62 



Now, how stands the case with experienced farmers? 



Alderman Mechi, the most progressive, and one of 

 the most enlightened farmers of all England says : 

 " I have no doubt, this statement will startle many a 

 practical farmer, and will raise a storm of indignation 

 among stock-feeders and stock-breeders ; but the 

 naked truth is best told which is, ' that live stock are 

 necessary evils, mere manufacturers of manure, and 

 unattended with any direct profit/ ' 



This is not his opinion only. Many able men 

 freely endorse it. Here is one whose opinion cannot 

 be misunderstood. " A friend of mine," says Mechi, 

 '" a close calculator, who on 1500 acres does not keep 

 a bullock, says : those who keep many bullocks will 

 never want to make a will." 



Then why does Alderman Mechi fatten any cattle ? 

 Why keep so many sheep? Why does he fatten 

 about 400 hogs every winter? 



He says : " I know by long and large, experience 

 that pigs pay better for purchased food than any 

 other stock and even they will by no means, ' clear 

 their teeth.' " 



His object is manure. He has no other motive. 

 He buys 8000 bushels of Indian corn or barley in a 

 single year to feed to his animals, and looks to his 

 great tank, full of rich manure, for all his profit. 



We have many other cases of this kind on record. 

 Here is one : Mr. Burrett, visited the farm of Samuel 

 Jonas, in England, consisting of 3000 acres. He says : 

 ' c 1 was surprised at one fact which I learned in con- 

 nection with his economy. He keeps about 170 

 bullocks ; buying in October and selling in May, 



