proceedings of the farmers* club. 265 



Why Grow Horns upon Sheep? 



A Michigan farmer wants the Club to discuss the question, " Why we 

 should grow horns upon sheep? What is their use? Are there Spanish 

 Merinos without horns ? or, if not, could the}'' not be bred without ? Does 

 it not cost as much feed to grow a large set of horns, as it does two pounds 

 of wool ? Then would it not be more profitable to grow wool or meat, 

 instead of worthless horns ? And if grown without horns, so that when 

 they fight they would not injure themselves, why not, where grown almost 

 exclusively for wool, keep the bucks without castrating, since they pro- 

 duce more wool than wethers ? What would be the value of sheep car- 

 cases, say old, worthless rams, to feed to hogs. 



As these are all important questions, and as no practical shepherds were 

 present, we print them in hopes of eliciting answers from outside members 

 of the Farmers' Club. 



The writer calls up the question about horns upon the bovine race, and 

 defines any one to prove them of value. He has reason to be opposed to 

 them, for he says: " My father was nearly killed by a cow's horns. One of 

 my neighbors had a large hole hooked in his body this spring, and I have a 

 fine young horse much injured by an ox a short time ago. I consider horns 

 on cattle a nuisance, and shall raise no more cattle with them on. From 

 what I can learn from books, I think I should like the Galloway cattle, if 

 the cows are good fair milkers. Would they be a good breed here for beef 

 and milk ?" 



Mr. Solon Robinson — I think that we-can answer yes to both of these ques- 

 tions. There are a good many of this excellent breed of cattle in Canada West. 



Inquiries About Fences. 



Our Michigan friend asks the following questions: "I want to make 

 durable fences. I have stone but not enough to make a high fence. 

 1. Could I place large stones where I want posts, and drill holes eight to 

 ten inches, and fasten wrouglit or cast-iron posts solid by melting lead 

 around, and fasten the boards with wires through holes ? I should have 

 the bottom board two and a half feet from the ground, and fill up with 

 stones or sod, so the iron post need not be over three or three and a half 

 feet long? 2. Can a substantial fence be made on such apian? I was 

 out to Iowa this fall, and on the way I saw considerable white willow. 

 It is a splendid tree, and no humbug. I should fence my farm with it even 

 here, if I was not afraid it would impoverish the adjoining land so as to 

 prevent raising good crops for several rods on each side of the fence. 3. 

 What does the Club think on that point?" 



Mr. Solon Robinson. — It tliinks, first: That yoii can make a cheap, sub- 

 stantial fence in this way. You may also fasten wooden posts to the stones 

 by one or two iron pin'^, made so as to drive in the drilled hole solidly, and 

 having the upper end pointed, and made rough on the sides so as to drive 

 in the posts and hold fast. 



2. The fence would be more substantial, probably, with wooden than 

 with iron posts, as boards nailed on would make a stifier structure than 

 fastened otherwise. 



3. The Club think just as you do, that there is danger upon this point, 

 in fencing with white willow, or any other large-rooted tree. 



Adjourned. John W. Chambers, Secretary. 



