18 MISSISSIPPI EXPERIMENT STATION. 



In Mississippi where cotton growing has been the chief source of 

 revenue for the farmer, other branches of agriculture have not been 

 developed extensively. 



In the wheat and corn belts, farmers have long ago discovered 

 that the continuous sale of their crops could not be carried on indefmitely 

 without impairing the fertility of the soil and that they must have 

 recourse to live stock of some kind to return to the land some of the 

 elements of plant food taken from it by the crops grown, thus 

 preserving their farms in a state of productivity more nearly 

 resembling the original condition of the soil. In the cotton belt the 

 beef breeds of cattle are only beginning to take their rightful place 

 among other farm live stock. This is largely ow r ing to the prevailing 

 idea among farmers that raising beef steers for market is not profitable. 



Dairy farming has many points of superiority over beef raising, 

 but to farmers who are not close to a good market and are handicapped 

 by lack of available and steady labor, the breeding and feeding of 

 cattle will offer many inducements. 



That it is a profitable business in the South is shown by the low 

 cost of raising cattle, economy in producing suitable feeds, and the 

 inexpensive buildings required. 



With a good pure-bred beef sire, a herd of native cow^s, and plenty 

 of pasture land, a farmer may in two or three years time develop a 

 good grade beef herd, which will largely increase his profits and maintain 

 the fertility of the soil. 



The comparison between the stable vs. open yard system while 

 showing some advantage in favor of the stable method really indicates 

 that a combination of the best features of both systems is preferable . 

 This could be done by allowing the cattle to run in large sheds with 

 a solid tight floor which should be well bedded, and the manure all 

 saved. If desired, outside yards connected with these sheds could be 

 provided, so that the cattle could have some exercise and plenty of 

 fresh air. One of the secrets of successful cattle feeding is in making 

 them as comfortable as possible. 



Where (-cottonseed meal and hulls can be purchased at a reasonable 

 price, they prove to be very cheap feeds for fattening steers. No bad 

 effects result from feeding cottonseed meal for such short periods as 

 this, and it remains to be seen whether any ration can be compounded 

 exclusive of good silage, which can equal it as an inexpensive feed. 



