with such cows was this: Unless very valuable
as milkers, or for the blood that was in them for breed-
ers, I would fatten and sell them to the butcher. When
_ they were valuable as milkers, I would shut them up in
|
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320 THE AMERICAN CATTLE INDUSTRY.
This takes less time than to run after them. Then if.
they kick or hold up their milk, change milkers. It is
possible, very often, that a cow will object to one milker,
but will immediately submit to another. Never abuse or
speak harsh to them. Kindness will go a great way
towards conquering them. When thus treated, and they
will insist upon kicking, take a small rope, fasten one
end in a snap; back of that eight inches, fasten a ring,
by passing the rope through the ring and tying a knot in
it; put the rope around the cow’s right hind pastern, and
fasten the snap in the ring. Now tie the rope to a ring
or post back of her, pulling the foot back far enough
just so the toe can rest on the ground. Thus fastened, ~
she is compelled to stand quiet, and this will do more
toward conquering her than abuse. When they will in-
sist on holding up their milk, and cannot be subdued, I
would keep them to raise calves, or fatten them.
As a farmer said, “ A cow is.a curious animal. Like
some other females, she has a nerve and a mind of her
own, and when she gets nervous or makes up her mind,
she will have her own way all the time and every time.
In her tricks of kicking or holding up her milk, for in-
stance; a cow can never be beat out of it, if she has once
learned it. And just look at lier quietly and sidewise
while you are vainly trying to get a drop of milk out of |
her udderful, and notice her very peculiar expression. |
She is looking at you out of the side of her eye, as ©
much as to say, ‘I guess you won’t.’”
CHAPTER. XVI.
MoperN Metuops oF DAIRYING.
_ DAIRYING WITH PROFIT.—THE BEST DAIRY GATTLE.—
HOW TO JUDGE A COW—NECESSITY OF STABLING COWS.
—LESS VENTILATION AND MORE BEDDING.—HOW TO
FEED AND MILK.—THE MOST APPROVED METHODS OF
MAKING BUTTER.
DAIRYING WIHT PROFIT.
The dairyman of course wants to make his profits as
large as possible. ‘This requires earnest effort and close
attention to the details of the business. The making of
good butter and cheese, and the selling of good milk, are
the first requisites in this undertaking. There are many
instances throughout the country of farmers making a
grade of butter which sells at fifty cents per pound and
upwards the year round, and in active demand even at
that, while their. neighbors, with equal advantages, make
-agrade of butter which is hard to dispose of at fifteen
cents per pound. Here is where the dairy business is in-
-jured, to a great extent, by the manufacture of so much
mean, trashy butter, that it seriously affects the market
and demand for the better grades. Another thing that
must be looked into in making the dairy profitable, is to
get a herd of cows suited to what is wanted of them;
that is, a herd that will give a large quantity of milk, or a
large yield of butter or cheese. The cow that is good
for either one of these is scarcely ever as good for either
322 MODERN METHODS OF DAIRYING.
of the others, unless it is for giving a large quantity of |
milk which will make a large yield of cheese; and con-—
sequently it 1s important that if a large yield of milk is
what is wanted that butter cows are not kept, etc. The
feed supplied should be adapted to milk secretion and to
the secretion of the butter oils. If these poimts are at-_
tended to carefully, it would be of some advantage to —
dairy interests.
3
THE BEST DAIRY CATTLE. %
)
It would be very hard to say what breed of cattle is the -
- most valuable for the farmer engaged in the dairy busi-
ness. This would have to depend somewhat upon the
situation, and the purpose for which they are used. The
ideal general purpose cow, that is pictured out by some
of the correspondents of several agricultural papers, will
probably never be found; and certainly not among any one
breed of cattle; but the farmer’s cow should be well-bred, | )
of large size, a asee breeder, and give a generous quan-—
tity of rich milk. |
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THE HOLSTEIN.
The Holstein breed of cattle, now so popular as dairy
cattle, are of Dutch or Holland origin, and are one of
the oldest established breeds known, though their intro-
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MODERN METHODS OF DAIRYING. 323
auction into this country has been somewhat recent. They.
have, as is claimed, four merits: first, as great milk pro-
ducers; second, as good cheese-makers, third, good for
butter; and last, for beef. While not as great in general
for butter as the Jerseys, their general excellence in these
respects places them in the front, as a general purpose
breed without any rival, except perhaps the Short-Horns.
In yield of milk they seem to be confessedly at the liead.
_ One cow is quoted with a record of one hundred and
_ twelve pounds in one day; another with 18,004 pounds in
one year, or nearly fifty pounds per day, which is said
_ to be the greatest yield on record, and the Holstein cow
_ Mercedes, 1s credited with the largest yield of butter in
_ thirty days, making ninety-nine pounds, six and one-half
_ Ounces in that time. While we may not judge any breed
of cattle by the merits of a few specimens, yet the Hol-
_ steins are undoubtedly great milkers.
The Ayrshire cow, owing to her docility, being very
easily managed, is valuable; for dairy purposes, she is
equal to any other cow of her size, but she is inferior to
the larger breeds for feeding purposes.
The Jerseys and Gurnseys, and especially the former,
_ for quantity and quality of butter, have no superiors. They
stand upon the same platform as the thoroughbred horse.
. ‘They are each bred for one special purpose: the thor-
_oughbred horse to run, and the Jersey cow for butter.
No improvement can be made with either one, for’their
purpose, by the infusion of other blood. But as said be-
fore, in keeping cows for the dairy, or to give milk and
make butter, keep only the kind that will give the great-
est quantity of your speciality—butter cows, if it is butter;
and if it is milk, then keep cows of one of the milk breeds.
\
324 MODERN METHODS OF DAIRYING.
But no matter what breed you have, something further is —
necessary in order to reach the best success.
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THE JERSEY.
A good cow can generally be produced by good feed
and care. A $5,000 Jersey cow will do poorly for butter
on the care and feed that many farmers give their an- _
imals.
HOW TO JUDGE A Cow.
In selecting cows for the dairy, by close observation
very often their character can be told by their coun-
tenance, and their quality by their appearance.
_ “Man is not the only animal which shows his character
by his countenance. Nearly all kinds of live stock, and
especially cattle and horses, have something significant in
their facial expressions. Gentleness and docility on the one
hand, and wildness and ferocity on the other, crop out al-
most unerringly in the cast of the eye, or the pose of the
head. An expert horseman can nearly always interpret
the disposition of a horse from a square look into his eyes.
Experienced dairymen also discriminate largely in the
choice of milking stock by their knowledge of live stock
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MODERN METHODS OF DAIRYING. 325
phisiognomy. The same thing is carried into the fat
stock markets. Butchers will nearly always scrutinize
the countenance of a bullock before purchasing, and we
have often seen them turn away from a handsome beef
because. it had a “wicked eye,” which unerringly pre-
saged trouble in getting it from the yards, through the
streets, to the shambles. Stock drivers will, when want-
ed to take charge of an animal, ask to see it, and after a
momentary front view will consent or refuse with a
promptness which shows confidence in their ability to
judge in this way. A bullock will sometimes be avoided
by several drivers in turn, and without connivance, too,
because he has a villainous “phiz.” One who accustoms
himself to reading the faces of cattle can soon become so
expert that he can with difficulty be entrapped into an
error of judgment.” |
Having had considerable experience in handling stock,
I have found the following description, as given by Mr.
C. Bordwell, of how to judge a good cow, of value.
As the character has a great deal to do with the
cow, and we must judge that by her countenance,
we will commence at the head, and first notice the eyes.
Thse should be large and of a bright color, showing a
mild disposition. “The muzzle should be rather large,
but the head small and rather bony, with the face
dished and wide between the eyes; horns rather small
and amber color; ears small, thin and yellow; neck thin
and long, with clean throat; neck will drop a little in front
of shoulders, making what I call a ewe neck; shoulders
sloping, not heavy, but lean or bony; back level, with good
width of hips. ~The back-bone should be rough or loose-
jointed. Iconsider this one of the best points. As you
326 MODERN METHODS OF DAIRYING.
move your hand along the back the joints seem to be —
farther apart and open. Barrel broad and deep at the —
flank, with the back ribs wide apart. Rump long and ~
rather wide; thighs long, thin and wide apart, with legs
short and bone fine; hoofs rather long but small; milk : |
veins large, and where they enter the body you can stick _
your fingers in. Udder well forward and well up behind,
with four good large teats set square and wide apart.
Udder soft and pliable, and not fleshy, so that when the
milk is drawn the udder is nearly gone. ‘Tail long and ~
slim, with a good switch. Skin should be soft and yellow,
and covered with a good coat of soft, silky hair. The cow
filling the alove FESCUE or nearly so, I have always
found a good one.’
In buying a cow, find out for yourself if she is what you
want. Don’t take anybody’s word for it. A mean cow ~
is such an intolerable nuisance that many men, and some- ~
times other members of the family, are strongly tempted — |
to strain a point in order to get rid of her. |
If possible, when she is in milking condition, milk her
yourself, or see her milked, and judge her by the milk.
To find out whether any individual cow is a profitable
member of the dairy herd or not, a separate account
should be kept of her milk and butter. If no such pains
are taken it is not easy to tell just what the worth of a
doubtful milker is. ‘The true policy is to throw out every
one which does not yield a profit, and replace her with a
better one. It costs just as much to feed a mean cow as
a good one. “Better pay more for a good cow than ac-
cept a poor one for a gift,” is a true saying with dairy-
men. A good cow is one that will make from ten to
twelve pounds of butter a week for ten months in the
MODERN METHODS OF DAIRYING. 327
_ year, or one that will give from ten to 12,000 Ibs. of milk
in the same length of time. A poor cow, such as
is kept by the average farmer in nameless sections of the
| country, to my knowledge, will make from two to four
- pounds—average three—eight months in the year, and
probably give in that time four thousand pounds of milk.
New milk weighs eight pounds and eight ounces per gallon.
The poor cow will require the same amount of food if
kept up, as the good one, and therefore must be kept at
- a loss.
No man can afford to keep a poor cow for making but- |
ter or giving milk. The best thing that can be done
_ where one is saddled with cows that make only four
_ or five pounds of butter a week each, or give but twelve or
_ fourteen gallons of milk each in that time, is to raise stock
and feed for the shambles.
MILCH COWS SHOULD BE STABLED.
Mr. J. A. Smith, a Western dairyman, writing of the
_ importance of feed and proper treatment of dairy cows,
_ gives some excellent suggestions on this topic. He says
_ that “dairymen are often surprised at the light weight of
_ their milk next morning after a cold rain-storm, through
_ which their cows have suffered unstabled, and it is only a
_ natural result of such treatment. The cow does not eat
as much, for one thing; and another is, part of what she
does eat goes to repair the waste of her system in with-
* Standing the effects of the storm, and that keeps a per
_ cent. out of the milk-pail, until she has recovered from
_ the effects of such exposure. It is also true that a cow
_ affected by short feed or painful exposure not only loses
in the quantity of her yield of milk, but in the amount
of fatty matter it contains. In a word, nature has so or-
328 MODERN METHODS OF DAIRYING..
ganized the cow that she revenges herself on her owner’s
pocket, for cruel neglect and short feed; and a farmer
might just as well try to dodge taxes and death, as to es-
cape the unwise treatment of a cow. In point of fact,
when thus treated, she takes the cream first, and gives the
owner what skim milk she cannot assimilate. The only
way to get a profit out of her is to fill her so full that she
runs over, and take the surplus for your gold mine. ”
These suggestions show the necessity of stabling the
cows, so they can be better fed and milked.
Milking in the barnyard is an old custom that should
be abandoned. It is inconvenient and unclean. It should
yo with the wooden pail and hairy butter, and never be
heard of any more; gone and forgotten, too. It is a
wonder that any farmer would permit it, and still more a
wonder that farmers’ wives and daughters would consent
to it.
It is just as easy, and far more convenient, for the milk-
ers to put the cows in the stable all times of the year, at
milking time, as it is to leave them outin a lot; for in this
way they are rid of the cold and mud, or heat and flies,
and can remain quiet while being milked, instead of be-
ing chased around through the mud and snow. It is no
wonder that farmers’ daughters want to marry some city
chap, who does not keep cows. If I were one—well,
never mind; just try to build a cow-stable, so that the
cows can be put up at all times to be milked, or at least
when it is necessary, during a hot or cold time, and then
see if the girls, as well as the cows, will not be in a better
humor.
There is a prejudice among many farmers against
keeping cows tied up in the barn the greater part of even
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MODERN METHODS OF DAIRYING. 329
the wettest and coldest days. It is claimed that the an-
imals will not be healthy unless they are allowed the free-
dom of the yard all day. I have seen herds of animals
belonging to well-to-do farmers standing backed up to
cold winter blasts, or vainly trying to obtain shelter
from a storm. i have also seen cows, under the irritation
of the cold, chasing one another around the yard during
the greater part of the day, and cows yiving milk, too.
Now this is not a rare occurence. There are a great
many days in the winter when stock should not be out of
doors longer than to give opportunity to drink. Muilk-
men know that the flow of milk rises and falls in quan-
tity as the temperature rises and falls during the winter
season, unless the cows are so well sheltered and cared
for that they do not feel the severity of the cold. The
object in having a cow stable is not only to make it more
convenient to milk, but to protect the cattle from cold
and wet weather, as well as to aid the keeper to feed in the
way that will be of the most benefit to the stock with the
least expense of food. It is the care in feeding and keep-
ing that gives the profit, and these points must all be kept
in view when arranging a stable. No one can builda
permanent cow stable without expense, but such a _ build-
ing will soon pay for the cost it will incur. If built, tne
_ merits will soon become evident. The owner will soon
say that he cannot get along without it, and his only
regrets will be that it was not built sooner. In building
stables for cows, as well as for horses, there are so many
different plans, that I will not attempt to give any; all
that is required is to have them convenient, dry and clean.
“There is possibly no more repulsive sight than a cow-
stable, in which dirty cattle are housed. It has been
330 MODERN METHODS OF DAIRYING.
demonstrated that cows neglected in this respect fail to
yield a perfect flow of milk, and it is reasonable to sup-
pose that such:is the case. The richest of food may be
given to them, but if condition in the stalls is neglected
they will not thrive. The foul odor of a filthy stable
must necessarily permeate not only the animal’s hide, but
it has been proven that the meat of stall-fed steers, fat-
tened under these circumstances, is unwholesome; more-
over, the milk, even during the period of milking, is liable
to absorb the filthy emanations from such stables, and to
become absolutely poisonous. It would seem, therefore,
reasonable, that owners and dealers in cattle and milk
should appreciate the importance of cleanliness and it’s —
relation to health, even as a source of profit.”
EXTRA VENTILATION RARELY NECESSARY.
It is a rare thing to have a stable so tight that any ex-
tra ventilation is necessary. Where this is the case,
ventilators should be so placed that there will be no cold
drafts upon the animals. In order to insure this, they
should be placed as far away as possible from the stock.
In no case should they be:placed on the windward side of
a stable, but should connect, if possible, with another
building to prevent draught, and one in which the air is
somewhat tempered. The ingress and egress of air
should be at opposite ends to insure circulation, and at
the same time prevent a draught, which would be more
likely when placed near each other. ‘The ventilators
should be few and small, and should be latticed, overlap- ©
ping each other, which would prevent strong currents.
There is but little danger if stables are daily well cleaned
out, of the air ever becoming foul enough or close enough
to injure stock. The necessity of ventilation is usually
MODERN METHODS OF DAIRYING. 331
more of whim than a necessity. When a stable is cold
enough to freeze, ventilators are never required. To my
mind, cattle sleeping on ice or frozen chunks of manure,
is a barbarism that a humane or economical farmer would
not tolerate. One would suppose that the dreams of the
farmer, tucked up in a feather-bed, on a winter night,
while his cattle were obliged to rest on an icy floor among
frozen manure, could not be very pleasant.
GOOD BEDDING NECESSARY.
It is economy to give the horse, cow and other stock
housed through the winter, a good bed. It has much to
do towards saving food and keeping stock in a thriving
condition, to say nothing. of the obligations man is under
to provide well for the dumb animals for him given to
have “dominion over.” Better to give stock comfortable
beds through the usual seasons of necessary shelter and
stabling, as they can be provided with very little difficulty
and expense. ‘There is usually refuse fodder, sraw or
other matter, which can be utilized and made into manure
_ by this process. A large amount of the excrements, by
this practice, which would otherwise be lost, can be saved.
Fine sand makes a good bedding material and a good
dressing for any heavy soil. Sawdust is another article
which can be used advantageously for the same purpose.
There is no farmer who cannot provide plenty of litter,
of some kind for his stock, and this by all means he
should do and will do, if he understands his business and
consults his own interests.
HOW TO FEED AND MILK THEM.
Cows, in order to be profitable, must not only be gen-
erously and regularly fed, but their milking should be
done at as regular hours as possible, winter and summer.
232 MODERN METHODS OF DAIRYING.
The cows don’t have watches, but they know when busi-
ness hours come around, and are fretful if the business
don’t goon. Their feed, of course, will depend upon the
time of year. During the best of the grass season, they
may not need much if any feed, but if stabled at milking
time, it is best to give them some dry mill-feed, as it not
only prevents them from scouring, but entices them in the
stable. When the grass is scarce or begins to get hard, the
mill-feed can be increased in quantity and quality, or else
some fresh grass cut and put in the stable for them. The
main object in feeding summer or winter is to give a var-
iety, at least enough of a change so that they will not get
tired of any one kind. Cornis the great fat-producer, and
should be mixed with the winter feed, but if crushed
or ground, and mixed with cut hay and steamed, or fed
wet, it is better than if fed whole. A rich fodder, as clover
hay, needs less meal, while a poorer one, like straw or —
corn fodder, needs more. Cattle that are being fattened
should also recetve more meal than the heavy milkers.
The feeder himself must regulate the amount given. He
should be able to feed each individual one of the herd the
quantity and quality necessary, and so keep them thriving
by giving enough, but not too much.
To aid in mixing their feed, there should be a large
trough close to the hay cutter. This trough should also
have a sheet-iron bottom, and be fixed for heating or
cooking, if wanted for that purpose. It takes but little
additional expense to have the apparatus fixed for cook-
ing.. When so arranged small potatoes, turnips, pump-
kins, and mangolds can be used to their best advantage.
They are far more easily digested when cooked and
do cattle more good. These and mill feed, barley or
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MODERN METHODS OF DAIRYING. 333
malt, mixed with cut clover hay or sheaf oats, form the —
best of milk producing food, and it is considered settled
that the quality of milk is controlled by the quality of
‘the food. How important it is then, to give to the cows
none but the best and purest food. With no other stock
is this so essential, for the reason that it has been fully
demonstrated by competent authorities that the milk is a
_ very prolific source of transmitting disease germs from
impure food, and especially from impure water. Pure
_ water—and no other kind should be tolerated under any
- circumstances
should be supplied to the cows, all they
~ will drink, three times a day.
In feeding cows for milk it is a common practice to
give each cow a pailful of water in which liberal quantity
_ of bran has been stirred. This produces a large flow of
_ milk, especially if the water is warm, but it is a big chore
_ to feed a large number of cattle in this way. The im-
_ portance of water requires that it should be handy, and a
_ good plan is to have a tub or trough so arranged at the
well asto protect it from frost in the winter; this filled
with fresh well water and a liberal amount of bran and a
little salt stirred in it, will help to promote a great flow of
milk. A rapid, expert milker, who is at the same time
| kind and considerate to the cow, can also do much to in-
crease the yield of milk. Slow milking of cows never
secures the full product. The cow becomes tired of re-
_laxing the udder muscles, and after a time resumes the
more natural position of contracting them. ‘This makes
much stripping necessary, and a slow milker will never
have patience to strip a long time. Partial milking soon
dries the cow, and greatly reduces her value.
Always treat your cows kindly, have quiet attendants,
334 MODERN METHODS OF DAIRYING.
feed well, milk quickly and cleanly. Discharge all help
that are noisy, or that would strike a cow.
In driving the cows, never hurry them; as when their
udders are full of milk, or they are heavy with calf, itis
very likely to do them permanent injury. i
Besides the suggestions already given I will say that |
the way to make money in dairying is to keep the best ©
cows, give them first-class treatment, use the best methods —
of cheese or butter making, and keep your eye on the
market. Don’t keep a poor milker, and seldom sell your
_ best cows. ‘The best cow for the dairy is not necessarily
a thoroughbred; it is the one that yields the most milk or
butter.
“While I do not wish to lay a straw in the way of pro-
gress of fine dairy cow breeders, and while I admit the
excellence of the Jersey, Ayrshire and Holstein, yet I do
protest against the constant revilement of our native cows.
No animal on the farm is treated worse. Struggling
among ragweeds in almost grassless pastures, furnishing
blood for flies in the blazing heat of mid-summer, the
effect of wrath, hail, snow, sleet, rain and polar winds,
she still survives, ever patient and returning good for evil.
If our abused native cow was treated half so well as her
foreign cousin, perhaps she would be as famous as they.”
MAKING BUTTER. |
In making butter remember that it is all important to
suit the tastes of your customer. Let your taste le sub-
ordinate to theirs.
In packing butter for the various markets, or furnish-
ing it direct to customers, it should be salted and put up
in packages to meet with favor.
“One of the first essentials to a good package of but-
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MODERN METHODS OF DATIRYING. 335
ter is the use of a pure dairy salt, free from any injurious ~
. ingredients, and one that will retain the flavor and good-
Keeping qualities of the butter. The use of poor salt,
perhaps more than any other cause, has been the means
_of more loss to the dairymen of this country than can be
readily estimated, especially when butter 1s held in stor-
age for a higher market, the poorer grades of salt im-
parting a fisby or racid flavor, detracting in value from
one to five cents per pound.
“In salting butter, one ounce to the pound is what is
generally used. Butter should be exposed as little as
possible to the air from the time it is churned until packed
tightly in tubs, fit for market. Care should be taken
never to overwork butter, as the grain and texture should
_ be preserved. This point should never be lost sight of.
“Equally good results can be obtained by washing
or working the milk from the butter, when skillfully
‘ done under favorable circumstances. In either case the
only object is to free the butter from the milk, with as
little injury to the flavor or grain of the butter as possible.
In washing butter, the danger is mostly in injuring the
- flavor by introducing foreign matter in the water, while
in the other case, their is more danger in overworking,
‘and so injuring the grain. In localities where pure water
‘cannot be obtained, washing should not be resorted to,
for butter is always sure io take up the impurities con-
tained, as it will taint of any decaying vegetable or ani-
mal matter that may be near. Many wells and
Springs which are thought to be pure and good have
in them decaying substances which render them entirely
unfit for any use, much less to wash butter with. Decay-
ing organic matter so introduced into butter acts very
ay a ¢ 1 RAs! pe
336 “MODERN METHODS OF DAIRYING.
much like yeast in dough; at least, it starts a fermenta-__
tion, so to speak, which soon destroys the butter. Allow:
no surface water to get into the spring or well, or any
filth to remain in them, and if they are not highly |
charged with lime, mineral or salts of any kind, there is _
no better or easier method than to wash the milk out
quickly and thoroughly before salting.
_ “It is very difficult, if not impossible, to make good but-
ter without having a good milk room. All the other con-
ditions may be good, but if the milk be set in a room ~
where the temperature is not right, or the air bad, the
result may be poor butter. This fact is too often over- ©
looked, but not as frequently as formerly. It is now very
generally known that, to make good butter, milk must ©
not be kept in the same room with boiled vegetables or ©
other cooked food; or where there are vegetables, as in a
cellar. But it is not so generally understood as it should ©
be that the milk room should not be where there is any ©
chance for disagreable odors to come from adjoining |
rooms. ‘Too many settle down in the idea that if they |
have a room expressly for milk, it is all that is required; |
but this is a mistake. ‘Che milk room should be so far |
away from the cook room that it should be impossible for |
the odors which arise while cooking to enter it, — |
the door is opened. :
If the farmer smokes tobacco he should be very care- |
ful never to smoke even in a room adjoining the milk |
room, or to go into the milk room after smoking, until ||
the odor of the tobacco is out of his clothing, which, if ||
he smokes very often, will not be until he gets a new |
suit. There are but few substances that absorb odors |
like milk or butter.” of
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BREEDS AND CHARACTERISTICS OF HORSES. 337
All buckets or cans that receive the milk should be
kept clean and sweet. The milking should be done
quickly and the milk put away immediately in the milk
room. As soon as the cream separates from the milk,
which is in forty-eight hours or less, according to the
temperature of the room, it should be churned, and not
allowed to stand and become rancid. Keep a thermometer
with which to test the cream, and churn it at a temper-
ature of about sixty-three degrees. Never try to secure
the proper temperature by pouring water in the cream
or testing it with the hand, but apply hot or cold water
on the outside of the can, and get the temperature by the
use of the thermometer. Wash the butter with pure cold
water, add the proper amount of salt and coloring before
commencing to work it. Avoid the use of the hand in
working it. Use a ladle, or what is better, a lever. Don’t
‘spat it or draw the ladle over to smooth it, as that breaks
the grain. As soon as the milk is all out it can be pre-
pared for market by putting it in prints, or rolls, and
wrapping each one separate in a clean muslin cloth, wet
in strong brine.
Use good ash tubs or scalded stone jars for packing.
Butter should be packed in solidly, so that when turned
out it will not be full of holes and loose. ‘Tubs should
be soaked in good strong brine, or else thoroughly
steamed, then weighed, and the tare marked plainly on
each tub. “Fill to water measure.” Soak the cloths
well in brine, and have them large enough to cover the
entire top. It is now ready to goto market, or to be put
in a cool place free from all animal or vegetable odors.
: PACKING BUTTER IN BRINE.
