Centennial history of Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, Part 36

Author: Stocker, Rhamanthus Menville, 1848-
Publication date: 1887
Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : R. T. Peck
Number of Pages: 1318

USA > Pennsylvania > Susquehanna County > Centennial history of Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania > Part 36

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

1 Written by F. H. Bunnell.

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AGRICULTURE, GRANGES AND STOCK.

Susquehanna Grange, No. 74, South Montrose. Organized January 9, 1874, by S. W. Buck, Deputy of National Grange, Patrons of Hus- bandry. Master, R. S. Searle ; Secretary, J. R. Lyons ; Charter Members, R. S. Searle, M. L. Catlin, Horace Brewster, Apollos Stone, L. C. Smith, O. M. Hall, E. L. Cool, J. R. Lyons, Kirby Bunnell, John S. Tarbell, I. G. Lake, G. S. Johnson, D. A. McCracken, N. S. Harri- son, J. W. Allen, F. H. Hollister, M. M. Mott, H. H. Harrington, J. F. Hunter, C. J. Hollis- ter, Jacob Tewksbury, Margaret Lake, A. S. Hall, S. A. Bunnell, L. B. Stone, Ellen E. Searle, Anna E. Lyons, R. A. Allen, J. N. Catlin, H. C. Harrison, S. E. Harrington, E. C. Hunter, Lucy Smith, Chloe Tewksbury. Present Master, Silas Decker ; Secretary, F. H. Bunnell.

Auburn Grange, No. 101, organized by S. W. Buck, February 7, 1874. Good hall and active membership. Charter members, Alex- ander Stevens, J. M. France, Elijah Crane, Norman Sterling, I. R. Low, Wm. White, Jr., W. W. Lee, G. Carter, Daniel Seely, Amasa Wilcox, G. W. Kirkhuff, John C. Rifenbury, Emmett Tewksbury, J. B. Young, W. H. Ming, C. W. Pierson, M. H. Vanscoten, W. N. Bennett, George Harris, Mrs. J. M. France, Christine Harris, Mrs. W. W. Lee, Dianna Wilcox, Sallie Sterling, Jeanette Stevens, Mrs. E. Ming, Mrs. C. W. Pierson, Mrs. G. Carter, Mrs. Daniel Seely, Floyd Tewksbury.

Brooklyn Grange, No. 246, organized by S. W. Buck, May 8, 1874; reorganized by R. S. Searle, November 20, 1884. Master, H. W. Kent ; Secretary, E. G. Williams; Charter members, H. W. Kent, E. H. Westen, J. J. Roper, G. I. Giles, G. B. Rogers, C. F. Perigo, E. G. Williams, E. F. Stephens, A. E. Waldie, D. S. Watrous, Ansel Sterling, Ralph Sterling, Lodowick Bailey, George Sterling, Fred Miller, Mrs. E. H. Westen, Mrs. G. I. Giles, Mrs. J. J. Roper, Mrs. E. F. Stephens, Mrs. A. E. Waldie, Mrs. R. Sterling, Mrs. D. S. Watrous, Mrs. L. Bailey, Mrs. George Sterling, Mrs. Fred Miller.

Union Grange, No. 152, Lathrop, organ- ized by S. W. Buck, March 5, 1874. Master, G. S. Bronson ; Secretary, C. R. Bailey ; Char-

ter members, P. S. Bronson, S. P. Mack, G. S. Mackey, Jesse Silvius, M. V. Bisbee, C. R. Bailey, J. E. Sanders, G. C. Bronson, R. O. Silvius, Z. Mackey, I. A. Hotchkiss, C. W. Parker, H. G. Mack, H. B. Wood, Mrs. A. E. Bronson, Mrs. C. C. Risley, Mrs. J. E. Mack, Mrs. E. Bailey, Mrs. K. Bisbee, Mrs. Esther Mackey, Miss Mina Mackey, Miss Lizzie Bron- son, Miss Mattie Mackey ; reorganized by F. H. Bunnell, December 11, 1886.

