266 THE PRINCIPLES OF AGRICULTURE 



and send dairy products to market from dis- 

 tricts far removed from the great cities and the 

 seaboard, at a profit. On the rich prairies, 

 wherever maize will flourish, one thousand 

 pounds of live stock, or one large dairy cow, 

 may be carried for every two acres of fairly 

 good arable land. In some cases, some extra 

 concentrated foods may be required, if the ani- 

 mals are kept up to their full capacity for 

 growth and production. 



493. On farms of the East, where a large 

 percentage of the land must be devoted to per- 

 manent pasture because it is steep and stony, 

 one animal of one thousand pounds to two acres 

 cannot be carried unless considerable concen- 

 trated food is purchased. 



494. There are two methods respecting the 

 number of animals to be kept on a farm. One 

 method requires that food be bought. The other 

 method is to keep only so many animals as can 

 be maintained by home resources. On lands 

 naturally fertile, and on those which have been 

 wisely managed, this latter practice is to be 

 commended. It may be said, however, that if 

 the stockman can secure increased profits by 

 risking something for extra food, he should take 

 advantage of it ; but most farmers had better- 

 not assume many risks. 



495. We may now speak of the practice of 