This method of packing butter for its more perfect
338 MODERN METHODS OF DAIRYING.
preservation, and one which is very effective, has long —
been in use in England. It is to pack the butter in cylin- |
drical bags of muslin, which are put in a mold for the
purpose. These bags hold about two pounds, and when
filled are tied tightly and packed away in brine in tubs,
pails, or casks, and are headed up just as pickled pork
is. ‘The butter will absorb no more salt, is perfectly free
from atmospheric exposure, is enveloped in an antiseptic —
fluid, and is therefore entirely safe from change, except-_
ing so far as this may occur internally from within by —
natural process called ripening. But this change goes
on so slowly that the butter merely acquires a high
and agreeable flavor, and no strong scent or taste is
developed which would approach rancidity. 3
This manner of packing butter has long been in use in”
some districts of England, and the supplies furnished to~
the large universities of Oxford and Cambridge have been
put up in a similar way for many years. The butter is
made in long rolls about two inches in diameter, and
these are wrapped in muslin and the edge secured by some ~
stitches, the ends being tied. :
Another method for packing butter, atid one which is
well adapted for the general farmer, is to work or wash
the butter until it is free of milk, then pack well in a good
sweet jar or ash vessel; cover the top over with a wet
cloth; press down close all around, and cover with salt
some two inches thick. When wanting to add more but-
ter, remove the salt and cloth, pack as before, then re-
place the cloth and salt. Butter thus packed during the
fall months will keep sweet and good until late in the
spring.
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_ THE AMERICAN HORSE.
A MODERN, PRACTICAL AND RELIABLE
TREATISE ON THE HORSE,
bi
GIVING A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE DIFFERENT BREEDS, WITH VALUA-.
BLE INFORMATION ON VARIOUS SUBJECTS, AS TO BREEDING,
! REARING, HANDLING AND SHOEING, EITHER FOR THE
FARM OR ROAD, FOLLOWED BY A PRACTICAL TREAT-
MENT ON THE DISEASES OF HORSES, CAT-
TLE AND SHEEP.
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originated from the horses brought over from France by
the first settlers of Canada. They possess the general
characteristics of the Norman, without degeneration or
any material change excepting that of size, which is at-
a re
BREEDS AND CHARACTERISTICS OF HORSES. 343
tributed by some to the cold climate and scanty food on
which they have been raised, and by others toa cross of the
Norman and the Arabian. They were the first draft
horses bred on the western continent, and spread over
the United States. ‘They are a valuable agricultural and
general purpose horse, for a rough country, as they are
active, easily kept, and grow fat at hard work. ‘They
stand from fourteen to fifteen and one-half hands
high; possess an iron constitution, with strong muscled
quarters; large bone in proportion to size; sound feet and
legs, free from spavins, ringbones, or other hereditary de-
fects. ‘They perpetuate their strong points and leading
characteristics to their issue, and when crossed with high-
bred trotters or thoroughbreds, increase the bone. Many
of our now noted trotting horses possess the blood of the
Kanuck, as obtained through Old Pilot, a noted pacer
brought from Canada to New Orleans, by Mr. Chas.
Barker, in 1835, and from there taken to Louisville, Ky.
He was a black horse, fourteen and one-half hands high,
and could pace exceedingly fast. It is claimed that he
_ paced two miles in 4.27;-but was such a lugger on the
ayer t= iS.
Dit that he had to be worked with a peculiar rigging at-
tached to the saddle, in order to hold and control him.
This rigging consisted of a stout crupper extending from
the saddle to the tail. Attached to this was a regular
_harness breechen. Long, line-like reins extended from the
bridle bit back through the rings in the brichen, then back
again through the rings in the bridle bit, and then up to
‘the saddle. ‘Thus rigged, the little “black ram,” as he
was called, could fairly fly, and from his loins, through
his grand daughters, have such trotters as Maud S., 2.934,
and Jay-Eye-See, 2.10, been produced.
\
344. BREEDS AND CHARACTERISTICS OF HORSES. .
4
The breed of horses which now prevail, and are so __
established in the United States as to deserve particular _
description, are the thoroughbred race horse, American —
trotting horse, Norman, Clydesdale, English cart, and }
Shire horses.
THE THOROUGHBRED HORSE.
As ordinarily applied by breeders, the word «thorough
bred” simply means purely bred, or of unmixed lineage,
and in this strict sense none of- our domesticated animals
can justly be called thoroughbreds, except the English
race horse, because they all have more or less composite
ancestry. When, however, that a certain strain or race”
has been bred within itself, without outcrosses to other or
different strains, for many generations, until a marked and
peculiar type is uniformly produced, that race, or strain,
or breed is said to be thoroughbred, or purely bred.
The term thoroughbred was first applied only to horses —
in great Britain, bred especially for racing purposes, and
was adopted as the name of the breed, and is still used
for that distinctive purpose. Consequently, when one —
speaks of a thoroughbred horse, all intelligent horsemen ©
understand that the race horse is ment. No horses are ~
recognized as Thoroughbreds in this country that do not |
show an unbroken line of ancestry, on both sides, to an-
imals recorded in the English Stud-book. No intelligent
horseman will speak of a thoroughbred Morgan, a thor-
oughbred trotter, or a thoroughbred draft-horse, because,
as before stated, the term, when applied to horses, be-
longs only to one particular breed, the running horse, I
called Thoroughbreds.
Mr. Youatt says: “There is much dispute as to the ©
origin of the ‘Thoroughbred horse. By some he is traced |
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BREEDS AND CHARACTERISTICS OF HORSES. 347
through both sire and aes to Arabian origin. Others
believe him to be the native English horse improved and
_ perfected by judicious crossing with the Arabian horse,
the Turk, Bard or Beduin, which, without doubt, is his
true parentage.”
England is entitled to the credit of originating and per-
fecting the thoroughbred in his present form. The Dar-
ley, Arabian, Godolphin, Barb, Byrley, and Turk, were
among the most distinguished progenitors and founders of
the breed. The Stud Book, which is an authority ack-
nowledged by every English breeder, traces all the old
racers to some Eastern origin, or Arabian horse. If the
pedigree of an English racer of the present day be re-
quired, it is traced back to a certain extent, and ends with
a well known racer, or in obscurity. For an American
Thoroughbred, it traces to a well known race or an im-
ported ‘Thoroughbred. It must, on the whole, be allowed
that the present English Thoroughbred horse is of foreign
_ extraction, improved and perfected by the influence of the
climate, and by diligent cultivation. The beautiful tales
of Eastern countries of somewhat remoter days, may lead
us to imagine that the Arabian horse possessed marvel-
ous powers, but it cannot admit of a doubt, that the Eng-
lish —Thoroughbred horse is more beautiful, far swifter
and stouter than the famed courser of the desert, and
those bred in America have proven themselves equal to,
or superior to those bred in England. In former days the
race horse was not brought upon the course until matur-
ed, generally at five years old. ‘The consequences were
_ that they remained sound, competent to train and run well
at an advanced age. Now the system ischanged. The
majority of breeders start their colts at two years old, so
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348 BREEDS AND CHARACTERISTICS OF HORSES.
as to give them a reputation for early maturity, and they
train off or break down at three or five years of age, and
the majority go off crippled into the stud.
Whether the introduction of two year olds upon the
race course, so they may astonish the public by their
fleetness, is best, 1s a question which more concerns the
sporting man than the agriculturist, and yet it concerns
the agriculturist, too, to some extent; for racing is prin-
cipally valuable as connected with breeding, and as the
test of breeding. But the breeding of the Thorough-
}
bred horse is a business that. belongs to men of ample time
and means; for it takes plenty of both to make it a suc-
cess. That the breeding of Thoroughbred horses is
legitimate, in which any farmer may honorably be
engaged, is too plain to admit of denial. It becomes
simply a question of how far this almost universal passion
may be carried. But whether it is wrong to run them at
so early an age as two years, and cripple or ruin them for
life, as is often the case, is a question that is easily an-
swered in the affirmative, and is a practice that should
not be tolerated by the breeders. The horse is as suscep-
tible of pleasure and pain as ourselves. He was committed —
to us for our protection and for our use; he is a willing
and devoted servant. Whence did we derive the right to
abuse him? Self interest speaks the same language as
reason in prompting us to take care of him.
THE AMERICAN TROTTER.
This celebrated and valuable breed of horses 1s of
American origin, and is thoroughly composite. It is made
up of different elements of blood of the Thoroughbred
horse crossed with the native American mares, and their
produce so inbred, that now the trotting horse is a dis-
BREEDS AND CHARACTERISTICS OF HORSES. 349
tinguished breed, and more valuable than any other
known. The horses which were most noted as the
founders of the breed, and which became famous,
are, Juston Morgan, Rysdyk’s Hambletonian, An-
drew Jackson, Mambrino Chief, Blue Bull and Pilot
Junior. Further on, I will speak of these horses named,
and give their breeding as given in history with a few
brief remarks on their value as sires, but cannot give
the history of the families in full; to do so, would re-
;
- quire a large volume in itself.
THE FOUNDER OF TROTTERS.
The founder of the best trotting families was the im-
_ ported horse Messenger, brought from England to Phila-
_delphia, in 1778. The lineage of this noble sire traces
back in the male line to the Darley Arabian, the sire of
Flying Childers, but with the suspicion of an out-cross
through his great grand sire Sampson. On the side of his
dam the strain reaches Code, by Godolphin Arabian.
From all accounts, Messenger was a horse of superior,
‘though not handsome form, and _ possessed extraor-
-dinary power and spirit. His color was grey, which
became lighter with age; was fifteen hands, three inches
high, with a large bony head, and a rather short,
:
Straight neck. His windpipe and nostrils were nearly
twice the usual size, while his withers were low, and
Shoulders upright, but deep and strong. His loins were
Strong and the quarters very muscular, while his
hocks and knees were very large, yet the cannon bones
were flat and clean. He carried his legs under him, and
was always ready for action. This description shows but
| little of the form of the Thoroughbred, yet is typical of
|
the form of his trotting descendents. This form, as
:
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350 BREEDS AND CHARACTERISTICS OF HORSES.
well as the extraordinary vitality and endurance
peculiar to him, he impressed upon his progeny, which —
being persistently driven and trained to trot, became more >
intensified and habituated regarding gait, until we haveas”
the result of this skill of man, and this strain of blood, the
final development of the trotting horse of America, the.
pride of the turf and road. Messenger died on Long Is
land, in 1808, at the age of twenty-eight, and stood for
fifteen years in the vicinity of New York City. The road-
sters and trotting horses throughout that section show the |
impress of his blood.
PROMINENT SONS OF MESSENGER.
The following were the prominent sons of Messenger, |
to whom we trace many pedigrees of the fastest trotters: ©
Mambrino, Bishop’s Hambletonian, Ogden’s Messenger,
Engineer, Commander, and Winthrop Messenger. Some |
of Messenger’s daughters have contributed to the differ-
ent families qualities which have given them prominence. |}
The grandam of young Bashaw, the source of the |
Bashaws and Clays, was the daughter of Messenger.
PROMINENT GRAND SONS OF MESSENGER.
Among the grand sons of Messenger, Abdallah and
-Mambrino Paymaster stand pre-eminent. Of this king ||
of stallions, Abdallah, “rough to look at,” a son of Mam- |
brino, and a grandson of Messenger, out of the mare”
Amazonia, too much cannot be said. In life he was not”
appreciated; in fact, was so neglected as to yield no™
profit in the stud, and was sold for $35 to a fisherman,
who, not being able to work him on account of his tem- i|
per, allowed him to starve to death. His greatest laurels |
were reaped years after in the honors bestowed on his |
sons. During late years his blood has been highly prized |
i"4
BREEDS AND CHARACTERISTICS OF HORSES. 351
in the pedigrees of trotting horses, either through male.
or female line. Mr. Wm. F. Porter, in speaking of him,
_ says, “Abdallah was foaled on Long Island, and was a
rich mahogany bay, and measured about fifteen hands
_ three inches, under the standard. He had a star and very
_ possibly one white foot. He is presumed to be Thorough-
_ bred, but the pedigree of his dam was lost.
Rysdyk’s Hambletonian, a son of Abdallah, was the
_ greatest progenitor of trotters the world ever saw, and by
right of acknowledged pre-eminence, claims our con-
' sideration as the first on the list of great stallions. He
_ was foaled in 1849, and died in 1876. His dam was.by
imported Bellfounder, his second dam was by Bishop’s
Hambletonian, son of Messenger, and third dam by Mes-
-senger. He is described by Mr. Holmes, who knew him
_ well, as a strong, compactly made horse, close to sixteen
hands high. His coat was ordinarily of the brightest bay,
“his legs black, the black extending above the knees and
f hocks, with white socks behind (in size _ precisely
alike), and a small, white star in the centre of his forehead.
- His pictures are all utterly inadequate to convey any cor-
rect idea of the horse. ”
F After the get of Rysdyk’s Hambletonian began to
show promise as trotters, and especially after Shark, one
of his sons, came out and trotted several wonderful races
“under saddle, from 1862 to 1866, making a mile in 2.28%,
‘and two miles in 5.00%, and Dexter, another son, who
came out a year later, and swept everything before him,
and in 1867 made a record of one mile in 2.1714, which
|for so many years stood as the best performance on
record, the “Old Horse,” as he has long been called,
| became very popular in tlie stud, and was extensively
re =] Se
; arr
352 BREEDS AND CHARACTERISTICS OF HORSES.
patronized. Another of his sons, George Wilkes, came
out nearly at the same time as Dexter, winning many
races, and in 1868, made a record of 2.22, which stood
for many years as the best stallion record. Then Gold -
_ Smith Maid and St. Julian, granddaughter and grandson, —
appeared upon the turf and electrified the world with
‘their wonderful speed for many years. And they kept
coming thicker and faster—first, the sons, and then the
daughters, then the granddaughters and grandsons, then’
the great-grandsons and Cavehccrs, until his descendents ©
became the most noted ia y © ‘rotting horses known,
and the irresistible logic of trotting statistics to this day
has clearly demonstrated the superiority of the Hamble-
tonian blood over all others. __
Hambletonian commenced service in the stud at two
years of age, and continued successfully until two years
before his death, when he proved no longer fertile. He
served 1,833 mares, and got 1,325 colts. During the
first three years he stood at $25, to insure; the next niné
years at $35; the next year at $75; the next at $100;
the next at $300; and since then at $500. His earnings
in the stud amounted to $185,125. |
Of his get, 37 have trotting records of 2.30 or better,
or one 2.30 trotter out of every thirty-five colts. From
this it can be seen that from the number of foals he pro-
duced, the percentage of 2.30 trotters were small. Some
of his sons and grandsons in this respect, and also in the
production of horses of great speed have surpassed him.
Among those that may be mentioned that stand pre-emi-
nent as great sires are Voluuteer, George Wilkes and
Harold. But it must be borne in mind that they have
had the advantage of being coupled with better bred
jie
BREEDS AND CHARACTERISTICS OF HORSES. 353
trotting mares, and the colts the advantage of the skill
and knowledge of man as to how to educate the trotter.
It has been practically demonstrated that neither Rysdyk’s
Hambletonian, nor many of his sons, have produced
sensational trotters when crossed on Thoroughbred mares,
although three-fourths of all the sensational trotters be-
long to the Hambletonian family, but have been produced
by the cross of Hambletonian sires with well-bred trot-
ting or pacing mares. This is not only true of the
Hambletonian family, but with all other trotting families,
that there are but few fast trotters that have been pro-
duced by breeding strictly Thoroughbred mares to trot-
ting sires, or trotting mares to Thoroughbred sires. Less
than twenty with records of 2:30 or better, would cover
the entire list.
IMPORTED BELLFOUNDER.
Bellfounder was imported from England, in 1822. He
was a remarkably fast trotter for a Thoroughbred horse,
and has contributed a most valuable strain of blood to the
trotters of this country. At three years old he trotted
two miles in six minutes, and at four years old made ten
miles in thirty minutes. -'The Bellfounder cross is high-
ly prized, and is found in the pedigrees of the Hamble-
tonians, Clays and other families. Rysdyk’s Hambleton-
_ian’s dam was by this great horse, and her speed, at four
years old, was very great, seldom equaled, even in these
fast times. She was a handsome dark bay mare, and
queen of the road of New York City for many years.”
Mambrino Paymaster was another noted son of Mam-
_brino, and his dam was a large black mare, breeding un-
Known. Mambrino Paymaster was the sire of Mambrino
Chief, the founder of the family which bears his name.
354 BREEDS AND CHARACTERISTICS OF HORSES.
This strain of blood has become very fashionable and will
be found in the pedigrees of some of the most noted sires:
or dams of sensational trotters.
MAMBRINO CHIEF. |
«“Mambrino Chief, br. h. 16 hands, was a very fast
trotter for his day, having trotted a mile in 2:36, in the
year 1854, after having made a season in the stud. Bu
besides being himself a fast trotter, he possessed the
most remarkable power of transmitting the ability to re-
produce trotters to his descendents. He was foaled in
1844, and spent the earlier part of his Ilfe in New Yorks
where his opportunities in the stud were limitted. He was |
afterward taken to Kentucky, and after making but seven
seasons in the stud, died in 1862, at 18 years of age, and
just at the beginning of the war, which hindered the de-
velopment of his get for many years. In spite of this,
and notwithstanding the fact that the development of
the trotting horse was then but little understood, ten of
his get trotted better than 2:30. Amongst these was the
great Lady Thorne, who beat all the great trotters of her
day with the utmost ease, including the renowned Gold-
smith Maid, whom she beat every time she met. Her
‘best record was 2:181%4, but those who knew her best, 9)
say that this was no measure of her speed, she being able :
to trot much faster.” She was credited with trotting a
mile in 2:08 in a trial, driven by the veteran driver Dan
Mace, and this long before forty pound sulkeys or shin
boots, etc., were known. After the trial, Dan said to the
parties that timed her, “We will never live to see that mile }
trotted again.” ‘y
The opportunities of Mambrino Chief as a sire, were
vastly inferior to those of Hambletonian. His services in|
a
R al S
x
BREEDS AND CHARACTERISTICS OF HORSES. 355
the stud were comparatively limited; he died before his ©
fame was established, and his get had to contend with
great disadvantages. But notwithstanding this he was to
the West what Rysdyk’s Hambletonian was to the
East—the fountain head of a great trotting family. And
history establishes the fact beyond question that no other
stallions ever lived, of which we have any record, who
possessea the power, to a greater degree, of transmitting
to their descendents, running through successive gener-
ations, the ability to reproduce trotters, capable of the
very best performances, with unerring certainty as the
great stallions Mambrino Chief and Rysdyk’s Hamble-
tonian.
Ih (1
i | rs 1) \ i) | AW
AY MEN :
By 3
SS
This cut, as calles from life, represents the standard
bred trotting stallion, Mambrino Hambletonian, and his
general appearance shows the characteristics of the two
families which he represents. He is a dark bay horse,
1534 hands high, and weighs 1,125 pounds. Sire of
Stranger, record 2:22%; two miles 4:59. Coal Dealer
trial, 2:24, dead; Red Jacket, stallion, trial, 2:26. He was
356 BREEDS AND CHARACTERISTICS OF HORSES.
sired by Ashland, by Mambrino Chief; rst dam Blinker
mare, by Rysdyk’s Hambletonian; 2d dam by Young —
Patriot, sire of Volunteer’s dam; third dam the Chas.
Kent mare, the dam of Rysdyk’s Hambletonian. Ash-
land’s dam, Utilla, by imported Margrave; 2d dam, Too
Soon, by Sir Leslie; 3d dam, Little Peggy, by Gallatin, |
he out of imported mare Mambrino, by Lord Governor’s —
Mambrino, sire of imported messenger.
THE MORGAN FAMILY. ,
To this celebrated family of trotting horses, too little at-
tention has been paid of late years. They in former days
obtained much celebrity as a family of fast and fine road
or track horses. But owing to but few of them being
able to obtain records of 2:20, or better, and on account
of their size, being rather small, they have lost consider-—
able of the celebrity they once obtained. As a family of
trotting horses with records of 2:30, or better, they no
doubt are entitled to second place, the Hambletonian
family holding first honor in this respect, as well as the
honor of claiming all the kings and queens of the turf.
As to the pedigree of the Morgan horse, there is some —
doubt, but the one as given by Mr. Justin Morgan is ac-
cepted as the one entitled to the most credit. The horse,
Justin Morgan, the founder of the Morgan family of ~
horses, was foaled in Massachusetts, in 1793, and brought 7
from Springfield, Mass., to Randolph, Vt., in 1795, where é
he was kept for many years, and became celebrated asa _ |
sire of fine horses. Justin Morgan, ch. h. 14 hands, |
was sired by True Britain, by Traveller. Dam by %j
Diamond, by Wildare, Thoroughbred. He was exten- ||
sively patronized, and left a numerous and valuable pro- |
geny. ‘There were but four of his sons left entire: Re- |
ES _
BREEDS AND CHARACTERISTICS OF HORSES. 357
venge, Sherman Morgan, Bullrush and Woodbury, or
_ Burbank. The last three became distinguished sires.
_ But as to the breeding of their dams, little or nothing is
_ known. Sherman Morgan was probably the best son of
| Justin Morgan. He was the sire of Vermont Blackhawk,
Sherman Blackhawk, and Vermont Hero, who perpetu- |
_ ated the blood of their sire through a long and illustrious
line of trotters. Blackhawk was the sire of Ethan Allen,
_ whose brilliant career on the turf gave him a record of
one mile in 2:25, and with running mate of 2:15, but his
_ fame in the stud far eclipsed his successful career of the
turf. He was the sire of a great many fast trotters, and
also the sire of Daniel Lambert, the sire of twenty-five
2:30 trotters, and the grand sire of H. B. Winship, with a
record of 2:06, with running mate. Vermont Hero was
the sire of Gen. Knox. Both their dams were of Hamble-
_tonian blood. Gen. Knox possessed more Messenger
blood than Morgan, and his progeny show it by their rec-
ords. Woodbury Morgan became famous as a sire of
horses suited for martial display, on account of their beau-
tiful form and graceful action. This is characteristic of
the Morgan family, and very noticeable with horses pos-
sessing that blood.
THE BASHAWS, CLAYS AND PATCHENS.
The Bashaws descended from an imported Arabian
stallion. Grand Bashaw was imported from Tripoli in
1820, and sired Young Bashaw. Young Bashaw was
‘the sire of Andrew Jackson, who was the most famous
trotting stallion of his day, and as a weight puller was un-
“surpassed in speed. His dam was of unknown blood.
She was taken to Pliladelphia in a drove of horses from
the West. From the loins of this great horse, Andrew
358 | BREEDS AND CHARACTERISTICS OF HORSES.
Jackson, have descended the Bashaws, Clays and Patch-—
ens. He was foaled in 1828, and died in 1846. He sired
Long Island Blackhawk, who was the first horse to trot a
mile in 2:40, to a two hundred and fifty pound wagon, {
and from whom descended Green’s Bashaw, the Mo-
hawks, and many other trotters of note. Henry Clay, the
origin of the Clay and Patchen branch, or family, was a
son of Andrew Jackson, and was foaled in 1837. The
dam of Henry Clay was a trotting mare of unknown
blood, but was both fast and game. Henry Clay was
possessed of great speed and endurance. Cassius M.
Clay, son of Henry Clay, and sire of George M. Patchen,
has done Be most to establish the Clays and Patchens.
MESSENGER DUROC. a
Duroc, son of the Thoroughbred Diomed, and the sire |
of Messenger Duroc, whose dam was a daughter of Mes-
senger, is a noted strain of blood, and is found in the pedi- :
grees of the American stars. Mares of this blood are
very valuable to cross with Hambletonian sires. B
THE PACING ELEMENT.
An important addition to the trotting element to pro-
duce trotters of great speed, is the pacing elements, which —
have been brought out within a few years, the chief ele-
ments being the descendents of Young Columbus, the sire
of Phil Sheridan, and Old Pilot, the sire of Pilot Junior;
also the Copper Bottoms, Red Bucks, Cadmuses, Hiateg-
as, Tuckahoes and Blue Bulls. All have representatives
among the fast pacers, and some of the families have as-
sumed the trotting gait with great readiness, particu-
larly the Pilots and Blue Bulls. Their tendency to that gait
is shown in the fast horses that trace back to them. The
trotting gait with the greatest speed has been produced
ess
*“NOITIVLS NVWYUON V
BREEDS AND CHARACTERISTICS OF HORSES. 361
by the crossing of Pilot mares with Hambletonian stal-
lions. Breeding of this kind produced Maud S. and Jay-
_Eye-See.
THE DRAFT FAMILIES.
The American Draft horse consists of a combination
of the Norman, Clydesdale, English Cart and Shire,
crossed with the native mares. The importation of these
breeds from their native homes, of late years, has been
very heavy, and pure bred ones of either kind or sex
are now becoming very plentiful, and being bred pure in
this country, as well as in their native country, and on
account of the tempting prices offered for the best speci-
mens of the respective breeds. America, no doubt, has
now as good Draft horses, as well as running, trotting or
pacing horses, as any other country known.
THE NORMAN.
The Norman is a native of France, and a descendent
of the war horse used in that country in the early days.
The improved Norman horse, known as the Percheron-
Norman, as now bred, is from sixteen to sixteen and one-
half hands high, and weighs from 1,600 to 2,000 pounds.
They are strongly built, with heavy shoulders and pow-
erful hind quarters; big, sound, bony legs, and good feet.
They are claimed to be a cross of the old Norman and
the Arabian, by the use of the Arabian stallion with the
heavy Norman mares, which, judging from their appear-
ance, is no doubt true. They are a very active and quick
moving horse for their size; good disposition, and gener-
ally of a gray color. In regard to the origin of the old
Norman war horse, nothing is known. They have exist-
ed in France for centuries, and have a fixed type that
must have been bred in the family for many generations,
362 BREEDS AND CHARACTERISTICS OF HORSES.
because it stamps its imprint so faithfully upon its off
spring. The Normans have formed the basis of all the |
draft breeds that exist in Europe or America. |
THE CLYDESDALE, THE ENGLISH CART AND SHIRE.
