262 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



In regard to the breeding of cattle, I agree with Dr. 

 Loring, that a man must be kind and humane to them. I 

 believe there is a great deal in that in breeding. I have 

 never thought so much of it as I have this morning, but I 

 always make pets of my cattle ; they are always kind and 

 gentle, and seeming^ like to see me, as Mr. Hammond's 

 stock liked to see him ; and when a man can attend to them, 

 that is one great source of pleasure, if not of profit. 



Question. I wish to ask Mr. Stone if he is any stronger 

 in the advocacy of steaming food for cows than Dr. Loring 

 was ten years ago? Dr. Loring has abandoned it entirely, 

 as he has said here to-day, and I should like to ask Mr. Stone 

 if he has any reason to believe that, ten years hence, he will 

 be as much in favor of it as he is to-day ? 



Mr. Stone. I cannot answer for Dr. Loring. I do not 

 know how much he was in fovor of it ten years ago. But I 

 have had this on my mind for more than ten years, although 

 I have not had an opportunity to try the experiment. I was 

 told last year that I should like it very well the first year, 

 the second year not qu!te so well, and the third year, I 

 should give it up. I cannot tell how that may be. But I 

 will say this : if I should be engaged in other business, and 

 be obliged to leave the care of my animals to hired men, Avho 

 do not understand it, or take any interest in it, I do not 

 know but the safest way would be to feed them on dry hay, 

 and have them come out as poor as they may in the spring. 

 But if a ipan wants to try the experiment, and satisfy himself 

 which is the best and most economical way of feeding, I 

 advise him to try it. It will cost but little. My whole ar- 

 rangement cost me only $250. I am now moving my boiler 

 right under the L that runs from my barn, where I can run 

 my steam-box within four feet of the boiler, because I can 

 save fuel. Twenty pounds of steam will then answer my 

 purpose as well as forty did under the former arrangement. 

 One or two hods of coal a day is all that will be necessary. 

 The expense is very little. As nearly as I can estimate, with 

 my stable full, which holds forty, I can keep my cattle in 

 good condition (with one man to card and clean them, in a 

 barn arranged as mine is, on one floor), for fifteen ce^its each 

 a day, including the labor, and you can judge whether that is 

 a hisrh cost for takiuir care of mv stock of cattle. 



