498 FARMERS' INSTITUTES. 



a profit, even on high priced lands of Michigan, from high priced animals, 

 and in the present depressed state of the beef trade. He did not believe in 

 specialties but in mixed farming. In this way he thought the problem of 

 getting money out of farming could be solved. 



He was opposed to trying to breed a general purpose cow. He would 

 breed some line of animals for beef and another line for milk, but would 

 not try to get both qualities in one breed of animals. 



Dr. M. Miles: As to mixed husbandry, the argument is not mainly to 

 avoid having all your eggs in one basket, but to keep the residues on the 

 farm. 



Stolen crops that grow vigorously late in the fall and early in the spring 

 like rye, save elements of plant growth that would otherwise be washed out 

 and lost. 



DEVONS THE BEST BREED OF CATTLE FOR MECOSTA COUNTY. 

 By John R. Snyder, Big Rapids February 8, 1889. 



To combine all the good qualities of all separate breeds of cattle is impos- 

 sible, but as the breed that combines the most of the good qualities of all we 

 think the Devons will carry the palm. While the Jerseys would equal them 

 as butter producers, in other particulars they would come far short. The 

 Holstein for cheese, the Durhams for beef and other breeds might excel them 

 in other particular lines; but the many good qualities of the Devon cattle 

 combine to make them the best suited to this locality of variable climate for 

 general use. Their extreme hardiness, docility, the quantity and quality of 

 their milk and butter, a quality of beef exceeding that of any other breed 

 and their superiority as work oxen are acknowledged by all. Professor 

 Youatt gives the highest rank to the Devons as work oxen, and our own 

 experience bears out his opinion. While some may contend that the Durham 

 or Holstein would be the most profitable on account of their being so much 

 larger and so making more beef, I would answer that we cannot compete 

 with the South and West in raising beef, as it costs us too much to mature 

 cattle here. A review of the Chicago markets shows that while we sold our 

 beef dressed for four cents per pound, those western stock raisers realized 

 live weight five to six cents per pound, and too, they can place four to five 

 in market where we do one, and at about the same cost of production. 

 Hon. John Wentworthof Chicago kept Durhams, Devons and Jerseys; of the 

 Devons he says, ' ' They are the hardiest cattle in the world and the greatest 

 favorites in cold climates ***** ^he cows continue 

 -their milk all winter out-doors, their thick coat of hair is impervious to 

 storms, they are in every sense of the word the poor man's cattle." 



Mr. Williams: I bought three years ago two registered Devon calves for 

 $50 and can make more butter and beef per ton of feed than you can make 

 from any other breed. 



Mr. Escott: I like the Durhams better, since the end of all cattle is 

 beef, and when you come to beef the Devons are too small. 



Mr. Williams : Most people prefer Durhams because they have never had 

 anything else. Give them a Devon and it will convert them. 



Mr. Escott: I have seen them, and they are very pretty and fat and 

 nice, but they are too small. 