The Clydesdale horse is a native of Scotland, and a very
superior breed of horses for draft purposes. ‘Their color
is generally bay or brown, with frequently white marks
upon the legs or face. ‘They are larger than the Norman
horse, and more rangy. Their legs are large and heavy
haired, bone very strong, and free of flesh, well set on to
a good foot. Asa breed of Draft horses, for vitality, pow-_
er and endurance combined, they are unsurpassed. uy
The English Cart horse is a native of England, and about _
the largest breed of Draft horses known. In color and —
make up they resemble the Clydesdale very much, but —
generally show the white marks about the legs and face — :
more, are heavier, more cumbersome and slower, but are ©
valuable for heavy draft purposes about the cities.
The Shire horse is also a native of England, and also
the Cleveland Bay. The Shires resemble the English
Cart in color and form very much. The Cleveland Bay
was formed by crossing the Thoroughbred stallion with
Clydesdale or Shire mares. ‘Then in-bred through them-
selves until a family was formed, resembling each other in
‘color and form. ‘They were about extinct at one time,
but of late years they are being revived and brought to
America. They are a bay horse, full sixteen hands, very
rangy and fine in form in front, but often deficient in the
hind quarters. Though an effort is now being made
in the direction of their preservation and restoration as an
acknowledged breed, the animals now being registered
are selected rather for type than breeding.
tila er wsniiiahg
*
ees aT! al
SSS S— SSS
SSS SS SSS -
os —
THE ENGLISH CART HORSE.
GHAPTER XIX.
THE BREEDING OF HORSES A SCIENCE.
THE ART OR SCIENCE OF BREEDING.—RULES AND ERRORS
» IN BREEDING.—SPEED THE MAIN POINT.—A STANDARD
_ BRED TROTTER.—POPULAR SIRES OF TROTTERS.— REC-
| ORDS OF 2:14, OF less: FAST RECORDS ALL DISTANCES.
| —THE GENERAL PURPOSE HORSE.
THE ART OR SCIENCE OF BREEDING.
_ Probably in the breeding of no other domestic animal,
is the art or science of breeding called to as severe a test
in the breeding of horses, and especially of fast horses.
the breeding of all our other domestic animals, the art
of feeding can be called upon toa great extent, to cover up
lefective points, but this is of little availin the art of breed-
“ing fast horses of any kind. Here the science of com-
‘Dining the fast elements of blood, that have proven suc-
“cessful in producing the kind of horse wanted, has to be
used with the best of judgment. The characteristics so
lerived in breeding, running, trotting, pacing and saddle
horses, more so than in breeding any other animal, comes
3 low, and any mistake made, either by accident or other-
wise, is hard to undo. Therefore, the inexperienced breed-
€r, when contemplating starting in this business, should
; st give the subject careful study, as any mistake at this
pj cture may cause him to abandon the business in dis-
“gust. In the breeding of good horses of any kind, the
i
\
366 THE BREEDING OF HORSES A SCIENCE.
both stallion and mares, and the better the so derived
blood lines are, running back through several generations, |
the more valuable it will be, and the more it can be relied ©
upon when called into action. I will herein give a list of ©
rules for the breeding of horses, as gathered from practical ©
breeders, which may prove of value to those contem-—
plating embarking, or already engaged in this business. |
If they are committed to memory, borne in mind, and |
adopted, they will save some serious mistakes in this most |
valuable business.
RULES FOR BREEDING. ai
First, determine exactly in your own mind the kind of }
horse you wish to produce, and never lose sight of it.
Second, avail yourself of any opportunity that offers to |
produce the finest animals and blood that will suit your |
purpose. a
Third, avoid unhealthy animals at all times, and un- |
sound animals, unless the blemish is caused by an acci- |
dent. Ill-tempered'or vicious animals are also dangerous. |
Never forget that if the good qualities are transmitted,
the evil ones are sure to be. oq
Fourth, horses that are greatly dissimilar in their breed |
and shape, should not be mated to breed. For example,
big stallions and very small mares should not be mated,’
or a large, rough Draft mare and a very small horse, as.
that cross would no doubt prove a failure. |
Fifth, avoid the use of a course, loose-made stallion o
any kind, or one that out-looks his size, or a half-bred |
one of any breed, if the use of a pure bred one can be ob-|
tained, and do not breed from mares and horses, which,||
"||
having been mated once, produced bad colts. A brood
THE BREEDING OF HORSES A SCIENCE. 367
“mare that has produced a bad colt, if bred again should be
bred to a well bred horse that is exceedingly good in the
points that the colt was deficient in, and if that union
‘proves successful she can be bred back again with safety.
Tf the mare is deficient in any way, select a sound, well-
‘bred horse which is good in the points where she is de-
ficient, whether it be in endurance, body, limb or temper.
_ Sixth, to breed half-bred horses, select good native-
‘bred mares. ‘Che better bred they are the more valuable
they will be. They should be young, sound, well-shaped,
with good temper, and good action, or a tried mare that
“has been a successful breeder.
' These mares, coupled with a thoroughbred stallion,
which is of good size, compact, well-shaped, sound,
‘healthy and vigorous, with good temper and action, or
one that is the sire of good running horses, capable of
‘carrying heavy weight, will produce a good class of
horses for the saddle, road or light work. The same
} mares bred to a pure-bred Draft horse of any breed, will
produce a Sapit class of horses for the farm, truck, om-
would be valuable to ied . a standard ied trotting
(stallion, to produce a good horse for the farm or road.
nt of this kind coupled with a good trotting stallion,
which i is sound and close to 16 hands high, strong and
compactly made, of good color, action and disposition, and
is so bred that he is capable of transmitting his good qual-_
ities to his progeny, when coupled with all classes of
mares, would prove a valuable horse to use; as this breed-
‘ing should produce a large stylish horse of good color,
speed, action and disposition, that is eagerly sought after,
\a always commands a long price.
XN
368 THE BREEDING OF HORSES A SCIENCE.
ERRORS IN BREEDING. |
A great many valuable and well-bred mares are ruined
every year by the thoughtlessness or carelessness of thei aj
owners in lpreeding them for the first time to a Jack 0
Draft horse. Mares thus bred the first time, invariably
prove worthless from which to raise a fine bred trotting
or running colt, for some years afterwards, as each colt,
for at least five years afterwards, will show more or less
of the characteristics of the horse to which they were. firs
bred. Knowing this to be the fact, it shows how impor
tant it is to breed all well-bred trotting or running mares
or mares that are expected to be used toraise trottng 6:
running colts, to a well-bred trotting or running Be
the first time, and continue to do so as long as the
are expected to be used for raising that class of hon es.
Afterwards, if they are used to raise draft horses, they vil
prove more valuable for that purpose, as the colts wi |
show the characteristics of the well-bred horse in color ¢ r |
action to a great extent. Large native-bred mares Oo
draft mares that are suitable for raising draft horses ca
be bred if so desired, the first time to a Draft horse, suf
should be a pure-bred horse of good color. When oncé
mares of this kind have raised a draft colt, it is best tol
continue to raise that class of horses with them, for anyy
attempt to raise a fine trotting or running colt from suc
mares, can only result in disappointment. And the same
_ may be said of that class of mares, even if they have nevemy
been bred, when an attempt is made to raise a fash
running horse from them, by using a Thoroughbred sire |
‘The only way to raise a fast running horse is to bree¢
a Thoroughbred, or at least a good half-breed a A 7
toa Thoroughbred horse. The same may be said di i)
|
|
re
a
4
ae | Se" See
,
| .» a
te
THE BREEDING OF HORSES A SCIENCE. 369
breeding fast trotting horses. The only successful way
is to breed well-bred trotting or pacing mares to standard
bred trotting horses.
| SPEED AN ESSENTIAL POINT.
In breeding trotting horses, it is the speed and not the
horse that brings tlie fancy price. There are hundreds
of horses in the country that are as fine looking, have as
good dispositions, and are worth as much money as any
of the fastest trotters, for ordinary purposes, yet they do
not bring a tenth of the money, because they have not
the necessary speed. If you are breeding for trotters,
breed for the best, but try to combine the speed with
size and beauty. |
The American people have a natural love of beauty, as
well as speed, and the majority would rather have for
road use high form, with good size, with a reasonable
amount of speed, than the ungainly form, with a high
rate of speed. The qualities of style, beauty and vitality
will also commend the fillies or mares for the harem, and
the young stallions for the stud. This is becoming more
noticeable every day. The people who go out every
pleasant day for recreation, are rapidly substituting the
handsome, symmetrical horse of good size, for the smaller
or plainer one. The horse that is to supply this demand,
must be the well-bred trotting horse, bred for size, speed
and beauty. He then has the instinct to trot, and the
best ones of this breeding are as liable to go to the front
as a more homely or smaller one. Whereas the breed-
ing of trotting horses is now only begun, the breeders
should try to avoid defective formation, and try to com-
bine the speed with a larger and more symmetrical form.
If they do this, the disasters and failures will not be so
370 THE BREEDING OF HORSES A SCIENCE.
numerous in the future as they have been in the past.
A STANDARD-BRED TROTTER.
According to the rules, a standard bred trotter is one
that has a record of 2:30, or better, and his sire or dam
has a record of 2:30, or better, or traces direct to a sire ©
or dam with a record of 2:30 or better. Again, the animal —
may not have a record of 2:30 or better, or its sire or —
dam, or even grandsire or grandam, but they have —
been the ancestors of horses that have records of 2:30, or _
- better, and the animal woula become standard under that
rule. :
What is termed a standard horse, is one whose breeding
does not trace to a standard sire or dam, but has a record
of 2:30 or better, or has produced a colt with a record of
2:30 or better. Fast horses never come by accident, but
inherit the speed from their ancestors, and the more ca- —
pable they are of transmitting great speed, combined with —
other good qualities, as color, size, beauty and disposition,
the more valuable are they as breeders. ‘This particu-
larly carries its lesson to young, or inexperienced breed-
ers, and others who are looking for some lucky accidental
wonder. Expected accidents do not happen, and would
not be accidents if they did. But it is the famous blood
lines coming together, through sire and dam for genera-
tions, that produce great and fast horses.” ‘Therefore, in
order to raise a trotting horse, use a standard bred trot-
ting stallion.
POPULAR SIRES OF TROTTERS.
As it may be interesting as well as profitable to the
many readers of this book, I will give the names, de-
scription and breeding of horses that have sired ten
or more two-thirty trotters, with the number they have
oe tert ee wenn vee
F
in the two-thirty, two-twenty-five and two-twenty list. .
THE BREEDING OF HORSES A SCIENCE. 371
I will commence with Blue Bull, who was without
doubt one of the marvels of the age in siring speed, and
_ who stands pre-eminently at the head of the list of all
_ Stallions as the sire of two-thirty trotters, of which he has
fifty, twenty of which are in the two-twenty-five class,
- and one in the two-twenty class. He was fifteen years in
_ the stud, served 1,380 mares, and got goo living colts.
He began his stud career as a teaser for a Jack, and died
the king of sires. He was as. h., 15% hands, foaled in
Kentucky, in 1858. As to his sire, there is some doubt. He
_ is credited to old Sam, as well as Pruden’s Blue Bull, the
sire of many fast pacers, he by Merring’s Blue Bull.
_ Dam by Blacknose, son of Modoc, out of Lucy, by Orphan;
second dam, Lady Grey; third dam, Maria, by Melzar.
Old Sam and Pruden’s Blue Bull, as well as Blue Bull,
- were fast Pacers.
Rysdyk’s Hambletonian, b. h., 1534 hands, by Abdal-
lah, by Mambrino, by imported Messenger, dam by im-
ported Bellfounder, comes next to Blue Bull as a sire of
two-thirty trotters, having 37 in the two-thirty list, 15 in
the two-twenty-five and two in the two-twenty list. . But
_ Hambletonian’s ability of transmitting to his descendents,
running through successive generations, the ability to re-
produce trotters, capable of the very best pseduant ein
- far exceeds Blue Bull’s.
oun
George Wilkes, br. h., 1514 hands, by Rysdyk’s Ham-
bletonian, dam Dolly Sarther, by Henry Clay, comes
next with 35 in the two-thirty list, 21 in the two-twenty-
five list, and 7 in the two-twenty list.
Almont, b. h., 15 3-4 hands, by Alexander’s Abdallah,
by Rysdyk’s Hambletonian. Dam, by Mambrino Chief;
372 THE BREEDING OF HORSES A SCIENCE.
second dam by Pilot Jr. This rich bred trotting horse’
is the sire of twenty-eight in the two-thirty list, thirteen
of which are in the two-twenty-five list, and five in the
two-twenty list. |
Volunteer, b. h., 1534 hands, foaled in 1854, by Ryall
dyk’s Hambletonian, dam Lady Patriot, by Young Pa- |
triot, of Diomede and Messenger descent, ranks fifth in i
the list of great trotting sires, judged by the number of —
his get in the two-thirty list, of which he has 26, while |
he has 15 in the two-twenty-five list, and 5 in the 20 list. ~
- But judged by the quality of his sons and daughters, as
shown by the total number of heats won by them in two- ~
thirty, or better, he has eclipsed all other stallions, as. 4
his get has won six hundred and seventy-eight heats in”
two-thirty or better, an average of 26. Their aver-
age record is 2:23%. |
Aberdeen, b. h., 1534 hands, by Rysdyk’s Hamble-
tonian, dam Widow Machree, by Seely’s American Star,
has thirteen in the two-thirty list, seven in the two-twenty-
five list, and three in the two-twenty list.
Belmont, b. h., 16 hands, by Alexander’s Abdallah, by
Rysdyk’s Hambletonian, dam by Bellfounder, has ten in
the two-thirty list, six in the two-twenty-five list, and two
in the two-twenty list.
Green’s Bashaw, bl. h., 15% hands, by Veranl’s Black-
hawk, by Long Island Blackkawk. Dam, Belle, by Tom
Thumb; second dam, the dam of Rysdyk’s Hambletonian.
Has fourteen in the two-thirty list, seven in the two-
twenty-five list, and one in the two-twenty list. :
Electioneerer, b. h., fifteen and three-fourths hands, by —
Rysdyk’s Hambletonian. Dam, Green Mountain Maid, —
by Sayer’s Henry Clay. This great sire has eleven in |
THE BREEDING OF HORSES A SCIENCE. 37a
the two-thirty list, eight in the two-twenty-five list, and_
two in the two-twenty list. He was the sire of Hindo
- Rose, a horse which had the fastest record for a colt one
or three years old; also of Wildflower, which had the
best two-year-old record as a filly; and Fred Crocker,
the noted two-year-old stallion, and of Albert W., a horse
with the best four-year-old stallion record. ‘This places
him as a great sire of colts of early maturity.
Daniel Lambert, ch. h, 15% hands, by Ethan Allen,
by Hill’s Blackhawk. Dam, by Fanny Cook, by Tread-
well’s Abdallah. This great sire has twenty-five trot-
ters in the two-thirty list, 11 of which are in the two-
twenty-five list, and one in the two-twenty list, which
places him sixth in the list of great sires of trotters,
judged by their two-thirty representatives.
Dictator, br. h., 15% hands, by Rysdyk’s Hamble-
tonian. Dam, by Seely’s American Star. Has only ten
representatives in the two-thirty list, six of which are in
the two-twenty-five list, and four in the two-twenty list,
but this places him as one of the most popular horses of
America as a sire of fast horses, being the sire of Jay-
Eye-See, two-ten, and Phallas, two-thirteen and three-
fourths, which is considered the fastest trotting stallion in
America.
Edward Everett, b. h., by Rysdyk’s Hambletonian.
Dam, Fanny, by imported Margrave. Has eleven in the
two-thirty list, nine of which are in the two-twenty-five
list, and one in the two-twenty list.
General Knox, br. h., 1534 hands, by Vermont Hero,
_ by Sherman’s Blackhawk. Dam, by Searcher. Has
eleven in the two-thirty list, five in the two-twenty-five
list, and two in the two-twenty list.
ey) 4 THE BREEDING OF HORSES A SCIENCE.
Whipple’s Hambletonian, ch. h., 16 hands, by Guy Mil-
ler, by Rysdyk’s Hambletonian. Dam, Martha Wash- —
ington, by Washington, of Messenger descent. Hastenor ©
more inthe two-thirty list, three in the two-twenty-five 1
list, and one of two-nineteen. | ;
Wood’s Hambletonian, ro. h., 1514 hands, by Alexan-
der’s Abdallah. Has ten in the two-thirty list, and six in ‘
the two-twenty-five list. | .
Happy Medium, b. h, 1534 hands, by Rysdyk’s
Hambletonian.. Dam, Princess, by Andrus’ Hamble- —
-tonian, by Bishop’s Hambletonian, by imported
Messenger. Has twenty-two in the two-thirty list, ten in
the two-twenty-five, and two in the two-twenty list.
Strathmore, b. h., 16 hands, by Rysdyk’s Hambletonian.
Dam, Lady Waltermire, by North American; second dam,
by Harris’ Hambletonian. Has sixteen in the two-thirty
list, seven in the two-twenty-five list, and two in the two-
twenty list.
Woodford Mambrino, b. h., 1534 hands, by Mambrino
Chief. Dam, Woodbine, by Woodford (Thoroughbred). ~
Has ten in the two-thirty ‘list, four in the two-twenty-five
list, and one in the two-twenty list. |
Young Columbus, b. h., 15 3-4 hands, by Old Columbus.
Dam, Black Maria, by Harris’ Hambletonian, by Bishop’s
Hambletonian. Has eleven in the two-thirty list, and three
in the two-tweny-five list.
Mambrino Patchen, (brother to Lady Thorn, two-
eighteen. and one-fourth) bl. h., 16 hands, by Mambrino
Chief. Dam, by Gano, by American Eclipse. Has twelve
in the two-thirty list, and three in the two-twenty-five
list. |
Tempest Jr., ch. h., by Tempest, by Red Bird. | Has
THE BREEDING OF HORSES A SCIENCE. (375
ten pacers in the two-thirty list, five in the two- anlae
list, and three in the two-twenty list.
Unless I have overlooked the list, these twenty stallions
are all the sires that have ten or more two-thirty repre-
sentatives, of which twelve belong to the Hambletonian
family, three to the Morgan family, two to the Mambrino
Chiefs, and three to the pacing element.
Following this I will give the names of all horses with
records of two-fourteen, or less, trotting or pacing, one
mile in harness, also the fastest records trotting or pacing,
all distances, and all ways going.
_ RECORDS OF 2:14 OR LESS, TROTTING IN HARNESS ONE MILE.
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Time, 2:0934. Maud S., ch. m., 1534 hands, Queen of
the turf and Empress of all the trotters, was foaled in
Kentucky in 1875. Sire, Harold, by Rysdyk’s Hamble-
tonian. Dam, Miss Russel, by Pilot Jr., by Old Pilot.
At Lexington, Ky., Nov. 11, 1884.
Time, 2:10. Jay-Eye-See, bl. g., 1434 hands. This
celebrated gelding, which ranks next to Maud S., with a
record only one quarter of a second slower, was foaled in
Kentuckey in 1878. Sire, Dictator, by Rysdyk’s Ham-
bletonian. Dam, Midnight, by Pilot Jr. At Chicago,
Illinois, July, 1884.
Time, 2:11%. St. Julian, b. g., 16% hands, foaled in
New York in 1870. Sire, Volunteer, by Rysdyk’s Ham-
bletonian. Dam, by Sayer’s Henry Clay. At Hartford,
Connecticut, August 28, 1880.
Time, 2:13%. Rarus, b. g., 16 hands, foaled in New
“York in 1869. Sire, Conklin’s Abdallah, by Old Abdal-
lah. Dam, by Telegraph. At Buffalo, New York,
Aug. 3, 1878. ;
Time, 2:13%. Maxy Cobb, b. s.,15% hands, foaled
\
376 THE BREEDING OF HORSES A SCIENCE.
in Kentucky in 1877. Sire, Happy Medium, by Rysdyk’s
Hambletonian. Dam, by Clark Chief, by Mambring
Chief. At Providence, Rhoad Island, September 30,
1884. This is the best stallion record.
Time, 2:13 3-4. Phallas, b. s.,15 3-4 hands, foaled in
Kentucky in 1877. Sire, Dictator, by Rysdyk’s Hamble-
tonian. Dam, by Clark Chief, by Mambrino Chief. At
Chicago, Illinois, July, 1884. a
Time, 2:14. Goldsmith. Maid, b. m., 1 5% hands, for
many years the Queen of the turf and Empress of all
the trotters, was foaled in New York in 1857, and is still
living. Sire, Alexanders’s Abdallah. Dam, by Old Ab-
dallah. Alexander’s Addallah, by Rysdyk’s Hambleto-.
nian. Dam, by Bay Roman.
PACERS WITH RECORDS OF 2:14 OR LESS, ONE MILE IN
HARNESS.
Time, 2:061%. Johnson, b. g., 15 3-4 hands, foaled in»
Michigan in 1879. Sire, Joe Basset, by Billy Bashaw.
At Chicago, Illinois, in 1884.
Time, 2:11 3-4. Little Brown Jug, br. g., at Chicago,
Ills. in 1881. Also the three fastest consecutive heats:
PrigoR-A, 2.11 3-4, 2 ti 2 a2:
2:12. 1-4 Sleepy Tom (Blind Tom), ch. g. At Chica-
go, Illinois, in 1879. This horse was considered the )
pacing wonder—being stone blind—and one of the sen-
sational pacers of those days. He was foaled in Ohio mm })
1867. Sire, Tom Rolf. Dam, by Sam Hazard.
2:12 1-2. Buffalo Girl, b. m. Pitttsburgh, Pa.
2:12 1-2. Mattie Hunter, s.m. Pittsburgh, Pa.
2:12 1-2. Rich Ball, br. g., Pittsburgh, Pa.
2:13. Gem, b. m., Cleveland, Ohio.
2:13. Roudy Boy, bl. g., Rochester, N. Y.
pis
THE BREEDING OF HORSES A SCIENCE. a0
2:13. Flora Bell, bl. m., East Saganaw, Mich.
1334. Fuller, b. g., Maysville, Ky.
1334. Westmont, ch. g., Chicago, Ill.
fe, pike. Db. 2., at Buffalo, NY.
14. Sorrel Dan, s. g., at Saganaw, Mich.
14. Lucy, g. m., at Chicago, Il.
14. Sweetzer, g. g., in California.
aie rare eS
FASTEST TROTTING AND PACING RECORDS—-ALL DISTANCES
AND ALL WAYS GOING.
One mile, by a yearling filly—Hinda Rose, San Fran-
cisco, Cal., Nov. 14, 1881, 2:36%.
One mile, by a yearling stallion—Nutbreaker, Lexing
ton, Ky., Oct. 14, 1884, 2:42%.
One mile, by a two-year-old ee San
Francisco, Oct. 22, 1881, 2:21:
One mile, by a two-year-old, stallion—Fred Crocker,
San Francisco, Nov. 20, 1880, 2:25 %.
One mile, by a three-year-old filly—Hinda Rose,
Lexington, Ky., Oct. 10, 1883, 2:19%.
One mile, by a three-year-old stallion—Steinway, Lex-
ington, Ky., Aug. 28, 1879, 2:2534.
One mile, by a four-year-old filly—Sallie Benton, San
Fransisco, Dec. 13, 1884, 2:1734. |
One mile, by a four-year-old stallion—Albert W., Oak-
fend, Cal., Sept: 5. 1882, 2:22.
One mile, by a four-year-old gelding, Jay Eye see,
_ Chicago, Sept. 23, 1882, 2:19.
One mile, by a five-year-old filly—Trinket, Dover, Del.
Sept. 30, 1880, 2:19 4%.
One mile, by a five-year-old stallion,_-Santa Claus,
Sacramento, Cal., Sept. 11, 1879, 2:18.
ee — a
378 THE BREEDING OF HORSES A SCIENCE.
One mile by a five-year-old gelding—Jay Eye See,
Providence, R. I., Sept. 13, 1883, 2:1034
One mile, over a half-mile track—Rarus, Toledo, O.,
July 20, 1878, 2
Two miles, Monroe Chief, Lexington Ky., Oct. 21,
1882, 4:46.
Three miles— Huntress, Prospect Park, L. I. /Séat: 245
FOR 2, Ferry
Four miles—Trustee, eds Course, fe I, June 13,
1849, 11:06.
Five miles—-Lady Mack, San Francisco, April 2,
1874, 13:00.
Ten miles—Controller, San Francisco, Nov. 23, 1878,
25234.
Twenty miles—Captain McGowan, Boston, Mass.,
Oct. 31, 1865, 58:25.
Fifty miles—Ariel, Albany, N. Y., May 5, 1846,
3:55:40).
One hundred miles—-Conquerer, Centreville, L. L.,
Nov. 12, 1853, 8:55:53.
One hundred and one miles—Fanny Jenks, Albany,
N. Y., May 5, 1845, 9:42:57.
| TROTTING TO WAGON.
One mile—Hopeful, Chicagu, Oct. 12, 1878, 2:16%.
One mile, drawing 1,000 lbs—Mountain Maid, Long
Island, 1865, 3:42%. |
Two miles—General Butler, Fashion Course, L. L,
June 18, 1863, 4:56%, and Dexter, Fashion Course, L. L,:~
@
Oct. 27, 1865, 4:56%.
Three miles—Prince, Union Course, L. I., Sept. 15,
he
1857, 7:53.
THE BREEDING OF HORSES A SCIENCE. 379
Five miles—Little Mac, Fashion Course, L. L, Oct
29, 1863, 13:43 %.
Ten miles—John Stuart, Boston, Mass, June 30, 1868,
28:02 4.
Twenty miles—Controller, San Francisco, April 20,
1878, 58:57.
Fifty miles—Spangle, Union Course, L. E, Oct. 5.
1855, 3:59:04. )
_ TROTTING UNDER SADDLE
One mile—Great Eastern, Picea Park, N.-Y¥%,
Sept. 22, 1871, 2:1534.