Middletown Grange, No. 172, organized March 20, 1874, by S. W. Buck. Master, Geo. L. Wells ; Secretary, L. A. Howard ; Charter members, Geo. L. Wells, J. J. Can- field, L. W. Camp, J. W. Lewis, L. A. Howard, Chas. Camp, E. Stedwell, A. I. Coleman, Samuel Dodge, N. W. Bauman, P. S. Ross, A. I. Lewis, John Alderson, J. W. Bent, F. E. Briggs, G. H. Hurdy, O. H. Coleman, G. N. Deimm, M. A. Shafer, Henry Alderson, Mrs. E. J. Stedwell, Mrs. Saralı Coleman, Miss Lucy I. Wells, Miss Media Camp, Miss Anna J. Ross, Mrs. S. A. Lewis, Mrs. A. Lewis, Mrs. J. J. Canfield, Mrs. Mary Alderson, Miss Mary Alderson.

East Bridgewater Grange, No. 187, organ- ized by R. S. Searle, November 19, 1874. Master, Samuel Smyth ; Secretary, S. Jewett ; Charter members, Samuel Smyth, S. Jewett, Daniel McCollum, C. J. Curtis, Wmn. C. Curtis, John C. Curtis, N. O. Passmore, A. J. Baldwin, H. Griffin, Geo. Mackey, S. Frink, J. Baldwin, Daniel Stewart, Libbie Jewett, Jennie Smyth, Mary Curtis, Mary Passmore, Harriet Frink, Chas. Curtis, L. E. Baldwin, I. C. Mackey, Eva Fort, Mrs. S. Kennard.

Franklin Grange, No. 260, organized by R. S. Searle, May 12, 1874. Master, Benj. Vance; Secretary, David Marsh ; Charter members, Benj. C. Vance, R. R. Bailey, David Mursh, John P. Fish, Wm. Watson, L. B. Cole, F. L. Smith, John J. Stockholm, N. S. Buck, E. C. Parks, H. W. Ives, A. L. Sonth- worth, Wm. Meeker, Jr., D. B. Townsend, Mrs. Kate Vance, Mrs. Cora Bailey, Mrs. Maria Mursh, Mrs. Mary Buck, Mrs. M. E. Cole, Mrs. H. Watson, Mrs. Elizabeth Smitlı.

Springrille Grange, No. 266, organized by Roger S. Scarle, State Deputy, May 20, 1874.

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HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

Master, H. R. Sherman; Secretary, A. D. Woodhouse; Charter members, H. R. Sher- man, A. D. Woodhouse, F. A. Muzzy, Ezra Schooley, James Wallace, Wm. Main, O. F. Blakeslee, John Main, S. S. Tyler, J. I. S. Wal- lace, Samuel Blakeslee, Asher Quick, Amy P. Sherman, R. P. Mnzzy, G. Schooley, Sarah Tyler, Mary Blakeslee, E. Woodhouse, Ruth Quick.

Jackson Grange, No. 342, organized by R. S. Searle, State Deputy, September 22, 1874. Charter members .- H. H. Stoddard, H. W. Tyler, J. R. Crandall, H. D. Corse, Avery W. Barrett, Alvin W. Barrett, Edson Barrett, I. C. Hill, Stephen Barnard, E. C. Chandler, Friend Barrett, H. A. Barrett, H. S. Stoddard, T. J. Tallman, S. E. Morse, E. O. Perry, Mrs. H. H. Stoddard, Mrs. H. W. Tyler, Mrs. J. R. Cran- dall, Mrs. A. D. Corse.

This Grange never became dormant ; it has a good hall, and store-room well filled with goods, and an active membership.

Milford Grange, No. 289, organized by State Deputy R. S. Searle, June 20, 1874. Master, Jno. Bisbee; Secretary, George Williams; Charter members, G. S. Corwin, L. A. Smith, Jno. Bisbee, S. P. Smith, C. Fletcher, J. W. H. Bradford, F. Wellman, G. N Well- man, G. P. Terwillager, J. P. Harding, William Harding, J. W. Bennett, O. Bennett, Mrs. M. Corwin, A. A. Bisbee, A. Smith, Jane Well- man, Sarah Wellman, F. E. Terwillager, Mrs. Carrie Bennett, E. R. Bennett, Julia A. Davis.

