RELEASE DATE: APRIL 6, 2008
KINSEARCHING
by
Marleta Childs
P. O. Box 6825
LUBBOCK, TX 79493-6825
[email protected]
This week we continue with information from the publication by the U. S. Congress, {House of Representatives} REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF PATENTS FOR THE YEAR 1853. AGRICULTURE (Washington: A. O. P. Nicholson, Printer, 1854).
p. 16 - Santarrilla S. G. FRANKLIN, Cuba, Clinton Co., OH
Luther BAILEY of the United Society of Shakers, North Union, Cuyahoga Co., OH
Jacob KNOOP, Elizabeth, Miami Co., OH
P. W. GILLETT, Astoria, Clatsop Co., OR - His report states: "Cattle in this Territory, especially in the interior and southern parts, amount to almost nothing. They keep fat during the whole year upon grass. The average price of beef in this county, is from 18 to 20 cents per pound. Good cows are worth from $80 to $100 a head; oxen, $150 to $225 a yoke."
William M. MACY, Quercus Grove, Linn Co., OR - His description of conditions in Oregon Territory are similar to Gillett's: "Cattle are raised here with little care more than to keep them from straying. Besides our own consumption of beef, large droves of fat cattle are taken to the mines. Milch cows are worth $75 per head. Through the milking season, the yield per cow is from 75 to 100 pounds of butter...."
pp. 16-17 - Isaac R. EVANS, Harrisville, Butler Co., PA - He mentions that "There are but few cattle of improved breeds in this section, although the subject is becoming a great object to our farmers. They find a ready sale for any of their stock at any season..."
Evans also gives a "taste" of what farm life was like in this period by furnishing details about necessary tasks: "The breaking of steers is one of the most important operations of cattle raisers. My method is, to take a pair of animals two or three years old, which are in good condition, and tie them up in the barn by the horns with a strong rope, where they cannot injure themselves. I then handle them occasionally by leading them around, until they know what it is to be confined. As soon as they will lead pretty well, I yoke them, and tie their tails together, to prevent them from turning their yokes; putting them in a clear yard, where they cannot go very far without turning. I drive them around a few times, in order to accustom them to travel together, a few days after which they will do to go to ordinary work in a team."
p. 17 - Statements of H. N. MCALLISTER, George BUCHANAN, James ALEXANDER, J. K. SHOEMAKER, and William J. WARING (part of a joint report pertaining to cattle, which was presented to the Centre County Agricultural Society, PA) - "Oxen are not used for labor in this county, except in the lumber districts, although many farmers might employ them advantageously. Durham and Devonshire cattle are being introduced, and crossed upon our common breeds, with manifest advantage to farmers."
N. LINTON, Cochransville, Chester Co., PA - His statement relates the following: "Horned cattle have not been raised extensively in this section, until recently. Farmers have long been in the habit of feeding them for market, taking them from droves brought principally from Ohio, Virginia, and Illinois... Farmers in this county have also mostly bought their working oxen from Western droves...But the scarcity and high prices of stock cattle of late years have induced farmers to turn their attention more to raising calves; and young stock may be seen on almost every farm...."
(To be continued)