TRANSACTIONS OF STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 97 



easily, by mating highly bred ones with those equally pure blooded. 

 As a general rule " like produces like," yet there are exceptions. Ordi- 

 narily a very fine cow bred to a high-grade bull will produce a calf like 

 its parents, still there are times when the blood of the two does not 

 blend well and the result is a disappointment to the breeder ; whereas, 

 this same cow bred to another bull would produce a calf far superior. 

 The raiser of good stock must give his strictest attention to the mating 

 of his cattle; he may have the choicest animals to start with, but if he 

 fails to give them thought his herd will surely degenerate. 



Particular care should be used in the choice of a bull; his indi- 

 viduality will show itself in the entire herd, since his blood is really the 

 vital and energy-giving force by which we better the breeding, while that 

 of the cow is confined to her particular calf, consequently more easily 

 eliminated from the herd than that of the bull should his offspring, as 

 a whole, show any defective points. Don't keep a delicate animal; they 

 are hard to care for and never raise their young with any profit to the 

 producer. 



Having obtained an excellent herd, the feeding of them is a problem 

 requiring constant study. A set rule cannot be laid down as to quan- 

 tity or kinds. A certain amount of feed or feeds, which would be the 

 proper proportion for one, might not be at all suitable for another. Feed- 

 ing is governed greatly by the natural and climatic conditions of the 

 country. Every breeder cannot grow the many different varieties of 

 feed, therefore he must ascertain what will do well in his locality, and 

 more particularly on what his stock will thrive the best. 



Give them plenty of water; you may get the best feed obtainable, and 

 feed all the animal can eat, but without clean, fresh water, except the 

 amount necessary to sustain life, it is virtually thrown away. More 

 diseases are transmitted by means of impure water than in any other 

 manner. Directly after the water is taken into the stomach, it enters 

 the circulation, thus carrying the impurities to all parts of the system. 



Stock should have some kind of shelter, even though it be a mere 

 shed, to break the cold winds during the stormy season. 



While it is true that in large herds each animal may not get the care it 

 should, yet the herd taken collectively can be treated in a proper 

 manner in the matter of food and care. Excepting show cattle, it 

 takes no more expense to feed good cattle than poor ones. As a matter 

 of fact, the good ones are the cheapest in the end. 



It is sometimes no easy matter to decide which breed to carry. At 

 the present time the Herefords are undoubtedly the most popular, and 

 seem destined to hold the lead. They are hardy, uniform in size and 

 color, mature early, and are easily handled. The range men are fast 

 recognizing their merit as range cattle, and are taking the bulls as fast 

 as they can be raised, at good prices. 



