CHAPTER XXI 

 KIND OF FARM ANIMALS TO KEEP 



THE choice of animals to keep on the farm depends upon 

 several factors. There is no good reason to believe that one 

 kind is always more profitable than another. One farmer 

 may conclude that dairy cattle yield the greatest profit, 

 while his neighbor may be equally sure that hogs are most 

 profitable. Perhaps both may be right, for each man may 

 know how to manage the animals of his own choice better 

 than any other. So the first factor in determining a choice 

 of live-stock is the personal preference of the farmer himself. 

 The choice may be further influenced by the size of the farm, 

 market facilities, lay of the land, and available capital. 



Personal preference. Likes and dislikes must be taken 

 into consideration, for they are often based upon some past 

 experience that may favor or hinder success. A farmer who 

 dislikes sheep is not likely to succeed as well in raising them 

 as another who is more interested in them. In some instances, 

 no doubt, large profits may tend to change a farmer's attitude 

 toward a particular kind of animal. 



Size of farm. As a rule small animals and small farms 

 go together. A farm of forty acres or less would not be 

 adapted to raising dairy or beef cattle, for it would not produce 

 enough rough feed and pasture. But it might do very well 

 for poultry, hogs, or even sheep. Large farms, on the other 

 hand, are well adapted to raising beef cattle or horses, as 



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