INTRODUCTION 3 



such by-products must to an ever increasing degree be used to sustain 

 farm animals. 



Utilization of land unsuited for tillage. — In those sections of our 

 country which are so rough or stony that the land cannot be culti- 

 vated, cattle and sheep may be profitably kept. Also, in the great 

 semi-arid regions of the West where neither dry farming nor irriga- 

 tion are practicable, stock thrive on the scanty but extremely nutri- 

 tious grasses and other vegetation. Cut-over timber districts may 

 likewise be profitably grazed before they are finally brought under 

 tillage. 



Distribution of labor. — In grain farming, the demand for labor is 

 irregular and during rush seasons, such as harvesting, help is scarce 

 and high priced. On the other hand, live-stock farming gives em- 

 ployment thruout the year. ^Moreover, in winter, when animals re- 

 quire the most care and attention, the farmer is the least busy with 

 other farm Avork. By offering steady employment, the stock farmer 

 is usually able to secure more efficient and trustworthy men than the 

 grain farmer. 



Intelligent and progressive agriculture. — The whole world over, 

 the most enlightened and progressive agricultural districts are found 

 where live-stock farming is practiced. This is due to several reasons : 

 The live-stock farmer can not live from hand to mouth, but must lay 

 in a store of feed for his animals thruout the winter months. This 

 same care and foresight are then carried into his other activities. 

 Under some systems of agriculture the returns from the year's crops 

 all come in at once, which makes for extravagance and idleness, with 

 resultant poverty until another crop is harvested. On the other hand, 

 under most systems of live-stock farming, income is secured several 

 times during the year. 



The care and control of domestic animals, which are intelligent yet 

 submissive to his wall, tend to develop those instincts in man that make 

 him kindly, self-reliant, and trustworthy. The good stockman grows 

 proud of his sleek, well-bred animals and derives a satisfaction there- 

 from not measured in money. With pride he may hand down to his 

 sons his reputation as a breeder. He is also able to leave them fertile 

 fields which he has built up rather than robbed, a heritage bequeathed 

 by few grain farmers. 



Profitable live-stock farming. — In the early days, with land low in 

 price, pasturage abundant, and feed and labor cheap, profit from live- 

 stock farming was comparatively easy, even tho one knew little of 

 the principles governing the feeding and care of stock. Conditions 

 have now changed. The great western prairies no longer offer rich 

 fields free for the taking, and hence thruout the country fertile land 



