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Streeter, John Williams

"The Fat of the Land The Story of an American Farm"

But why did you say dehorn the cows?"
"Well, I notice that a man with a club is almost sure to find some use
for it. If he isn't pounding the fence or throwing it at a dog, he's
snipping daisies or knocking the heads off bull-thistles. He's always
doing something with it just because he has it in his hand. It's the
same way with a cow. If she has horns, she'll use them in some way, and
they take her mind off her business. No, sir; a cow will do a lot better
without horns. There's mighty little to distract her attention when her
clubs are gone."
"What breeds of cows have you handled, Thompson?"
"Not any thoroughbreds that I know of; mostly common kinds and grade
Jerseys or Holsteins."
"I'm going to put a small herd of thorough bred Holsteins on the place."
"Why don't you try thoroughbred Jerseys' They'll give as much butter,
and they won't eat more than half as much."
"You don't quite catch my idea, Thompson. I want the cow that will eat
the most, if she is, at the same time, willing to pay for her food. I
mean to raise a lot of food, and I want a home market for it.


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