KIND OF FARM ANIMALS TO KEEP 



217 



Ho 



well as hogs and sheep. All the necessary feed may be pro- 

 duced on such farms, and the cost of keeping the stock may 

 be much reduced by allowing the animals to have access to 

 pastures and rough feed. A survey of a number of Missouri 

 farms showed that on farms of 40 acres or less, the return 

 for one hundred dollars worth of feed used was $94 from 

 cattle, and $172 from 

 hogs ; but on farms of 1 2 1- 

 200 acres, the return from 

 cattle was $115, and from 

 hogs $174. This seems 

 to confirm the rule of 

 small animals for small 

 farms. 



The relation of the size 

 of the farm to the num- 

 ber and kind of farm 

 animals is indicated in 

 the following estimate 

 giving the average num- 

 ber of acres necessary to 

 support one animal: 

 Horse, 3-5 acres; cattle, 

 per head, 3 acres; hog, i acre; sheep, J acre. These figures 

 are estimates only, but are sufficiently reliable to indicate 

 approximately whether a farm is over- or under-stocked. 



Markets. The distance from market and the character of 

 shipping facilities are of importance in making a choice of 

 farm animals. A short distance to market is favorable for 

 the shipment of all kinds of live-stock; a long distance en- 

 tails shrinkage in weight and liability of loss by accident. 

 Cattle and sheep stand long-distance shipping better than 



Graph showing return from cattle and 