Two miles—George M. Patchen, aa Cope:
L. I., July 1, 1863, 4:56. - .
‘Three miles—Dutchman, Beacon Chiesa N. J., Aug.
1, 1839, 7:32}. |
Four miles—Dutchman, Centreville Course, L. I.,
May, 1836, 10:51.
TROTTING AND PACING, DOUBLE TEAMS.
One mile—Maxy Cobb and Neta Medium, New York,
Nov. 13, 1884, 2:1534:)
Four in hand—W. J. Gordon’s team, 2:40.
One hundred miles—Master Burke and Robin, 1834,
10: ay 22.
TROTTER WITH RUNNING MATE.
One m:le—H. B. Winship and Gabe Case, Providence,
R. 1, Aug. 1, 1884, 2:06.
Three miles—Ethan Allen and running mate, 1861,
7 10334. |
PACING IN HARNESS.
One mile—Johnston (gelding), Chicago, Oct., 3, 1884,
2:06.
380 THE BREEDING OF HORSES A SCIENCE.
One mile—Buffalo Girl, Pittsburgh, Pa., July 27,
1883, 2:12%.
One mile—Cohannet (stallion), Providence, R.I., Sept.
9, 1884, 2:183%4.
Two miles—Defiance and Longfellow, Sacramento,
Cal., Sept. 26, 1872, 4:47%-
Three miles—James K. Polk, Centreville, L. I., Sept.
13, 1847, 7°44. :
Four miles—Longfellow, San Francisco, Dec. 31,
1869, 10:34.
Five miles—Onward, San Francisco, Dec. 11, 1874,
12:54%4.
PACING UNDER SADDLE.
One mile—Billy Boice, Buffalo, N. Y., Aug. 1, 1868,
214%.
Two miles—James: K. Polk, Philadelphia, June 20,
1850, 4:57%4-
Three miles—Oneida Chief, Beacon Course, N. J.,
Aug. 14, 1843, 7:44-
PACING TO WAGON.
One mile—Sweetzer, Chico, Cal., Nov. 21, 1878, 217%.
One mile—Pocahontas, Union Course, L. I., June 21,
185s, drawing 265 lbs., 2:17 %.
Two miles—Hero, Centreville, L.. 2B, Oct. 17, 1855,
4:59.
PACING WITH RUNNING MATE.
Westmont, ch. g., by Almont, dam by Cattrill Morgan,
with running mate, paced a mile at Chicago, Ill., Oct. 31,
1884, in 2:0134. Minnie R., b. m., 2:0334
BREEDING DRAFT HORSES.
The breeding of draft horses in America of late years
THE BREEDING OF HORSES A SCIENCE, 381
has become a very extensive one, and is a business that
the farmer who has good, large mares, though only of
ordinary blood, can safely invest in, for the breeding of
such mares to pure bred draft horses, cannot fail to pro-
duce profitable results at once, whereas, to breed them to
any other stallion, might prove a failure. The idea that
a great many breeders have, that the breeding of draft
horses will be overdone, and the market stocked so they
cannot be sold, is an error. The demand for good horses
of any kind, draft and road horses especially, will always
exceed the supply, and that idea, like any other foolish
one, the sooner it is abandoned the better, for the de-
mand is all the time calling for more and better horses.
The pet theory witli some breeders—and especially the
owners of draft horses, that the breeding of draft horses
is a safer business, commanding surer profits than the
breeding of road, coach and track horses, has caused a
great growth of favoritism for mammoth horses, and the
Norman, Clydesdale and others have added vastly to the
wealth of the United States, but this theory, like others
that are harped upon so much will not always hold good.
_ The man who is breeding ordinary cold blooded farm
horses or any other class of horses, on a hit or miss’ prin-
ciple, who is not educated in the more modern art of breed-
| ing horses, and who is opposed to reading either books or
papers upon the subject, cannot do better, and will cer-
tainly increase the earnings of his farm by the introduction
of any pure draft blood, for when so doing he has taken
ya long step in advance. But the man who has standard
| trotting blood of approved families and is engaged in
breeding trotting horses, or may possess a few, or even
:
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382 THE BREEDING OF HORSES A SCIENCE.
one well bred trotting mare of good action, does not take
a forward step when he introduces the draft blood upon
such mares, for the average price paid for good track
horses, of any age, broke or unbroke, is above the price
paid for good draft horses, and the average price paid
for weil-bred geldings, or mares, is far in advance of
that paid for heavy geldings or mares, and for every
“draft stallion that has been sold in the United States for
5,000, there has been five trotting stallions sold for
$15,000,” and as great a difference has been obtained for —
good brood mares. Again the price obtained for the
service of a good standard bred trotting stallion, is always
in advance of that obtained for a draft stallion. This has
been one of the great drawbacks with the average farm-
er, Who, slow to see, or rather omit, and adopt the use
of a well bred horse, at a reasonable price, plods along
in the same old rut, breeding scrubs, or else breeds his
valuable trotting mare, to a draft horse or likely a jack.
Again the average farmer seems to think—or at least such
has come under my observation very often, that they can-
not raise a good trotting colt, for if they do, they must
have it educated to the road, and track, and _ probably
have it trained to trot, and that is expensive, where if they
raise a draft colt, they can work it themselves, or sell it
unbroke. Now that is only anidea. It is no more trou-
ble, nor expense, to raise or break a trotting colt, than it
is adraft colt, if properly conducted. But on account of
being of good blood—or at least ought to be—they will
not stand the abuse that the cold blooded colt will, and if
not properly handled are harder to control. But once ed-
ucated to do what you wish them to do, let that be what
“HIVGSHGATO HHL
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——
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THE BREEDING OF HORSES A SCIENCE. 385
it will, do the work of the farm or roaa, they never for-
get it, and are always ready for whatever they are called
upon to do, more willingly, more capable, and far more
trusty, than the cold blooded horse, and because a farmer
may raise a good trotting colt, is no reason that he should
spend the worth of it with some professional trainer, un-
less desired. It will sell without track work for more
than the average draft colt will, at the same age, and my
experience and observations are, if properly couducted,
the average farmer can raise both draft and trotting colts,
providing he has suitable mares, and at a better profit
than he can to confine himself to either one alone.
PACERS AS SADDLE HORSES.
The spirit of the farm says: “The impression prevails
among those not familiar with the subject that any fam-
ily of pacers are saddlers. Thisis a mistake. There is
no animal of the equine race more abominable under sad-
dle than a scrub pacer, in whose ancestry for a dozen
years Or more, nothing but cold blood can be found. A
brute of this kind would require as much time and space
to turn in as a cow, would stumble on a wax floor, and,
if he failed to break his rider’s neck in this way, would
jolt the life out of him in arough pace. From this fam-
_ ily of pacers no good can ever come until they are crossed
with some blood that wlll give them action. But there is
another class of pacers that stand pre-eminently above all
other species of the horse kind, from their loins have come
the kings and queens of the trotting and pacing turf and
the best saddle horses of the country. ‘These show the
clean limbs and supple action of the thoroughbred blood
that has nicked so kindly with their pacing ancestors. It
386 THE BREEDING OF HORSES A SCIENCE.
is from stallions of this kind, with two, three, or four pac-
ing crosses on top of a thoroughbred foundation, that tle
best saddle horses will come when coupled with one-half
or three-quarters thoroughbred running mares, so that
the produce will have trom 30 to 4o per cent. of thor-
oughbred blood in it. It is generally conceded that a
thoroughbred can live longer and go further under the
saddle, with weight up in proportion to his size, than any
other horse. Nature seems to have intended him espec-
ially for this purpose. But in breeding the saddle horse
as described, man has improved upon nature, and secured
not only a more serviceable animal, but one that will stand
more constant riding. Asa rule a pure thoroughbred has
no inclination to go any of the artificial saddle gaits, and
when forced out of a walk goes into a trot, and out of
this into a gallop. On the other hand a well-bred saddle
horse will glide along five or seven miles an hour, in a
smooth, frictionless running-walk, or fox-trot, without a
jar to himself or rider; and at either of those gaits will go
further with less fatigue to both horse and rider, than a
thoronghbred carrying the same weight and moving at
the said speed in a trot. The thoroughbred will last, and
upon this line we rely for courage, activity, capacity, and
willingness to yo. But he is not inclined to the saddle
gaits, and takes them with an effort when compelled to.
When, however, his blood is mixed with that of a well-
bred pacer the produce has a natural disposition to saddle,
in addition to the valuable qualities of the runner. For
ythis reasongit is necessary to unite the two lines of blood
“n one animal, in order to get the best material that nature
THE BREEDING OF HORSES A SCIENCE. 387 |
can give, and out of which a first-class saddle horse can
be made.”
«The memory of man extends to the day when the
boys on the farm were proud to ride a fine young horse
to church or tosee the girls. They took pride in the colts,
and taught them to move freely uuder the saddle, and
above all, when the colt was broken he was taught to
walk. Now the boys must have a fine buggy and har-
ness, and the colt must show his style and speed all the
time. The boy is in too great a hurry to allow the colt to
walk. The colt, buggy and boy, are soon a used up set
by fast driving.
If we could return to the fashion of riding on horseback,
we would save millions to the farmers, and the bovs and
girls would develop better forms and have better health.
Any lazy lout can ride in a buggy, but to be a graceful
rider on horseback, one must have some energy and get up
in theirnature. There is life and health in riding on horse-
back. The whole system feels the invigorating effect of
it. The rider and the horse catch the fire of sympathy
and excitement in the run or fast paces, and every nerve
and muscle of the body is brought into healthful, invigor-
ating play. The farmer will find it to his interest to raise
a class of colts that the boys would like to ride. He can
raise three or four fine saddle colts for what one buggy and
harness will cost, and a fair saddle horse will always sell
at a good price.”
THE GENERAL PURPOSE HORSE.
The diversity of opinion among horsemen, upon this
question, as how the general purpose horse should be bred
is as great, probably, as upon any other one question in
388 THE BREEDING OF HORSES A SCIENCE.
the art of breeding horses. Some breeders claim that the
best general purpose horse, is one produced by a cross of
a high-bred racer, or trotter upon large cold blooded
mares. Others claim right vis. vesra to this ; while oth-—
ers claim that the only way to produce such a horse, is by
the coupling of large trotting or pacing bred stallions, with
mares of the same kind. And if ever a general purpose
class of horses are produced, one that can be relied upon
as to its characteristics, my opinion is that the last men-
tioned way is the best way, and the only way it will ever be
done. That the gerieral purpose horse should be com-
posed of good blood, that will give him action and stamina
as well as size, no intelligent breeder will dispute,
for without this, how would anyone expect him to fill the
numerous wants of man and serve him at home on the
farm, in the plow or wagon, on the road, in the carriage
or under the saddle. A general purpose horse, like a gen-
eral purpose cow, may be classed under the handy kind
of animals, suited for a great many purposes under divers
circumstances ; but to his value as a_ selling animal, he
cannot be rated very high, for as a general thing the
class of people that want him are not willing to pay a
large price for a horse. Those that have the color, ac-
tion and style combined with size enough for carriage use,
full 16 hands high or more, are the horses of this class,
that brings the best prices. Any intelligent breeder of
these days need not be reminded of the value of breed-
ing for some special purpose. What we need is not more
horses so much as better ones. “ A hint to the wise is
sufficient.” 3 |
‘CHAPTER XX.
GENERAL INFORMATION Upon ithe Honse.
‘MANAGEMENT OF THE STALLION. —BROOD ‘MARES "AND,
COLTS.—FEEDING, WATERING AND GROOMING. a
SHOEING. - EDUCATION OF HORSES. )
In speaking of the various subjects as to the general
management, of the horse, I shall endeavor to make it as.
brief as possible, and only give such information as I think
may be of benefit to the mass of readers of this work. _
Being an admirer of the horse, an extensive reader and
close observer, with many years experience as to their
management, if the rules as herein given are closely ob-
served, they will be of great benefit to the experienced as
well asthe inexperienced horsemen. |
MANAGEMENT OF ‘THE STALLION.
First I will speak of the management of the ‘stallion;
which, if understood, is very often neglected by the owner.
and groom. His stable should -be a_ box-stall not less.
than twelve feet square, well lined) inside, with a box
and manger snugly fit in one corner for the feed. The
doors should be strong and securely fastened, ceiling high
and the ventilators well up so as to prevent any strong
draft of air upon the horse. Ina stall of this kind, the
horse should have perfect freedom. and not tied unless.
during the day. The stable should be cleaned once, or
oftener every day, and never allowed to become foul,
390 GENERAL INFORMATION UPON THE HORSE.
This is something that should be observed in every stable,
if you wish healthy horses.
HOW TO .FEED.
The food should be mainly good, sound oats—nothing
is better’; but this should’be ‘varied ‘by’an occasional ra-
tion of corn or barley ; for horses, like men, are fond of
variety in their food, and an occasional change ot diet is
conducive to health. Wheat bran is an invaluable ad-
junct to the grain ration, and can never be dispensed with.
It is the cheapest, safest and best of all regulators for the
bowéls,-and it is especially rich in some of the most impor-
tant elements of nutrition. No specific directions as to the
quantity of food can be given. Some horses will require
nearly twice as much as others ; and the quantity that
may be safely given will depend somewhat upon the
amount of exercise in any given case. Some ‘horsemen
recommend feeding three, and others five times a day; but
in either case, no more should ever be given than will be
promptly eaten up clean. If any food should be left in
the box, it should ‘be at‘once removed, and the quantity at:
themext time of feeding shouldbe reduced accordingly.
As:a’rule,it:will*be:safe to feed as much:as'the horse will
eat»with:apparent:relish ; and:'then :with plenty of:exercise,.
hewillnet ‘become overloaded with ‘fat. The hay, as
the prain ‘fed,:should be‘sound, and ‘free from mould :and
dust,:and ithe. stall»should ‘be: athe clean, well lighted and ~
perfectly ‘ventilated.
The:amount of-exercise to ‘be given ‘will vary some-
what «with ‘the:conditionand ‘habit of the horse. If he is
thin in ‘flesh, :and it is thought best to fatten him up, the
exercise:should be lighter thamitsotherwise would'be; sand, ~
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GENERAL INFORMATION UPON THE HORSE. 391
on the other hand, if there is a tendency to become too fat
that may be corrected by increasing the amount of exer-
cise thatis given. ‘The exercise given the horse shoud be
such as will be expected of his colts. Draft horses should not
be led or driven faster than a walk in taking their exercise
and they will require much less of it than the roadster or
the runnig horse—three miles a day generally being suf-
ficient, while the roadster and running horse may safely
have five miles, which should in some cases be increased
to eight and even ten, ata much more rapid gait than the
draft horse.
‘The point to be aimed at in the stable management of
the stallion, is to so feed, groom and exercise as to keep
the horse to the very highest possible pitch of strength.
and vigor. The idea which prevails among many stable
grooms that feeding this or that nostrum will increase the
ability to get foals, is sheer nonsense. Anything that
adds to the health, strength and vigor of the horse
will increase his virility or sexual power, simply because
the sexual organs will partake of the general tone of the
system ; and on the contrary, whatever tends to impair
the health and vigor of the general system, will have a
deleterous effect upon the sexual organs.
HIS EDUCATION.
While the temper and disposition of the stallion are
largely matters of inheritance, yet much depends upon
his education.
It is easier to spoil a horse than to cure him of bad
habits when they are once formed. If thereis any appear-
ances of a disposition to be “ headstrong” and unruly, he
should never be led out except by a bridle that would en-
ye .
‘
392. GENERAL INFORMATION UPON THE HORSE.
able the groom to exercise complete control over him.
_ It requires some skill and a good deal of patience to
teach a stallion to behave himself properly when brought
out to servea mare. He should never be allowed to. go
on her with arush; but. should be led upon the near
side of the mare, to within about ten feet of her, and
made to stand with his head towards. the mare, about.
opposite her head, and, when he is ready, he should be led
towards her and made to commence the mount when at
her side, instead of going a rod or so, with his fore feet
sawing the air, as is oftenthe case. By observing these
directions, there will be but little danger of injury to the
stallion by a kick from the mare when he is mounting,
especially if a good man is at her head to prevent her
from wheeling towards the horse when. he approaches.
The danger to the horse is always the greatest when
he is coming off, because many mares will kick then,
that will stand perfectly still when he is mounting. To
obviate this, it is always best for the groom who holds
the horse to seize the mare by the bit with his left hand
at this moment, and bring her head around towards him
by a sudden jerk as the horse is: coming off. But in
most cases, indeed all cases where there:is: not absolute.
certainty that the mare will stand perfectly quiet, the hob-
bles should be used, and then there can be no danger.
WHEN THE MARE SHOULD BE TRIED.
A point upon which there is great diversity of. opinion —
is, when and how often a mare should be tried after she has
been served by the stallion. A mare will almost: invari- |
ably be “in heat,”on the ninth day after foaling, if she is” .
healthy and-has received no injury in giving berth to her —
-
GENERAL INFORMATION UPON THE HORSE. 393
foal ; and in most cases it is best that she should receive
the horse at that time, if itis desired that she should be
_ kept for breeding purposes. We can remember when it
was the almost universal custom to try mares every week
after they had been served, but that is not the present
practice of many experienced horsemen. The rule now
_ that receives the most general sanction, is, not to try the
‘mare again after service before the lapse of 14 days, then
the eighteenth or twenty-second day after service, and
then, if she refuses the horse, she should be tried every
week for some four weeks ; and then if she doesn’t come
within that time, it is reasonably certain that she is in
foal. She ought to be closely watched, however, for
some weeks afterwards, because in some cases mares
will pass over a period of one ortwo months, or even
longer, without any appearance of heat, and yet not to be
pregnant. Again there are other mares, and they are
_ more numerous than one would suppose, that will appear
to be in heat and will freely receive the horse when they
_areinfoal, and even up to almost the time of foaling.
_ Such mares are always very annoying both to their owners
and keepers of stallions.
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_
Again mares that are uncertain breeders should be
bred early in the spring, and carefully watched in the
summer. If amareis not with colt she will usually
come in season again from 14, 18 or 22 days, and mares
that receive the horse when taken to him but fail to
catch after repeated trials, should be examined and _ oper-
ated upon. By examination, very often with mares of that. .
kind, the mouth of the womb will be found closed,
and unless it is opened they will not get in foal. This is
394 GENERAL INFORMATION UPON THE HORSE.
contrary to some theoretical writings that I have read,
but according to practical results that I have tried in my
years of practice in the business. This is not a very hard
operation to perform, and not a dangerous one. The
hand should be well greased and the examination made
with some caution. Another practice used with mares of
that kind is, not to let the horse try them before service, if
they are known to be in heat, but bring the horse out and
allow him to mount at once, in this way she will be served
before “her amorous desires are arrousedto so great a
heat, and thus will be more apt to become pregnant. Again
the practice of allowing two services only a few hours
apart, or one in the evening and again in the morning, or
vice versa, often proves successful, especially with young
mares of nervous disposition. There are two other practices
used by some horsemen, and which I have practiced with
good results, upon uncertain and annoying mares. Oneis,
when the mare is Known to be in heat, give her a good
brand mash with two ounces of sweet spirits of niter in it,
in the evening, and early in the morning allow the horse
toserve her. The other is by bleeding freely either from
neck or mouth. Both practices are calculated to relax the
system, and reduce their amorous desires. Any of the
methods given here can be practiced by any practical horse-
man, and will prove successful, and are valuable to those
owning uncertain and annoying brood mares.
THE NUMBER OF MARES TO BE SERVED.
The number of mares that a stallion may be permitted
to serve during a season has long been a subject of discus-
sion among horse breeders. It is generally held that the
two-vearr-oli stallion will be all the better for not serving
GENERAL INFORMATION UPON THE HORSE. 395
any mares at all, that a three-year-old should be limited to
fifteen or twenty services, and that a four-year-old should
not go beyond twenty or thirty. It is very desirable, at
the earliest possible stage in the life of a stallion, to ascer-
tain what his qualities as a foal getter are likely to be,
and with this object mainly in view I consider it wise to let
the two-year-old serve a few choice mares, merely enough
to show the character of his get. Asa three-year-old, I
should, with the same object in view, permit him to serve
a larger number, which may thereafter be increased with
each succeeding year until he is fully matured, when, if
properly taken care of, with reference to food and exer-
cise, eighty mares may safely be served during the year,
but this number in my opinion should never be exceeded.
With the young stallion that is toserve but a few mares,
I should prefer that these should all be served within the
space of a few weeks—say two or three a week until his
limit for the season has been reached—and then let him
_ be withdrawn entirely from the breeding stud. He will
soon forget all about it—will cease to fret after mares,
and will have nothing to do but to grow until the next sea-
son. But when it comes to doing business with the stal-
lion, he should rarely be permitted to serve more than
twice a day ; and even this should not be kept up for any
great length of time. One a day during the season is
better; but the groom cannot always do just as his
judgement dictates in this matter.
Another thing is that people suppose that they can
compensate for a great deal of service by an enormous
quantity of stimulating food or drugs, and no exercise.
This is an error. Good sound food, given regular in the
396 GENERAL INFORMATION UPON THE HORSE.
right quantity, with some grass or green burdock—
nature’s own remedy—plenty of moderate exercise, and ~
good grooming is the kind of treatment he wants to prove
successful.
EFFECTS OF AGE UPON THE QUALITY AND FERTILITY OF
THE GET OF THE STALLION.
Another point upon which there has been much discus-
sion 1s, the effect which age has upon the fertility of a
stallion ; and according to the information gathered from
experienced breeders, it seems that the age of the stallion
has nothing to do with his fertility. Hence the conclu-
sion is that in the number of mares served, so in the mat-
ter of age, the reproductive powers of the stallion appear
to be almost entirely a matter of condition, and that age
has no effect whatever upon the percentage of foals from
a given number of services. There has also been much
speculation as to the comparative value of foals got by
a stallion at different periods of life. The statistics of the
trotting horse furnishes us with abundant evidence to
prove that here also, the age of the sire has but little or
no effect. If any difference is observable, it is in favor of
the more aged stallion, generally those inthe teens. .
CARE OF BROOD MARES AND COLTS. :
The next question to be considered is, how shall the
mares be cared for while being bred, or while in their
pregnant state? This I consider of as much importance as
any other point in the art of breeding, for the wip
reasons: 7 Re E
First, upon the mare’s condition when served,’ depends
largely, as to whether she’ will become pregnant‘ or not.
For in poor health when served, she is not as apt to become
GENERAL INFORMATION UPON THE:HORSE. | 397
pregnant as if in good health and condition, but she
should not be over fat. In the second place, it depends
very much on the mental condition, when brought to the
horse. Ifthey have been rode or driven hard for a long
distance, and are hot or excited, they are more liable to
fail, than if cool and quiet. Again, mares that have been
used for along time on the road, and kept upon dry feed,
are much harder to get with foal, than those that have
run out and received all kinds of food, and the same may
be said of quite young mares, two and three years old, or
quite aged mares, as they arealways more annoying than
those of middle age: Last, but not least, is the manner’
in which the mare is kept while in her pregnant state, for
upon her health and ‘condition,: while in foal, depends the :
growth, constitution and vigor of the colt.
RULES To BE OBSERVED.
First, be sure the mare is in good health when bred: |
and give her such care and feed afterwards, as to keep.
her in good health, and a thriving condition. For this’
purpose there is nothing better than to turn her out in a
good blue grass or timothy pasture, and let her run at
leisure, or if in use, on the farm or road, with a reason-
able amount of work, good feed and care she will do just
as well, and will thus pay her way. Her feed should
consist of oats, midlings and corn, and if possible a run
at grass of nights, or when not in use, for by this means
the digestive organs will be kept in a healthy condition.
Second, avoid heavy salting and clover pasture, espec-
ially in wet weather salt should be given twice or three
times a week, and in small quantities, or what.is_ better,
keep rock salt where she can get it when wanted, or. use
398 GENERAL INFORMATION UPON THE HORSE.
soda in place of salt, a tablespoonful at a time. Clover
pasture if used at all should be avoided in wet weather,
as it is the cause of a great many mares failing to get in
foal, or losing their colts when once pregnant. | Again,
avoid pulling, hard riding or driving. The last two months
of pregnancy, she should be fed liberally with a bone and
milk producing food, good oats, mill feed, oil cake, hay, if
not dusty, and some corn, and should be used regular at.
slow light work, or else be turned out in a lot away from
other horses during the day, and ifin the winter or early
spring provided with a box-stall sufficiently large and well
secured to prevent accidents, to run in during nights and
stormy days, but if during warm weather there is no place
better than a grass lot or field well fenced, and then often
several mares can be turned together without any danger.
Mares treated in this way, rarely have any trouble at
foaling time. But on account of the colt being born as it
is, many times, with the head covered with the placental
envelope, which will smother the colt in a few moments if
not removed, safety demands that they be watched by
some person of good judgement, and capable of render-
ing assistance if needed. A _ little attention at the proper
time would save the lives of many valuable colts. A
mare usually goes about eleven months, but the time varies
considerably. By close attention, the time can be foretold
quite accurately. A few days before foaliny, there will
bea perceptable shrinking of the muscles about the loin
and back of the hips, the teats will fill out plump to the
ends, and not unfrequently there will be a discharge of
milk from the udder. As soon as these symptoms Occur,
the mare should be closely watched, as the foal may then
——-- ean
"Ss
GENERAL INFORMATION UPON THE HORSE. 399
be expected at any time, whether it be more or less than
the usual period of eleven months.
THEIR CARE AFTER FOALING.
After the colt is foaled, the mare should receive for a
week or more, light, easily digested food,as mentioned
before, and if possible, a run at grass—or if in early
spring turned on rye wheat for an hour or more at a time
with a rest, free from work of any kind.
