270 MERCER COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 



upon it, now comprises twenty-five hundred acres, and at one 

 time it contained fifteen hundred acres more. It is used 

 almost entirely for raising and feeding stock. About one-half 

 of the farm is in pasture and meadow, and tlie other half is 

 used mostly for raising corn. Renters, living in houses on the 

 place, raise most of the corn, and deliver the rent, two-fifths, 

 in cribs near the feed yards. Most of the renters' share of the 

 corn is bought each year by the bushel. 



BUILDINGS AND FEED YARDS. 



The dwelling house, barns, and other buildings are located 

 near the center of the farm, and where the land is broken. By 

 this means plenty of water, shelter, and quick drainage from 

 yards and feed lots are obtained. The yards and feed lots are 

 on all sides of the barns, and the feed lots open into five pas- 

 tures that extend in all directions. 



FEEDING. 



The corn is fed in boxes, and what falls upon the ground, 

 dV is dropped by the cattle, is saved by the hogs. The hay is 

 "^ed in racks, with boxes below to catch the litter. There are 

 always from three hundred to six hundred cattle on the farm 

 feeding, and about as many hogs. In the Winter of 1879-80 

 I fed five hundred cattle, and among them are a herd of 

 ninety Short-Horns, that for purity of breeding and individual 

 excellence are not surpassed in the Northwest. 



The young males are sold off every year at from one to 

 two hundred dollars each. It is bad financial management to 

 sell well-bred cows and heifers at from one to two hundred a 

 head, when every calf they raise will sell for that amount. 



THOROUGH-BRED SHORT-HORNS. 

 My herd contains some of the members of the most highly- 

 prized families to be found in America, and among them are 

 eight Rose of Sharons through Thames, which are strictly of the 

 A. Renick breeding. One of these. Rose of Sharon of Durham 

 Lawn, cost the proprietor of Crow Farm the large sum of 

 $4,200. There are several of this highly-prized family, and 



