LIVE STOCK. The animals neceseary for the stocking and cultiva tion of a farm, and those which are kept, on it for profit, or for the sake of their dung, are called the live stock of the farm, in contradis tinction to the dead stock, which consists of the implements of husbandry and the produce stored up for use.
The live stock on a farm must vary according to circumstances. The Humber of horses or oxen kept for the cultivation of the land and other farming operations should be exactly proportioned to the work to be done. If they are too few, none of the operations will be performed in their proper time, and the crops will suffer in ceneequence. If there are too many, the surplus beyond what is strictly required is main tained out oi the profits of the farm. To have the exact number of animals which will give the greatest profit is one of the most important problems which a farmer has to solve : what may be very profitable in one case may be the reverse In another ; and, as a general maxim, it may be laid down, that the fewer mouths he has to feed, unless they produce an evident profit, the leas loss he is likely to incur. But this rule admits, of many exceptions. It is of great importance, in taking a farm, to calculate the extent, of the arable land, no that it can be properly cultivated by a certain number of pain, of horses. It is old measure of land to divide it into so many ploughs, that is, so many portions which can be tilled with one plough each. When there are several of these, it is useful to have an odd horse over the usual number required for two or three ploughs, to relieve the others occasionally. The work is thus done more regularly and with greater ease. Where there are two ploughs with two horses each, a fifth horse should be kept, and so in proportion for a greater number. The odd horse will always be found extremely useful, if not indispensable, and the expense of his keep will be amply repaid by the regularity and ease with which the whole work of the farm will be done, and the relief which occasional rest will give to the other horses.
The other part of the live stock kept on a farm must depend on various circumetancos. Where there Is good grazing land, the profit on the improvement of the live stock, or their produce, is evident and easily ascertained. But when animals are kept upon artificial food or fatted in stalls, it is bften a difficult question to answer, whether there is a profit on their keep or not. In most cases, the manure which
their dung and litter afford being considered, there is no loss. If manure could be obtained in sufficient quantities to recruit the land, at a reasonable price, it might often be more advantageous to sell off all the hay and straw of a farm, and to keep only the cattle necessary to till the ground or supply the farmer's family. But this can only be the case in the immediate neighbourhood of large towns. In the , country at a greater distance, manure must be produced oo the farm ; and for this purpose live stock must be kept. The management and feeding of live stock is therefore an important part of husbandry, and more skill has been displayed in the selection of profitable stock than in the improvement of tillage. Some men have made great profits by Improving the breed of cattle and sheep, by selecting the animals which will fatten most readily, and by feeding them economically. It requires much experience to ascertain what stock is most profitable on different kinds of land and in various situations. Unless very minute accounts be kept, the result can never be exactly known. It is not always the beast which brings most money in the market that has been most profitable; and many so animal which has been praised and admired has caused a heavy loss to the feeder. Unless a man breeds the animals which are to be fatted, he must frequently buy and sell ; and an accurate knowledge of the qualities of live stock and their value, both lean and fat, is indispensable. However honest may be the salesman he may employ, he cannot expect him to feel the same Interest in a purchase or sale, for which he is paid his commission, as the n whose profit or loss depends on a judicious selection and a pool bargain. Every fanner therefore should endeavour to acquire a thorough knowledge of stock, and carefully attend all markets within his reach to watch the fluctuation in the prices. It will generally be found that the principal profit In feeding stock is the manure, and to this the greatest attention should be directed. A little management will often greatly increase both the quantity and quality of this ind:spenaable substance, and make all the difference between a loss and a profit, in the keeping of stock. plaxuer..]