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expenses of keeping the fences in order. This, to men of 

 reasonable views, must be considered as a fair return, when 

 the security of the investment is taken into the account, and 

 the hay being consumed on the farm, its condition may be 

 fully kept up. 



1 hardly know how to discuss this subject, without saying 

 what might appear like fault-finding or complaint ; and this 

 too in a case where, if error or fault exist, it is extremely diffi- 

 cult to point out a remedy. I shall allude, however, to some 

 points, with a sole view to provoke inquiry after better modes, 

 if better can be found. 



The price of cattle for the stall has for several years been 

 very high ; as high indeed by the hundred as they will gener- 

 ally sell for when fatted. This price can seldom be afi'orded 

 by the stall-feeders. The only remedy for this is for the far- 

 mer to raise cattle for himself, or to buy them at a year old 

 coming two, when the price is seldom proportionate to their 

 real value. But does it not cost as much to raise stock as to 

 buy it ? This is often said, and may sometimes be said with 

 truth. There is, however, on every farm of any extent, a 

 great deal of coarse fodder, hay not of the best quality, the 

 straw of grain, the stalks and refuse of corn, which may be 

 used to great advantage for the keeping of this kind of stock ; 

 and if to this could be added a moderate supply of succulent 

 vegetables, turnips, mangel-wurtzel, sugar beets, carrots, ruta- 

 baga, or parsnips, the stock may be kept in good condition on 

 this kind of feed and at a reasonable expense. Now, of these 

 stores farmers are in general exceedingly wasteful, either from 

 a low opinion of their value or a disinclination to the labor of 

 gathering and taking care of them. We can hardly go over 

 any extensive farm in the country, where a great deal of fod- 

 der is not left to perish, which might be used with advantage 

 for our young stock in our long winters. In many cases the 

 wheat and rye straw are sold off the farm ; and sometimes 

 left to moulder away in heaps upon the spot where the grain 

 was threshed. Many farmers are entirely indifferent to the 