Rising Sun Grange, No. 417, of Forest Lake, organized by State Deputy R. S. Searle, December 17, 1874. Has a good big hall, good membership and is in a flourishing condition. Master, Levi Birchard; Secretary, Randolph Turrell; Charter Members, Levi Birchard, H. F. Handrick, Randolph Turrell, Lester Turrell, W. G. Small, W. C. Small, A. B. Griffis, E. Griffis, Perry Birdsall, E. L. Rinevault, Philip Rinevault, S. R. Wright, Albert Ball, Edward Ball, A. S. Horton, J. E. Birchard, F. S. Tur- rell, S. Turrell, Phœbe A. Small, Theresa Small, Aggie Griffis, Cipena Griffis, Julia Birdsall, Rebecca Rinevault, Martha Rinevault.

Sweet ; Secretary, D. P. Brewster ; Charter mem- bers, Watson Jeffers, A. T. Sweet, C. A. Stearns, T. Brewster, D. P. Brewster, Andrew Adams, S. Alworth, Geo. Lindsley, Geo. Whitney, O. P. Tiffany, O. L. Hine, E. N. Carpenter, Walter Wilmarth, Horace Lindsley, G. Hotchkiss, L. E. Carpenter, S. E. Carpenter, L. Moore, Geo. Fort, Mrs. W. Wilmarth, Mrs. W. Jeffers, Mrs. A. T. Sweet, Mrs. D. P. Brewster, Mrs. L. Brewster, Mrs. A. J. Adams, Mrs. L. Moore, Mrs. M. J. Alworth, Mrs. G. Whitney.

Cascade Grange, No. 452, organized by State Deputy R. S. Searle, January 23, 1875. Master, Geo. McKune; Secretary, P. L. Norton ; Char- ter members, Geo McKune, John Warbomes, J. F. McKune, J. R. Comfort, L. E. Shutts, W. W. Watrous, B. F. McKune, G. E. Mc- Kune, C. F. Bailey, P. L. Norton, Francis Comfort, Julia McKune, Delia Watrous, Mary McKune, Nina Muse, Sarah Norton, Sarah Bailey, L. M. Shutts, Betsey McKune.

Niven Grange, No. 457, Springville, organ- ized by State Deputy R. S. Searle, January 28, 1874. Master, Jerry Stephens ; Secretary, S. G. Lewis ; Charter members, Jerry Stephens, H. Stark, Calvin Mangett, T. L. Conklyn, M. Stephens, John Thomas, A. G. Lewis, A. A. Stark, D. Stark, John Oakley, Jasper Billings, Oliver Squier, Albert Squier, Rosetta Stephens, Sarah Conklyn, Amelia Smith, Sarah E. Lewis, Mary Stark, Emeline Billings, Nancy Palmester, F. Stark, Elizabeth Squier, Eva Squier.

Topeka Grange, No. 458, Silver Lake, organ- ized by State Deputy R. S. Searle, January 29, 1875. Master, C. H. Clarke ; Secretary, T. H. Gage ; Charter members, C. H. Clarke, T. H. Gage, S. R. Wilbur, B. M. Gage, J. C. Gage, M. D. Lee, W. S. Meeker, H. F. Indelied, W. J. Wilbur, D. C. Cameron, A. M. Gage, Thos. Rogers, Jr., Antoinette Gage, S. Wilbur, S. S. Clarke, Lydia Gage, Jane S. Gage, E. M. Lee, Hannah Wilbur, Melissa Cameron, A. M. Meeker, Hattie Gage.

Clifford Grange, No. 514, organized by State Deputy R. S. Searle, March 27, 1875. Master, Reese Hughes; Secretary, C. L. Halstead ; Charter members, Reese Hughes, J. B. Stephens,

Harford Grange, No. 418, organized by State Deputy R. S. Searle. Master, Abel T. | Thos. Maxey, H. Cndderback, Jas. Decker, W.

Ro. S. Searle

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A. Tineker, John Bolton, D. L. Richards, L. C. Abers, J. G. Wetherby, S. D. Robinson, A. A. Lindley, Wm. Barber, J. R. Bennett, J. Hal- stead, H. Rivenburgh, C. L. Halstead, Warren Halstead, Mrs. Rivenburgh, E. Tingley, Mrs. B. F. Halstead, Mrs. R. L. Rivenburgh, Mrs. M. A. Decker, Salome Stephens, A. Hasbruck, Elsie Robinson, Hannah Cudderback, C. S. Halstead, Minerva Hobbs, Charity Rivenburgh.