When the grass is poor, or the mare is not a good suck-
ler, she should receive such food and in such quantities
as will cause her to furnish milk as the age and growth
ofthe colt may demand it. The first few weeks of a
colt’s life is the most critical time of its existence. It is
then that it needs careful attention. The mare should
receive such attention inthe way of care and food that will
promote good health. Her food should be so regulated
_ that her bowels will be kept in a healthy condition, for if
they become impaired, their condition is soon transmitted
_ to the colt, which is the cause of the death of a great
many, they should be closely watched in this respect, and
if ailing, promptly treated according to the instructions as
_ given upon this subject in the veterinary department.
If a rapid growth in the colt is desired,it is important
that it should be full fed from birth, and in case the dam
does not yield milk enough to give a strong and steady
_ growth, this should be supplemented by cow’s milk, and
also by teaching it to eat oats and midlings. The colt
can easily be taught to eat any kind of soft food, or sweet,
warm skim milk, with occasionally a little oatmeal in it,
will produce just as good a result.
400 GENERAL INFORMATION UPON THE HORSE.
When it becomes necessary to wean such a foal, it is
only required to increase the amount of feed.
WEANING TIME.
The colt may be weaned at five or six months of age
which is best done by keeping it from the dam fora few
hours at atime, increasing the length of time at each
separation. It willin this way learn to depend upon itself
and be better for the mare.
No rules can be given for feeding, pasturing, stabling,
- grooming and handling colts. The breed, age, size and —
disposition of the colt, together with climate, locality and
surrounding circumstances, and last but by no means
least, the good practical common sense of the owner
should govern in each case. A few suggestions may be
made, not as a guide, but only as the result of some
experience and observation, and a good deal of reading
and thinking upon the subject of horse breeding.
Study nature, and conform to her laws as nearly as pos"
sible ; but still bear in mind that you are rearing one of
the most domestic of all animals. One of the first de-
mands of nature is freedom in the open air. No course
of exereises can do the colt or horse so much good. He
will give full play to every muscle in his body, and ex-
pand every air-cell in his lungs. And not the least valu-
able part of this development is a good roll on mother
earth. A horse that has been deprived of this privilege
for most of his life cannot be said to‘be well developed.
Another demand of nature is friendship. The well bred
colt wants to be your friend. Treat him kindly and he
will be one. Kindness will demand comfortable quarters,
with abundance of sound food, and pure water. He
~ gk ee ee ee —
GENERAL INFORMATION UPON THE HORSE. 401
should at all times have free access to salt. In case his
appetite fails, smaller rations for a time, or change of feed,
willlikely be better than drugs ; but if showing much illness
should receive prompt medical treatment.
The horse colts if not castrated, should be put in a grass
lot by themselves in due time to prevent accidents of any
kind that may occur by leaving them run with brood
mares or fillies. This should be attended to at the age of
one and a half years, or before, as a well bred colt, or an
_ early foal, often becomes troublesome during the second
year.
WHEN TO CASTRATE COLTS.
The proper time to castrate colts, is something upon
which there is great diversity of opinion, while some
breeders prefer castrating them quite young, at the age
_ of one year, and some even at six months or younger,
others claim that they should be allowed to partly mature
: first. But practical results has proven that the castration
of colts should be governed more by their development
thanage. Ifa colt has made a rapid growth at one year
of age, and is well developed in front as to the head, neck
_ and body, or if he shows a deficiency in the hind quarters,
being light, he had better be castrated than allowed to go
. a year or two longer, as early castration with a colt, as
with any other animal, refines the fore part and develops
the hind part. When the colt is to be kept for a stallion,
! he should be kept the same as any other colt, allowed
| freedom in the open air at all times when the weather
| will permit, and not kept penned up like alion. When two
| or three years of age he should be allowed to serve a few
\mares so as to test his breeding qualities, and when off
402 GENERAL INFORMATION UPON THE HORSE.
duty should be used very much the same as any other
horse when it can be done with safety. ‘The heavy horse
should be used on the farm, but the light horse should be
used at just such work as his colts will be expected to per-
form. His feed should be just enough to keep him in
good condition, but not fat.
Beware of over fat stallions, they are not sure brace
and often some serious defects are hidden under super-
abundance of flesh. |
It has already been suggested that no exercise 1s so
good as freedom in a paddock, a pick of grass, a bite of
earth, anda good out doors roll, and an opportunity to
romp and play and be a colt again. Therefore every
stallion owner should have a paddock, enclosed with a
safe fence and large enough for a good run.
FEEDING, WATERING AND GROOMING HORSES.
There is probably no other work on the farm which
the farmer will find so much difficulty in delegating to
others as to the care of the horses.
The average work hand will over-feed with grain as well
as with hay, but the watering of the horses and the clean-
ing of them, as well as the cleaning of the stables, and to
the many little things looking to the health and good con-
dition of the horses, are neglected with impunity.
Unless the owner is convinced that his hand understands
the management of horses better than he does himself, he
should attend to the feeding of the horses, and see that
the horses and the stable are kept perfectly clean.
A consideration of the anatomy of the horse’s stomach
affords useful indications regarding feeding and watering.
When convenient, horses should be fed and watered at —
GENERAL INFORMATION UPON THE HORSE. 403
short rather than long intervals. This is an obvious indi-
cation, for the small size of the stomach precludes the
horse from rapidly ingesting a quantity of food sufficient
to serve for a long period. In the treatment of horses,
the nearer we follow their natural inclinations the better.
This is more forcibly brought to mind, when it is remem-
bered that nature makes no mistakes.
The horse should be fed in proportion to his_ size, and
the labor he is required to perform. Andno more should
be fed than it will readily digest. It is not what is eaten,
but what is digested, that furnishes the strength and mus-
cle. A horse that is not working hard every day does
not require the amount of feed that one does that is kept
busy. High feeding, unless the animal is heavily used, is
a positive injury.
Itis better to under-feed than to over-feed a horse. The
first is only a temporary evil, but the last permanently
injures the faithful animal. A fat horse is liable to indi-
gestion, sun-stroke, cold, flatulence (colic), and ever so
many other ills, which a horse in condition is not only free
from, but if properly fed, cleaned, and worked, is not
liable to get.
Night is the only time when hay should be fed heavy,
especially to animals used for quick work. Even the slow
plow teams should have but little hay at morning and
noon feeds, but give them a generous supply at the even-
ing meal. By doing this, your horse will keep in better
spirits and condition, and be free from any tendency to
‘“‘pot-belly” which horsemen so much dislike to see.
‘The best and cheapest way to salt horses, is to keep
a piece of rock salt in the trough. They are then liable
404 GENERAL INFORMATION UPON THE HORSE.
to get all they want, and when they want it without waste-
ing it. bai
VALUE OF GROOMING.
To all appearances a horse may be in good health and
in a thriving condition, but little attention paid to him in
the way of cleaning and rubbing, but it 1s evident that no
horse can be in the best condition without a thorough
grooming at least once a day. Don’t think that you have
properly groomed your horse, when you have succeeded
in scraping the dirt off so that your neighbor cannot see
it across the field and laugh at it. ‘Too many curry their
horses merely because others do, or because others might
make fun of them if they did not make a_ pretension
toward keeping them clean, and were they sure that no
one would see them they would never use the comb or
brush. They forget or never knew that while cleanliness
is one of the objects of grooming, it is not the only or
greatest one. The entire system of the horse is affected
by the amount of rubbing it receives and the condition
its skin is kept in. A beautiful coat of hair adds greatly
to the value of a horse, and no one will doubt for a
moment that grooming materially affects this part at
least. Don’t be afraid of killing your horses with cleanli-
ness—many a horse has been unfitted for work a month
or two from a sore shoulder caused by dirt under the
collarthat it would have taken but a few minutes to
remove. ‘The feet of many a horse have been completely
ruined by the shoes becoming imbedded in them, that it
would have taken less than a quarter of an hour to have
removed. ‘There are many little matters pertaining to the
general welfare and comfort of horses on the farm that
|
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|
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GENERAL INFORMATION UPON THE HORSE. 405
might be mentioned, but to the thinking man they will
present themselves, and by the successful horseman they
will be attended to.
SHOEING HORSES.
Upon this subject—the shoeing of the horse—is one
that volumes of information could be written; but the
author will confine himself to such information as he
thinks will be of value, and shall offer only a few hints
which he hopes may prove beneficial. Horse-shoeing,
like any other profession, requires study and practice. If
it is worth doing at all it is worth doing well, and if the
horse-shoer be bent upon improvement, his practice will
be worth more to him than all the written rules in the
world. Let it be his aim to dowhat he does, well, and
if he be suited to his profession, he will soon acquire that
knowledge of horse-shoeing by reading and practice
that will enable him toexcel. Not all the fault of the bad
or disordered feet of the horse lies with the horse-shoer,
but owners of horses, and grooms are often responsible
for many of the diseases which is found to lurk about the
feet of horses, and they should see that their horses are
properly cared for, and when necessary to be shod, that
it is properly done.
The shoeing of the horse is a very necessary evil. In
his natural state the horse possesses a foot answering to all
his wants, its growth being equal to wear ; but as soon as_
he is engaged as servant to man, there are but few horses,
when in full work, whose feet will stand the wear and
tear of road work ; hence the necessity of protecting them
with a shield of iron. The comfort and value of the
hurse very much depends on good or bad shoeing, in the
‘
—s. a
406 GENERAL INFORMATION UPON THE HORSE.
same way as a man walking in good or bad-fitting boots.
If at ease the horse will show his natural energy and
buoyancy of spirit, in contrast to the sordid, and dejected
appearance of one traveling in pain; the one after work
feeds with appetite and rest, the other is dejected, eats,
and rests but little. These difficulties are discernable by
those who are accustomed to horses and regard their wel-
fare, whether he be master or yroom, and any defect
should at once be amended.
In shoeing the horse, as well as the man, the shoe
should fit the foot, instead of trying to change the forma-
tion of the foot to fit the idea of a shoe.
One of the most important and least observed points in
shoeing is the tread ; that is the proportion throw on dif-
ferent parts of the shoe. On a _ well-balanced foot the
wear of the shoe is tolerably even all round, except the toe,
where there is naturally an increased friction and wear.
The shoe should be evenly worn and the farrier on tak-
ing off an old shoe should observe this and prepare the
foot accordingly, for the chief thing to be accomplished is
the manner in which a shoe is put on, rather than the pat-
tern. Inchoosing a shoe the points to be aimed at are
lightness and narrowness of irun, consistent with the class
of horse and work; it interferes less with the natural struc-
ture of the foot, and gives firmer foothold with less slip. A
plain broad shoe without groove is the strongest,but allows
free slip ; but is suitable for road use in summer, or for
farm work and _ horses of heavy step. is
HORSES WITHOUT SHOES.
The advice to allow horses to go barefoot during work
on the farm is of paramount importance. It will do more’
a
GENERAL INFORMATION UPON THE HORSE. | 407
good toward curing contracted feet than all other remedies.
It will prevent contraction toa certain extent. Many
severe cases of contraction by this simple and quite inex-
pensive process can be permanently cured.
Horses should be allowed a time to expand the hoof,
and recoup by going barefoot. I mean alland every kind
of horse, no matter how or where worked, if he can be
spared for afew days where the work demands shoes.
Let your horses go barefoot whenever you can ; at least
two months a year they should be unshod.
SHOEING COLTS.
Colts should wea be shod light at first, and if the
roads are such as to permit it, with tips. That is a plain
shoe running: from the toe to front part of heel, and
thicker and wider at the toe, than at the heel, Such ashoe
comes nearer nature and is free from calks which may
cause the colt to stumble or cut itself. Heavy shoes upon
a colt and especially if they have calks, must feel cumber-
‘some and cause a difference in its action, also makes its legs
weary in traveling, causing it to forge, cut its quarters, etc.,
while if it be shod as directed, there will be little or no
difference in its motion. All colts when first shod should
be driven with care. If it be desirable the second set of
_ shoes may be heavier than the first.
PARING THE FEET.
' Before fitting the shoe the foot should be dressed prop-
erly, and made perfectly level ; this will best be made
level with a rasp ; the shoe may then be fitted to the foot.
This should be nicely done, so it has an even bearing upon
the foot, the heels of the shoe should come close to the
frog, but not so close as‘to touch it or interfere with it.
408 GENERAL INFORMATION UPON THE HORSE.
In shoeing the bars of the foot should not be cut out
with the knife, or the frog interfered with, but let nature
do her work with these.
The art of shoeing consists of fixing a shoe on the foot
in such a manner as to preserve the natural tread whereby
the freedom and elasticity of action will not be impeded.
This skill is accomplished or not according to the skill
with which the shoe is put on, more than to any particu-
lar style of shoe used, whether it be plain or with calks.
The suitability of either depends on the strength, of foot,
the nature of roads, and the kind of work required from
the horse. So also with regard to the frog bearing on the
ground. In a strong foot with strong, healthy frog, it may
be allowed ; but :f the frog be soft or spongy it would be
injurious, and lead to lameness. Under no circumstances
should the frog be prominent beyond the surface of the
shoe.
The frog is constructed of a very elastic material. It
forms an elastic pad, diminishing concussion and allowing
a limited expansion, giving some freedom tothe action of
the joints situated in the foot. Maintaining these parts of
the insensitive foot in a healthy condition is of the utmost
importance to insure a long life of usefulness.
Carelessness albout horses feet produces much trouble.
They should be closely looked after, and kept properly
shod or trimmed, shoes should not be allowed to remain
on to long, and when removed the clinches of the nails
should be well cut and see that they are all removed and
not allowed to remain in the foot to cause an injure.
EDUCATION OF HORSES.
Upon the education of the horse depends his. value.
GENERAL INFORMATION UPON THE HORSE. 409
Therefore it is necessary that he should be thoroughly
and properly educated, and the person who undertakes
this calling should first learn to pay attention to the most
important factor of a true horseman, namely,“self govern-
ment.” .
Prof. York says: “The greatest study of mankind
is man, and the greatest triumph is to obtain the mastery
over ourselves. A hasty temper has permanently injured
or absolutely ruined thousands of horses, man is superior
to the horse only so far as he exercises that superiority of
intelligence, and the moment he allows his passions to
have full sway, his superiority ceases. Whenever the
operator becomes heated and nervous, he should at once
rest from his labors, and when he is cool and not excited,
he will accomplish more in ten minutes, than he can in an
hour of frenzied attempts at control. Strive from your
first approach to obtain confidence of your subject, which
once gained and never abused, will insure complete suc-
me CESS. -
REMEMBER THIS,
You can teach the horse only through two senses, sight
and feeling,and he can learn but one thing ata time. There-
fore teach that one act alone. Make-sure by repetition
that he unerstands you, and be careful that you remem-
ber how you taught him. © It is the act in man that causes
the act in the horse, and any change made by you in the
manner in conveying to him a knowledge of your will, is
sure to confuse, and he may fail to conform to your
wishes from want of a conception of what you really mean,
and not from a_ disposition to do wrong or
rather not todo what you desire of him. Show your
410 GENERAL INFORMATION UPON THE HORSE,
horse exactly what you want him to do, and endeaver to
use the patience and reason in teaching and controling
you would at least believe necessary for yourself to under-
stand if placed in like circumstances. Make your horse a
friend by kindness and good treatment. Bea kind mas-
ter and not a tyrant,”
CAREFUL ‘TRAINING FOR HORSES,
The education of the colt should be commenced at an
early age and thoroughly followed up until old enough for
use, One of the most serious mistakes that farmers make
in training their young horses is in not doing their
work thoroughly. When once undertaken the work
should be made complete. To stop and start at certain
words, to turn to the right or left at other words, or sig-
nals, should not be enough, although many men who
have the constant handling of horses are entirely satisfied
with these results. The fact that horses are capable of
learning these rudiments in training with as little teaching
as they do only proves that they are capable of further
training which may be carried to a considerable degree
with profit as well as pleasure. It isnot necessary to occupy
the entire day with a colt, or give it a lesson every day,
but an occasional lesson at not two long intervals, will go
a long ways toward his education. The colt should be
trained and developed to make him as nearly perfect in
his class as possible. The heavy draft horse should be
true and steady, and move off with his load at a square
vigorous walk, The trotter, pacer or runner, should have
a free honest gait, which is more valuable than a record,
gained perhaps at too great a cost to his physical powers,
or by being forced past an honest gait. One of the most
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GENERAL INFORMATION UPON THE HORSE. 413
important lessons now is for him to learn that he is
becoming a horse, and that he should act like a good, sen-
sible one, and not always be getting himself and master
into trouble. And, above all, do not permit ignorant or
brutal grooms to crush out that noble characteristic of
every good horse, which Josh Billings calls “good horse
sense.”’
Horses with high mettle are more easily educated than
those of less or dull spirits, and are more susceptable to ill
training, consequently may be good or bad according to
the training they receive. Ifa colt is never allowed to
get an advantage it will never know that it possesses a
power that man cannot control ; and if made familiar with
strange objects it will not be skittish and nervous. A
gun may be fired from the back of a horse, an umbrella
held over his head, a buffalo robe thrown over his neck,
a railway engine pass close by, his heels bumped with
sticks, and the animal take it all as anatural condition of
things, if only taught by careful management that he will
not be injured thereby. There is a great need of
improvement in the management of this noble animal—
less beating wanted and more education.
Timidity in a horse is a fault which usually can be cured,
but only by a course of kind and patient treatment.
Rough usage will never accomplish that end, but is only
calcuated to make trouble more deep-seated. If he scares
at any object, speak to him kindly and let him stop and
look at it ; give him a few gentle strokes on the neck
with your hand, speak kindly to him all the time, and
gently urge him toward the object he scared at ; be care-
ful not to urge him too hard at first ; above all do not
, a .
ne
i
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+
414 GENERAL INFORMATION UPON THE HORSE.
whip him ; give him time to see that he is not going to be
hurt ; when you can doso let him smell of the object, pro- —
vided it is not some offensive carcass ; he will not scare
at it again. When this has been done several times, he
will have gained confidence in you and in himself. The
timidity will soon wear off and your horse will be cured.
Avoid teaching bad habits for the reason that it costs
more to correct one, and form a new one in its place than
it does to teach ten good ones. So in the care -and treat-
ment of the horse that is sound and healthy, it is much
less expensive to provide against accidents and disease,
than to furnish medicines and treatment for repairing
injuries*or curing diseases. AndI will invite your atten-
tion to some ounce packages of Preventitives as given by
Prof. York and others:
To avoid accidents, educate your colts andaged horses
as well, very thoroughly. Make your control absolute,
and thus avoid many serious accidents, as they are termed,
but are often the result of negligence, or, to be plain,
laziness. All the theory in the wide world, without prac-
tical illustration thereof, is of no avail. Do not sit down
and wish this or thatdone. Arise and do that which is
needful, thereby increasing the value of your horse and
adding to the safety of yourself and others. ‘Take time to
examine-your harness and vehicle and keep them in per-
fect order. Many a life has been sacrificed and much
property destroyed through negligence of this duty.
Adjust your harness carefully to the horse, and avoid
galls, soreness, and subsequent atrophy of muscles swell-
ing. Ill-fitting collars often cause these affections.
Be sure that your horse is adapted to the work you
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|
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GENERAL INFORMATION UPON THE HORSE. 415
design him to perform, in size, form, and particularly as
to disposition. Do not forget that the horse must go on
foot while you ride, and avoid injuries from hard driving.
Do not allow him to stand without covering when warm,
in severe weather or in a draught of air, but cover him
with a good blanket, and especially his front parts instead -
of his hind parts, and thus escape colds, pneumonia and
rheumatic affections. Do not censure another person for
neglect of something you ought to have attended to per-
sonally, namely, as to care, feeding, watering, or groom-
ing, and discharge all help that neglects, or abuses your
horses. Provide suitable shelter, food, and pure water.
Allow but a small quantity of water at a time when your
horse is heated. Feed but very little corn especially in
hot weather. Fevers assume a more aggravated form
in horses fed entirely upon corn. Oats, clean and bright,
and good timothy hay are good enough for any horse.”
Give each horse twice a week, a tablespoonful of soda,
and the chances are they will never be troubled with colic,
worms or bots. Do not increase allowance of food in
anticipation of a hard day’s work. or drive, also avoid
change of food after such. Commence a long journey at
amoderate rate of speed and increase it if necessary
towards the end, and not stop the horse to cool out before
reaching the stable, where you are sure of care. Attend
personally to that care. Before you tie in stall examine
its floors, and remove everything from the manger and see
that there are no holes for the grain to escape. Do not
let your pride overrule your judgement. I believe a strict
observance of the foregoing rules will save many a person
ina great measure, from the expense of surgical or
410 GENERAL INFORMATION UPON THE HORSE.
veterinary aid and prolong the life of many a good horse.
Retain the horse that is kind, and in which your family
have confidence, and increase your care with his added
years. Do not sell him, to suffer from neglect and hard
usage in hisold age. ‘A merciful man is merciful to his
beast.” And now having enumerated some of the most
important preventives as to the care of the horse, I will
give a treatise on their diseases, and also those of cattle
and sheep. ‘This I will make as plain and brief as_possi-
ble, avoiding all superfluous or technical language so the
average person may quickly find, plainly understand
and adopt their use. In this department as in all my for-
mer writings, I shall not make use of any teachings
except those that I know from practice, observation, or
good authority, can be relied upen. This treatment, as
well as the entire book, is intended to give the stock
owner such information as will enable him to dispense
with the unprofitable and perilous services of ignorant
pretenders, and to apply rational means of cure when he
happens to be beyond the reach of the accomplished vet-
erinarian, and this, it is confidently hoped, it will accom-
plish, for all who will intelligently study its pages.
CHAPTER XXII.
VETERINARY DEPARTMENT FOR HorsEs.
INTRODUCTION.—TREATMENT OF THE VARIOUS DISEASES,
AND INJURIES TO WHICH THE HORSE IS SUBJECT.—FORMU-
LAS FOR MEDICINES.—MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION.
INTRODUCTION.
In discussing this subject I propose to depart from the
usual method adopted by other works of this kind and
instead of discussing at length the different treatments of
stock, with a long article relative to pathology, symptoms
and diagnosis of each case, which causes delay and tends
to weary the reader without conferring any lasting benefit,
to proceed, and give in as briefa way as possible the
treatment for some of the most common and frequent ail-
ments of stock, first among horses, and then cattle and
sheep. In this part of the work, as well as in all other
parts, itis my object to be useful rather than offend, or
appear learned, and in offering to the public the informa-
tion herein given, I shall do so with candor. I do not
claim to be the originator of all the treatments given, but
have in many instances tested the most of them, and know
them to be of value. As medicines are only used to assist
nature to effect a cure, those methods that will assist the
most should be used, and my experience is that for inter-
nal treatment, the proper medicines administered in sma!
418 | VETERINARY DEPARTMENT FOR HORSES.
doses, is far better than a heavy dose, and a proper appli-
cation externally in most cases is far better than severe
blistering or fireing. . Kind treatment in the way of good
nursing will do more toward restoration of a sick animal
to health, than so much strong medicine.
Medicines, powerful in their nature, for good or
evil, are often administered in large doses, when little or
none is necessary, and such treatment is often prescribed
by those not knowing what ails the animal, or without any
knowledge whatever of the effect that such a mixture may
produce upon the system, and strongly urge that it be
administered, simply because somebody else had used the
like, and the animaldidnot die. ‘This is all wrong. The
first business, when called to a patient is to ascertain the
cause of trouble. ‘Think for yourself, uninfluenced by the
opinion of so many others, and give the patient prompt
attention as is thought best, when such cases occur that
are not properly understood and cannot be properly
treated by the inexperienced, promptly employ some
practical veterinary to attend to it.
HOW TO OBSERVE DISEASES.
The question is often asked: How to tell what the dis-
ease is that this or that animal is affected with, as it cannot
speak. ‘To this question I might repeat nature has but one
set of weights and measures and these only should be
used. ‘Thus, if a horse or other animal has corns or an
injured foot, they will be as sure to go lame as they would
with an ordinary sprain. The uneasy eye, the anxious
expression, and the sharp peculiar look, tell its tale of suf-
fering, and the description is so plain and true, that every
one should learn to interpret them. Often the suffering
Pe ae ee ee eee es
_
Picky
VETERINARY ‘DEPARTMENT FOR HORSES. 419
can be told by the pulse, which is felt on the inner angle
of the lower jaw, as being the most convenient place, the
state of the pulse tells the condition of tlhe heart, whether
the disease is of an exhalted or depressed character or
whether sickness is at all present. The pulse is more
frequent in the young than in old animals. In the full
grown and healthy horse, it beats from 32 to 38 in a
minute ; in the ox or cow, 35 to 42; inthe sheep, 7oto 75.
For inflamation and fever the frequency of the pulse 1s 1n-
creased, in the debility and depression it is slower, but
sometimes quicker than natural. As the pulse varies so
much it takes some practice to determine and understand
it. A healthy horse breathes once to three of the pulse
beats. When the breathing is not natural it indicates
disease, but both the pulse and breathing can be quick-
ened by exposure to heat, or the hot sun. Hence the
advantage of placing animals in a cool and airy place when
unwell, as it assists nature to cast off the disease.
TREATMENT OF DISEASED AND INJURED HORSES.
Co.ic.—Spasmodic and Flatulent.—Colic with horses is
not an uncommon thing, and most every person who is in
the habit of handling them, is acquainted with the cause
and symptoms of this disease. Cause—-a change or exces-
sive amount of food or water, or some similar unknown
cause, which is the result of acute indigestion. Symp-
ptoms—rapid breathing, uneasiness, pawing, lying down
and rolling. With spasmodic colic the pain is more
severe, and death occurs quicker than with flatulent colic,
which is slow in its work, often the horse living for sev-
eral days, and becoming partially or altogether blind.
Treatment: Take tincture of aconite, and belladonna in
420 VETERINARY DEPARTMENT FOR HORSES.
equal parts, give on tongue from fifteen to thirty drops at
a dose every twenty minutes, until relief is given. A
colt will not require as much as a large horse. In a
severe case when this dose does not give relief, the third
dose, take sweet milk, one-half pint, turpentine, two table-
spoonsful, and give as a drink. Give an injection of
soap, salts, and warm water, and apply mustard and warm
water to abdomen. The animal should never be urged
out of a walk, and must be kept warm.
