FARMERS' INSTITUTES. 139 



large, the increase in population has also been large, and larger quanti- 

 ties of beef will be consumed. Add to this the fact that the working 

 people are consuming much more beef than during the past number of 

 years on account of having more work to do at better wages. With the 

 same financial policy as existing at present, if continued, there is much 

 encouragement for the production of beef cattle, and that farmer is wise 

 who devotes more time and land in the future to stock growing and less 

 to the production of cheap wheat. 



While some of the thoughts presented are not particularly germane 

 to simply fattening steers, I have presented them as worthy of consider- 

 ation in calling attention to the necessity of changing a system of farm- 

 ing that is robbing the fertility of our soils in too much grain growing. 

 The Superintendent of Institutes wrote me to present some of my latest 

 thoughts on the subject, which seemingly gave me a latitude that I have 

 improved. 



In the production of beef the aim. should be to produce the highest 

 quality and largest quantity in the least space of time with the least 

 expense in food. To accomplish this object three requisites at least are 

 necessary: First, Steers that are high grades from among the best beef 

 breeds. Shorthorn, Angus or Hereford. Second, How shall they be fed, 

 grown and fattened? Third, Who shall feed and care for them? 



As this paper applies more particularly' to the ordinar}^ farmer, the 

 method suggested should appl}^ equally to a smaller or larger number of 

 steers. The calves should be dropped in the fall during the months of 

 September or October. The calves can be fed millv until grass comes 

 the next spring and be of an age to wean with good results. As the 

 winter markets for beef are better, as a rule, than summer or fall mar- 

 kets, it will give plenty of time to have them in prime condition at the 

 age of thirty or more months. The calf should become a steer at the 

 age of two months or less. He should be fed whole or new milk for 

 three or four weeks. Then skim milk should be fed once a day for a 

 couple of weeks, when it should comprise all the milk fed. At this 

 age the calf will eat some hay and grain. I find it a good plan to feed 

 skim milk three times per day, warmed if the weather is cold, and a 

 little grain twice per day, consisting of wheat bran and oats mixed, in- 

 creasing the amount gradually as age and condition require. For the 

 first twenty months the aim sliould be to get a good, substantial growth, 

 with a proper amount of flesh. The steer should be heavier at night 

 than in the jjreceding morning. When weaned he should have good 

 pastures, with access to pure water, and grain, corn and oats if neces- 

 sar}'. In order to keep up the every day growth when pastures get 

 poor, he should be fed plenty of corn fodder, which any farmer may have 

 if he desires. The second winter the steer should be kept growing, 

 grain enough being fed to keep in good flesh. I would feed corn two 

 parts, oats one part, ground, in such quantities as a prudent feeder 

 should deem necessary. The roughage should be corn stalks, hay, straw, 

 etc. Good comfortable stables are a necessity. The last ten or twelve 

 months more corn, less other feed, the idea being to lay on flesh as fast 

 as possible until fit for the higher prices. Here is where the third 

 necessity comes in, the feeder. He should be able to regulate the ration, 

 know the needs of each animal fed and try and supply them. 



Mr. Gilletts, one of Illinois' most successful feeders of highly finished 