Gibson Grange, No. 798, organized by State Deputy R. S. Searle, March 11, 1886. Charter members, G. R. Berry, Rufus Barnes, E. R. Gelatt, D. S. Walter, G. P. Barnes, R. W. Gelatt, R. T. Smith, E. O. Perry, Mrs. G. R. Berry, Mrs. Rufus Barnes, Mrs. E. R. Gelatt, D. S. Walter, Mrs. O. P. Walter.

Elk Lake Grange, No. 806, organized by State Deputy F. H. Bunnell, August 1, 1886, Master, Otis B. Titus ; Secretary, V. N. Young ; Charter members, Otis B. Titus, V. N. Young, Isaac B. Woodhouse, Elijah Lathrop, B. L. Brush, H. C. Miles, A. W. Fargo, J. G. Cart, Harry Lyon, John Tyler, John Ralston, G. T. Lowe, James Lathrop, Wealthy M. Titus, Rose Woodhouse, Emma Griswold, Sabra Brush, Mary Miles, Anna Fargo, Adelia Cart, Dora Lyon, M. A. Young, Dora Tyler, Hester Rals- ton, Emily E. Henry, Jennie E. Henry, Lizzie Henry, Frankie Lathrop, Dell Lathrop.

Highland Grange, No. 339, Oakland, was organized with the following officers and eharter members: L. E. Griffis, Master; S. J. Northrop, Secretary; charter members, S. J. Northrop, E. Bradford, Orrin Foster, Theodore Galloway, Warren Estabrook, L. E. Griffis, A. F. Galloway, Wm. W. Blaisdell, Sylvester Griffis, Henry Helmer, Chas. Bradford, Hanna M. Bradford, Mrs. C. M. Northrop, N. A. Fos- ter, Ella A. Estabrook, Mrs. B. C. Griffis, Mrs. J. W. Galloway, J. M. Bradford, Mercy A. Gal- loway, Hulda Blaisdell, Aurilla Griffis.

ROGER S. SEARLE, eldest son of Daniel and Johannah (Stark) Searle, was born at the home- stead in Pittston, Luzerne County, September 24, 1826, and came to Montrose with his parents the following year. He was educated at the Moravian School at Nazareth, Pa., John Mann's Academy, St. Joseph, and at the Montrose Academy. At the age of fourteen he began a

clerkship in the store of his father and Uncle Rasselas, where he remained, together with at- tending school, until he reached his majority. His father had purchased a large timber property in Lathrop township, this county, and in con- nection with his other business was manufactur- ing lumber and shipping to various markets.

Immediately after becoming of age Roger succeeded his father in this lumber business, . manufacturing and shipping down the Susque- hanna to Columbia and Baltimore. He took large contracts for the supply of timber and lumber, and furnished the Delaware, Lacka- wanna and Western Railroad Company, from a point on that road at Nicholson, with quantities of pine and oak and wood for fuel.

He shipped timber to Richmond, Va., and furnished timber for the Smithsonian Institute at Washington, D. C., under contract with one Sniffen. Upon the breaking out of the Rebel- lion in 1861 he discontinued his business, and, under the solicitation of Generals Meylert and Morris, gathered together a large number of men in that vicinity and went to Harrisburg. Most of these mien enlisted in the three months' service. Mr. Searle at once entered service as sergeant-major, under Coloncl Seiler and Colonel Biddle. After the act of May 15th, creating the Pennsylvania Reserves, he enlisted in Com- pany B, under Captain Harding, was transferred to Company H, Fourth Pennsylvania Reserves, and went with his regiment to Baltimore on July 21st, the day of the fight at Bull Run. There he was detailed in the Medical Directory under Doctor Page, where he remained until the regi- ment was ordered to Tenallytown. He rejoined his regiment, was appointed hospital steward and, a short time afterwards, sergeant-major Fourth Pennsylvania Reserves, and served in that capacity until Christmas. Under an order from Governor Curtin he returned and raised a company of men for the Twelfth Pennsyl- vania Reserves, mostly from Susquehanna and Wyoming Counties, and took them to Harris- burg. Among the number were Ira and Loren Burritt; the former became captain of a com- pany, the latter colonel of a colored regiment, and, after his return from the war, a member of the Legislature. Mr. Searle subsequently, after

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recovering from sickness consequent upon camp life, went as a volunteer in the hospital depart- ment under Doctor Horn to the Peninsula, and was there during the Seven Days' Fight. He was appointed drill-master by Governor Curtin at the camp that bore his name, where for one year he drilled four companies of cavalry and four companies of infantry, the latter commanded by Captains M. C. Morris and Isaac S. Little. These, together with two companies of militia, were commanded by Major-General Reynolds, and formed the advance guard, ready to bc called upon if required, at the battle of Antietam ; none, however, were ordered into the fight.