In case the aconite and belladonna cannot be prookids |
laudanum and ether, thirty to sixty drops at a dose, or
twice the amount of spirits of camphor, in a small amount
of water, or in one-half pint of whisky. Never resort to
heavy drenching, puncture or violent exercise, such treat-
ment has killed more horses than the disease. After the
animal has recovered give him light food and avoid too
much cold water at a time when recovering from a severe
attack. Measures must be taken to tone the stomach, for
this purpose use the condition powder. |
Norr.—Every farmer should keep a bottle of aconite
and belladona in the house for immediate use, for you will
see by this work that it is very valuable, not only for
colic and other diseases with horses, but for milk fever
with swine, cattle and sheep, and hoven or paralysis when
used as prescribed. |
Borrs.—Symptoms and treatment the same as in colic.
DYSENTERY OR SCOURS.
This is something that occurs frequently with horses,
and especially with road horses or colts.
Treatment: If where, no other remedy can be pro-
cured, take wheat flour, one pint to a gallon of water and
VETERINARY DEPARTMENT FOR HORSES. 421
give it as a drink, where they will not drink use one-third
the amount of water, to which add one fresh egg, and use
as a drench, if it can be procured, to this add one table-
spoonful of ginger, and from fifteen to thirty drops of laud-
anum, ora gillof whisky. Give every two hours until
relieved, give light food, such as oats, bran, and sweet
hay.
INFLAMMATION OF THE LUNGS.
PNeumMoniA.—This is a common and fatal disease with
horses, and is caused very often by abuse and neglect
which causes them to take cold. By riding or driving a
horse until very warm and then stopping them in a cold
draft to cool out, or by leaving a window open in the
stable during a cold and sudden change, are some of the
most fruitful catses.
Symptoms: The first attack 1s rather slow, the breath-
ing is more or less laborious, and the patient dejected
and down spirited. The coat is rough, the body and legs
cold, and bowels constipated, the patient stands with head
and ears drooped and legs apart as if to prevent falling. On
examination, by placing the ear against the side of the
patient, over the lungs, a grating or tearing noise can
be heard as the patient breathes, then prompt treatment
must be given.
Treatment: First make the patient as comfortable as
possible in a good warm box-stall, well bedded, if in win-
ter, and kept dry and clean if in the summer. ‘Then give
on tongue twenty drops of belladonna, which will regu-
late the pulse. Then make a thick solution of mus-
tard and rub it wellintothe hair along the throat, chest,
and over the lungs ; cover with an old blanket and leave
422 VETERINARY DEPARTMENT FOR HORSES.
it on for some time, if in cool weather put a blanket over
the patient to keep it warm, wash the legs m vinegar
and salt as warm as can be applied, and rub vigorously
with the hands until dry to get up a circulation, then ban-
dage with flannel. If the patient commences to recover
with first treatment discontinue the use of medicine, if not
continue to give once or twice a day the aconite and _bel-
ladonna, and keep the patient warm ; as soon as it can be
induced to eat, give soft food with the condition powder
in it twice a day, and give a tablespvonful of tincture of
iron in the water once or twice a day. Care must be
taken not to give too much food until recovery is com-
plete.
OVER RIDING OR DRIVING
Very often brutal or thoughtless persons ride or drive
a horse so hard as to cause congestion on the road. Often
the horse will reel and fall in its tracks, or upon stopping
a thumping noise can be heard several feet away and they »
can hardly stand.
Treatment: Bleed freely in the mouth or neck, a drop
of blood now is worth a pint in an hour, give a small
amount of salt water at first and as soon as possible thirty
drops of aconite and belladonna, repeat until relief is
given, bathe head with cold water and keep the body
warm to prevent chilling. If any evil effect is observed
afterwards, use cleansing powders in soft food and turn
on grass.
INFLAMMATION OF BLADDER AND KIDNEYS. PROFUSE
STALEING.
This is somthing that horses are troubled with consid-
VETERINARY DEPARTMENT FOR HORSES. 423
erably, and. it is caused by bad food, or exposure to
cold, rains, storms, etc.
Treatment: Use the cleansing or condition powder
freely for some time, and give one ounce of sweet spirits
of nitre or evacuate the bladder with catheter, or for horse
press into the passage the pith of an onion, and for mares
introduce a little black pepper—this will produce staleing
ina few moments.
Foul sheath.—All horses are troubled more or less
with foul sheaths, and they should be looked after and
cleaned by washing in warm water and castile soap, then
oiled with fresh lard or sweetoil. Either of these troubles
can be told by the difficult staleing.
COLDS AND DISTEMPER.
These two diseases are of frequent occurrence with
horses, but neither one at all dangerous if promptly
attended to. Colds occur more with matured. horses
than colts, and are caused by exposure and neglect.
Distemper is a colt disease, but frequently old horses are
troubled with it.
Treatment: For colts give the condition powder in soft
food twice a day, steam the patient well by placing a bag
over the nose which has been filled with some hot hops
and bran and then pour hot water in to keep up the heat,
or put some tar in an old shoe that has a hole in the toe,
set the tar on fire, and the smoke will come out of the toe
of the shoe which can be held under the patient’s nose,
and in this way well smoked.
In bad cases bathe the throat well with mustard lini-
ment, or distemper liniment, then smoke as directed.
For distemper: Give the same treatment, smoking or
424 VETERINARY DEPARTMENT FOR HORSES.
steaming well every day, and using the distemper liniment
until a free discharge from the nose is started, then occas-
ionally to keep them running free, if they gather under
jaw open with knife, as soon as ripe, which is as soon as
the lump becomes soft. To hasten the gathering, apply
under the jaw or throat a poultice of hops and bran. If -
this simple treatment is effectually carried out, using good
sanitary means to keep the patient warm and dry in the
winter, and feeding soft food with the condition powder,
and in summer allowing free access to grass. The
chances are that you will not lose one horse in a_ lifetime
with these diseases.
EPIZOOTIC——-PINKEYE.
This is a contagious disease. ‘That occurs once in a
while in an epidemic form through the country, and kills
or injures a great many horses.
Symptoms: The attack is usually sudden and the
horse soon drops its head and ears, and stands with back
arched and braced legs as if to bring relief. ‘These
symptoms are always accompaniea by a hoarse dry
cough, rapid breathing, scanty, high colored urine, and
hard muscus covered dung. !
‘Treatment: Bathe the throat, chest and over the lungs
well with mustard, and cover well with a cloth or blanket,
give the condition or cleansing powder freely in soft food,
smoke as in distemper once a day -and take tincture of
gentian root and tincture of iron in equal parts, give on
tongue three times a day a teaspoonful, use moderately in
warm weather or turn out for exercise, and place all feed
on the ground, which will cause the horse to keep its head
down thus giving relief. This disease being contagious, it ©
VETERINARY DEPARTMENT FOR HORSES. 425
is best not to bring the sick animal in close contact with
the well, and by thoroughly cleaning the stable, using asa-
fetida in the troughs, and feeding the condition or cleans-
ing powders once a day to the well ROsseh it can be pre-
vented from spreading.
HEAVES.
Heaves with the horse is similar tothe asthma in the
human family. It can be observed by difficult breathing,
wheezing and frequently acough. It iscaused by feed-
ing too much hay, especially dusty or clover hay. This
statement has been confirmed, as it is seldom known in
the West where clover is not used.
Treatment: Feed good sound grain, sweet timothy,
or prairie hay, or corn fodder, and give twice or three
times a week indigo water to drink. A piece of indigo
the size of a large nut in one gallon of water, or use
powdered alum, one pound ; oil of origanum, two ounces;
arsenic, half ounce ; dose, teaspoonful twice a day, or
smartweed juice, given as a drench, one-half pint at a
time, twice a day for a few days.
GLANDERS.
The best treatment for this fatal disease, is to lead the
patient to a suitable burial place and destroy it. Then
thoroughly disenfect the entire premises by cleaning up
every possible thing, and using whitewash and carbolic
acid freely. No pains should be spared as this disease
is highly contagious to both man and beast.
BRAIN FEVER—BLIND. STAGGERS.
Treatment, the same as for congestion.
Paralysis: Bleed freely in the neck, and give three or
426 VETERINARY DEPARTMENT FOR HORSES.
four doses, one hour apart, of aconite and belladonna.
FISTULA AND POLL-EVIL.
These terrible diseases of the horse are of frequent
occurrence, and very annoying and hard to cure, but the
treatment given here can be relied upon, or at least it has
been successfully used in many rae ee and highly rec-
ommended.
Fistula appears at the top of the shoulder blade, and
on either side or both, at the same time, and also occa-
sionally on the hips.
Poll-evil occurs on top of the neck just behind the ears.
Both these diseases are caused by a bruise. |
Treatment: When they first make their appearance
they can be observed by a swelling and soreness, and up
to the time that matter begins to form, the corrosive lini-
ment will be found very effectual to drive it away. (See
prescription, how to make it.) This is a powerful medi-
cine, and in using it the horse must be fastened so he can-
not rub or bite the afflicted parts, as it will burn for a
minute or two. Apply every morning with a smal! mop,
for some three days, and then take fine powdered gun
powder, mix heavily in lard, grease the part well and let
go three days, and repeat the treatment over again three
times. If this fails to check it, the treatment will have to
be changed and one used to cause heavy suppuration.
For this purpose use May apple liniment. (see receipt.) A
thin coating should be spread over the afflicted part every
morning and carefully washed at night, and then greased.
This treatment should be continued until matter forms,
and as the pass begins to ooze out, increase the amount
of liniment and the length of time between dressing up to
eC
‘
A ey
—————
VETERINARY DEPARTMENT FOR HORSES. 427
twenty-four hours, but not longer. ‘This treatment should
continue for some three weeks, and always cleansing
thoroughly with warm soap suds before dressing, but in
using the corrosive liniment, never wash.
In some three weeks after using the May-apple liniment,
omit its use and make a liniment as follows: ‘Turpen-
tine and ammonia each, one anda_ half ounces, croton oil,
one-half ounce, mix, cleanse the wound thoroughly, and
apply internally until healed.
BONE, BOG OR BLOOD SPAVIN AND THOROUGH-PINS.
These are ailments of the back and joints and are hard
to do anything with, but with time and close attention
they can be partially cured. |
Treatment: Use the corrosive treatment as given for
fistula, continue treatment for three or four weeks, and
then let go for two weeks, and if necessary repeat, mean-
time feed soft light food and the condition powders occa-
sionally and turn loose in a box-stall or use at slow moder-
ate work. Where this treatment fails have it properly
treated by fireing or fatten and trade off. Beware of
bogus quacks offering to cure these blemishes.
RING-BONE AND CURBS.
Ring-bone isa bony substance or growth that appears
just at the top of the hoof, and extends clear around. It
is caused by a strain and if neglected makes the horse
very lame, and soon becomes hard and hard to remove.
A curb is a long bony substance on the back part of
of the leg just below the hock, -_ the same one be said
of itasof ring-bone. |
Treatment: For ring-bone the same as_ spavin.
Another good preparation is corrosive sublimate, Spanish
428 VETERINARY DEPARTMENT FOR HORSES.
fly and venice turpentine in equal parts, to this add
twice the amount of lard, apply once a day.
For a curb if the afflicted part is feverish, first reduce
the fever by applying the cooling lotion, [see receipe, |
then use the corrosive liniment, bathe once a day, then
wash with soft soap and hot water, continue treatment for
a week, then leave go a week, if necessary repeat. ‘This
same treatment will remove any splint or callous.
CRIBBING—WIND-SUCKING.
This strange habit of catching hold of some object with
the mouth, and sucking wind is very common and no
cause can be attributed for it, and no effectual cure.
Some prevent it by buckling a strap tight around the
neck, and others by running a fine saw between the front
teeth, but a horse of this kind is frequently subject to colic
and should be avoided.
LAMPASS.
This is something that horses and especially colts are
troubled with a great deal, it is simply an inflammation
of the muscles in the front part of the roof of the mouth,
and have the appearance of ridges or bars.
Treatment: Puncture them well with a sharp knife,
and apply copperas matter.
SCRATCHES AND GREASE HEEL.
These are two. of the dreaded diseases of the American
horsemen, although similar in their characteristics, grease
heel is the most obstinate to cure. They appear on the
back part of the leg, extending from the heel of the foot
to the fetlock, and in extreme cases often reaches up to
the knee or hock. The scratches begin with a scabby
VETERINARY DEPARTMENT FOR HORSES. 429
covering of the skin, coming in patches and continuing to
spread until the leg is one mass of sores.
Grease heel commences by the flesh bursting open, and
an offensive matter oozing out. If neglected it spreads
rapidly and becomes very sore.
Treatment: Wash clean with soft soap and dampen
afflicted parts with Dexter liniment for three days and
grease with lard and gunpowder. This will cure any
case if kept out of the water and mud. Dry snow makes
nu difference, it is good to help to reduce the fever. In
all cases turn on grass or feed soft food, and the condition
or cleansing powder, to cleanse the blood and system.
THRUSH.
This is a disease of the foot caused by neglect, damp
filthy stables, and also by a bruise or injure of any kind.
It often becomes very bad before the inattentive owner
or groom notices it, which is observed by a very offensive
smell.
Treatment: Clean out and pare away all the diseased
part ofthe foot, then use the treatment as given for thrush.
|See recipe.]| Apply once a day for two or three days
and keep the foot dry and clean while under treatment.
This will soon effect a cure, or clean out and apply salt
and wet blue clay as a stuffing.
DRESSING TO SOFTEN FERT.
Sliced onions, one pint; oat meal, one quart; char-
coal, one half pint ; boiling water, sufficient to form a
stuffing ; stuff the feet and fasten in with a cloth poke if
you have no boots. Thisis excellent for feet either sound or
unsound, is valuable in case of founder.
| INJURED FEET.
In case an animal injures its foot with a nail or snag of
430 VETERINARY DEPARTMENT FOR HORSES.
any kind, examine the foot carefully and if possible find
and remove the article, then clean out the foot well and
apply turpentine or sea salt to the wound, cover with a
tarred rag, and he sure to cleanse and dress every day so
as to keep the wound open, after two or three days use
the Dexter liniment in place of the turpentine or salt. In
case of graveled foot, keep the foot encased in a poultice
made of oat-meal, bran and warm water ina _ sack _ until
open, then cleanse with soap and water and apply ibe
Dexter liniment until healed.
FOUNDER.
Bleed freely in the neck and inthe small warts under
the pastern joints. Take powdered alum, one-fourth
pound ; sunflower seed, two ounces ; jimson seed, two
ounces ; mix, dose, one tablespoonful twice a day for two
days. If the pastern joints become inflamed and_ swollen,
use sweeting liniment. (See receipe.) Feed oats and bran
mashes, with condition powders and new potatoes in
absence of grass, and re the onion dressing to the feet
for a week or more. |
For corns, pare out the foot well and apply the dressing
or foot oil until all soreness is removed.
: SWEENEY.
What is known as Sweeney, (atrophy) is located in
the shoulder or hip, it is frequently caused by a strain or
wrench, in some way injuring the muscular tissues, and
sometimes by diseased feet, which causes the muscles of
the shoulder to perish for want of exercise.
Treatment: Apply twice a day for several days some
of the liniment made as follows: Oil origanum, four
ounces; oil hemlock, four ounces; oil spike, two ounces;
VETERINARY DEPARTMENT FOR HORSES. 431
oil sassafras, two ounces; chloroform, three ounces; pow-
dered camphor gum, two ounces; olive oil, six ounces; al-
cohol, one quart. Mix, and shake well when using,
Give quiet work or turn out for exercise, and keep the
skin loose by pulling at it every day. Some cure this by
taking an old and well smoked hog joal, fry it out, and in
the grease obtained mix gun powder, then grease. with this.
SPRAINED TENDONS.
The horse is liable to sprains of the tendons, by accident
or fast or reckless driving.
Treatment: Apply hot water to remove the fever.
Then use the Dexter liniment.
SWELLED LEGS AND ANKLES.
This is caused by the feet being diseased, or by impov-
erished blood. |
Treatment: Put the system in good order by the use
of proper food and the condition powder, and bathe the
legs with strong copperas water. If the feet are diseased
treat them as for thrush, or apply the dressing.
SURFEIT AND MANGE.
These are skin diseases, caused by a weakened condi-
tion of the system, or blood.
Treatment: Use the condition powaer with soft food,
and moisten the parts where the spots or lumps appear
with coal oil, one half pint; lard, one half pint; carbolic
acid, one tablespoonful.
Water Farcey isanother skin disease that appears under
the belly, and frequently gatliers, and water oozes out.
Treatment: The same as for mange, or bathe afflicted
parts with strong hot salt water, or use the Dexter lini-
ment.
432 VETERINARY DEPARTMENT FOR HORSES.
Lice.— Treatment: ‘The same as for mange, except
omit the carbolic acid.
| HIDE-BOUND.
This occurs when a horse becomes poor or neglected
and system entirely deranged.
Treatment: Use freely in soft food the cleansing
powder, and if possible give grass and special attention
to grooming. 7
SADDLE OR HARNESS GALLS, OR BOILS,
These are so frequent and annoying to both horse and
man that the proper treatment for them is of value.
Where the horse can be allowed to go idle it should be
done until well, but where this can not be done, then other
means must be resorted to. First, the saddle or harness
should be so padded as to take the bearing off the afflicted
parts. ‘Then wash clean with warm salt water, and bathe
with Dexter liniment and meat fryings or pudding grease,
equal parts, which will heal any common gall, or paint
over with white lead, or cover with a court plaster.
Where a large collar boil has formed, cut it open and
cleanse it out with warm water, then bathe it internally
and externally with the Dexter liniment, by the use of a
feather. A cheap application for bruises and galls, and
to reduce external inflammation is a decoction of smart
weed, two parts, and strong vinegar, one part. Make
hot, pour over bran, and apply as a plaster, as hot as the
horse will bear.
BLIND OR WOLF TEETH.
This is something that occurs with most all young
horses, a small tooth that comes out by the side of the
jaw tooth. Some people have great fear of them, think-
ee ee ae
|
‘
'
VETERINARY DEPARTMENT FOR HORSES. 433
ing they cause week eyes. Some think not, but at any
rate they are of no use and can be very easily removed,
and are better out than in. But beware of the man that
goes through the country pulling horse’s teeth, and be
sure the horse’s tooth needs to be taken out before allowing
it pulled. Occasionally a horse has a tooth that wants re-
moving, as it is decayed or injured in such a way that it
is annoying to the horse, and very frequently they need
dressing, which any good veterinary surgeon can do, or
you can do yourself by procuring a tooth, rasp.
A VALUABLE EYE WASH.
Take eee fresh hen eggs and break them in a quart
of cold rain water. Stir until a thorough mixture is ef-
fected. Boil over a slow fire, stirring occasionally, adding
one-half ounce of sulphate of zinz (white vitrol) to the
mixture, remove and the curd will settle to the bottom,
and the liquid rests on top. This liquid strained, makes
a valuable eye wash for man or beast. The curd applied
to the eye will draw the inflammation out. The liquid,
if strained free of any sediment and bottled will last a long
time. The curd can be applied to the eye of the horse by
making a hood so it fits tignt over the eyes, or one eye,
and cut a hole for the other. Or take tincture of arnica,
one ounce, laudanum one-half ounce, sugar of lead one-
_half ounce, bathe several times a day wil! remove inflam-
mation or soreness caused by a blow or otherwise, or
where the inflammation has caused the haw to appear,
what a great many call hooks, and what ignorant pre-
tenders cut out, claiming it is a disease. Use either of the
washes and they will effect a cure. ‘To remove slight in-
flammation take cold salt water and bathe the eye, or
belladonna, one part, water three parts, make fresh each
A34 VETERINARY DEPARTMENT FOR HORSES.
time, will ‘soon remove it. If you wish to bleed, bleed
below the eye. To remove dirt, etc., from the eye, in-
sert flax seed. To remove film, finely powdered burnt
alum, or equal parts honey and hen’s oil, applied with a
feather, is excellent.
CATARACT LINIMENT. |
For a cataract of the eye, try the egg eye wash, or the
honey and-chicken grease, if these fail to effect a cure I
would recommed the following liniment: Sweet spirits
of niter, camphor gum and oil organum, each one-half
ounce; ammonia, one ounce; alcohol, four ounces; rain
water, four ounces; apply twice a day for two days with
a soft eye brush or feather, and keep the horse quiet for:
the time. This was recommended to me by an old veter-
inarian to be a successful treatment, and is worth trying,”
for if neglected the horse is no better, if not worse, than a
blind one, as it so effects the sight as to cause them to shy.
COOLING LOTION.
Chloroform, alcohol and Golard’s Extract, each two ©
ounces; mix,‘take one third the amount in a quart of rain —
water, bathe twice or three times a day. ‘This is very
cooling, and is used by a great many horsemen in rubbing
out race horses, or on receiving a bruise to prevent cal-
louses.: Another good and cheap one is, copperas, one-
half pound, rain water, one gallon; use twice aday. Will
remove fever and soften the skin. White oak bark ooze
is also good, made by boiling the bark until a strong
liquid is obtained. ‘To one-half gallon of the liquid add a
hand full of salt, and apply twice or three times a day.
LEG OR BODY WASH.
Cider vinegar, three quarts; alcohol, I pint; ammonia, —
i fea aig ?,
VETERINARY DEPARTMENT FOR HORSES. 435
2 ounces; chloroform, 2 ounces; sal. moniac, 2 ounces;
tincture of arnica, 2 ounces; shake and apply to the limbs,
then bandage; when applied to the loins or shoulders,
and cover with a blanket; will stimulate and remove all
soreness.
FOOT OIl..
Oil of cedar, oil of hemlock and sweet oil, each 2 ounces;
American oil, one gill; Neatsfoot oil, one gill; barbadoes
tar, two gills; organum oil, one ounce; apply to frog and
foot; will promote health and growth.
| TO REMOVE CALLOUSES.
Strong hickory ash soft soap applied once a day, wash-
ing with hot water before each application will remove
most any callous or splint. Fora hard and long standing
case, use the soap and corrosive liniment. Another good
preparation is soft soap, four ounces; spirits of camphor,
two ounces; aqua amonia, one ounce; apply daily. A
good general liniment to remove callous is, Dexter lini-
iment, 2 parts; spirits of camphor, one part; apply once or
twice a day, and wash off witli hot water and soap. The
hotter the water the better, it softens the skin and opens
the pores.
THRUSH.
Oil of cedar, oil of sassafras and gum of camphor, each
one ounce; corrosive sublimate, one scruple; linseed oil,
three ounces; keep the feet dry and apply once or twice a
day.
7 MAY APPLE LINIMENT.
Make a strong syrup of May apple roots, while boiling
add one-fourth as much strong lard as syrup, keep stir-
ring all the time to prevent burning, cool and put away
for use. This is used for poll evil or fistula in their sec-
430 VETERINARY DEPARTMENT FOR HORSES.
ond stage when matter has formed, it will draw it to the .
surface.
CORROSIVE LINIMENT.
Take one-half pint of turpentine, one ounce of finely
pulverized corrosive sublimate, and one ounce of gum
camphor. Let stand for a week, shaking every day, when ©
it will be ready for use. Always shake well when using,
pour in an earthen vessel and apply with a swab, never
the finger, and keep it out of the way of children.
WORM POWDER.
Ginger, eight ounces; black antimony, six ounces;
fenugreek, two ounces; worm seed, two ounces; capsicum,
two ounces; mix; dose, one tablespoonful once a day. A
change of diet is always desirable. Pin worms, which
always inhabit the rectum, and occasion persistent rubbing
of the tail, may be most eftectually removed by the in-
jection, every morning for a week, of three ounces of lin-
seed oil and one-half ounce of spirits of turpentine, the
agents to be thoroughly blended by shaking and injected
into the rectum; or take salty lard and grease the inside
of the anus.
FEVER POWDER.
Powdered gum camphor, two drachms; powdered
opium, one-half drachm; powdered ipecac, one drachm;.
cream of tartar, one ounce; mix. Dose, one tablespoon-.
ful once or twice a day. ‘This is excellent to abate fever,
COUGH POWDER.
Pulverized blood root, lobelia seed and licorice, each 4
ounces; nux vomica, 2 ounces; mix. Dose, teaspoonful
——
eS ie
VETERINARY DEPARTMENT FOR HORSES. . 437
on tongue three times a day. ‘This is very valuable for
any cough. |
CONDITION POWDER.
For general use: Glauber salts, one pound; ginger,
half pound; blood root, quarter pound; powdered golden
seal, quarter pound; powdered licorice, quarter pound;
sulphate of iron, quarter pound; mix thoroughly. Dose,
one tablespoonful once or twice a day, as the condition
may require. This is worth a bushel of the condition
powders you buy.
CLEANSING POWDER.
For general use in all cases of blood disorder, hide-
bound, etc., it is worth its weight in gold: | Spanish
brown, 2 pounds; ginger, I pound; cream tartar, 1 pound;
black antimonia, 1 pound; blood root, % pound; skunk
cabbage, % pound; fenugreek, % pound; worm seed, %
pound; indigo, 4% pound; copperas, 4% pound; salt-peter,
Yy pound; mix thoroughly. Dose, same as the condition
powder. |
DEXTER LINIMENT.
Oil of spike, vil of camphor, oil of stone, oil of British,
oil of America, oil of opodeldoc, each one ounce; turpen-
tine, one pint. This is the best general liniment I ever
knew, either for man or beast, as it is invaluable for heal-
ing galls or sores, either fresh or chronic cases, removing
collar boils, callouses, etc., with horses, and all cuts or
bruises, chapped hands, burns, etc., with the human fam-
ily. Will also remove the soreness of corns or chilblains,
and a great benefit with rheumatism or weak back. In
using it for chapped hands, burns or fresh cuts, take lini-
\
438 VETERINARY DEPARTMENT FOR HORSES.
ment one part, sweet cream, fresh butter or vaseline,
three parts.
