26 AGRICULTURAL REPORT. 



CONDITION OF FAKM-ANIMALS. 



The losses of the year 1872, through neglect and severity of the win- 

 ter in the western plains and mountains, where provision for shelter and 

 feed is not usually made, were greater than usual in the Southern 

 States, Kansas, Nebraska, V\"yoiniug, and Northern Colorado. Winters 

 exceptionally severe, and storms of comparative severity, which occur 

 every winter, should be met with adequate provision in all stock-grow- 

 iug regions. "NVhile pecuniary considerations appear to govern the 

 actions of farmers in the care of dumb brutes committed to their jivo- 

 tection, it is hoped that no respectable stock-grower will disregard 

 the common dictates of humanity, in his treatment of his dependents. 

 A close view of the subject will show that its monetary and merciful 

 aspects are usually in harmony 5 and a man, who is a man indeed, 

 will be willing to make some pecuniary sacrifices, in emergencies, rather 

 than subject his farm-stock to avoidable suifering. We have become 

 so accustomed to reckoning upon an annual loss of millions of dollars, 

 from lack of food and shelter in periods of storm and cold, that we are 

 apt to look upon it as an unavoidable calamity, and a necessary draw- 

 back to the profits of stock-growing. 



Horses and mules, the most valuable class of domestic animals, receive 

 more uniformly the requisite care and protection than other stock. If 

 hay is scarce the deficiency is usually made good by extra supplies of 

 grain ; and yet the colts and young horses of thinly-settled States are 

 often left to the same chances for j)astnrage, and shelter from the rigors 

 of winter, that are the lot of the less valuable stock of the range. 

 With the exception of suffering from the severity of the winter among 

 this class of unstabled horses, mainly in the milder climates of the coun- 

 try, both horses and mules escaped unusual suffering, and w^ere reported 

 through the season comparatively exempt from any lorevailing visita- 

 tion of disease. A brief generalization only of the facts in the reports 

 of the year will be attempted. 



CONDITION OF STOCK IN THE SPRING. 



Cattle. — The short hay crop, and the severity of the winter, taxed the 

 feeding resources of Maine farmers to the utmost. The numbers were 

 reduced as much as possible in the autumn, an unusual quantity of grain 

 was fed, and yet many died. The deficient supx)ly was not made good. 

 The reports hint at the general scarcity of forage. In York " a large 

 proportion are in fair condition, but some persons are short of hay, and 

 choose to stint their stock rather than buy ; " in Franklin cattle were 

 reported in good order. 



New Hampshire reports of condition were more favorable, except that 

 in Coos cattle were " thin but healthy." In Hillsborough superior condi- 

 tion resulted from better care and the feeding of grain. 



Similar accounts come from Vermont ; the least favorable from Addi- 

 son, Windsor, and Orange. In many instances the low price of beef 

 induced farmers to attempt to keep over too much stock for the grain 

 supplies. Animals were sustained in fine flesh in Grand Isle and 

 Windham. 



Massachusetts reports indicated about average condition 5 only Dukes 

 and Norfolk were below, while Hampden and Franklin were the only 

 counties above an average. 



In Ehode Island, cattle were " poor but healthy •' in Providence, com- 