Mr. Searle returned with the eight companies to Camp Curtin, where he remained until the Wyoming regiment was formed, when he was tendered a major's commission, but was unable to accept on account of disability and returned home. In the spring of 1863 he took charge of his father's real estate in the county, and one year later settled at the foot of Jones' Lake, in Bridgewater, on the property which his father had purchased in 1848, where he has continued to reside since.

Mr. Searle has been greatly interested in agriculture and in everything that would im- prove the condition of the farmer. He was the prime mover in organizing the first Grange- Susquehanna, No. 74-of which he was elected master, and made State Deputy. He subse- sequently organized Granges at New Milford, Brooklyn, Jackson, Highland, Union, Harford, Clifford, Rising Sun, Topeka, Auburn, Spring- ville, East Springville, Lanesboro' and at Damas- cus, Starrucca and Dyberry, Wayne Co. He was elected in the fall of 1885 member of the executive committee of the State Grange. Mr. Searle was elected president of the Susquehanna Agricul- tural Society in 1884, and in January, 1885, he was elected a representative of the State Board of Agriculture for three years. He was influ- ential with the State Board in obtaining an appropriation for the establishment of a Farmers' Institute, which was organized at Montrose in May, 1886, of which he was elected president. During his residence at Nicholson, while en- gaged in the lumber business, he had charge of the stage line from Montrose to Scranton, a

section of the route from Great Bend to New York, and continued the management of this until it was superseded by the Delaware, Lacka- wanna and Western Railroad. Mr. Searle is an advocate of temperance, and strongly urges every measure calculated to promote its princi- ples and put down the liquor traffic. He mar- ried, in 1858, Ellen, a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Barry Croad) Spaulding, the former a native of Vermont, who settled in Lathrop township, the latter a native of London, Eng- land. She was born November 17, 1836. Their children are Anna C .; Barry, an ana- lytical chemist at Hurley, Wisconsin, who was graduated at Lehigh University; Ellen ; and Daniel Searle.

FARMERS' INSTITUTE .-- The Farmers' In- stitute of Susquehanna County was organized at the court-house at Montrose May 5, 1886. Roger S. Searle, who had been the prime mover in the enterprise, called the meeting to order, and the organization was effected by electing H. H. Harrington president, and D. D. La- throp secretary. Later, Mr. Harrington re- signed and Mr. Searle was elected president. On motion of J. S. Tarbell, W. W. Williams and William H. Jones were chosen vice- presidents.

Hon. J. B. McCollum delivered the opening address in the interests of agriculture, and dur- ing the two days' session many speeches were made and valuable papers read, among which were the following :

" The Vital Needs of Industry," by E. A. Weston, of Brooklyn; " How we manage our Dairy," by E. G. Ball, Forest Lake; "How to make Home Happy," by Mrs. E. A. Weston, Brooklyn ; "The Progress and Art of Agriculture," by Roger S. Searle, Bridgewater ; " Fruits and Trees," by E. A. Weston, Brooklyn ; "The New Agriculture; or, The Waters led Captive," by Hon. A. N. Cole, Wellsville, N. Y .; "Small versus Large Farms," by Hon. N. F. Underwood, Lake Como, Pa .; " The Art of Breeding," by James E. Carmalt, Friendsville ; "A Practical Education," by Mr. James, superintendent of schools; "General Farm Topics," address by Colonel Victor E. Piolett, Wysox, Pa .; "Disease of our Farm Animals," by J. F. Butterfield, South Montrose; "Legislation for the Protection of Farmers," by Roger S. Searle; "Twenty Years' Experience with Ayrshires," by Christopher Byrne, Choconut; "Experiments on Five Acres," by S. B. Eldridge, Brooklyn ; "Devons," by William

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H. Jones, South Montrose; "Farm Life for the Young," by Rev. W. C. Tilden, Forest Lake ; "Sheep Husbandry," by L. T. Birchard, Birchardville; " Graded Schools," by Prof. A. H. Berlin, Montrose ; " Advanced Agriculture," by Hon. J. H. Selkreg, Ithaca, N. Y.