HEALING POWDER.
Burned alum, one-half ounce; powdered chalk, I ounce;
pulverized gum camphor, one drachm; calomel, two
drachms; mix. Sprinkle on sore, will heal quickly, and
is good to remove proud flesh. ;
TO PRODUCE PRESPIRATION.
Tincture aconite, in ten to twenty drop doses every
twenty minutes. Clothe warm.
STRAINED STIFLE OR WHIRLBONE.
Fine salt, one tea cup full; ground black pepper, two
ounces; spirits of turpentine, two ounces; white of six eggs.
Mix and apply,.and heat with hot iron until dry.
TO STOP FLOW OF JOINT WATER.
Crocus martis, two ounces; sulphate zinc, one ounce;
molasses, one pint. Use with a swab.
Capped hock— When first injured, apply the cooling lo-
tion every hour for one day, then three times a day for
one week. If of long standing, apply Dexter liniment.
Blisters only aggravate the injury and thicken the skin.
7. foe ii
CANKER, SORE MOUTH AND TONGUE,
‘Inject solution of pulverized borax, alum and _ strained
honey, each one ounce; warm water, one pint, several
times per day, and give condition powders on tongue
twice per day. Another.— Sugar of lead, bole ammoniac,
and burned alum, each four ounces; good vider vinegar,
three quarts; use as a wash twice or three times a. day,
and keep the bit out of the mouth.
SWEATING LININENT.
Take two gallons of mullen leaves and one gallon of
a a eS ee - ——
‘J
2h 4
cde Ms eed
_ SSP tt ee EEE SS
———————
SE
VETERINARY DEPARTMENT FOR HORSES. 439
water. Boil until half gallon of juice is obtained; strain,
to this add one quart of cider vinegar, one half pint salt,
two ounces oil organum, one large beef gall; apply hot.
This is one of the best preparations for injured whirl
bone, or deep seated strains I ever tried; also for caked
bag (garget) with cattle or sheep. When applied, dry
in with a hot iron, or cover with blanket. ‘Che maullen
liquid, vinegar and salt alone is good for swelled or in-
flamed udders.
TONIC PREPARATION.
To make an old horse feel young and nimble, take tinc-
ture of asafetida, cantharides, oil of annis, oil of cloves, oil
of cinnamon, fenugreek, each one ounce, and black anti-
mony, two ounces, put this in two quarts of Brandy, let
stand ten days. Shake well, and give ten drops to every
pail of water. This is better tllan ginger, whip or spur.
Another good one is common soda, one pound; gun
powder, one fourth pound; jimson seed, three ounces;
mix. Dose, tablespoonful once a day for a week, in soft
food. ‘lo prevent driving horses from chilling and con-
tracting cold during the winter, feed them a tablespoonful
of mustard seed twice or three times a week.
CARE OF TAIL AND MANE.
In order to thicken the mane or tail, wash well with soft
water and castile soap, then dampen with common coal
oil, One part, and whiskey two parts. This will prevent
rubbing. Brush often with a soft brush, and see that the
trouble is not caused by hen lice. ‘To make the mane lay
down smooth, or on either side, wet and brush it often,
and plat, or weight it.
| PARTURITION.
The natural presentation in birth of young animals, is
\
440 VETERINARY DEPARTMENT FOR HORSES.
when both foreteet are presented at the same time, with
the head lying extended between them, or when both
hind feet are presented, thus forming a gradual wedge
with an easy delivery, rarely needing any assistance from
man. In some cases one fore foot only is presented, or
the hind foot, or the forefeet may be presented, with the
head turned on the side, over the back, or doubled on the
breast. In cases of this kind assistance is necessary to
save the life of the dam, or at least severe injury. To
give assistance, oil the hand and insert it until the knee or
hock is felt, then partially return, double closely, extracting
the knee or hock, then the foot. When the head is miss-
ing, partially return, until the head can be straitened, then
give assistance, always aiding when the animal strains,
pulling downward as well as backwards. Very frequently
it is necessary to attach a rope to the legs, or a hook in
the eye socket or jaw, in order to give assistance, and
may then take the force of two or three men. When it is
necessary to cut away the limbs in order, to save the dam,
the amputation must be either at the hips or shoulders,
strip away the skin, leaving it attached to the body, the
dissected parts being taken away, the balance will follow
easily.. When it is necessary to turn the young, always
turn down, not up. _ If flooding follows the delivery, apply
cold water to the loins, and give injection of alum water.
If the after birth is retained, oil and insert the hand and
remove it with the fingers, when protrusion of the womb
occurs generally, it turns wrong side out. Wash it off
well in Castile soap and water slightly warm, oil it, then
gently with your fingers, press from the center, constantly
working from outside to center, and it will soon go back
‘VETERINARY DEPARTMENT FOR HORSES. 441
naturally, and in most cases, remain without.any artificial
restraint. Inflammation of the womb.—If this sets in it
will cause shivering fits, and colicky pains, arching of the
loins, vulva red and swollen, accompanied by a fetid dis-
charge. . In cases of this kind the womb is dilated with a
fluid, and highly inflamed. This fluid must be drawn
-with.a.catheter; through which must be injected a wash
-of warm. water, one quart, laudanum, one ounce. When
‘much: fever..prevails give 15 drops of aconite. at a dose
every hour until relief is obtained. |
_ DISEASES ‘OR INJURIES OF COLTS.
Colts : are arobled: more or less with cecal diseases,
‘such as costiveness or diarrhoea, and those of the urinary
organs, and very often prove fatal.’ Treatment: When
colts are only a day or so old, they should be closely
watched to see if their passages are natural. If consti-
pated, take a piece of tallow candle two inches long, point
it and carefully insert it in the anus, or give an injection of
oil; if this fails to give relief give as a drench raw flax
seed oil, one gill; croton oil, five drops. If the bowels are
loose give as an injection, water 4 pint; laudanum, tea-
spoonful; charcoal, tablespoonful; for older colts increase
the dose, give the mother good, sweet food, of the nature
the colt requires. If they cannot pass water give one
tablespoonful of sweet spirits of niter. In case of injury
to the navel by the string being tore off, to close up, caus-
ing the water to leak out, cover the navel with cotton, over
which pour collodion. This will form a coating, and can
be kept in place by a wide muslin bandage being pinned
around the colt, the bandage should be looked after every
day and not be allowed to become very tight. Where the
442 VETERINARY DEPARTMENT FOR HORSES.
navel ~— is not torn off, to close up, tie a string around it.
“WOUNDS OR CUTS. ;
All bad wounds or cuts should..be immediately. setihid
up: This is very easy to-do, by putting a twitch ‘on the
nose of the horse, also hobbles; or by throwing them, then
taking a silk: thread and a spaying needle, and thus close
the wound, then take lard and sufficient turpentine to-cut
it well, take of this one part, Dexter liniment or coal oil
one part, and:keep oiled. This will cause the wound’ :to
slough off, and heal nicely without scarring. Ina great
‘many cases it can be quickly healed with a carbolic wash,
water, one. quart; carbolic acid, one tablespoonful, keep
‘bathed. Or by the use of arnica, which is very valuable,
or vaseline one ounce, carbolic acid, 30 drops.
CHAPTER XXIL
VETERINARY DEPARTMENT FOR CATTLE AND SHEEP.
SORE EYES. —MILK FEVER. — GARGET. — BLACK-LEG. —
_PLEURO PNEUMONIA, ETC.—GRUB.—SCAB.—FOOT. ROT,
ETC., WITH SHEEP.—REMARKS AND REFERENCE.
SORE EYES.
A disease called sore eyes has prevailed to some extent
among the American cattle of late years. The disease
attacks herds very suddenly and without apparent cause,
and seems to be infectious or contagious, both eyes. be-
come very sore, and frequently they go blind in one or
both. It, like the epizootic with horses, spreads through-
out the country and causes considerable of trouble. To
treat this, separate the sound from the unsound and from
the building or yards where the disease has appeared,
Give the affected a half pound of the Scotch powder at a
feed in wet bran once a day, and bathe the eyes with the
arnica wash for the eye. If possible keep the animal in a
dark place during the day, or attach a cloth to the horns
so it will hang down over the eyes. Some bleed below
the eye, or apply a fly blister to the cheek, either, or both
are beneficial. Great precaution should be used to pre-
vent the spreading of this disease among the rest of the
herd, or to the sheep. With common inflammation, or
injure to the eye, with cattle or sheep, treat the same as
‘with horses.
SCOTCH POWDER.
Epsom salts, 3 pounds; soda, 2 pounds; ginger, 1 pound;
charcoal, 2.pounds; sulphate of iron, 1 pound; powdered
444 VETERINARY DEPARTMENT FOR CATTLE AND SHEEP.
resin, I pound; oil meal, 2 pounds; mix thoroughly. Dose,
from ‘one tablespoonful to one-half pound, as directed.
This powder is very valuable to use with all kinds of
stock, with the following diseases: With hor ses, ‘for colds,
distemper, epizootic, urinary trouble or. loss of. appetite.
With cattle for hoven, dry or bloody murrain. With sheep
for hoven, colds, catarrh, or in all cases of.:constipa- —
tion or dysentary trouble, inflammation of the bowels. or
kidneys. Also all milk trouble, such as milk fever, garget,
inflamed bag with any kind of stock, and Bore wef swine
or poultry as a tunic powder. BP a oe):
: -HOVEN.
For hoven with cattle, take a half pint of powdered
charcoal; one tablespoonful of turpentine; and if at hand,
30 drops of aconite; stir in a quart of water and give as a
drench. Hold the meee open with the hand a minute
and the wind will escape as from a bellows. In case ‘the
‘articles named can not be had immediately, give the Scotch
powder, one pint, or the swine tonic powder, one pint, and
the turpentine as directed. For sheep u use the same treat-
ment, only one fourth the amount: |
MILK FEVER -OR GARGET.
Garget, (caked bag) is one of the most common, “dine
eases among cattle, often occurring. in. the spring, just
after calving, or it may be induced by high feeding at
other times, or even when running on good grass later in
the summer, and it may be induced by eftorts to dry. off a
cow too rapidly. Symptoms and treatment:—The;udder
is hot, swollen and very tender. ‘First one teat will become
-hard, then the others. The best remedy is to bathe the
udder frequently with hot vinegar and salt, «ribbing it
VETERINARY DEPARTMENT FOR CATTLE AND SHEEP. 445
gently with the hand, then make a fire with corn cobs. or
chips in an iron pot, take a large cloth, and put one end
around the udder, letting the other end hang down around
the pot, thus smoking it well. One or two applications
will give relief. Give in soft food one half pint of Scotch
or condition powder, or in absence of this, the same
amount of epsom salts once or twice a day until the fever
is reduced, then give less for a day or two as they may
require it. The better plan is to adopt preventive meas-
ures. Examine the udder frequently before calving, and
if it becomes filled with milk it should be drawn out.
Feed the. cow sparingly with fresh hay, and milk her fre-
quently after calving.
Milk fever and its cause.—The conditions under which
milk fever exists, or is caused, are various. The disease
is seldom observed in the cow before the age of five years.
It is more frequently found to attack animals in a plethoric
condition. It more frequently affects the pure breeds than
others, and is also more fatal with them. It seldom occurs
subsequent to three days before calving, but always occurs,
as a rule, after calving, and previous attacks favor its
recurrence. Although the ewe is sometimes afflicted
with the disease, and also the sow, and mare occasionally,
it is more prevalent with the cow than any class of ani-
mals, and undoubtedly is a local inflammation of the
womb, which rapidly extends to other parts until the
entire system is affected, and true puerperal or milk fever
ensues. The animal becomes restless and uneasy, the
eyes are red, the horns and head hot; the cow is irritable,
finally becomes weak in limbs and unable to rise, and
dashes her head about, sometimes with such force as to
(446 VETERINARY DEPARTMENT. ‘FOR ‘CATTLE.AND SHEEE.
- breakher-horns. ~The diseasesis not ito’ be. trifled, with,
and as:soon:as the Symptoms are noticed give one pound
of. epsom. . salts and a pint of raw linseed. oil, ag the
bowels. must be opened, Cover the entire. body with a
wet sheet t or blanket, and give aconite and belladona, 30
drops | ata dose. every, half hour until relief ; is given. “odd
: necessary. repeat the dose of salts and oil in two hours until
relief,j a6: obtained. _ Then feed soft food with the Scotch
powder, as they may require ate okt their bowels are. loose
: and regular, it will. require but little, if not, use it freely.
‘Keep. the milk. drain off by: milking often. . A pint of raw
“Tinseed oil given ‘the day. before calving will prevent this
dreaded disease. Another cure which Mr. William Hart-
ey; of.Wisconsin, says he has used with good success, is
“one: pint: and a halt of lard, one-half pint of coal oil given
with, new milk warm, and repeat in two or three hours. It
has. mever failed to effect a cure in the ten cases which |
have ‘known it to be used.” This, no doubt, is very good
‘and. worth trying, and especially where the other can not
‘be, adopted, as others, as well as ‘Mr. Hartley, say they
have, used it with success.
ABORTION WITH cows.
“Aeyortion; or premature’ birth among cattle is considered
4 disease, but I do not consider it a contagious one. The
“Calf is invariably lost; ‘and not unfrequently the cow. If the
‘cow's survives, ‘she is almost sure to drop her-next calf at
‘about the samme period. Some have great faith in: “preé-
‘venting this, and’ contagious ‘diseases with horses. and -cat-
‘le by: ‘keeping a ‘goat: about the-barn. I have more faith
tin” asafetida® given in ‘doses of ‘a'teaspoonful once’ or twice
“a ‘month. -“A“month before the expected return time, and
“ih Casé one cow loses’ her calf; it may-be wel! to give-other
~~
VETERINARY.DEPARTMENT FOR CATTLE ANDSHEEP. 447
‘ones that are heavy with.calf some attention, for where
this occurs, very often. 1t»is. on account: of some local
‘trouble, and calls for a change of food and care. The
affected: animal should. be removed from the rest of the
herd.as soon as she slinks her calf, as well as s should be
at evidences ‘of the trouble.
. COW POX. |
This Guiendd may appear spontaneously among the cows
.on the farm or in a.neighborhood, or may be communi-
cated. by the hands. of the milkers from one cow to
another. _It seldom ends fatally; but, while it lasts, it may
-occasion considerable inconvenience, on account of the dis-
charges and the inflammation of the bag and teats, which
often occurs in this disease. In the beginning of the dis-
ease, it will be proper to sive soft and cooling food and a
‘laxative of half a pound of epsom salts, or the Scotch
‘powder. Bathe the udder with warm vinegar and salt,
“and ‘smoke as’ for garget. The milk should be drawn
often, and, on account of the great soreness of the teats, as
well as to avoid injuring or breaking the skin, the milk
‘should be withdrawn by means of a milking tube, carefully
“inserted. After the milk is drawn bathe the sores with
“the Dexter liniment, one part, lard, one part, or with raw
‘linseed oil, and to prevent it spreading, always milk the
‘affected cows last; or wash the hands well before milking
“other Cows.’ ’ This is something that is more or less
troublesome in’ “every dairy, or with farmers that keep
’ very many cows.
CHOKE. es
° When an: animal is choked very frequently it can be told
: ener the choke is, by its action. With high choke the
‘animal-holds its head: very high and often strikes with its
448 VETERINARY DEPARTMENT FOR CATTLE AND SHEEP.
front feet, while with low choke it holds its head lower
and keeps more quiet. Treatment: Give as a drench
some oil, then if possible, get the animal to eat some soft
wet food. This will cause it to swallow, and thus often
remove it. If this fails for high choke; very often, if
it is an apple, it can be felt, and mashed by holding some
solid article against it on one side, and striking it with a
mallet on the other side, or by taking the large end of a
buggy whip and fastening a sponge to it, dip this in oil
and push it down the throat. In fact, this is about the
only remedy for low choke. ‘Toprevent choke, be care-
ful in feeding apples, roots or pumpkins, and keep the
cattle out of the apple orchard.
EGAT, SMUT POISON OR MURRAIN.
These diseases are of frequent occurrence with cattle,
and often prove fatal, either by permanent injure or
death. Inthe corn growing districts they occur more fre-
quently in the fall of the year than any other season, and
the probability is, that nineteen out of every twenty of such
cattle so found dead, died from one or both of two promi-
nent causes with which smut was not even remotely con-
nected. One ofthese is the gorging of the animals’ stom-
achs with an enormous quautity of highly stimulating food,
much of it difficult of digestion, directly after their having
been kept on meager, frost-bitten pasturage, or the scant
nourishment of a straw stack, which was to tide them
over from grass to such time as the corn would be out of
the field. | Such a sudden and violent change could
scarcely do otherwise than demoralize the entire digestive. _
system; and death, equally sudden, violent and unlooked ~_
for, ensues. The other promipent cause is the eating E
VETERINARY DEPARTMENT FOR CATTLE ANDSHEEP. 449
largely of dry frosted grass or forest leaves, or -the
woody, fibrous corn stalks and shucks—more especially
the former—later :n the season when the better portion of
the food has been consumed, and but little else remains,
and insufficient water is taken to soften and float it up as
it must be before the processes of digestion can be com-
pleted; the mass comes to a stand-still, owing to impac-
tion, forms a sort of blockade in the manifolds or third
stomach, inflammation sets in and the animal becomes
very sick and often past help.
Treatment: As soon as the trouble is observed, which
can be told by the animal separating from the herd, be-
coming restless, lying down, then arising and moving
slowly about, standing with a staring look, suddenly
starting forward, and in doing so, often fall upon their
Knees. Something must be done immediately if you wish
to save the animal. The first result to be obtained is a
physic. This can be obtained by giving lard, one quart;
raw oil, one pint; or brewers yeast, one quart, or epsom
salts, one pint, dissolved in aquart of warm water. Then
to this add one pint of raw linseed vil, and either prepa-
ration givenas adrench. The latter 1 consider by far
the best. Ifthe animal seems to be suffering with much
pain, give the usual dose of aconite and belladona or twice
the amount of laudanum. In case there is any suspicion
that the other cattle are affected, give the Scotch powder
in soft wet feed twice a day for a day or two, to prevent
any further trouble.
. BLACK-LEG
Is a contagious disease that occurs among young cattle
occasionally, and often destroys whole herds, and spreads
450 VETERINARY DEPARTMENT FOR CATTLE AND SHEEP.
over an entire neighborhood unless such means are used
that will check it. One of the peculiarities of the disease
is that it. generally attacks the most thrifty animals first,
and proves very fatal, the animals often being found déad
in the field before notice has been had of them being sick.
There is no doubt but what it is to some extent, caused
the same cause as murrain. 7 | ’
Symptoms: High fever, lameness, excessive tender-
ness of the skin in spots, with deposits of black tar hke
blood, and gas among the tissues, which gives forth a
crackling sound when the spot is pressed upon by the
hand. ‘The disease takes difterent forms, sometimes a
bloody discharge oozes out of the sore, while again they
dry up and crack open, or it may take an internal form,
with bloody discharges from nostrils, dung or urine, the
same as one: form of the swine disease, and like it, soon
proves fatal. | in aan
Treatment: Like swine fever, cholera in its worst
form, but little can be done for it, except to treat the more
mild cases, and adopt such measures that will prevent its
spreading. Separate the sick from the well ones, and
bury the discharges of the sick, and burn the carcasses of
the dead. Give the well ones soft food twice a day, in
which use the Scotch powder, and some recommend
inserting a seton six inches long from the brisket upward,
both treatments to be discontinued as soon as the danger
is past. Give the affected ones the powder in larger
doses, and also insert the seton wet with turpentine and
bathe the sores or any swollen parts with any good stim-
VETERINARY DEPARTMENT FOR CATTLE AND SHEEP. 451
ulating liniment, and avoid the use of the milk or meat of
all affected animals.
FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASES.
Frequently cattle are troubled with sore feet and
mouths, and become very lame or weak, and, if allowed
to go uncared for. soon depreciate in flesh, or milk, and
in that way proves a loss to their owner. With sore
feet, the animal is generally attacked in the hind feet first,
and they become very sore between the hoofs, and can be
observed by the animal shaking the feet and refusing to
stand upon-them. |
Treatment: Clean and keep dry and apply the wash
the same as for foot rot in sheep, or the Dexter liniment.
Or run boiling hot tar into the sore, repeat every day until
well.
Treatment for sore mouth, the same as for sore mouth
with horses.
PLEURO-PNEUMONIA.
This terrible disease among cattle, which has caused
millions of dollars of a loss among the cattle of some of
the foreign countries, has begun to gain a foot-hold
among the dairy districts of America, and is to be feared
as much, or more, than the swine plague. It is caused
by a paracite germ, the same as contagious diseases, and
by damp, filthy stables and yards, and is very contagious,
and certain death. There seems to be no mode of treat-
ment yet discovered, that proves successful, except to kill
the affected animals and disinfect the stables and premises
thoroughly, then quarantine the farm or neighborhood to
prevent any animals that may have been exposed to the ©
disease from being sent abroad. This is a sensible, effect-
452 VETERINARY DEPARTMENT FOR CATTLE AND SHEEP.
ual and lawful way of contending with this dreaded dis-
ease, and one that should be thoroughly enforced by the
American people before it has gained a strong hold, for
then it may prove too late.
HIDE-BOUND.
With a poor and dilapidated, or hide-bound cow brute,
treat same as for a horse in the same condition. Feed
well with rich soft food, and use twice a day the condi-
tion powders to cleanse the blood, tone the system, and
aid the digestive organs. If in the winter or early spring,
a good warm dry stable will be found to be very beneficial.
URINARY TROUBLE.
Cows are just as much subject 10 urinary trouble as
horses, and can be observed the same way, by their
repeated efforts to stale, but unable to do so. To treat
this give as a drench sweet spirits of niter, one ounce;
water, one pint, and then use the condition powder in soft
feed. :
SCOURS WITH CALVES OR LAMBS.
To check this trouble, take sweet milk, put it over the
fire long enough to come to a boiling heat. Let it cool,
to one gallon of milk, add a cup of wheat flour, one table-
spoonful of ginger, and one fresh egg. Give twice or
three times in one day.
GRUB IN SHEEP.
An intelligent shepherd gives the treatment for this
trouble, which he guarantees to work, if the sheep is not
too far gone: Pour a few drops of turpentine in their
ear, and to prevent this trouble, every year about the first
week in June, tar their noses well, and give them a spoon-
ful internally. Repeat the operation in July, August and
September. If this advice is followed out, there will be
VETERINARY DEPARTMENT FOR CATTLE ANDSHEEP. 453
no trouble withthe grub. For catarrh, use the Scotch
powder once a day for a short time, and give the sheep
good dry quarters and good feed.
THE MAGGOT.
The maggot, so called, is a formidable enemy of the
sheep. The eggs that form them are deposited by the
common blue fy. When sheep are wounded by accident,
or are allowed to become filthy when troubled with diar-
rhoea, the eggs or larva are deposited in vast numbers;
the maggots soon become active, and spreading from
their quarters and attack the skin, which they irritate and
Cause to secrete a serious fluid. In time the skin is
pierced, and the flesh suppurates and wastes away, being
devoured by the multitude of maggots which crawl upon
it. In wet seasons the mischief is greatly increased. To
prevent them it is necessary to carefully remove the wool
from about the tail so that filth may not gather; to watch
for any accidental wound; and in warm wet weather, for
any dirty tags of wool upon which the flies may deposit
eggs. In case any maggots are found, there is no better
application than common crude petroleum and turpentine,
both of which are repulsive and fatal to fly and maggot.
A sheep that is “struck” with maggots will remain sepa-
rate from the flock, and may be lost sight of unless the
flock is counted and the straggler found. Weaning time,
when the ewes may suffer from caked udder, is an espec-
ially critical period, and then extra watchfulness is called
for, and the udder should be bathed with lard and camphor.
SCAB IN SHEEP.
Scab or itch with sheep is a contagious disease that
shepherds have to contend with in all sheep growing dis-
454 VETERINARY DEPARTMENT FOR CATTLE AND SHEEP.
tricts. It can first be observed by the sheep rubbing
against any projecting body within reach. As it becomes
worse, the sheep bite and scratch themselves until they
become raw in places. Upon examination, white or hard
spots will be found, often from which a yellow substance
oozes out, and adheres to the wool. There is no treat-
ment that will prove effectual, except one that will destroy
the parasite and its eggs, and the best treatment for this
is a strong decoction of tobacco and sulphur, used as a dip
or wash at blood heat. This, if thoroughly applied once
or twice is an effectual remedy. And with small flocks
where they can be handlea, the mixture of lard, coal oil
and carbolic acid as spoken of in this work, [page 431,
Surfeit-Mange,] will effect a cure very quick.
In making the tobacco mixture, good tobacco should be
used, either the stems or the entire plant, and the mixture
should be made moderately strong, with both tobacco and
sulphur. It is utterly needless for a carelesss sheep owner
or superintendent to attempt to cure scab, or any other
contagious disease with animals, but those however, who
will take the necessary pains, can always exterminate
most any disease. To rid the flock or herd of any con-
tagious disease, tlie diseased, dead or dying should be
destroyed by burying deep or burning them, and the
premises as thoroughly renovated as possible. Ticks on
sheep can be destroyed by the aforenamed treatments.
HOOF OR FOOT ROT.
Hoof or foot rot in sheep is another very contagious
disease that sheep men have to contend with, and which
is very hard to exterminate. It maintains itself year after
year alike on wet or dry land, and cannot be eradicated ex-
VETERINARY DEPARTMENT FOR CATTLE AND SHEEP. 455
cept with considerable labor and skill. Anyone buying
sheep should always be on guard for this annoying and
contagious disease, and upon no consideration whatever,
allow sheep brought upon the farm that are effected with
it; or that shows lameness. To cure this disease, clean
and pare the feet thoroughly, and apply the tobacco and
vitrol treatment with a mop, or prepare a sufficient quan-
tity ina long narrow trough and walk them through it.
