IMPORTANCE: OF RAISING UVE-STOCK 273 



Roots and Tubers. In the South roots as mangels and turnips 

 may often be profitably raised during the winter when the land 

 is ordinarily idle. These crops do not interfere with the raising 

 of cotton, corn, etc., because they may be harvested in time to 

 plant the summer crops. When the market prices for Irish and 

 sweet potatoes are low these crops may be fed to live-stock. 



Labor. The raising of live-stock furnishes employment for the 

 hands throughout the year. By being able to keep labor the year 

 round is usually more satisfactory and cheaper than to employ 

 hands for a part of the year. 



Mixed Husbandry the Most Profitable. Because of the main- 

 taining and often increasing of soil fertility, and the utilization 

 of cheap feeds that would ordinarily be thrown away, it is 

 readily seen that the raising of live-stock in conjunction with 

 general farm crops is perhaps the most profitable. We have only 

 to look to the older farming sections to learn that mixed hus- 

 bandry has proved to be the most profitable. Of course on new 

 lands the farmer often realizes a good profit by raising single 

 crops, but such lands invariably deteriorate and it is only a ques- 

 tion of time when such single crop farming will have to be 

 abandoned. 



Raise Products at Home. The farmer of to-day should realize 

 the economy of raising animal products and feed stuffs for home 

 consumption. It seems strange to know that in some sections, 

 where single crop farming is practiced, that farmers purchase a 

 great deal of food from the merchant, often at exorbitant prices, 

 that could be easily and cheaply raised at home. Some of these 

 products that are purchased are, butter, milk, cheese, eggs, meat, 

 vegetables, fruits, feed stuffs for live-stock, and similar products. 

 The farmer should always aim to have something to sell and not 

 be forced to continually buy if he wishes to be prosperous and 

 happy. Some products of course must be purchased but any- 

 thing that the farm will produce should be grown at home. 



The following table, the work of American and foreign in- 

 vestigators will acquaint the student with the fertilizer constit- 

 uents in feed stuffs : 