A committee of five was appointed to report a plan of permanent organization. This com- mittee, on Thursday, made the following re- port :

"The undersigned committee of the Farmers' Insti- tute respectfully report that the following citizens of Susquehanna County, in their respective town- ships, be invited to join under the leadership of Mr. Roger Searle as chairman, until this convention is called, organized and elects his successor, and ap- point such executive committee as they may think proper to organize a series of institutes as may seem best to hold the farmers of the county in working harmony to protect their united interest :

" Apolacon, Samuel Rice; Ararat, James Bush- nell ; Auburn, C. E. Davis; Bridgewater, Roger Searle; Brooklyn, Frank Kent; Clifford, F. S. Green; Choconut, Christopher Byrne ; Dimock, F. H. Bun- nell ; Franklin, R. K. Bailey; Forest Lake, Lester Turrell ; Gibson, E. B. Potter; Great Bend township, John Crosson; Harmony, Charles Beebe; Herrick, Silas Churchill ; Harford, A. T. Sweet; Jackson, E. O. Perry ; Jessup, William Clark ; Lathrop, P. S. Bronson ; Lenox, Warren Tingely ; Liberty, Theron Smith ; Middletown, Samuel Davis ; New Milford township, Jasper T. Jennings; Oakland, George Squires ; Rush, Clark Kinney ; Silver Lake, Thomas Patton ; Springville, Samuel Shook.

" All of which is respectfully submitted.

‘C. E. DAVIS. "E. O. PERRY. " F. H. BUNNELL. "M. J. HARRINGTON, "JAMES E. CARMALT." " Committee.

"Montrose, May 6, 1886."

By an act of the State Legislature during its session in 1886, one thousand dollars was voted the counties of the State for the purpose of establishing Farmers' Institutes. In accord- ance with this law, Susquehanna County re- ceived an appropriation of one hundred and eight dollars from the State Board of Agricul- ture for the purpose of organizing the Institute.

The second Farmers' Institute for Susque- hanna County was held at Montrose, in the court-house, February 9 and 10, 1887, Roger S. Searle, chairman ; Charles F. Watrous and

Charles Bailey, secretaries. James E. Carmalt, Esq., of Apolacon, made the opening ad- dress. Papers were read by E. A. Weston on " Roads and Road-Making ;" Mrs. M. H. France on " How to Induce the Children to Stay on the Farm ;" Mrs. H. Mary Tewksbury on the subject of poultry-raising ; Jasper T. Jennings on the " Duty of Farmers to Organ- ize ;" G. A. Lathrop, D.V.S., gave a talk on pleuro-pneumonia and tuberculosis ; F. H. Hol- lister on butter-making; W. L. Sterling on " Winter Dairying." George E. Resseguie read an essay on "Strawberry Culture;" W. J. Baker, of Dimock, on " Horse-Breeding; S. W. Lester, of Troy, Bradford County, gave his experience in running a creamery. The in- equality of taxation was discussed and denounced. Chairman Searle called out a young man by the name of Frank Carter, who gave a very encouraging account of farming in Susquehanna County, as follows :

" I have 70 acres of cleared land, and from that land everything had been taken off, and nothing put back for 12 years. I bought it April 1, 1884. I put on 12 cows that year and from those cows the first year I made 1800 pounds of butter and sold it at 20 cents per pound. My receipts that year were 1800 lbs. butter, at 20 cents per pound, $360; veal and calves raised, $72; pork sold, $50, potatoes, $75. I bought 8 cows and wintercd them. The first of April, 1885, found me with 18 cows and 3 yearlings. I made from those 18 cows that year 3600 pounds of butter and sold it at 25 cents per pound, making $900. My other receipts that year were, pork sold, $100; veal and calves raised, $140; poultry and eggs sold, $30. The first of April, 1866, found me with 24 cows. I have made this year, or will by April 1, 1887, 5500 pounds of butter and sell it at 25 cents per pound, making $1375; other receipts, calves, $125; pork, $10; poultry, $30; apples, $30. During the year I have fed $300 worth of grain and have cleared $50.44 per head from my cows. I fed ensilage to all my stock, horses included."