Keep the feet clean and dry, and repeat the operation
once or twice within a week. The preparation of the foot
is just as essential as the remedy, fur if every part of the
disease is not laid bare the remedy will not effect a cure.
The solution of strong blue vitrol and tobacco made as hot
as the hand can be born in, having the liquid three or four
inches deep, or deep enough to cover all the affected parts;
then hold the diseased foot in this liquid long enough to
penetrate to all the diseased parts. Put the sheep ona
dry barn floor a few hours to give it a chance to take
effect. ‘This remedy is said to be a dead shot when the
foot is thoroughly prepared.
Fields that diseased sheep have been running in should
not be used for sheep for some time, and are best culti-
vated before being used for that purpose again. Preven-
tion is better than cure, and the diseases and parasites to
which sheep are subject can be prevented more easily than
they can be cured after they once commence their dep-
redations on the flock. Want of care is the prolific cause
of accident and disease among stock. The master’s
eye or the owner’s solicitude are proverbially preventa-
tives against trouble or waste; but if the master or the
456 VETERINARY DEPARTMENT FOR CATTLE AND SHEEP.
owner will not trouble themselves to exercise the watch-
ful care needed, we may be sure no one else will.
In closing this work I respectfully invite all honest crit-
icism, as well as correspondence and patronage, and will
refer you to a few of the many I have worked for, or sold
my work to as reference, and as they belong to the enter-
prising stock growing people of this sient they can be
relied upon.
PRACTICAL EXPLANATIONS OF . HOG
CHOLERA—SWINE FEVER.
SPECIAL NOTES.
In order to more plainly explain what hog cholera—
swine fever is,.what causes it, how it is transmitted from
one hog or place to another, and in support of my treat-
ment, that I know to be correct, I will here give the an-
swers to a few questions so frequently asked:
Question.— What is hog cholera?
Answer.—Hog cholera—swine fever is a lung, kidney,
liver and intestinal disease.
Q.— What causes it? They are not all sick alike.
A.—It is caused by a parasitic germ, the same as Asi-
atic Cholera, or typhus or typhoid fever with the human
family or epizootic and pneumonia with other stock. (See
page 155.) These germs do not attack any particular
part.of the system, but. only work upon the weak organs,
hence the different stages of the disease. The lungs are
invariably more or less. affected. A diseased lung indi-
cates a diseased liver or kidney, therefore the hog walks,
as well as breathes, with difficulty... If the digestive
organs are impaired, then the disease takes the intestinal
form. which may cause constipation or diarrhoea, and
inflammation. and. ulceration takes place. which causes
death. When these organs are diseased, that shows that
the blood isimpoverished, and then the disease may pro-
duce blood poison, scrofula, and in certain stages what is
called measles.
Q.—How is it transmitted from one hog to another?
A.—Principally by the well hogs coming in contact with
458 PRACTICAL EXPLANATION OF HOG CHOLERA.
the passages of the sick. The poisonous matter is in the
urine, manure‘and where the hog vomits. There is also
danger in allowing the well to sleep with the sick, as the
poisonous matter is in the place inhabited; therefore the
necessity of separating the well from.the sick, and putting
them in a clean place, and treating them in an open lot,
instead of in a pen, or when the weather or circumstances
are such that they have to be put ina pen, that the pen
be kept clean, and disinfectants be used.
Q.—Can well hogs in one field take the disease from
sick ones in another field, by breathing through the fence.
A.—No, the atmosphere takes up the germs and de-
posits them on the dew of the grass, or in some other way
that they are taken into the system with the food or drink.
This is why the disease breaks out in herds or localities
where there is no accounting for it, and why herds often
escape when thus located.
Q.— Why is it that a change of location will cee
arrest the disease?
A.—Simple enough, the change gets the hogs away
from the affected place, and the exercise and probable
change of food they receive causes a greater discharge of
the passages, thus working the poisonous matter out of
the system. (See page 197.)
Q.—-Can the disease be carried from one place to another
on the boots or clothes-of persons, as is claimed by some?
A.—Undoubtedly; also by dogs, buzzards, streams, etc.,
as explained in this work, page 156.
Q.—Why are hogs more subject to disease than other
animals?
A.—The hog, according to its size, requires more Oxy-
gen, pure air, than any other animal. We know it car-
PRACTICAL EXPLANATION FOR HOG CHOLERA. 459 |
ries its nose closer to the ground than any other domestic
animal, inhabits more filthy quarters, eats all refuses, and
therefore is more subject to malarial fever or contagious
diseases. Often it is noticeable that with sick hogs the
symptoms are very similar to those of ague with people, —
and that it occurs more in low or level, than in highlands. _
Q.—Is there any difference in the swine disease: in the |
Eastern and Western states? Bs poet
A.—No, only in the West, on account of the country
being newer and hogs more plentiful, being kept in larger
herds and receiving less attention, the disease assumes a
more malignant form, and spreads more Je pee (See’
page 162.) 3 | .
Q.—Does worms, lice or black teeth cause cholera?
A.—No; worms only accumulate in a eran organ.
[See pages 163 and 204.] The accumulation of lice, or
with sore teeth only, shows the system is otherwise
impaired. |See pages 206-8. |
Q.—Will smut poison hogs?
A.—No. [See page 208.]
Q.—Did the Government or any state ever offer a
reward for a cure for hog cholera?
A.—No, nor not likely to. [See page 214.]
Q.—Well, is there any cure that will save all the sick?
A.—No; nobody but frauds and quacks talk that; but
itis as curable as any fatal disease with any other-stock or
the human family.
Q.—Are the hogs any account after they are cured? _
A.—Yes, with my mode of treatment. Iso thoroughly
renovate the entire system that they are just as good as
if they never were sick. But hogs that never receive no
400) PRACTICAL .EXPLANATION OF HOG CHOLERA,
treatment when sick, are neither fit for meat nor breeders,
as the disease is transmitted.
Q.—-Is there any. way. to. prevent this disease?
A.— Yes; study, this book carefully and follow its instrue-
tions;.and give the: hogs. every’ week,. once or:twice, the
tonic powder ‘as: given.in my recipe, and they will seldom
die.of any disease, and swine raising can be made a success.
This remedy acts as a stimulant to. the entire system,
keeps the organs healthy and the blood pure, prevents any
clogging or souring of the stomach, stimulates the biliary
organs and aids digestion, thus removing the prime causes
of. all. diseases, and promoting perfect health. It will
cause hogs to fatten much faster, saving time and feed,
and also prevent their. rooting,,as it supplies the antidote
that instinct teaches them to hunt. It thus rids the system
of any parasite or disease, making the meat perfectly
healthy for use.
This alone should induce every farmer to take care of
his hogs, and not only produce healthy meat for his own
use, but for that of his fellow men, for it has been practi-
cally demonstrated by eminent physicians, that diseased
pork has caused consumption in the United States to in-
crcase ten-fold in the past ten years, and is also well known
that there is:at least’ one-third less pork consumed, than
than there would be, on account of diseased hogs.
N..B.—The author; in:publishing this work, intended to
have the swine treatise in German as well.as English, but
upon further consideration, concluded it was not necessary,
as there are but few families but what can read English.
PUBLISHERS:
ALPHABETICAL INDEX.
SWINE DEPARTMENT.
Author’s Treatment—why it is a
success ; 197
And special notes : 457
Authors propositions 215
Berkshires : 14
Best Breed : 19
Boar—his care 24, 38 and ae
Breeding time 27
Buying breeders 77 to 79
Butchering 117 to 130
Breeds—cholera proof 149
Blind staggers 202
Blood poison 208
Black teeth 208
Chester whites 10
Chinese hog . :
Corn—its value as food 20 aud 66
Cooking food 36 and 67
-Castrating pigs 51
Commence teeding corn 63
Color—its value 81 and 97
Cross hogs 107
Cutting up hogs 124
Cutting and curing meats .
126 to 130
Confining hogs 5 and 152
Cough 186
Cholera, what is it . 457
Dead hoes : yy. £08
Disinfectants 169 and 170
Drenching 187 and 188
Durocks—Jersey Red 13
Essex . , ‘ 17
Errors in feeding 150
Exposure to disease 157
External application 189
Explanation of Cholera
155 ard 457
First disease : : : 5
Fattening swine 56 to 73
Fine stock breeding 84
Feed or swill fur sick hogs 183
Founder ; : 202
Frosted hogs 207
Germ—theory 6, 164 and 197
Government inv estigations
159 to 171
Grass for hogs . 105
How many litters a year 28 to 37
How much pork will a
bushel of corn make 66
How to forma breed 95
Houses or pens for hogs
131 to 145
Importations of swine : o
Improvement of swine 5 a
Improve your stock 90 to 97
Inbreeding et
Injections 188
Incurable cases 195
Jersey Red —Durock 13
Judging hogs : ; a ee
Kidney disease ; 201
Killing hogs 117
Lungs—how effected 161 and 200
Loval diseases 199
Lice. 206
Magie hog 3 10
Mixed husbandry 37-59
Meats—how tocure . 126
Medicine—see recipe or 185-6
Medicine—directions repeat-
ed ; : 194
Mange 205
Poland China : 10
Pigs, wintering them ee
Pigs—robbiny each other 44
_ Pigs, their care 43 to 55
Pedigreed swine 74 and 97
Pools or streams »-» 166
Pens—their objections 193
Practica! ex planation of chol-
era 5 457
Pneumonia—lung fev er 200
Piles ; : ; : 203
Registers 76
Roots and Vegetables 99 to 106
Ringing hogs ‘ ; 106°
Rack for hanging hogs 121
Rheumatism liniment 190
462
Rheumatism 202
Remarks a1
Suffolk ; 16
Swine breeding : es a
Selecting breeders : 2a
Sows—breeders—their care
39 to 43
Sows—pure bred 85 to 87
Show pens 78 and 88
Stock catcher 108
Swine disease—prevailing
causes ; 158 to 157
Straw—manure and dust iiss:
Swine disease—its infectious
or contagious character
155 to 158
Swine disease—its treatment
174 to 198
Swine disease—explanation 457
Sort the hogs ‘ ; 181
Swill, how to prepare it 183
Sows with pig 162
Sore throat—diptheria 200
Snuffles with pigs . ‘ 203
Sweating pigs : 204
Scours . 204
Trichinae ae to 117
Troughs for hogs : 146
~ Theoretical ideas 171
‘Tonic powder, see receipe, or 191
_ Thumps ; ; LOS
Victorias : : 15
Vicious sows : : -w TOY
Wintering pigs By
Weaning pigs 54
Wheat for hogs :
Worms—Intestine and lung
152, 163 and 204
Yorkshire 16
POULTRY DEPARTMENT.
Cholera 255
Dominicks 239
Ducks. 249
Diseased poultry 254
Eggs, how to preserve them 245
Eggs, their weight 246
Feeding fowls 236
Fattening turkeys 253
ALPHABETICAL INDEX.
Geese. : : a
Houses for poultry : 242
Improve your fowls —
Investments 230
Incubators 235
Improved fowls 225
Light Brahmas yar
Lice ; 246
Nests for hens 239
Plymouth Rock 229
Poultry 1n garden ‘ . 241
Raising poultry 221 to 226
Roup : : 258
Selections ot fowls 232
Sunflower seed 242
Sick fowls, how to tell them 255
Turkeys : 252
Treatment of diseases—see
recipe and page 157-8
SHEEP DEPARTMENT.
Breeding information 265
Breeding for profit 274
Coupling season 267
Cotswolds 271
Care and feed 275
Care—things to remember 278
Constipation : . 248
Ewes—their care ‘ ; 268
Feed and care : : Ree
Foot rot 454
Garget — 444
Grub : - 452
Hamshiredowns Ft
Hoven 444
Lambs—their care 269
Lambs—weaning 270
Mutton Breeds 270
Merino po
Milk fever 444
Maggots . 453
Ram—his care ; 267
Ram, how to select him 268
Sheep hu sbandry 261
Southdowns pop
Scours 452
Scab 456
Wool growers 262
ALPHABETICAL INDEX 463
CATTLE DEPARTMENT. Stock raising . : ~ 303
| Scours ‘ . 452
Aberdeen---Angus ogg Urinary trouble . 452
Alderney . ; : . 291 Water : . - 309
Ayrshire : . : 292
Abortion. 446 HORSE DEPARTMENT.
Breeders, how to select . 297
Bull, hiscare . 310 Ancient horse ‘ 342
Butter making : : 334 American trotter 7 348
Butter packing . . . 337 Bellfounder, Imp . 353
Blackleg é 3 ‘ 449 Bashaws ; : oo7
Cattie industry : : . 284 Breeding a science . 365
Controling influence . . 298 Breeding rules : Ee
Cows, noted milkers . 292 Breeding errors : 368
Cows, thei care. 311 + Blue bull BH |
Cows, how to judge them. 324 Brain fever, blind staggers 425
Cows, how to buy . 326 Bone or bog spavin : 427
Cows, how to feed and milk 331 _ Boils, collar, ete : 432
Cows, stabled . ‘ 327 Canadian Kanuck ; . 342
Cow pox ea : : 447 Clays , ; 357
Calves, removing _, . 314 Clydesdales . : . -362
Calves, first year . : 315 Colts 2 : : 399
Calves—scours A : 452 Colts, weaning 3 : 400
Shoke . < . : . 447 Colts, castrate j . 401
Dairying. : ; : 321 Care of horses . ; 402
Dairy cattle ; : . 022 Colts, shoeing . ; 407
Feeding cattle : ‘ 305 Colts, education. 410
Feet---Sore ‘ F . 451 Colic, spasmodic and Flatu-
Galloways : : : 288 ,. lent ; : . 419
Gurnseys ; : . 291 Congestion ? 422
Garget < : : 444 Colds, rit age ; . 423
Herefords é 288 Curbs : , 427
Holstein---Holland Se Cribbing ? : . 428
Handling stock 299 Cooling lotion . : 434
Heifers, wnat age to calve 317 Callouses 435
Hoven ; . 444 Colts, diseased or injured 441
Hide-bound : 452 Cuts--wounds ; 442
Influence of parents . 298 Drait horses ; ; 380
Inbreeding ; ; 301 Diseases, how observe . 418
Jerseys 3 391-2 and 323 Dysentry or scours ‘ 420
Milking, improper , 313. Distemper : . 423
Milkers, unruly ; . 319 English cart 362
Milk fever ; ; 444 Education of horses 408 and 414
Murrain : : . 448 Epizootic—Pinkeye . 424
Polled Angus A ; 288 Eye wash ; ; 433
Pleuro-pneumonia 2 451 Eye, cataract : . 434
Shorthorns : . 284 Feet, paring ; 2 407
Steers, large , 296 ‘Fistula 426
Show herds : . 3800 Feet, injured, dressing 429
Sore eyes : ~ : 443 Founder : 430
Scotzh powder 443. Footoil . : . 435
464 : ALPHABETICAL INDEX.
General purpose hor-e rt Sion: aeOl Swat West” 426
Grooming horses : . 404 Powders, worm, cough and
Glanders ; : 425 fever : , : . 436
Grease heel : : . 428 Powders, condition and
Galls, harness, etc é . 432 cleansing ; 5 . 437
Giving birth . . ; 439 Powder, healing : 438
Heaves . 3 ; . 425. Perspiration, how produce 438
Hide-bound 4 : 432 Parturition, giving birth 439
Joint water . t -. 438 Rysdyks, Hambletonian . dol
Kidneys— inflammation . 422 Ringbone : : : 427
Lunys—inflammation . . 421 Shire horses . : ' . 062
Lampas . : ‘ 428 Speed necessary. ; 069
Legs, swelled : ; . 431 Standard bred ; é 370
Lice ° ; ; 432 Saddle horses ... . 389
Leg or body wash , . 434 Stallion, management . 989
Liniment, cataract ' 434 Stallion, education : o91
Liniment, May apple . 435 Stallion, effect ot age . 396
Liniment, corrosive ; 436 Shoeing : ‘ ‘ 405
Liniment, Dexter : . 437 Scours 2 ; . 420
Messenger, in:ported ; 049 Staleing, profuse ; . 422
Messenger’s sons, ete . 300 Spavin : : Re
Mamorino Chief. . . 93804 °#Scratches , ; : 428
Mambrino Hambletonian 355 Sweeney . ng
Morgan family ; : 306 Sprained tendons : . 431
Messenger Durock : 308 | Surtfeit : 431
Mares, to be tried . 392 Sprained stifle or whatebone 438
Mares, uncertain breeders 393 Sore mouth and tongue 438
Mares, number served . 394 Thoronghbred horse . 344
\iares, their'care:.... 3 396 Trotting in 2:14 or less . 315
Mange : . : ete Trotting all distances See
Normans . ! ‘ ; 361 Trotting to wagon : Roy be
Pilat : : ; . 3348 Trotting doube . ; O19
Patchers . : : ; oof = Trotting, running mate . 3/9
Pacing element . . 808 Timidity with horse . 413
Popular sires ! 370 'Thoroughpins . 427
Pacing in 2:14 or less eee. Uae. : 429 and 435 !
Pacing, all distances : 377 Tonic preparation , . 439
Pacing, all ways .. . of9 Tail and mane care 4a
Preventives to avoid - Wind sucking f . —. aa
accidents ‘ : . 414 Wolf teeth : . -oae
Pneumonia ‘ : 421 W hirlbone, sprained A 438
Pinkeye ? 424. Wounds, cuts ‘ ee 2 7
REMARKS AND REFERENCES.
I am aware that a few books and a great many recipes and medi-
cines for the cure and prevention of hog cholera—and their similar
diseases, have been offered to tothe public; but few of them any
good, and some of them extensive frauds, but what more could we
expect? The excessive demand itself would cause this. And then
there are few who have made the diseases of swine a special study,
and fewer yet who have made their treatmenta profession, therefore
we could not expect niuch else but failures.
In offering this work to the public, which contains my Swine
Treatise in ful!, in its improved form, as well as the formulas for the
medicines I sell to dealers, which are extensively sold and highly
endorsed, I honestly believe it will give universal satisfaction and
fill a long telt want, for the following reasons :
Ist. It is the only treatise ever published by any one who has
made the diseases of swine and poultry a special study, and their
treatment a profession.
2d. Itis not based on theory, but the work of many years ot hard
study, long experience and an extensive practice.
3d. Itis a plain, practical common sense treatment, that the gen-
eral farmer or stock handler can understand and successfully use.
4th. The drugs that I use are cheap and can be had at. any com-
mon drug store. although I do not use anv copperas, sulphur, ginger,
pepper, arnica, saltpeter, lime, venetian red, tobacco, coal oil or cas-
ter oil, which constitute most all hog remedies.
5th. The explanations given in this work, as to what hog chakeee
is, what causes it, and how it is transmitted from one hog or place
to arother is based upon scientific principles, and I believe will be
admitted to be correct when studied.
6th. That my method of treatment is correct and my remedies ef-
fectua!, I will respectfully submit the following references, and
ean furnish hundreds of others if necessary. J. B. SHOOK.
REF RKRENCKHS.
—_—_—eeOowTCOoOCO
Jamestown, O., Aug. 21, 1884.
To whom it may concern :—This is to certify, that in addition to
my law practice, I ran a large farm and haye had considerable ex-
perience and observation in the use of Shook’s Hog Cholera Remedy,
and can say that if the directions are followed, it will do just what is
claimed for it, and that Mr. J. B. Shook is agentleman in every sense
of the term. W. A. PAXSON,
| Attorney-at- Law.
JAMESTOWN, O., Aug. 20, 1884.
Mr. J. B. Shook, Cireleville, O.: Dear Sir —Please send me some
advertising matter; we are having a heavy trade with your medicine;
have sold over 1,000 pounds in the last four months. Will be able
to work up quite a trade now. R. B. STRONG,
3 Druggist.
JAMESTOWN, %., Jan. 25, 1885.
Mr. J. B. Shook, Circleville, O.: Sir—Send me two dozen. pamph-
lets and receipts as per contract. I sold 125 of your Swine Treat-
ise last season in this, Green county, and have no trouble with them. —
They give good satisfaction and I can send you all the recommenda-
tions you want. I expect.to do well this season, if I have time to
look after it. If I can, I shall canvass the county this year, as I have
never introduced the work very far from home, though I have sold
185 of your treatises in .he county, and as to the medicine, I have ~
kept no account, but the sales have been very large.
LISBON TURNER.
N. B.—Mr. Turner and Strong bought the right of Green county of |
me, and to say it paid them well is putting itin a mild form, and
that my treatment has given satistaction the sales and remarks will
show, as while I was visiting the Jamestown fair, Mr. John W.
Smith, a heavy feeder and shipper of hogs, said, ‘‘your remedy ie all
that is claimed of it. -I have been using it overa year, and I not
only keep my own hogs healtny with it, but I have frequently
bougnt diseased hogs, taken them home and cured them without
losing any, aud made plenty of money on them. Every man should
make use of it, then we would not be troubled with this hog disease.”
During the day a great many men_spoke to me, as to my Swine treat-
ise, and praised it highly, among whom was Mr. P. O. Johnson, Mr.
Ryle Fornosdon, Mr. John Blakely, Mr. B. Rittenhouse, Creamer
Bros. and others. |
i
! (Sa % ‘received and given a trial. Lam much pleased with it as it seems to
REFERENCES.
| Wicnira, Kas., April 22, 18835.
ic ae “Mr. J. B. Shook, Circleville, O.: Dear Be Your treatise for Swine
te wg be all you recommend it for sick hogs. ALFRED JOHNSON.
| he _ _ The following June Mr. J ohnson writes, “we are using your pre-
3 ventative with great success.” August 12th following he writes,
“your remedy as a preventative or cure is a success. Please give me
the price of this county, and what you will furnish the books for, as
my son wishes to work it.”
| Fuint, Micu., Feb. 6, 1883.
Mr. J. B. Shook, Circleville, O.: Sir— Having thoroughly tested
your medicine for ‘hogs, as well as the treatise 1 bought of you for
swine diseases and their prevention, I am satisfied you havea ais
.¥ ‘ eawork and I will now buy the right of this county of you.
Yours, J. W. FOSTER.
PLAINWELL, Micu., Jan. 24, 1883.
Mr. J. B. Shook, Circleville, O.: Dear Sir—Enclosed find $5.00 for
é ‘ oi send me the worth of in your Hog Remedy.
+
Januarv 29, 1883.—Medicine received and being used with good
: “results. Enclosed find $5.00 again for which send me the worth of
+ in medicine.
January 30.—Medicine is giving good satisfaction. Send me the
y ia e. LEVI ARNOLD.
Puan City, O., Aug. 20, 1883.
Mr. James Mitchell, in paying me for over 100 head of hogs I
treated for him, and Mr. John Dodge for 40 or more, said: ‘Weare
K __-well satisfied with your work, ana that you understand your busi-
__ness.”’ These gentlemen, as well as some of their neighbors, bought
my treatment and have always spoke well of it.
AsHMORE, ILL., June 16, 1884.
Pe.
ee Mr. J. B: Shook, Circleville, O.: Dear sir—En: ee find ten ($10)
ke: dollars tor which send me your treatise on disexsed hogs. I have
; tried your medicine and consider it very reliable.
Heys GEORGE W. OLMSTEAD.
alee
ra - *
Pipeer Ciry, Itu., Dec. 4, 1884.
To whom it may concern:—This is to certify that J. B. Shook, of
a | Circleville O., came here to look after our diseased hogs. He was
MBB. - -REFERENCES.
highly recommeded to me by responsible parties in Ohio, and any —
guarantee he makes I will be responsible for. Iam using his treat-
ment and am well satisfied with it. JOHN A. MONTELIUS.
: Piper City, Int., Dec. 18, 1884.
. Mr. J. B. Shook: Sir—After giving your Swine Remedy a fair
trial I am satisfied itis the thing and will cure or prevent the dis- —
eases of swine. I had tried several high priced hog remedies, but
yours excels themall. I want your treatment. JOHN BURGER.
PIPER Crry, Inu., Feb. 16, 1885.
Mr. J. B. Shook:—Your Swine Treatment is well liked here.
Please send it to me for my brother. Enclosed find contract and
money. The hogs you treated here done well, and I hear of no
complaint. I think your work will sell well here now.
PETER MILLER.
Sater, O., Sept. 24, 1884.
Mr. J. B. Shook: Sir—My hogs are now all right. Out of the 150
I treated under your directions, I only lost two small pigs. Please
call and see me before you leave Venice, as | want to purchase a
right of you. H. W. SCOTT.
Venice, BurteR Co., O., Oct. 3, 1884. |
To whom it may concern:—This is to certify that J. B. Shook, of
Circleville, O., has been making his headquarters here ior some
three weeks, for the purpose of treating diseased hogs. He has been
able to make his word good in doing all he claimed he could do, and
myself and the people hereabout are well satisfied that he under-
stands his business. FRANK OCH.
a
| VENICE, O., Oct. 4, 1884.
Mr. J. B. Shook:—The 60 head‘ of diseased hogs I treated under
your advice are nowall right. They recovered quick with the loss
of but one. 1 beg pardon for talking to you as I did at first, for you
know we have been abused so much that I was discouraged, ‘but
when’you offered to do all that was right, I concluded a man must
be very foolish to let his hogs die and not try your treatment, and I
am glad I took your advice. If you ever come this way call and see
me. ORIN BROWN.
CIRCLEVILLE, O., July 23, 1885.
Mr. J. B. Shook:—t have edvefully read your Saale and can cheer-
fully recommend it to farmers and all breeders of swine, poultry and
other stock. I would not do without it for twice what it costs. I
used your receipt jor hog cholera-swine fever in my herd of over 100 ~
head, which were attac ked during the last year, and it gave good
satisfaction. Yours, very respectfully
WILSON DRESBACH.
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