AUTHOR'S PREFACE 



THERE never was a time in the history of the world when it was so necessary for 

 the breeder and stock raiser to be efficient in his work. He must not only 

 raise better and more stock, but be able to save the great losses which are 

 occurring every year from preventable diseases. The magnitude of the Animal 

 Husbandrj interests may be judged from the manufacture of meat products. In the 

 United States alone during the year 1909 the value of the meat products of the 

 slaughter and packing industries or establishments amounted to the enormous sum of 

 $1,370,508,000. In value of the products turned out, these industries stand at the head 

 of all the manufacturing interests of the country. 



The butter, cheese and condensed milk industries turn out products valued at 

 $274,558,000 per year, and yet such an eminent authority as Prof. Haecker, of the 

 Minnesota Experiment Station, makes the statement that the milk producers of his 

 state are/ losing all their profits simply because of lack of understanding of "how to 

 feed." The time has* come when only those who understand feeding are in a position 

 to realize the maximum profits from live stock. The food problem lies at the very 

 basis of success an all forms of animal husbandry. The object of this work 'is to so 

 present the scientific data concerning animal foods that the average stockman can 

 make rational use of them. 



The subject of scientific breeding is of vast importance in all forms of animal 

 husbandry. All the average stockman needs is a clear conception of the type desired 

 to be produced and an adaptation of means to that end. It is possible for him to get a 

 clear conception of this when the results of experience are presented in a practical 

 way. 



The care of animals in ways other than feeding is also of great importance. It 

 is estimated on good authority that in five states of the middle west during a ten-year 

 period the average loss per farm was: 5 horses, 16 cattle, 19 sheep and 64 hog's. The 

 Government statistics show that $200,000,000 worth of live stock was lost from disease 

 and exposure in the United States during the year 1915. This immense loss was due 

 largely to preventable diseases and to improper care. In the department on diseases 

 in this book is presented to the stockman the practical, simple methods in use among 

 the most successful, efficient stock raisers of the country. If these are put into 

 practice, they will help greatly in saving a large percent of the immense loss that 

 the farmers are now sustaining. Every farmer should know how to care for the 

 simpler difficulties. 



It is not the aim of the author or compilers to substitute suggestions for the 

 services of a veterinarian in any locality. It is too well recognized that a lack of care 

 and attention to stock is in a large way responsible for the development of many 

 diseases that need the attention of a veterinarian. In the ' section devoted to the 

 diseases of stock, we merely aim to give suggestions that can be utilized in warding 

 off many diseases of the simpler character and suggesting how the stockman may 

 aid the local veterinarian where greater knowledge ij needed. A farmer understands 

 his stock better than anyone else, and can always give valuable aid in explaining the 

 conditions which preceded the calling of the veterinarian, so that a proper analysis 

 or diagnosis of the case may be had. 



We wish to acknowledge our indebtedness to "Klemheinz, Sheep Management," 

 for the illustrations on "Docking the Lamb" and "Drenching the Sheep"; Fuller, 

 Wisconsin College of Agriculture, for the illustration of the "A-Shaped Colony House 

 for Hogs"; Craig, "Judging Live Stock," for the illustration showing the "Horse's 

 Mouth." 



If the book accomplishes, even in a small way, the purpose for which it was 

 written, it will prove a very valuable source of information for the farmer and stock 

 raiser. THE AUTHOR. 



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