1 PRINCIPLES OF STOCK-BREEDING. - All breeding is founded on the principle that like begets like. This is, however, liable to some exceptions, and is much more generally true when breeding down than when breeding up. If two animals (which can never be exactly similar in all respects) are requisite to the per-

1 By Wm. H, Jones.

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HISTORY OF SUSQUEHANNA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

petuation of the species, it necessarily results that the progeny must differ more or less, from each parent. With wild animals, and such of the domestic animals as are allowed to propagate without the interference of art, and whose hab- its, treatment and food are nearly similar to their natural condition, the change through suc- cessive generations is scarcely perceptible. It is only when we attempt to improve their good qualities that it is essential carefully to determine and rigidly to apply what are adopted as the present scientific principles of breeding. We cannot believe that we have penetrated beyond the mere threshold of this art. Unless, then, we launch into experiments, which are necessar- ily attended with uncertainty, our duty will be to take for our guide the most successful practice of modern times, until further discoveries enable us to modify or add to such as are already known and adopted. We may assume, then, as the present rules for this art :

First. That the animals selected for breeding should unite in themselves all the good qualities we wish to perpetuate in the offspring.

Second. These qualities, technically called points, should be inbred in the animals, as far as practicable, by a long line of descent from parents similarly constituted. The necessity for this rule is evident from the fact that in mixing different species, and especially mon- grels, with a long-established breed, the latter will most stamp the issue with its own peculiar- ities. This is forcibly illustrated in the case of the Devon cattle, an ancient race, whose color, form and characteristics are strikingly perpetu- ated, sometimes to the sixth, or even a later gen- eration. So far is this principle carried by many experienced breeders, that they will use an animal of indifferent external appearance, but of approved descent (blood), in preference to a decidedly superior one, whose pedigree is im- perfect.

Third. All the conditions of soil, situation, treatment and food should be favorable to the object sought.

Fourth. As a general rule, the female should be relatively larger than the malc. This gives ample room for the perfect development of the fœtus, easy parturition, and a large supply of

milk for the offspring, at a period in its exis- tence, when food has greater influence in per- fecting character and form than at any subse- quent time.

Pairing should be with a strict reference to correcting the imperfections of one animal by a corresponding excellence in the other. The in and in breeding, or propagating from animals nearly allied, may be tolerated under certain circumstances, though seldom, and only in ex- treme cases between those of the same genera- tion, as brother and sister. When the animal possesses much stamina and peculiar merit, which it is desired to perpetuate in the breed, it may be done either in the ascending or descend- ing line, as in breeding the son to the parent, or the parent to his own progeny. This has been practiced with decided advantage, and in some cases has even been continued successively as low as the sixth generation. It is always better to avoid too close relationship, by the selection of equally meritorious stock-getters of the same breed from other sources. Wholesome, nutri- tious food, at all times sufficient to keep the ani- mals steadily advancing, should be provided ; but it is always best to avoid too much of the fat-producing kind, as young calves must never be allowed to get fat, only when intended for the butcher ; of the two evils, starving is pref- erable to surfeit. Careful treatment, and the absence of disease, must be always fully con- sidered. Animals should never be allowed to breed either too early or too late in life. The periods cannot be arbitrarily laid down, but must depend on their time of maturity, the longevity of the breed and the stamina of the individual. Effect of the first impregnation upon future progeny. Farmers who are breeders on a small scale are sometimes careless as to the male serving their cows or mares for the first time, the argument being too often used that the first produce is seldom worth raising, and anything will answer until they see how they will breed, etc., and if the animal proves to be a good breeder, as they term it, they will next time use a better sire. This is a sad mistake. When our breeders realize that the first impreg- nation exercises a powerful effect upon subse- quent ones, and in some cases may even nullify

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Centennial history of Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, Part 36

Author: Stocker, Rhamanthus Menville, 1848- Publication date: 1887 Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : R. T. Peck Number of Pages: 1318

Author: Stocker, Rhamanthus Menville, 1848-
Publication date: 1887
Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : R. T. Peck
Number of Pages: 1318